The double edge of its geography, though, was isolation. When the long-forbidden kingdom was opened in 1991 and AHF’s Chairman was one of the first westerners permitted to go, he saw that the richness of the cultural artifacts had been ravaged by time and climate.  Fifteenth-century temples (“gompas”) and the extraordinary art inside them had fallen into terrible disrepair.  The wall paintings, exquisitely detailed, were covered by soot and grime; earthquakes over the ages had damaged the gompa structures and roofs were caving in, bringing in water that had eroded much of the art.  Sacred chortens were crumbling.  The Lobas wouldn’t worship the sacred images any longer; they’d been defiled by centuries of deterioration.

So, in 1998, AHF began a project 600 years in the making.   Season by season, using the same patience and skill as the original fifteenth century painters and masons who created these masterworks, AHF's team of carpenters and wall-painting conservators, led now by Luigi Fieni, set to work bringing Mustang’s treasures back to life.  

The amount of work inspired another thrilling quest: to train the Lobas – the people of Upper Mustang – to restore their own treasures. As they were trained in the art and science of conservation, the temples of Mustang were slowly and steadily reborn: roofs skillfully replaced, twisted structures straightened, inner renders of the murals consolidated. And from the soot, grime and varnish emerged astonishingly beautiful wall paintings. Half a millennium from their creation, AHF has helped pull these priceless treasures back from the brink.

As Thubchen and Jampa gompas in Lo Monthang have come back to life, revealing their beauty and splendor, the Loba community began to take pride in their cultural heritage. The restoration work has become the foundation of a thriving cultural renaissance AHF has nurtured in Upper Mustang.  In addition to training local artisans – some of whom have gone on to become trainers themselves – AHF supports schools, day care centers, health care, monastic education, youth employment programs and a whole lot more.

In response, AHF began to set up day care centers where young children have a secure, healthy place to stay , play, and learn while their parents work.  As word spread and villagers saw how the centers worked, they wanted in – and now over 300 children in 14 villages are getting a jump on their education. These Loba youngsters learn to read and count in three languages (including Tibetan, not taught in government schools); they sing, dance, and play, and learn important skills like hand-washing and teeth-brushing.  Fun!  Day care centers have become a cornerstone of AHF’s humanitarian work in Upper Mustang – ensuring the next generation of Lobas has the preparation to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Keeping centuries of tradition alive and well by nurturing new generations of Buddhist scholars, AHF supports several schools for both monks and nuns, including the thriving monastic school in the village of Charang. The 40 monks here study both secular and religious subjects, including advanced Tibetan scripture and the sacred art of thangka painting.  The school has become a training ground for AHF’s restoration work as well.  One talented student trained in Charang helped restore the mandalas in Champa Gompa.