Tara Bodong Foundation (Netherlands) is a charitable organization that supports humanitarian projects in the Himalayan region of Northeast India. Our mission is to improve the living conditions of local people living in the area. We do this through (financial and non-financial) donations, capacity building and knowledge transfer.
Our main project is the Lumla Bodong Nunnery / Girls' School, which provides a safe home and access to education for young girls. This facility houses and provides supplementary education to young girls from mostly nomadic families in mountain villages around Lumla. Lumla is located in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh and shares a border with Bhutan and Tibet (China).
OUR GOAL, VISION & COMMITMENT
REGISTER & HELP MAKE CHANGE
VOLUNTEER, PARTICIPATE OR DONATE
Celebrating 10 Years
Ten years ago, our small group of friends in Hilversum embarked on the journey to give young girls living in the mountainous village of Lumla, Arunachal Pradesh a chance to go to school. Today, we are proud to say that 21 girls are living at the Tara Bodong Nunnery. Your support pays for their supervision, school uniforms, clothes, meals and all other living expenses. The result is that six of the oldest girls will graduate from middle school this summer and be able to continue to high school, which is also located close to the nunnery. To mark this important anniversary, and the success of our project - we made a short video which can be seen via this link. You can also find the video on our website, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, so please feel free to share!
SCHOOL
After two years of COVID uncertainty, school rosters are back to normal and the annual school exams were able to take place on schedule. As you can see in the pictures, nine of our girls are now in high school. The younger ones are still in primary school and are following in the footsteps of their ‘big sisters’. They continue to study hard and have all passed their exams so they can move up to the next grade. And of course a new school year means new uniforms and new school supplies!
Six of our girls will soon graduate high school. By then they will be 18 years old and our Tara Bodong sponsorship for their formal education will end. We have asked our local committee in Lumla to give us an idea of their plans for the future. Maybe we can assist with further education or help them learn a trade to find a job or start their own business.
NEWS
Thriving at Lumla Bodong!
It’s been a while since our last update but we are happy to inform you that your sponsored child is thriving at the Lumla Bodong Nunnery.
SCHOOLS AND COVID-19
After briefly having to close again at the start of this year because COVID precautions, the schools were allowed to open again after a month. Thankfully, classes are back to normal and the annual school exams were able to take place according to schedule. As soon as we get the results, we will share those with you.
The Impact of a Sponsor
The mountainous hillsides around Lumla are dotted with nomadic families desperate to give their girls a chance at a better life. Since 2014, each girl at our Lumla Nunnery/Girls’ School has received individual sponsorship. With your support these inspiring young women are on their way to becoming independent thinkers who will help improve the situation in their local communities for generations to come.
For just €45 per month you can change a girl’s life, who can then change an entire community! Your contribution provides access to lodging, clothes, food, school uniforms, books, and anything else she might need, to become a self-reliant, contributing member of her community and the world at large. Click here to find our more about our sponsorship programme or donate.
