GRASSLAND SCHOOL

new school updates 2010!!

2010-03-05T11:29:00.016+08:00

Sorry folks for getting out of touch for so long! Happy 2010

Yes! I have just come back from GRASSLAND SCHOOL with another friend MM after attending the annual public festival (Monlam) at Labrang.

The new semester is due to start soon and kids were cleaning their own classroom on the day we visit.

There are now 60 students in total with 4 class level (grade 1-4) (with around 30 students borading at school).
The student number may increase to 100 in a year time according to sherap, the founder of the school.

Please enjoy some of the photos first.

Promise I shall write more very soon.

Tashi Shok (happy new year in Amdo tibetan language)
Maggie

grade 1 classroom in temporary shed

new student looking shy before her astonishing singing performance in grade 4 classroom

visitors in traditional Amdo Tibetan costume

visitors in traditional Amdo Tibetan costume (with village background where the school is located)

group photo

oldest building built in 2006 (houses 2 classroom + 2 teachers'dorm)

snapshot outside temporay shed (houses temp kitchen, 2 room as student dorm + temp school hall)

Sherap (founder of school) and visitor

(3March) students cleaning their classroom before semester starts the next day

Back from spring visit

2009-05-06T15:11:00.001+08:00

Just back from a short 5 days visit to the grassland school.

It was a wonderful trip.

There are now a total of 47 students with 3 grades (grade1,2,3)

Detail report coming soon...

So stay tune!!

maggie

2009 Spring Visit

2009-04-27T11:56:00.000+08:00

A small group of 3 is visiting the grassland school these days.
Please stay tune for more updates later!

For now, a few short vedio clips from 2008 OCT visit can be viewed in this link. (just click the triangle play button)http://grasslandschool.blogspot.com/2008/10/fresh-footage-of-grassland-school.html

[learning to write his/her name in Tibetan and Chinese, 2007 visit]

2008 Nov visit

2009-01-08T18:44:00.000+08:00

Below are photos provided by Jules from Holland who visited Grassland School early November in 2008.

October updates!

2008-10-24T22:08:00.001+08:00

Please click the below image for the short clips from the October visit.
The clips begins with words from Sherap, the founder of the school and ends with some beautiful music.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

SHORTER VERSION
If your computer is not fast enough for the above link!!!

Instead, please click the below clip which only has the first 1 minute of Sherap's word.

[Scroll down for more short footages]

*transcript of Sherap's words in mandarin Chinese as shown below:

我叫西珠嘉措, 是拉卜愣寺上續部學院的一名僧人
I am sherap Gyatso, I am a monk from the Upper Tantric College of Labrang
因為我的老家就在卓尼縣康多鄉卡加村
my family home is in Kajia village, Kangdu of Choni
就在這個山區裏頭,因為在你們的幫助下
and it’s inside this mountain area,it is because of your help
所以就我就可以把這個學校建起來了
it enables me to build this school
而且我就這一次我就把這一些籌到的衣服
also this time, I have got these clothes
還有就這一些書本,還有就把這一個學校的這一些規模的這一些
also these books, also the extent of this school and all these
都是你們幫助下才能把建起來的
could only be built together with your help
所以我就..代表..我學校...就非常感謝你們..好嘛..對..
therefore on behalf of my school...we feel very thankful to you all
希望你們以後有機會,就要在夏天的時候就在這一個地方的藍天白雲
hope in the future you will have chance,during summer time when this place has blue sky and white cloud
很好的草原,也有好多的花,也有好多的樹林
very good grassland, and also with many flowers,and many woods
希望你們到..親自到這邊來瞭解瞭解這個地方
I hope you can come for a visit and get to know this place
謝謝
thankyou

Children books

Reading

clothes

Singing

17-19 Oct to Grassland School

2008-10-20T14:55:00.000+08:00

A last minute one person trip to the grassland school took place over the weekend. It was already snowing!

