Samagaun is a remote Himalayan village six-days’ walk from Kathmandu. A Tibetan Buddhist cultural enclave, the village is at an altitude of 3550m, nestled at the foot of Mount Manaslu (8183m). It is the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhist masters Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche — the founder of Tergar Charity Nepal (TCN), an NGO focusing on Education, Agro-ecology and Environment.



Since opening to trekkers and tourists in 1992, Samagaun has faced the double threat of climate change and globalisation. The climate at this height is warming  two times faster than the rest of the world, and huge numbers of adult men have been leaving the village in search of better economic opportunities.  These pressures also mean that the village’s traditional Buddhist culture is at risk of disappearing. 



At the end of 2020, we worked with Samagaun's village head, Ula Jigme, on an emergency fundraiser to provide food for the people of Samagaun over the winter.  Next, TCN hopes to raise funds for projects that will sustain people more permanently. 



Last year saw the start of basic maths and literacy classes for Sama’s women in English and Nepali. Taught through an activity/play-based approach, the classes focused on the women’s interests: guesthouse management, hygiene & health (menstrual health management) and leadership. 



TCN has now devised English and Maths classes for Samaguan’s men, focusing on guesthouse management, business and leadership. These classes will give men the tools to start their own business ventures to promote local organic produce and eco and cultural tourism. 



The men’s and women’s classes will run side-by-side, empowering women and including men, so that they can work together to create a sustainable future for themselves, their village and their way of life.








Funding request:  Funds to run English and Maths classes for Samagaun’s men.

Number of participants: 20 men

Number of Teachers: 1 male teacher (teaching in Tibetan and Nepali)

When: March – October 2021 (8 months)

Curriculum: English (speaking, writing and reading) and Maths classes focused on guesthouse management, business and leadership.

Funds required: 5865 USD

This amount will cover curriculum design, teacher salary, teaching material, food & lodging, transportation, and Internet.

We hope you would like to continue your connection with Samagaun village and its people by supporting this fundraiser with any amount.