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The Sambhota Tibetan School, in Pokhriabong, Darjeeling, had no permanent source of drinking water ever since its establishment in the year 1980. However, since water was available in plenty during those days, no one in the school or at the headquarters ever thought of a time where water could be so much in demand in the years to come. Hence, as the population in the village grew year after year, the availability of safe drinking water gradually became so scarce in the whole of Pokriabong region.

The natural streams dried up everywhere during winter through spring. Our school children had to struggle a lot especially during the dry months of the year fetching water from every available natural stream. Sometimes the whole school had to travel 800 meters steep down hill to bring water to school in small containers. It was literally impossible to maintain proper hygiene during water crises in the school. Diseases spread among children every year.

Therefore, the need to bring safe drinking water from a clean source about six kilometers away was very much felt by all concerned. The American Himalayan Foundation agreed to be the major sponsor of the pipeline project.

The entire work was completed on March 20th, 2007. Since its completion, there has been tremendous improvement in general health and hygiene of all residents at school. The water is very pure, clean and hygienic. Our source is one of the very few sources where water remains available all through the year. The total number of beneficiaries from this extremely important project are: 114 children, 35 staff members (including their families) and about 50 households from the nearby village.

I would extend my profound appreciation and deepest gratitude to the American Himalayan Foundation and all its members for supporting this project. The impact of this project will certainly benefit the school and all the villagers dependent upon the school’s water for years and years to come.

With regards and best wishes,
Kelsang Dawa
Headmaster, Sambhota Tibetan School

Now that the kids at Sambhota Tibetan School have clean running water year-round, they can spend their time focusing on their studies. Would you like to help improve the lives of people in the Himalayas? Click here to find out how.