Vocational training
From the very start children are learning practical skills such as:
Greenhouse farming
People in the area eat simple food, mainly meat, tsampa, rice and sometimes vegetables that have to be brought from far away. Many health problems ensue from poor diet and lack of hygiene. Experience shows that it is possible to grow vegetables in greenhouses even at such altitude and weather conditions. Greenhouses are effective means of providing food for personal consumption, and extra crops can be sold to generate income.
Animal farming
Saving animals destined to be slaughtered is an established Tibetan tradition. The school will use resources at its disposal to regularly pay for the lives of farm animals. Some of animals saved will live on the school property and children will learn to take care of them as well as learn skills of producing milk products. Existing practices of animal herding can be improved and some children will become educated herdsmen when they grow up.
Handicrafts production
Learning to make smaller objects representing Tibetan culture, such as the eight auspicious symbols, bags made from yak’s hair, etc. Such handicrafts are also an effective means of promoting the school and fund raising to support its activities.
Environment protection
The environment of the area faces serious threats due to introduction of modern products and overuse of resources like wood and grass-worms. Students will learn how to take care of the school environment, keep it clean, dispose of garbage in an appropriate way, sell recyclables, plant trees, etc. All of these skills are very useful for the whole area.
In the years following completion of phase one, the school will be gradually expanded. It is estimated that the full capacity will be 200 children. Buildings will be added; more subjects will be introduced to the curriculum. School’s vocational training will be further developed to enhance learning experience and contribute to self-sustainability of the school. Some examples are:
Farming of medical plants
greenhouses can house not only vegetables but also precious and valuable medical plants that can be sold to Traditional Tibetan Medicine factories.
Natural soap and cosmetics
homegrown herbs can be made into soap and other natural cosmetic products. Such products have strong marketing potential, can provide good jobs for the community and be an effective source of financing further work and development of the school.
Health food and tea
The land is rich with natural resources, herbs, medicinal plants, etc. that can be used to make products like health food or herbal tea.
Tourism
The area has good potential for further development of tourism. People need to learn skills needed to work in hotels, restaurants, as tour guides etc. The school will build and run a guest house and a restaurant to provide income and be a place of practical learning for the students. Tours of the area will be offered to guests.
Photo and video
At the moment such services are only available in larger cities. Beside serving the local market, the photo and video shop will help to develop children’s creativity and talents, and give them a possibility to express themselves and present the work of the school through modern mediums.
Graphic design of printed media
There is a growing need for this service in the local market; students will produce printed materials about the school, such as calendars and picture books, to present the work of the school and raise funds.
Cheese
Western style high quality cheese can be produced from yak milk both for personal consumption and for markets in other parts of China and abroad.
Manufacturing of clothes
The people in the area still wear traditional Tibetan clothes. There is a need for skilled tailors. Traditional styles can also be adopted to more modern way of dressing and marketed.
Utmost care will be taken to minimize the harm caused by conducting vocational training and workshops to the environment and its inhabitants. The purpose of the vocational training program is for children to learn, not to use children as a workforce. People from the local community will be employed to do the work that exceeds children’s normal healthy working experience and family responsibilities.