Some books donated from HK back in March were brought along to the school. At the same time, clothes donated from HK via Shanghai and Beijing were also distributed.

A more details report about the trip as well as Sherap's thankyou message will be uploaded very soon.

Thank you letter in English translation

2008-08-17T01:09:00.000+08:00

This letter was originally written in Chinese , recieved on 11 August from Sherap, the founder of the grasslandschool.

Below shows the English translation:

-----------------------------------------------

感谢信,
Thank you letter,

我是西珠小学的筹建人，西珠嘉措，我是从大山里走出的僧人，深感没有文化的痛楚，因此在家乡正在筹建一所希望小学。
I am the founder of Xizhu Primary School, Sherap Gyatso (Chi. Xizhu Gacuo). I am a monk who came from the mountain, and I deeply feel the pain of not having any cultural cultivation. Therefore I hope to build a Hope School in my hometown.

我是一名普通僧人，没有稳固的经济来源，虽有鸿图之志，却举步为难，庆好有社会各界爱心人士的捐助，才得以解困。
I am an ordinary monk without a sustainable income. Even though I have such an ambitious will, it feels very difficult to proceed. Therefore it was fortunate to receive donations supported by the kind hearted people all around in the society.

现在已初步建成七间房子及学校围墙，并且整平将要建设的十间教室地基。现有四十二名农牧民孩子，可以正常地走进教室学习文化，以后他们能更多地了解外面的世界。你们的无私捐助非常重要，没有你们的捐助，就没有我们的今天，更不会有孩子们的明天！
Presently, a classroom building with 7 bays (3 rooms, 2 classrooms) together with the school fencing wall has been built. On the other side, the foundation of the 2nd building with 10 bays has also been prepared. There are now 42 children from the villages able to go into the classrooms and learn about culture. Soon after, they will be able to understand the outside world. Your selfless donations are very important. Without your support, our “Today” wouldn’t have been possible, let alone “Tomorrow” for these children.

在此，我代表这里的孩子们谢谢你们的爱心！我深深地感谢你们对我贫困地区的帮助！
Here, on behalf of the children, I send my gratitude to you all for your kind heart! I deeply thank you for your support toward our impoverished region.

祝愿：你们身体健康，生活愉快，
Wish for your health and joyous life,

扎西德勒！西珠嘉措
Tashi Delek! (May everything be well)! Sherap Gyatso
------------------------------------------------------------------

Thankyou letter and the update school picture!

2008-08-12T13:24:00.001+08:00

Just recieved Sherap's e-mail Thankyou letter in Chinese which his friend translated for him.
There are also some photos including the finished fencing wall and the finished foundation work for the 2nd school building.
(The English translation will be uploaded soon)
-----------------------------------------

From: 4 <>Subject: 感谢信(西珠嘉措)To: m Date: Monday, August 11, 2008, 3:26 PM

感谢信

我是西珠小学的筹建人，西珠嘉措，我是从大山里走出的僧人，深感没有文化的痛楚，因此在家乡正在筹建一所希望小学。
我是一名普通僧人，没有稳固的经济来源，虽有鸿图之志，却举步为难，庆好有社会各界爱心人士的捐助，才得以解困。
现在已初步建成七间房子及学校围墙，并且整平将要建设的十间教室地基。现有四十二名农牧民孩子，可以正常地走进教室学习文化，以后他们能更多地了解外面的世界。你们的无私捐助非常重要，没有你们的捐助，就没有我们的今天，更不会有孩子们的明天！
在此，我代表这里的孩子们谢谢你们的爱心！我深深地感谢你们对我贫困地区的帮助！

祝愿：你们身体健康，生活愉快，

扎西德勒！西珠嘉措

Dinner Menu - Aug 2

2008-08-08T10:20:00.000+08:00

Appetizer

prosciutto with lychee rocket salad/Lychee rocket salad
warm scallop royal salad/ Warm royal salad

Pasta

penne with halibut in mushroom and leek cream sauce/penne with mushroom and leek cream sauce

Vegetable

asparagus with lump fish caviar/asparagus with soy bacon

Main Course

roasted pork loin stuffed with apricot and pine nuts/squids and prawns in bell pepper/portobello mushroom and tofu steak

Dessert

roasted pear and tomato toast

Tea or Coffee

Thankyou Thankyou!

