Educational center for orphans and needy children in the Himalayas.
Help us to build their future!

“It is my heart’s desire to provide a future for the children of my homeland and to free them from the vicious circle of poverty and lack of perspective,” says Lama Konchok Samten, founder and chairman of Himalaya Haus e.V. To achieve this goal, he is now asking for support for the construction of the Nalanda School with attached orphanage in Ladakh/Himalaya.

The construction of an environmentally friendly and sustainable school as well as an orphanage is for Lama Samten the decisive key to offer the children in this area a future perspective worth living. As the project is financed exclusively by donations, his urgent request is: “Help us pave the way to a better future for the children!” Your support – whether in the form of monetary or in-kind donations, or through your cooperation and energy – will help make a lasting difference in the lives of the children in Ladakh. Let us contribute together to give these children a better future!

Lama Samten knows the plight of the children and families in the remote north Indian Ladakh from his own experience. For this reason, he has been devoting all his energy to the “Orphanage and School” project for several years. As an ambassador for lost children, he is committed to giving a chance to young people who, without this social project, could not expect an education and a dignified future.

Infrastructure for 500 children

The project aims to provide a place for poor orphans and socially disadvantaged children from the region. The orphanage will initially start with 100 girls and 100 boys, followed by another 300 needy children from the area, who will be able to attend classes as students on a daily basis.

Lama Samten is convinced that education is the key to improving the living conditions of these children. With your contribution – be it through financial support or as a volunteer – you can help make this project a success and give the children of Ladakh a promising future. Help us to make the world a little bit better for these children!

Only local help opens the perspective for a self-determined life. Especially in India, where the gap between rich and poor is immense, such a project is of great importance. “Education is the best currency in the whole world,” emphasizes Lama Samten, because education enables children to have a better future and opens up new opportunities for them.

From the heart of the Himalayas

The multiple benefit tour “From the Heart of the Himalayas” has already contributed to the financing of the project. Monks and artists from Ladakh have brought the rich culture and spirituality of their homeland to Western audiences. This tour has resulted in donations for local social projects, including Lama Samten’s orphanage and school project.

Be part of a movement that helps improve the lives of those living in poverty. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.

The Project

The project site covers three hectares and is located in Saboo Thang, about ten minutes by car from Leh, the capital of Ladakh. It is situated between two majestic mountain ranges and is located on the outskirts of the village. The community of the village has thankfully donated the land to the non-profit association. Construction of the “Nalanda School and Orphanage” project has already begun. Corner pillars, administrative buildings and the development of electricity and water supply have already been completed. A protective wall surrounds the site and 100 trees have been planted. Thus, the first of a total of four construction phases has been completed. “As soon as we receive further financial support, we will proceed with the next construction steps,” promises Lama Samten. In August 2016, H.H Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang, the head of the Drikung Kagyu Buddhist tradition, laid the foundation stone for the school.

The special

Sustainability is the central theme that gives the project its uniqueness. Because just like the feet of the children who will walk through the hallways of the school, the carbon footprint of the school building will be tiny. The school will be environmentally friendly and built using passive, solar-heated construction methods with local materials such as wood, stone, clay, straw and earth. This traditional construction method has been in use in Ladakh for over 1000 years and has proven to be sturdy, low maintenance, fire and pest resistant, and breathable. Many well-preserved historic buildings in the region bear witness to this. The campus is powered exclusively by passive solar energy. Through the use of rammed earth technologies, the school is expected to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

A team of German and local engineers is working with other experts to make the entire project one of the most energy-efficient natural schools in the region. Attention is also being paid to protecting the fragile environment. The organizers hope that their project will serve as a model and inspire others to implement similar sustainable projects.

Current status

We are very pleased to announce that we will begin construction on the next phase of the project in May of this year.

As you may know, Ladakh is geographically very isolated by the Himalayan Mountains and the two national roads connecting Ladakh are completely closed due to heavy snowfall until April each year. Therefore, our working season is very limited compared to other parts of the country. However, once we get going in May, we will do our best to use the 6 months of the season to advance the construction in every way possible.

Construction to start again in May 2023.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has completely disrupted our fundraising campaigns and construction efforts since 2020, causing significant delays and frustration among our team. However, we are very pleased to announce that we will begin construction of the orphanage this May, in partnership with a local construction company.

Please support this project in the Himalayas to make it a success for the benefit of the children. Your contribution and encouragement are invaluable to us and we are grateful for your generosity.

We will keep you updated on all progress and developments of the project.

Lama Samten

Himalaya Haus e.V.
Gießenerstraße 52 – 35435 Wettenberg / Gießen / Germany
https://himalayahaus.de – info@himalayahaus.de – Tel.: 0176 301 56 849

Bank details:
Himalaya Haus e.V. – IBAN: DE54 5004 0000 0339 8088 01
Commerzbank AG – BIC: COBADEFFXXX
Intended purpose: Name | Address | Project Nalanda School