Munsel-ling School Flush Toilets

Project #329 – 2020-2021

TRAS is a long-time supporter of the Munsel-ling School in the Spiti Valley, in northern India, since it opened in 1996.

In 2018 the School constructed 12 dry toilets with urinals for the boys. The toilets were very useful during the winter but during the summer they created a dreadful smell around the school and campus.

Early in 2020 Munsel-ling School approached TRAS for help with building a permanent block of flush toilets for girls and boys. The Indian Government is now very active in working towards the health and sanitation of the students in the schools.  So with TRAS promising half the needed funds , Munsel-ling was able to obtain the other half from the government, and  construction started when the road to the Valley opened in the early spring. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic all construction has been stopped, and the project was on hold until at least later in the spring of 2021.

Construction restarted in 2021 and a large block of toilets were built incorporating the flush toilets for use in milder weather and the dry latrine toilets for use in the freeze of winter.

TRAS raised $5,000 to cover the funds sent in 2020 and an additional $3,970 when the building restarted. The project was completed in 2021.

Personal Protection Equipment for Tibetan Clinics in Nepal Update

In December, TRAS responded to a request from the Central Tibetan Administration and Snow Lion Foundation (SLF) to fund PPE supplies for healthcare workers in the 12 clinics in the Tibetan settlements in Nepal. With your generosity, we have sent the first instalment of $7,000 which has been used to purchase much needed supplies including face masks, gloves, PPE suits, face shields, and boots. With the pandemic situation evolving, the needs are also changing. In late 2020, lock down was eased and cases became stable. Supplies became more accessible with more reasonable transport and shipping expenses. 

Currently, however, with cases once again rising each day, SLF requested for the funds to be used not only for personal protection gear but also for disinfection and sanitation supplies. As a grassroots organization founded on the mantra of listening to our partners and supporting their needs, TRAS agreed. Overall, SLF plans to distribute these disinfection supplies to the Tibetan settlements to support 9 schools, 7 settlements, 5 elders homes, and 12 clinics. As the situation continues to evolve, we will continue to be in close communication with SLF, receiving regular updates on their needs and use of funding.