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World Tibet Network News Friday, February 25, 1994

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3. Building a School in Katsel, Tibet: The Tibetan School Project

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By Mary-France Heliere

Two international organizations of Tibetan exiles, Swedish and American
citizens, are working with local Tibetans to establish a school in the
village of Katsel in central Tibet. Katsel is a small village of approx-
mately 60 farming families near Medrogunkar, 3 hours from Lhasa. This
unique project was first conceived in 1987 when Soenam Jamyangling - a
Tibetan exile living in Sweden and with relatives in Boston - visited his
home village of Katsel and was appalled at the poor living conditions and
total lack of any educational opportunities for the children.

The Project has started to build and operate a primary school to educate
more than 100 day and boarding students from the area. Initial funding
was obtained from the Swedish International Development Authority and
individual donors in Sweden and the USA. The construction of a beautiful
school building (by a mostly Tibetan crew) is almost complete and the
villagers themselves helped build the outer wall and a traditional front
gate. Three Tibetan teachers hired by the Project have held classes in an
abandoned courtyard during the past year while supervising the school
construction. All the children in the village are Tibetans, and until now,
have received no education at all. The Tibetan language is the first subject
taught, with some basic math and science. (English and Chinese languages
will be taught in later years.) The construction of a dormitory, kitchen,
and dispensary will soon follow.

The importance of this project cannot be underestimated: This is the first
time that the Chinese authorities have allowed an international grassroots
organization to build a school within Tibet. While it cannot be ignored
that frustrating negotiations between the authorities and the Project
stretched over a number of years, some of the factors that made the project
come to reality are: (1) The involvement of Tibetans from Lhasa, Sweden,
and the USA; (2) A willingness to be flexible on some matters (such as the
name of the school) while retaining control of critical areas (building
plans, disbursement of funds, selection of students and teachers, etc.);
(3) The dedication to a goal by very committed individuals; etc.

The success of this school will not only benefit the whole village, but
should open the door for other projects that directly benefit Tibetans
within Tibet.

Contact: Marie-France Heliere
US Tibetan Association for School and Culture
105 Charles Street, #179
Boston, MA 02114, USA
Phone: 617-491-0347

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Articles in this Issue:

1. Christopher Says China Not Meeting Terms for MFN
2. Dalai Lama to Tell Bonn about Human Rights in Tibet
3. Building a School in Katsel, Tibet: The Tibetan School Project
4. Gyaincain Norbu and Chen Hanchang Address Propaganda Conference
5. Tibet Party Secretary Appears at Beijing Tea Party
6. Human Rights Commission Tibet Report "Full of Distortion"
7. Apology for Multiple Mailings

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