2008-08-07T17:54:00.000+08:00

We did it! We rasied HKD$43,610 (Dinner + Silent Auction)

It was a fun and unforgettable evening especially the wonderful food and the exciting silent auction.

Thank you to everyone who have helped to make this happened.

Applause to all 44 diners and the lovely helpers!

Let me write more soon.

Dinner

2008-07-24T12:15:00.000+08:00

contact: meikei_hui@yahoo.com

Silent Auction - Call for item donations

2008-07-24T12:14:00.000+08:00

Grassland School updates:

2008-07-23T19:40:00.000+08:00

Fencing wall construction + picnic (2007 June)

Grassland School updates

(following phone call with Sherap early July 2008)

Last batch of funding
Sherap spent the last batch of funding on fencing wall (construction is completed). The total cost was RMB 76,000, with RMB15,000 payment outstanding. (Not paid to the builder yet as retention)

2nd school building construction
Now he is preparing for the building of the 2nd school building. The foundation has been laid. Parts of the building materials are ready. These are such as certain portion of timber. This 2nd school building is slightly larger than 1st building. (Need further clarification from Sherap)

Summary of outstanding Building materials for the 2nd building.
- Self-made sundried hollow brick.
- Cement (for the brick bonding)
- Roofing material (roof tiles, I also ask him to check insulation cost)
- Apparently labor cost has risen.
- Also certain building material cannot be found from nearby town (Hezuo合作, Lingxia临夏) but need to buy from Lanzhou兰州.

Building Cost - Sherap couldn't give me any rough figure of how much $$ he will need to complete the building of this 2nd building. (Need further info from Sherap)

Fresh water supply
A spring on the upper slope of the village is used as the new water supply. Government has provided pipe to each household awhile ago. (end of 2007) Villagers do the pipe work (dig into the soil to install the pipe work) themselves to connect to the spring (water source). This water supply works most of the time apart from winter time where the pipe froze. In these situations, the villagers collect water from the old spring, which we saw in out last visit.

foundation work, 1st school building (2006 summer)

1st visit (2006 Spring)

School construction (2006 Summer)

1st school building completed (2006 Autumn)

School Opening (2006 Autumn)

School visit (2007 April)

Cancellation of the up-coming trip

2008-03-18T11:33:00.000+08:00

Due to the recentsituation in Tibetan area, the team has decided cancelling the trip to grassland school via Xiahe which was originally scheduled to take place this Saturday.

It’s therefore the book collection will continue slowly. A trip maybe rescheduled a few weeks later depending on the situation. Please be reminded that it maybe also not the best time to post books to Sherap at this very moment.

Best regards,
Maggie

Types of Book!

2008-03-03T10:24:00.000+08:00

Below shows examples of the types of book which are aimed to collected this time:

Tibetan language Children books

2008-02-28T11:41:00.000+08:00

朋友介绍下刚找到国外一个研究生办的组织

Tibetan Art and Literature Initiative (TALI)

http://www.talitibet.org/projects.html

他们找经费在国内(青海)出版一些藏文的儿童书

由藏族的艺术家做设计插画

派发到国内藏区的小学

已经联系上他们

需然上一次出版的两本已经没存货

想订想买也买不到

但是他们说年中再出的几本新的故事书

可以把"草原学校"也列在派发的名单上

这真是个好消息 !

Through a friend, I was introduced to:

TALI: Tibetan Art and Literature Initiative

(http://www.talitibet.org/projects.html).

TALI publishes Tibetan language children books inside China (Qinghai) and then distribute the books freely to Tibetan primary school in Tibetan area. Eventhough the last 2 children books they published last year are all out of stock, they are very please to include the grassland school into the distribution list when they have a few more books which are scheduled to be published later this year.

