Tibetan nomads - tradtional life in rural Tibet
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Ruthok Bridge
Ruthok Bridges Built: As of April 15, 2005, we have accomplished another mission: we have finished rebuilding two broken bridges in Ruthok before the rainy season begins and water levels rise. The bridges are now strong and safe to use by people, animals, and tractors. With generous financial support from 40 individuals and gift sales, the Tibetan Village Project was able to raise the $3500 needed by February 2005 to cover the cost of materials to rebuild the bridges. The local authorities have provided in-kind support by sending a construction crew and the Ruthok community recruited volunteers for general labor. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project. We would especially like to thank Carrie Strange, a director of TVP, who led the fundraising effort and whose family members donated most of the funds we raised for this project.

Ruthok is a nomadic community of 3000 Tibetans located in central Tibet. The Meldro River runs from east to west between the Ruthok community and the Balog township seat, where the school and medical clinic are located. People from Ruthok need to cross two bridges: prior to our help, one bridge was completely washed away by heavy rain water and the second one was about to collapse before. Without these bridges, the school and clinic are useless because people cannot cross the rivers during the six month long rainy season. The community members are very grateful for your financial support of the project and offer their prayers. Parents no longer fear that their children will fall into the river on their way to school. Again, we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

This photo was taken in spring when water level is low.
Before: This photo was taken in spring when water level was low .
After: A photo of the bridge after we rebuit it. Water level has not increased yet becuase of dry winter.
This bridge was completely washed away by water from a heaving rain. Again, the photo was taken was taken in early spring when water level was low.


After rebulding teh second bridge.

Before: This bridge was completely washed away by water from a heaving rain. Again, the photo was taken in early spring when water level was low.  

Click here to see photos of school kids who use Ruthok Bridge all the time or see photos of our past bridge project.