Nyima Khandu Tamang, a student at Sagarmatha School, proudly celebrates being the first-place winner at the Annual Academic Examination for Upper Kindergarten, April 2026.

Education remains one of the most powerful ways to transform lives, preserve culture, and create lasting opportunities for future generations. In 2026, the FPMT Social Services Fund (SSF) continued its commitment to supporting vulnerable students in some of the most remote and underserved regions of India and Nepal. Through partnerships with community‑run schools, monastic institutions, and early childhood initiatives, the SSF helped ensure access to quality education, daily care, nutrition, and stable learning environments rooted in compassion and ethical values. Across eight schools and educational initiatives supported in 2026, the impact of this work can be seen in diverse communities and learning environments. By the end of 2026, US$212,976 will have been offered from the Social Services Fund, reaching hundreds of children, monastic students, and educators.

Sagarmatha Secondary School | Rolwaling Sangag Choling Monastery School | Shree Sangka Dechholing Gonpa School | Sambhota Tibetan School CVP | Gaden Jangtse Monastic College | Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics | Maitreya School |  TDL Baby Room | 
How to Help

In 2026, Sagarmatha Secondary School, situated in Chailsa, Nepal, continued to thrive as a place of learning, care, and achievement. The school currently serves more than 300 students, supported by a team of 16 teachers and two staff members.

One of the year’s proudest moments was the school’s success at the 6th President Running Shield Inter-School Sports Event, where their students secured third position among 14 schools, winning 11 gold, 9 silver, and 7 bronze medals. Their performance reflected strong discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, celebrated through a felicitation program supported by Ward No. 7 and the local municipality.

Alongside sports, students actively participated in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including chess, language, singing, quizzes, and creative competitions for younger children. These efforts were recognized in a joyful prize distribution program before the winter break. During the winter, a Winter Jacket Distribution Program ensured that students, teachers, and staff stayed warm and healthy. The jackets were generously sponsored through Dr. Detlev Gueck and Kopan Monastery, whose continued compassion makes a real difference in students’ daily lives.

In 2026 the Social Services Fund has committed US$50,000 to cover the school’s annual operating costs. This vital support ensures continuity of education for children in this remote Himalayan region, safeguarding access to free learning materials, qualified teachers, and a nurturing school environment.

The Rolwaling Sangag Choling Monastery School, nestled in the Rolwaling valley in Nepal, serves as a lifeline for local Sherpa children. This community-run, free school for 30 eager students is the only educational institution in the area, offering a warm and conducive environment where learning can thrive.

Students from Rolwaling School exploring the beautiful Pokhara on their pilgrimage journey to Lumbini,
January 2026.

Throughout the year, students were supported with regular food rations, school supplies, and clothing, ensuring consistent learning conditions. One senior student successfully completed primary education in Rolwaling and proceeded to further monastic studies in India, reflecting the school’s role in creating long‑term educational pathways.

Beyond academics, the school contributed actively to community well‑being. Initiatives in 2025 included yak protection activities, vocational training programs for women, leadership in local religious and cultural ceremonies, and participation in broader development efforts such as a clean drinking water project and progress toward a new health post building benefiting hundreds of villagers. Students also took part in an educational pilgrimage to Lumbini, strengthening cultural and spiritual learning.

The Social Services Fund has offered US$27,661 toward the annual operating costs for 2026, helping cover key expenses such as staff salaries, food supplies, educational materials, and daily operations. This support contributes to the school’s ability to continue serving children and families in the Rolwaling Valley with stability and care.

Shree Sangka Dechholing Gonpa School in Taplejung, Eastern Nepal, continues to offer a balanced education that integrates modern learning with moral values under the guidance of Kopan Monastery. Serving 172 students and supported by 16 dedicated teachers, the school provides an environment that encourages academic achievement alongside compassion, responsibility, and personal growth.

Shree Sangka Dechholing Gonpa School.

Students consistently demonstrate strong academic performance, including top district rankings in the SEE examinations, while also excelling in extracurricular life. Achievements in inter‑school football, quiz competitions, and cultural performances, together with regular sports activities, science exhibitions, motivational talks, and community service programs, help cultivate confidence, leadership, and teamwork. Well‑maintained facilities – including classrooms, laboratories, hostel accommodation, and a large sports ground – further support students’ learning and development.

For 2026, the  Social Services Fund has offered US$38,730 toward the school’s annual operating costs. This vital contribution supports teachers’ salaries and core operational needs, helping ensure continuity of quality education for students in this remote region.

Sambhota Tibetan School CVP Bylakuppe is located in the Tibetan Dickey Larsoe Settlement in Bylakuppe, Karnataka. Established in 1971, the school initially functioned as a branch of the Central School for Tibetans, Bylakuppe, becoming an independent unit in 1974 and receiving CBSE affiliation in 1991.

Students at Sambhota Tibetan School in Bylakuppe explore the history of Panchen Lama, April 2026.

In May 2018, the school was formally taken over by the Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society under the Central Tibetan Administration. Currently, it operates as a secondary school (Classes I-X) with three affiliated pre‑primary branch schools within nearby Tibetan settlements. Instruction is primarily in Tibetan at the primary level and English from middle school onward.

Sambhota Tibetan School in Bylakuppe currently serves 132 students, and for 2026, the Social Services Fund has offered US$5,275 in support of the school’s lunchtime meal program.