What a good news!

In the meanwhile, we will try to collect children books (story books/ picture books) from anyone (English/ Chi) and bring some to the school during Easter.

Pictures from TALI at other tibetan school in China

Simple children books! learn Eng, pic books for word...

2008-02-27T20:39:00.001+08:00

Someone who have experince doing such project has given the following comments:

"Many thanks for your message. I am glad you are undertaking this important task. My congratulations to you and all friends involved in helping this school...

...Finally, regarding sending books from HK, I think they may want to have certain simple books to learn English, for example, like picture books with words. Maybe you can find bilingual Chinese-English ones. Dictionaries may be useful as well. Science or geography picture books could be also useful. But it is hard to say without knowing exactly the curriculum they follow. I usually send the books in English from here and they open them, take a look, close the boxes and let them arrive to their destination. I have not had trouble with this yet. I did not write any letter either. As long as the books are for children it should be OK."

A call for Book donation

2008-02-24T13:23:00.001+08:00

Happy belated Losar (tibetan word of Tibetan new year)
also Happy belated CNY of rat! and Happy 2008!

It's been a while for this site to be updated.
Finally I have almost completed my research study at uni. Will surely update the site very soon.
In the meanwhile, please find the following the latest happening!
6 people from HK will be visiting the grassland school Easter next month. And we would like to take this opportunity to call for book donation. Adding more personal touch to what you can participate. Demo Shi! Tashi Delek!

Jules and Anja's 2nd visit

2007-08-13T14:37:00.000+08:00

Jules and Anja visited Sherap and the grassland school back in June. Here are the photos provided by them. Jules and Anja live in Holland.

[Anja teaching English alphabet]

[the younger class studying hard]

[Jules working on the fencing wall construction]

[Sherap]

[group photo]

school construction update

2007-08-04T13:23:00.000+08:00

After a phone call with Sherap [4 August 07], please find the following summary:

Construction
1. Fencing construction is almost complete;
2. A new building for teacher's accomodation shall commence soon. (in cost quotation stage).

Village level
1. The local government has just connected each house with running water. (自来水) Therefore only in winter (frozen temp), the villagers will need to fetch water from the spring.

Future plan
1. Visitor block and more classroom block shall be built next year;
2. A sustainable toilet block shall be built next year;
3. Sherap will collect the building parts of an old house of his friends which are planning to be demolished soon. This aims to reuse the building material for the future school construction, also act as a historical record of past materials and building elements;
4. The need for a pipe connect to the spring no long required, however the potential need of a water storage for the spring shall be reassessed in the next visit.
5. sherap agree the idea of using traditional building methods to build the next school block, the idead to conserve Tibetan traditional architectural knowledge.

Visitors
1. Three friends of Sherap, who are from Lanzhou Polytechnic University, are visiting the school now, they have been teaching the school children singing and dancing.

report by maggie

Fencing wall contsruction progress

2007-07-19T17:45:00.000+08:00

Below are the photos taken by Sherap at the end of May and early June. They illustrate the progress of the fencing wall construction which defines the school premises.

Following a phone conversation with Sherap last week, it was told the contsruction is almost completed.

More recent photos will be uploaded upon receiving them through e-mail from Sherap.

So please stay tune!

The dutch team is visiting grassland school

2007-05-28T17:46:00.000+08:00

The dutch team [Jules and Anja] is on their way to visit Sherap now. They will see the progress of the school and the fencing construction. Their trip finish on June 25.

Please stay tune for update later.

[photo from their visit May 2006]

site work photos from sherap

2007-05-19T15:06:00.000+08:00

School update

2007-05-16T15:34:00.000+08:00

[Old photo on the site work for the school building
construction in 2006]

School update May

1. Site work on leveling the ground for the low fencing area has all been completed;
(but some of the sub soil is still frozen.. wow!!! )
2. There is rain water drainage problem on the newly leveled ground;
3. Next week when sherap goes back, they will start the fencing wall construction;
(He said steel reinforcement and concrete will be used... !!!)
4. This summer's construction plan is just to accomplish this fencing wall.

