Why Should I Donate to the Mahabodhi Residential School ?

We all know that there are millions of charities around the world asking for donations, so what makes the Mahabodhi Residential School special?
First and foremost, the organization offers free education to specially selected under-privileged students from remote Ladakh villages. The following are additional compelling reasons for donations:

Anapana is a way of purification

Mahabodhi students planting trees and vegetables around the campus.

Background

In 1986, Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena established the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre at Leh in Ladakh. In 1992, its activities were extended and the Mahabodhi Residential School was founded. What started with 25 Ladakhi girls from the most remote villages has now expanded to 430 students. Of these 124 are residential students (91 girls, 33 boys) and the rest are day scholars commuting from Leh.

Ven. Sanghasena with the first batch of Mahabodhi Residential students in 1992.

Where is the Mahabodhi Residential School ?

The School is located in Ladakh, in the lofty western Himalayan mountains of Northern India. Conditions are severe and winter temperatures can drop to -40°C. In addition, heavy snow isolates Ladakh from the rest of the world for more than seven months of the year, during which no food can be produced.

Why do we need a School ?

Deep in Thought – A young boy from the remote village of Changthang.

How your Donation will make a difference

We pledge that your donation will be utilized judiciously for the purpose it is meant for. A contribution of US$34 will cover food, clothing, medication and education of a child for one month. If you decide to sponsor a child, we will send you the child’s case history and photograph. Funds are also needed for the expansion of school and hostel facilities to accommodate more children.

Ven. Sanghasena meeting a prospective student and her parent in the village.

The Bridge Program

If you decide to sponsor a child for more than a year (US$400 per year), you will be entitled to become a member of the Bridge Program. Benefits of this program include:

Academic Program Details

The school provides free secular and spiritual education which includes free boarding, clothing, medical care and transportation. The first students were primary school age and came from impoverished villages from the most remote villages of Ladakh. It is also part of the school’s philosophy to encourage families to send their daughters to be educated, and not just their sons.
The curriculum includes science, humanities, languages, spiritual, moral, physical and vocational training, first aid, handicrafts, social work and ecology.
Every year facilities for additional children will be built. Selected bright and motivated students will be assisted to pursue higher education.

A Mahabodhi Residential School student in school uniform

Mahabodhi Residential students studying along the hostel corridor

Mahabodhi girls in their traditional Ladakhi costume.