The Gaden Jangtse Monastic College, re-established in 1969 in Mundgod, South India, continues to uphold its commitment to academic rigor, spiritual grounding, and institutional continuity.

The ceremony marking the official start of the 26th Administration of Gaden Jangtse Monastery, April 2026.

The school currently supports approximately 500 monk students and employs 13 salaried teachers. Earlier in 2026, teachers at the school were honored with an audience with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, offering deep encouragement and inspiration, while the whole school community came together to offer prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Alongside these spiritual activities, leadership continuity was ensured through the formal handover to a newly elected principal, and preparations for the academic session progressed with the purchase of textbooks and essential learning materials.

Behind the scenes, consistent support has ensured the smooth functioning of daily operations, including the regular payment of teachers’ salaries, which remains fundamental to educational quality and stability. For 2026, the Social Services Fund has offered US$31,378 to cover the school’s teacher salaries, sustaining the educators whose dedication lies at the heart of the school’s mission.

The Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Ladakh, India, continues to be a place where education, ethics, and compassionate care come together for young people from remote and underserved communities. Guided by the vision of integrating ancient Tibetan wisdom with modern education, the Institute supports students not only academically, but also through daily care.

Students at Ngari Institute are honoring the third anniversary of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s parinirvana with heartfelt prayers, April 2026.

Following the winter break, students returned to campus with renewed energy and commitment. The Institute reported strong results in the 2025 government board examinations, with senior students progressing to institutions such as Delhi University, Mysore University, and the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education. In addition, three students successfully passed the CBSE Class 10 Board Examination at TCV School, Ladakh.

In the 2025-2026 academic year, six additional students were enrolled. Currently, the Institute supports 72 students, alongside 23 staff members, as well as 15 monk students, all living and learning within the Institute community.

At the heart of this work is the assurance that every student has access to basic daily needs. For 2026, the Social Services Fund offered US$28,264 to cover all food costs for the Institute’s students and staff.

The Maitreya Universal Education School in Bodhgaya, India, continues to provide free, value‑based education to children from some of the most underserved communities in the region. With nearly 280 students enrolled, many from extremely poor families, the school remains committed to nurturing both academic learning and emotional well‑being through a compassionate, child‑centered approach.

Children from Maitreya School on a fun bus trip.

A distinctive feature of Maitreya School is the deep integration of the 16 Guidelines into daily teaching. In recent years, this approach has been strengthened through teacher training, trauma‑informed classroom practices, and hands‑on learning activities that help children feel safe, supported, and engaged. Younger students, who make up about half of the school population, have shown especially encouraging progress in social‑emotional development, confidence, and curiosity.

Important milestones were achieved in 2025, including the school’s expansion to Class 9, the launch of Saturday Teacher Training sessions, and the introduction of meditation and yoga to support students’ mental wellbeing. The opening of a new library significantly enriched learning resources and contributed to measurable improvements in reading, writing, attendance, and overall student engagement. The addition of a morning snack program further strengthened learning by addressing hunger, helping students remain focused and responsive throughout the school day.

In support of this vital work, the  Social Services Fund offered US$29,400 toward the annual operating costs of Maitreya School for 2026. This contribution plays a key role in sustaining daily school operations and ensuring continuity of education for hundreds of children whose families would otherwise be unable to access quality schooling.

The TDL Baby Room in the Dickey Larsoe Tibetan Settlement, Bylakuppe, India, was established to meet a long‑standing need for safe, reliable early childhood care within the community. Created to support working parents – many of whom rely on daily wage labor or farming – the Baby Room provides a secure and nurturing environment where very young children can be cared for during the day while their parents pursue their livelihoods. From its beginning, the program has focused not only on supervision, but also on early socialisation, basic hygiene, nutrition, and age‑appropriate learning through play.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering visits Dickey Larsoe Tibetan Settlement in February 2025 (Photo courtesy of CTA)

Over time, the Baby Room expanded to operate across two locations, one within the main Dickey Larsoe settlement and another in the more remote Chowkur camp, where access to childcare and transportation is extremely limited. For families in Chowkur, the Baby Room has become especially essential; without it, parents are often forced to bring toddlers to fields or construction sites, putting children at risk and reducing household income. Today, the program serves 10 infants and toddlers, providing them with consistent care during the most critical stage of early development.

The Social Services Fund offered US$2,268 toward the TDL Baby Room Salary and Nutrition initiative, providing stability for the entire year. This support covers the annual salaries of two professional Ayas (professional caregivers), ensures that all enrolled children receive a healthy midday meal. Through this initiative, care and compassion reach children at the very start of life, helping families remain resilient and giving the youngest members of the Dickey Larsoe and Chowkur community a strong, supported beginning.

The schools and initiatives supported in 2026 reflect a shared dedication to serving those with the least access to opportunity – children in remote Himalayan villages, Tibetan refugee communities, under‑resourced rural neighborhoods, and monastic centers preserving ancient wisdom traditions. Across all eight projects, the support enabled essential outcomes: teachers’ salaries were secured, nutritious meals were provided, learning materials were supplied, and students were able to study in environments of safety, dignity, and care.

How to Help

We welcome any support to the Social Services Fund, which offers education to those who are truly vulnerable and in need in India and Nepal. We’re so grateful to everyone who helps make these grants possible each year!

The Social Services Fund, established to support Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization, focuses efforts primarily in India, Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. Funds help children, the elderly, sick, and very poor.