Sherap said there is enough finance for this summer's construction work but he hasn't have time to sort out the cash balance. But for sure there is lack of financial support for any next stage construction. (for the next year)

Sherap said that the children are all doing well, enjoying their class and they are playing Football (soccer) alot these days. The class is going as normal (Mon- Fri, 8 to 5) with two teachers. I asked him whether the children needs anything for now, he said they seems alright but this time going back, he may shop for some bandage and other medicine for daily use...

There are two Dutch friend of mine gonna visit Sherap end of this month, and they will visit the school. They will stop by HK on the way in and out, so there is a window opportunity for the HK team to pass anything to sherap.

p.s: Labrang monastery has forbidden all official monks to visit internet cafe at xiahe.. that's the reason why Sherap hasn't got any chance to reply any e-mail. He said when he pass by another town (Hezuo), he will go online there.

some more photos

2007-05-04T11:52:00.000+08:00

photos taken by RY

sherap's letter for the local government

2007-05-04T11:49:00.000+08:00

Below is the letter written by sherap orginal in Tibetan but tanslated into Chinese with the help of his friend. the letter was for the local government.

student list

2007-04-19T17:08:00.000+08:00

Here are the students who attended the school on the day we visited. The older students wrote their own name and the teacher wrote the name for the younger students.

Site visit report- April 2007

2007-04-18T14:58:00.000+08:00

School visit report no.1

visit date - 5-6April 2007
visitors- maggie/kun/roland/rex
------------------------------------

School operation

- 42(nos) students are attending class everyday; (free education)
- the students are separted into two groups by age;
- the level of both class are equalivant to primary 1;
- the older class learn faster than the younger class, therefore the older class may proceed to primary 2 school level next year;
- subjects including: Tibetan/ Chinese/ Mathmatics/ P.E (sport);
- currently the are two teachers; (which enable the two classes to operate at the same time)
-----Mr. Cheung who is a Tu ethnic cultural group (paid by the local government)
-----Sherap's father (voluntary teacher)
- School time: 8.30am to 5pm;
- no students are bording at the school;
- Mr Cheung (teacher) are living at the school building.

(will report on the planning of the next construction phase in next post!)

the younger class

the older class

discussion on the next phase of construction

dicussion on the design scheme for the school

school snap shots

2007-04-11T20:39:00.000+08:00

younger class

older class

friends at playground

learn to write their own "name"

inside classroom

class dismiss (time to go home)

sport : P.E. class with Hong Kong visitors

Easter excursion to see grassland school

2007-04-02T11:42:00.000+08:00

I am heading to Labrang and grassland school this Thursday with three HK friends.

Sherap will accompany us and we will stay at his parents place.

Will bring update report about the school progress when I come back next week.

Hope everyone has a nice Easter.

Maggie

December Updates

2006-12-16T16:03:00.000+08:00

Sherap has just come back from a 2 weeks visit of his home and the grassland school.
I have just talked to him on the phone.

The class is up and running and everything is going smooth at this stage.

Both Chinese and Tibetan class are being taught and the children (I should say "students") are all enjoying their class, as well as the new school room. Some of them can concentrate better and eager to learn, while some of them are still learning to concentrate at class.

Sherap has bought some badmonton bats and gloves for the children.

The next construction phase won't start until next summer. This will include a basketball ring.

I have told Sherap the next stage, what people like us in overseas can do is start gathering some old or new picture books (english or chinese). This can help them to start a small book corner (mini library) later. Later this is can be done by either sending the books to sherap's address at labrang monastery or getting someone to bring them over if chances are there.

So please starts checking your book shelves! anyway it's the end of the year, I should do that soon too!

Also welcome any idea or comment!

