Greenhouse
Project
Overview: Malnutrition
among Tibetan children is rampant and has resulted in startling rates of stunted
growth. TVP
plans to build 10 greenhouses by end of 2008. After our first pilot greenhouse
project in 2006, TVP has finished building 2 of 10 greenhouses in November 2007.
The estimated cost of each greenhouse is $1700.
Benefit: The greenhouse provides food, promotes healthier diet and generates income with surplus vegetables from high yield season. The greenhouse extends the growing season from four months to ten months and produces vegetables. Vegetables from the greenhouses will feed and
improve the health of about 1,200 school children in Tibet.
Design: The greenhouse ranges from 10 x 20 to 30 x 40 and uses metal tube and wood for the beams; mud, stone and wood
for the structure; heavy duty plastic for the cover and fabric blanket for basic
the insulation.
Coordination: Before starting the actual construction, TVP looks into sustainability of each greenhouse project by looking into issues of whether or not schools have viable soil to grow vegetables, adequate water supply and able to maintain the greenhouse. Project beneficiaries provide the land and local villagers volunteer with general labor to help the experienced Tibetan greenhouse builders.
Maintenance and Operation
A
gardener receives about $50 per month to take care of the greenhouse, grow the
vegetables, and prepare daily lunch for the school children. In addition, TVP
purchases dietary supplemental food such as flour and rice that go into Tsampa,
Tibet's staple, and vegetables. With school supplies and teaching stipends, TVP
need your financial support to keep these schools in operation.
Photos
of Greenhouses Built |
| #0
Pilot Greenhouse - April 2006 |
| #1
Rogom School Greenhouse - July 2007 |
| #2
Scheduled to complete by late fall 2007 |
| #3
Scheduled to complete by late fall 2007 |
