Greenhouse for Pa Lhakang Monastic Orphange

When we see malnourished children, vitamins immediately come to mind. However, purchasing and shipping vitamins to Tibet is expensive unless vitamins are donated and hand-delivered to kids. For example, a bottle of vitamins (let’s say 360 pills) costs about $40. It costs approximately $1,600 plus shipping, annually, for 40 children.

Among other challenges, the children at Pa Lhakang Monastic Orphanage faced problems of malnutrition and food shortage. During TVP’s visit to Tagong in 2008, the idea of building a greenhouse to grow vegetables in came from our discussion, as TVP had already built several greenhouses for other schools in Tibet. However, Apo, the founder of the school did not have the space or know how or who could care for the greenhouse.

After further discussions and exploration of feasible options, two single mothers agreed to tend to the greenhouses if two (one each) smaller greenhouses were built in their own backyards. Thus, TVP raised money (each cost about $1,700) and built two greenhouses in May 2009.

Each greenhouse is approximately 15 x 20 feet and uses wood for the beams; mud, stone and wood for the structure; heavy duty plastic for the cover and fabric blankets for basic insulation. The goal of this project is to provide a consistent food source and improve the diet of 48 malnourished kids. Two single mothers now grow vegetables for the children, maintain the greenhouses and sell surplus vegetables at the village market to generate income. The elder boys from the orphanage also work in the greenhouses.

During a follow-up visit in September, TVP was surprised to learn that vegetables in the greenhouse grow five times faster than those that have been planted outside. Moreover, the greenhouse extends the growing season from four months to eight months. TVP and the children of Pa Lhakang Monastic Orphanage are grateful to everyone who made a contribution toward this effort!