Khenpo Gawang went to Tibet in 2004 with Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and a group of his students from Shambhala International to visit Surmang and Golok. Because he was close, Khenpo Gawang went to the area where his family came from to visit. While he was there people asked him to build a school for the local children since most do not have an education. Without an education, it is very difficult to go to town to buy or sell goods.

At that time he was not able to see a way to build a school but he made the strong aspiration saying, "I will build a school for these children." He came back to the USA and talked to Sakyong Mipham RInpoche who also thought it was a good idea but said that timing was very important. Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche said in the future you will do this. Then in January 2006 a local village leader, Gyasen, called Khenpo Tsewang and asked what was happening with the school idea he had suggested to Khenpo Gawang on his visit to Tibet. Khenpo Tsewang was teaching in Taiwan and called Khenpo Gawang on retreat in Memphis, TN with the message. They began to talk about the possibility of establishing a school. First they thought maybe $25,000 or $50,000 would build a school and that seemed possible. But they both knew they needed much more information to make a realistic plan.

Khenpo Tsewang was planning a visit to his ancestral home in July 2006 and both thought it was a good time to see if a school was really possible. In May 2006 the two Khenpos met in New Delhi and discussed school plans before Khenpo Tsewang left on the trip. It was decided he would take photos and ask questions and then they would see if building a school was really possible. When Khenpo Tsewang arrived at his families' village he quickly realized that they needed to decide if they were going to try to build the school. It was not going to be possible to do research without everyone knowing what he was doing. He went into town and called Khenpo Gawang saying, "We have to decide." Khenpo Gawang said, "Yes, I think it is possible, talk to people".

So Khenpo Tsewang talked to Gyasen the village leader, local government officials, local builders, village members and discovered that the timing was excellent to build. He took many photographs and began to developed a plan with realistic costs to build the school.

There are hot mineral springs in the area. Now Khenpo Gawang is thinking, that if it is possible to build the school near the hot springs, the school can use the heat from the springs to keep warm in the winter, for bathing and for washing clothes and to provide heat for a greenhouse to grow vegetables. Solar energy panels are also available to generate electricity for lights. For 20,000 yuan ($2,500 US) the government will build what is necessary to generate power from the water. With available technology the students should be able to have lights, computers, and hot water available for their use even with the school located in a remote area.

In July 2006 at Shambhala Mountain Center in CO, Khenpo Gawang again talked to Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche saying the timing is good as the local people and government supported the school idea. Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche gave his blessing to the school project. Knowing this, Khenpo Gawang talked to a patron, Ms. Nancy Floy and his secretary, Ms. Candia Ludy, who said they would help create a campaign. Now we are starting to raise money to build the boarding school. We have agreed that all the money donated to the project will go for direct costs of the project. The members of the Munsel School team have agreed to donate their time.

Then Khenpo Gawang called Lobsang Rinpoche (see below) about the plan. He said he would support the idea and was very happy saying this would be helpful and benefit many many kids.

Khenpo Gawang has made the Munsel School his first project and is planning to give all his gifts and earnings from teaching to the building of this school.

Who Is The Team?

Khenpo Gawang is based in the USA and is the inspiration, guide and force behind this project. Please visit his website for a biography, schedule of teachings, diplomas and pictures. www.pemakarpo.org

Khenpo Tsewang is presently in the Nangchen region of Eastern Kham talking with Government officials, local village leaders, families, builders, suppliers and architects about the school. The photographs on this website are from an email of digital photographs he took and sent recently. Khenpo's Biography and Pictures

Lobsang Rinpoche is Tulku of the Nando Gompa (Monastery). As the former minister of Nangchen Region he is trusted by the people of the area. Lobsang Rinpoche is actively supporting the building of this school.

Candia Ludy is Ven. Khenpo Gawang's Secretary, Director of Dragon Seat Meditation Center in Memphis, TN and president of Foodaid.Compassion, a 501c3 humanitarian aid non-profit. For more information visit www.dragonseat.org and www.foodaid.com

Julia Nordstad is the IT(information technology) coordinator for Munsel Projects and is one of Khenpo Gawang's English teachers.

Jerry Brown is the fundraising expert with many years experience working with non-profits. He is an artist, inventor and owner of Sealight Creations.

Thanh Le is a member of the IT gang and a Vietnamese/English translator.

Our main volunteer team in Memphis who are willing to help in all situations are:

Ms. Angie Sullivan, Mr. Chuck Sullivan, Ms. Jackie Woodson, Mr. Kien Nguyen, Ms. Karen Fearn, Ms. Laura Wrenn, Ms. Mona Winfrey, Ms. Rebecca Rollins, Ms. Valerie

Kids4Kids Tennessee: Jasmine and Sam (founders), Amanda, Karen, Becky contact: www.munselschool.org

Boulder: Mr. Gerry Weiner, Mr. Marv Ross, Ms. Janet Lyons, Mr. Thomas Lenk contact: www.munselschool.org

Chicago: Ms. Nancy Floy and Mr. Asang contact: www.heartwoodcenter.com

May the children of Nangchen Region benefit from this school and the lives of all people be filled with blessings. We dedicate the merit of this effort for all beings.

IT Gang On A Mission

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