Tibetan Children's Education Foundation

10/22/2026

10/22/2026

ART AS AN EXPRESSION OF IDENTITY AND CULTURE

Last year we invited the Sambhota Tibetan Schools Group to write essays in English on Tibetan topics. Over a thousand students took part, and some of the essays were inspirational.
As part of TCEF’s effort to preserve Tibetan and Himalayan identity and culture, this year we initiated a project around this idea of children expressing the identity and culture through Art. We invited two of our principal partners - Rainbow School, Ladakh and Kyitsel-ling, Clement Town to take part.
Like children in many parts of the world, Tibetan and Ladakhi children love to draw and paint. This first batch of photos is from Rainbow School. One of the principal feedback from the schools was that the children had fun! Most of the students participating were from the elementary and middle school students. At those class levels, we were amazed to see him high quality drawings and paintings.
TCEF sponsored all the supplies - including trophies for the winners. To successfully complete this project, students had to first reflect on some aspect of their identity or culture - and then put paint to paper in expressing that through art. Again, the best part - they had fun - which hopefully means that given another chance, most students would be up of another round of art..

10/19/2026

TCEF’s Hearts for Tibet Series celebrates and highlights some of our exceptional sponsors and donors. In supporting TCEF, these folks help educate our children, provide service to elders and preserve our culture.

Our hope in starting and sharing this series is both to express gratitude for exceptional support, and to inspire others to join this circle.

Ann Down is a very special friend of Tibet—and has been for a very long time. Throughout her life, Ann has generously supported numerous Tibetan causes and projects, including TCEF.

I first met Ann at the Feathered Pipe Ranch back in 2003. Once again, it was the incomparable India Supera who brought us together.

For nearly three decades, Ann has found countless ways to support TCEF. In many ways, she helped our little foundation survive and grow. During our early years, Ann and her Good Works Institute funded nearly all of our major projects. Her generosity gave us not only the financial resources we needed, but also the confidence to dream bigger and take on ambitious projects, knowing that Ann would likely be there to help.

Even after dissolving the Good Works Institute, Ann's commitment to Tibet and TCEF has never wavered. She continues to support our work in meaningful ways. In addition to helping fund major projects, Ann now sponsors the education of ten children, most of them at Kyitsel-ling.

Looking back over the years, I am deeply grateful for Ann's extraordinary generosity, her quiet encouragement, and her unwavering belief in our work. Supporters like Ann have made it possible for a small foundation like ours to accomplish far more than we could have imagined.

Thank you, Ann Down, for standing with TCEF through all these years, for believing in our mission, and above all, for your beautiful heart for Tibet.

10/13/2026

TCEF’s Hearts for Tibet Series celebrates and highlights some of our most dedicated sponsors and donors. Through their generous support of TCEF, these remarkable individuals help educate Tibetan children, care for our elders, and preserve our rich cultural heritage.

In launching and sharing this series, our hope is not only to express our heartfelt gratitude for their exceptional generosity and commitment, but also to inspire others to support Tibetan causes.

Roy is one of TCEF’s founding members, and his association with the organization spans its entire 31-year history—and counting! He served as our first Executive Director and has continued as our founding Secretary for as long as I can remember. Through all these years, Roy has always found the time to stand by TCEF and support its mission.

Throughout my own years with TCEF, I have relied on Roy’s counsel—legal and otherwise. Whenever we encountered difficult times, he was always there with thoughtful advice, steady guidance, and reassurance. His quiet strength, generosity of spirit, and unwavering commitment over more than three decades are a true testament to his heart for Tibet.

09/22/2026

Even though we Tibetans are going through one of the darkest periods in our history, we have many things to be grateful for. For one, we live in the era of the Great 14th Dalai Lama. What a blessing for all of us.

Then, we are also grateful to have the love and extra ordinary support from folks all over the world. TCEF’s Hearts for Tibet Series celebrates and highlights some of our exceptional sponsors and donors. In supporting TCEF, these folks help educate our children, provide service to elders and preserve our culture.

Our hope in starting and sharing this series is both to express gratitude for exceptional support, and to inspire others to join this circle. If ever you wanted to do something for Tibet, or even explore ways to help - all you have to do is click.

To start our Hearts for Tibet series, we are taking it back to the very beginning. We will start by honoring our surviving founders, then move chronologically through the stories of our sponsors and donors based on when they first joined our journey.

09/03/2026

Huge gratitude to everyone who contributed to TCEF’s Rainbow School Project. Over the past two years, in partnership with APECIH, Switzerland, we have been helping Rainbow School build a multi-purpose auditorium.

I’m thrilled to announce that the project is complete. The new auditorium was inaugurated on August 21. We’re happy to share images from the event.

When the TCEF team visited Rainbow School in 2023, we saw beautiful children in lovely classrooms. What was missing was an assembly hall - a place for collective gathering. The new auditorium will be that central space - a place for daily assemblies, for learning and showcasing cultural music, songs and dances and a place for indoor gatherings and games - especially during the long winter months when outdoor activity is not possible in Ladakh, and a place. In short, the auditorium will be a game changer for the school.

06/26/2026

The TCEF board members come from diverse backgrounds connected by long standing friendships and a love for Tibet and Tibetan causes. Over the past few years our summer meetings have been mostly hosted by Alan Davis and Karen Cooper at their fabulous cabin on Placid Lake, Montana. It is breathtakingly beautiful here - and there is a huge sense of gratitude whenever I’m at this place.

For me these meetings are so much more than just sharing project reports and even introducing new ones. Meeting my wonderful board, discussing TCEF stuff with them gives me renewed energy and even inspiration.

Thank you Jennifer Prugh for coming all the way from California and for these beautiful images.

06/26/2026

Today, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made our educational tour to Rajasthan such a wonderful and unforgettable experience. This tour was not only a journey to new places, but also a journey of learning and growth.
I am especially grateful to Genla Karma for the guidance and inspiration. I sincerely thank our staff members, Mam Namgyal and Cho Prakash, for their care and support throughout the tour.
My special thanks to Gori Garfield, our generous sponsor, for making this educational tour possible. I am also thankful to my TCEF friends for their friendship and teamwork.
Thank you all for your encouragement and support.
With gratitude,
Stenzin Thinlay
Class 11
Kyitselling Hostel
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Date=1/3/2026

12/25/2025