The Swedish and U.S. Societies have shown that an international group can successfully negotiate and manage projects within Tibet. Project 108 Schools in Tibet is currently educating thousands of Tibetan boys and girls, as well as providing medical care and food and clothing for large numbers. In addition to the construction workers (the vast majority of whom are Tibetan) the schools employ Tibetan teachers and staff.

Current Situation

The majority of Tibetans are still living inside of Tibet. In urban areas, the level of education is generally adequate. However, in rural areas (where the majority live) it is still extremely difficult to obtain an education in basic skills such as reading & writing Tibetan or basic math. Although there is an increasing amount of competent teachers being trained in Tibet, it is often impossible for them to teach in rural areas due to the lack of proper teaching and living facilities. More often than not, it is the lack of an actual school building which is the root of the problem. The economical responsibility of building a school is often left to the villagers themselves, and due to low income the villagers just cannot afford such a venture. Today the situation in Tibet is such that there are capable teachers willing to teach in the rural areas, but due to the poverty in these areas there are no schools to teach in, and no facilities in which to house the teachers.

Strategy

The strategy of the Swedish Society is to work with the support of the U.S. Society to raise funds to directly support the construction of new schools or the renovation of existing schools in poor remote rural areas of Tibet.

How you can help

Every year the Society´s representatives in Tibet find new schools in the rural areas to target, either building from scratch or renovating existing buildings. The cost of each school varies somewhat depending on the availability of building materials, size of school etc. However, in order for Project 108 Schools in Tibet to be successful we are continually in need of sponsors. Therefore we would be grateful for any contribution however small it may seem. For those who wish to make a donation of US$10,000 or more, we can build a complete school, and a stone inscribed with the donor`s name will be built into the wall.

Donations to the Swedish Society can be made to the following -
By bank:
Name & address of bank : SWEDBANK S-105 34 Stockholm
Swift address : SWEDSESS
Telex : 128 26 SWEDBNK S
Account holder : The Swedish Tibetan Society for School & Culture
Account no : 8381.6403.1120.241
By post: Postal Account no : 90 06 66 - 9 Account holder : The Swedish Tibetan Society for School & Culture.

Thank you for helping us make a difference!