His mother was killed when he was three years old. He has no brothers and sisters; he lives with his father in very poor conditions. They collect grass-worms and do occasional construction work to earn their livelihood. Five months ago their house collapsed. His father is building a new house with the help of friends and relatives.

Without father; mother left him when he was three months old and his grandmother has looked after him since then. They depend on other people’s support for survival.

His mother was killed five years ago. His father has only one leg and spends most of the money Lodro Drime and his sister Rigzin Drolma earn by collecting grass-worms on alcohol and gambling. The two children are without a permanent home, moving from one relative to another.

4. Rigzin Drolma - 13 y, Dzogchen

Lodro Drime’s sister.

Father died when mother was still pregnant. His older sister attends a government school in the Dzogchen village. Mother provides for them by begging and occasional work.

Five years ago his mother suddenly died while working in mountains. He has an older brother and a sister. His father re-married and has three children in his new marriage. He is unable to care for the children from his first marriage. His sister is a nun in a monastery and the two boys live with their uncle.

Parents divorced when he was five years old. Mother and his older sister left to India. Father re-married and is unable to care for him. Renrong stayed in orphan school in Kunming (Yunan province) for two years. Many Tibetan children stay there yet Tibetan language is not taught there. He returned to his village because he missed his father.

Her father was killed in a fight when she was two years old. The next year her mother was struck and killed by lightning. She and her older brother have lived with their uncle since then. He has never married for fear that his wife would not take good care of the children. They depend on a small piece of land and few cows for their livelihood.

Brother of Tashi Chuntso. He got sick when he was three years old and has not been able to straighten his body since; he can only walk with the help of his hands but he can take care of himself, get dressed, go to toilet etc. His uncle taught him how to read and write. Despite his medical condition he will go to our school next year. We hope we can also improve his condition with appropriate medical treatment.

Her father died last year from eating rotten meat. Mother supports her and her younger brother by collecting grass-worms. They have no land or animals.

He has no father; his older brother attends a government school. His mother is 50 years old and has a small piece of land to support them.

Without father; his mother died when he was eight months old. He lives with his uncle.

Without father; his mother earns some money by helping others to look after cows. Grandmother takes care of the boy.

Without father; she has a two year old sister. Grandmother (same as in number 13) supports her and her 22 year old mother.

Her parents abandoned her when she was nine months old. Grandmother and grandfather looked after her since then but last year her grandmother died and now she is alone with her 80 year old grandfather. He is sick and they depend entirely on the help of others for survival.

Father left her mother after one year of marriage. Mother has a two months old baby and supports her family with the help of a small piece of land and occasional work.

He is without father; mother left for India when he was five months old. His uncle who has two children of his own takes care of him.

Without father; mother abandoned him when he was a few months old. His uncle, who is a monk, looks after him.

His father fell ill and died when he was five years old. He has two brothers and three sisters. His mother is now 60 years old.

Without father; he has an older brother and a mother who provides for them by collecting grass-worms. Their grandfather has some land and helps out.

She has no father; mother re-married and left her when she was one year old. Grandparents are looking after her. Her grandfather taught her some Tibetan script and she is able to sign her name.

Father abandoned him; his mother doesn’t take care of him. His 65 year old grandfather takes care of him and his older sister. His left eye is sick.

She is the oldest of six brothers and sisters. They have no father; mother supports them by begging and occasional government help.

Without father; mother left her when she was eight months old. Grandmother looks after her.

Without father; her mother died during her birth. She lives with her aunt who has some land and receives occasional support from the government.

He has two older sisters and an older brother. Their mother died when he was one year old. Father supports them with some land.

Without father; mother left her a few months ago. She moves from one relative to another.

Without father; his mother supports her four children by collecting grass-worms and with a small piece of land.

He has two younger sisters and a brother. Mother left them last year. Father supports them with some land.

He has no father; mother supports him by begging and collecting grass-worms.

His mother fell ill and died when he was two. The next year his father died. Uncle supports him; he has no land or animals.

Last year his father died after a prolonged illness. Family spent everything they had to pay for the medical bills. He has two older brothers. After their father died the three boys became monks and their mother a nun. They now live in a monastery and depend on support of others to survive. A-cha is not happy in a monastery. He wishes to learn Chinese and study to become a doctor.