
In October 2012
Gail, the 2 other Trustees and 2 friends went on a (self-funded) fact finding trip to Ladakh to see at first hand the work of the charity. Unfortunately, one of the group suffered a mild stroke and she was able to experience the kindness of the local people, and the medical facilities, both of which were incredible. Prior to that, we visited and met the principals at both Lamdon and Puga schools, where we were impressed by the children, and by the enthusiasm of both principals for education. We were privileged to meet some of the families of the children we sponsor, and their children’s education is obviously important to them. Progression through school is not automatic in India as it is here, and the children are encouraged to work hard to pass the end of year exams and move up to the next year group.
October 2012
On this visit, Gail took the Trustees of the Fund, who all loved the country. The visit was memorable for a number of reasons, and we were delighted to visit Lamdon School, in Leh, and meet the Principle, and also we were able to make the long trip to visit to the School for Nomadic Children, in Puga, and its Principle. We also had the chance to spend some time chatting with the children in both schools. Both Principals are grateful for the work The Trust Fund does in helping more children receive the best education, and Gail – over the years – has built up an excellent working relationship with these very enthusiastic educators. On the way to the Nomadic School, we were welcomed by a Nomadic family into their home, where we were offered the local ‘brew’ – buttter tea. This is definitely an acquired taste, and the general feeling was that we had not yet acquired it!! Of course, we felt privileged to be welcomed by this family in such a warm way. Below are some of the photos we took on our visit. Leh, the capital of Ladakh, nestles in the foothills of the Himalayas, making the approach from the air spectacular.
- Aerial View – Leh, the capital of Ladakh, nestles in the foothills of the Himalayas, making the approach into the airport spectacular.
- Aerial View – Ladakh and the Himalayas from the air. The River Indus runs throuh the valley, flooding it from time to time.
- Aerial View – It is difficult to capture on film just how magnificnent the Himalayas looked from above on the flight from Delhi to Leh.
- Aerial View – We kept trying to capture it!!
- Leh Airport – Approaching Leh Airport. Only specifically qualified pilots are allowed to fly in and out of this difficult-to-reach military airport.
- Early morning – Cold and hungry, we were invited to breakfast on arrival in Leh, but it is still only 3.30 am, and we struggled to stay awake, and stay warm.
- Not many people were out on the streets in Leh at that time in the morning.
- We were welcomed with the Ladakhi speciality, butter tea – definitely an acquired taste
- We visited a camp of the Changpa Nomads. The nomadic tribes still move their camp every 4 weeks or so, in order to get good grazing for their animals.
- This fine looking gentleman’s (also a member of this nomadic tribe) granddaughter attends Puga school. We met her later at Puga School, and she was pleased we had taken this photo for her.