Manjushree Orphanage

• September, 2009
• Tawang, India

Founded by Lama Thupten Phuntsok, a Tibetan Monk, the orphanage now houses 141 children and is growing. His goal is to be able to care for a total of 250 children. Sitting at 10,000 feet in the Himalayan Mountains, 60 miles from the China border, Tawang is the birth place of the 6th Dalai Lama and the region is home to an estimated 40,000 severely impoverished Monpa people who are practicing Tibetan Buddhists. As we anticipate, along with poverty comes sickness.

A one room clinic was established in May 2008 and stocked with $90,000 of donated medical supplies from Direct Relief International. It is supported by local volunteer doctors and returning doctors from the US and India. We will break ground in March 2009 on the 7000 sq ft eco-green clinic/infirmary/pharmacy that is planned to open March 2010 providing primary care, dental and optometry services to the entire region. With the help of the Grossman Burn Foundation, local physicians will be trained in medical care for burn victims. A satellite link with digital imaging at the clinic will allow specialists from around the world to “virtually” evaluate and treat patients in need.