(p.s: The prime concern is also let the school run by itself and friends from overseas won't intervene too much.)

Monday, October 16, 2006 Photos Taken by Anja and Jules

2006-12-16T15:59:00.000+08:00

Photos Taken by Anja and Jules

Sherap, father, mother, sister-in-law, brother, nephew.....
Beautiful people...

Monday, October 16, 2006 school update

2006-12-16T15:55:00.000+08:00

Here are some fresh photos taken by Jules and Anja last weekend. I met them last night in HK, had dinner with them.They went to Labrang and visited Sherap's grassland hometown in Choni (Zhuoni county), about 5 hours drive from Labrang.They had a look at the school building and they said it looks good! There is no chair and table at the moment, they will take the old furniture from the old school room up on the mountain. School shall starts after golden week holiday.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006 Grassland School progress report no.2

2006-12-16T15:54:00.000+08:00

Grassland School progress report no.2

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following a phone conversation with Sherap (Xizhu) yesterday, please be noted that "Phase 1" of the grassland school construction at Kajiacun village has been completed.
Now the main school building is up and running. This single building includes 2 class rooms, 2 bedrooms for teachers and 1 bedroom for visitor. The next phase (in which fund raising is still in progress) will include the ground work for the playground, playground facilities, as well as fencing wall for the school premises.
There is now 1 teacher sent by the county government and 33 students all together starting from grade 1 level. Sherap is in the process of applying for one more teacher to be sent by the county government.
Some Dutch friends are now visiting Sherap at Labrang. They are planning to visit the school this Thursday (5 Oct). I am looking forward to chat with them when they stop by Hong Kong late next week.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 Grassland school progress

2006-12-16T15:51:00.001+08:00

星期一晚上收到西珠的电话,说已经收到我们在香港筹到的经费了.他说很感谢我在香港的朋友,我说只要他能好好运用这毕(少少的)经费,让学校建设工程顺利进行,那就是最好了.[其实要完成整个工程还欠一些经费呢]西珠说他第二天便会赶回老家,几天后要赶回寺里开学.十一月的时候正打算去夏河看小活佛坐床仪式,到时候看看能否顺道去一躺草原.看看这个学校的情况

...On Monday night, I received a phone call from Sherap, and said he's already received the money transfer I gathered from here. He said he was feeling so thankful and I reminded him that as long as he spends the (small amount) funding wisely , and enables the construction to go smoothly, that will be all he needs to do.[actually funding is still running short to complete the whole constrcution of the school!]Sherap said he will travel home the next day for the construction inspection as he would need to rush back to the monastery for the new classes which starts very soon.In the coming November, there is a plan of visiting Labrang to see the enthroning ceremony of this new Rinpoche. If there is enough time, let's see whether a trip to the grassland school is possible...

Monday, August 21, 2006 Letters continue

2006-12-16T15:51:00.000+08:00

My letter to Sherap:

我会叫我的朋友把钱转给你那天之前和之后给你打电话的.十一月的事情现在还不能决定.到时候再看看吧..我的时间也可能会有点赶..你也用功学习啊不要被寺罚啊!:)

美琪[translation]I will ask my friend to call you before he transfer the money to you.Still not sure about the November visit plan, will update you when the time comes.as my time is a bit tight.well, you should also work hard!Don't get punished by the monastery!Maggie

------------------------------------------

Sherap's reply:好的,谢谢您美其姐,我会努力学习的您放心吧,我收后我要回家看看学校,爸说窗和门都做好了我要过去看看.下个7月分在寺里开始学些东西.保重;西珠

[translation]Sure, thanks Maggie, don't you worry, I will work hard. After I receive the money, I will need to go home to see the school. Dad said the window and the doors are all made. I need to go back and have a look. Next month (7th month under lunar calendar) there are some new learning in the monastery.Take careSherap

Friday, August 18, 2006 Letters

2006-12-16T15:49:00.000+08:00

"原来是牛羊..."
" Oh Is the Yak and mutton"

