Greenhouses | Preventing Malnutrition In Schools

Greenhouse Projects

Overview: Malnutrition among Tibetan children is rampant and has resulted in startling rates of stunted growth. TVP plans to build 10 greenhouses. After our first pilot greenhouse project in 2006, TVP has finished building 8 of 10 planned greenhouses. Each greenhouse cost $1700 - $3000 depending on the size, location and materials, etc.

Benefit: Greenhouses provide food, promote healthier diet and generates income. The greenhouse extends the growing season from four to ten months and produces vegetables. These vegetables 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.

Investing in Green

The children need your financial support to make this planned project into reality. No donation is too small or too big. If you and your friends, family members or Club are able to fund one greenhouse as a group, we will be happy name this project in your honor. Please contact us or make a donation today.