OUR STORY
In 2013 my sons and I (then aged 9 and 12) embarked upon the trip of a lifetime. In five months we explored the world - India being a big part of that adventure. We travelled to Northern India and found our way to the beautiful foothills of the Himalayas. While there, we visited the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV), in Dharamsala, a non-profit, charitable institution for the care and education of orphaned and destitute Tibetan children in exile. (Read our travel blog posted from there). Opened by the Dalia Lama's sister, over 50 years ago in response the Chinese invasion of Tibet, the TCV houses, educates and gives loving support to thousands of displaced children. The TCV is Tibet for those that have lost their homeland. Many arrive as orphans, some are delivered by their parents, who wish for a better life for their children. Children may often not see their parents for years - some never again.
Our visit to this village captured our hearts. This is an incredibly special place. The children seem happy and are well looked after, but there are still so many needs. gOur vsitOurOur sd[lOurourukosdkfopOO ;sddfl;ds
There is no central heating inside the school, something we so take for granted here in Canada. And no dryers to dry wet clothes. Temperatures often dip well below zero in the winter months and it can snow a lot in the village. The children do not have warm, waterproof winter gear that Canadian children enjoy. They wear alot of wool for warmth. Good yes - but not waterproof and we all know how long it takes to dry a pair of soggy woolen mits! As Canadian parents, we all send our kids out to play in the snow and slush with waterproof and windproof gear, and our kids grow out of this gear fast!
Our visit to this village captured our hearts. This is an incredibly special place. The children seem happy and are well looked after, but there are still so many needs. gOur vsitOurOur sd[lOurourukosdkfopOO ;sddfl;ds
There is no central heating inside the school, something we so take for granted here in Canada. And no dryers to dry wet clothes. Temperatures often dip well below zero in the winter months and it can snow a lot in the village. The children do not have warm, waterproof winter gear that Canadian children enjoy. They wear alot of wool for warmth. Good yes - but not waterproof and we all know how long it takes to dry a pair of soggy woolen mits! As Canadian parents, we all send our kids out to play in the snow and slush with waterproof and windproof gear, and our kids grow out of this gear fast!
There is a genuine need for warm and waterproof clothing for the children at TCV - for the monsoon as well as for the cold winters that arrive from the high mountains from November until March. Being from Canada and knowing how important proper winter clothing is in order to enjoy our outdoors, we knew straight away that this was our way to help.
Now this can be YOUR way to help too!
Others Before Self”. This is the school motto at the TCV. Here is a wonderful opportunity for you and your own children to apply this in reaching out to those in need…
Now this can be YOUR way to help too!
Others Before Self”. This is the school motto at the TCV. Here is a wonderful opportunity for you and your own children to apply this in reaching out to those in need…
HOW TO DONATE
What we ask for is simple:
. Gently used waterproof snowsuits, snowpants/jackets, mits, and rain gear too. ALL sizes from toddler to teen.
. No footwear as this is too heavy and expensive to ship.
. No sweaters, hats or other warm garments. Its just the waterproof clothing that they have little access too.
. And importantly, along with your donation of clothing we also ask for a small monetary donation of $5 - $10 (or more if you would like) to cover the cost of expensive shipping to Northern India. That's it!
Please contact us to arrange drop off for your donation. Please put your monetary donation in a sealed envelope entitled "TCV", along with your name. Should you require us to pick up your donation, we are happy to arrange that also!
With Grateful Thanks,
Victoria, Ben and Jordan
. Gently used waterproof snowsuits, snowpants/jackets, mits, and rain gear too. ALL sizes from toddler to teen.
. No footwear as this is too heavy and expensive to ship.
. No sweaters, hats or other warm garments. Its just the waterproof clothing that they have little access too.
. And importantly, along with your donation of clothing we also ask for a small monetary donation of $5 - $10 (or more if you would like) to cover the cost of expensive shipping to Northern India. That's it!
Please contact us to arrange drop off for your donation. Please put your monetary donation in a sealed envelope entitled "TCV", along with your name. Should you require us to pick up your donation, we are happy to arrange that also!
With Grateful Thanks,
Victoria, Ben and Jordan
THE FINE PRINT
. Please, only clothing that has no holes, rips or tears.
. Your donation is to cover the cost shipping. There is no administration fee! If you cannot make a financial donation, we will still accept clothing. And conversely, if you have no clothing to donate but wish to contribute, there are many ways that you can help. Please contact us!
. We are unable to provide receipts at this time as we starting purely at the grassroots level - and are not yet a registered charity. It is our hope however, as we grow, to explore the possibility of becoming registered - or affiliating with other, well established charities.
. Your donation is to cover the cost shipping. There is no administration fee! If you cannot make a financial donation, we will still accept clothing. And conversely, if you have no clothing to donate but wish to contribute, there are many ways that you can help. Please contact us!
. We are unable to provide receipts at this time as we starting purely at the grassroots level - and are not yet a registered charity. It is our hope however, as we grow, to explore the possibility of becoming registered - or affiliating with other, well established charities.