-----------------------------------------------------

My letter to Sherap:
西珠
记得把你工商银行的卡号在电邮发给我..我那位在深圳工作的朋友要到下个星期才有时间帮我到深圳的工商银行把钱发给你.希望这么的一些钱能帮到你们盖学校吧...还有,围墙有必要吗? 是不是保安的因素?美琪

Sherap
remmember to let me know your bank account no.My friend who works in shenzhen can help me to transfer the money to you next week.I hope the money can help your school construction...Also, is the fencing wall necessary? is it for security purpose?Maggie

------------------------------------------

Sherap's reply:

您好!美其姐!我的卡号是(中国工商银行夏河县支行,9XXXXXXXXXX 这样就可以了谢谢您牛羊也会进来的,因为有了院墙一方面卫生二方面安全,暫时没办法这能等段时间才可以做起来.今年十一月分的时候您能去就太好了,不过那时候气候太冷您也知道的,每年最好的气候是四月二十直八月这时间是最好的.保重;
西珠

How are you!Maggie, here is my bank account no. (China gongshang bank... just like this.. thanks)Yak and mutton would come in. So with the fencing wall, one reason is for hygiene, another is for safety, now cannot do much, so just need to wait for it to be built later then.It will be great if you can come this November, but it's gonna be cold by then as you have already known. The best weather is usually from April to August.August is the best.Take care;
Sherap

Monday, August 14, 2006 Monk friend "Sherap"

2006-12-16T15:48:00.000+08:00

Old post about Sherap, a monk friend from Labrang:http://meikei.blogspot.com/2006_02_01_meikei_archive.html

Saturday, August 12, 2006 在草原上兴建小学

2006-12-16T15:43:00.000+08:00

我在拉卜楞寺认识的喇嘛朋友西珠正在他的草原老家兴建一所小学,好让村里的小孩不会失去上学的机会.
这是七月夏天草原的境况,村民正在把工地弄平,石头和砖都搬过来了. 草原的景色跟我上一次二月份去的时候真的是很大的分别. 那时候天地都是雪白一片.现在草地上布满小黄花.
他们还是很缺建筑材料的经费.如果您有兴趣给他们一点的帮助,请别忘了告诉我!多少也感谢万分啊!
The above photos show the latest progress of the school building project organized by my Labrang monk friend "Sherap" at his grassland hometown in July. The villagers have been working on leveling the site, as well as collecting stones from the near by area. Materials such as bricks have been transported to the site; however they are running out of financial help in buying all the necessary building material. If you may want to support his project, please contact Sherap or let me know. :-)
[Village views during winter/ 冬天的境况: http://meikei.blogspot.com/2006/04/blog-post_29.html ]

Below shows e-mail from Sherap 西珠 on 13.08.06:
您好! 美其姐!
真不好意思昨晚没回邮件,因为昨晚没电. 我刚刚看到了文件写的很好谢谢您.
在家乡那边弄地平的这些都是我自己找亲戚和朋友帮我的,第一次回家的时候他们都说弄地和木料还有石是头这些说帮我,到时就变了都没了.
现在这能靠亲戚和朋友们,而且砖也涨价了到那儿每个砖4角2分没想到这么贵现在有点难处,可是我不会放弃的一定要该起来让这些小孩得到点文化这就是我这辈子最大愿望.
保重; 西珠
Translation of the e-mail:
Hi, Maggie sis
Please excuse me for not replying your mail last night as the electricity was out. I have just seen the document you wrote about the school, thank you so much.
At the hometown works such as leveling of the site were all done by my relatives and friends. When I went home the first time, some villagers promised to help on the foundation works as well as gathering the timber, but everything have changed when I went back this time.
Now, I can only rely on relatives and friends, also the price of bricks has increased to 42cents each. I never thought it would be that expensive. Now there are some difficulties, but I won’t give up. I must get this school built so that the children here can be cultivated as this is my biggest life long wish.
Take care; Sherap