Gar Relief Inc

2019 ACTIVITIES GAR RELIEF SUPPORTED PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR NOMADIC TIBETANS LIVING IN DIRE POVERTY IN THE REMOTE REGION OF NANGCHEN COUNTY IN YUSHU PREFECTURE, EASTERN TIBET. OUR PROJECTS INCLUDE THE BENDURYA CLINIC, WHICH DELIVERS LOCAL, LOW-COST BASIC HEALTH CARE, WOUND TREATMENT, AND PREVENTATIVE HEALTH EDUCATION TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY HAD TO TRAVEL DAYS FOR CARE, AND ACHI ELDER CARE, WHICH PROVIDES THE MOST NEEDY, DESTITUTE ELDERS WITH FOOD, CLOTHING AND BASIC MEDICAL CARE. IN 2019 WE PROVIDED SUPPORT TO 32 ELDERS. WE ALSO SUPPORTED CHILDREN FROM TAJUK VILLAGE TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION. IN 2018 THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT CLOSED THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TAJUK THAT WE HAD BEEN SUPPORTING SINCE 2013 AND ISSUED A NEW REGULATION MANDATING THAT ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN LIVING IN TAJUK MUST ATTEND A GOVERNMENT-RUN SCHOOL, THE CLOSEST OF WHICH IS LOCATED IN DORA, A NEARBY VILLAGE. WITH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOW CLOSED, GAR RELIEF HAS SHIFTED OUR EDUCATIONAL FOCUS TO SUPPORT SECONDARY SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN FROM TAJUK TO ATTEND SECONDARY SCHOOL IN NANGCHEN. THESE STUDENTS ARE FORMER TAJUK ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WHO ARE NOW AGED 10 TO 16 AND ENROLLED IN GRADE 4 THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. NANGCHEN IS ABOUT TWO HOURS AWAY BY CAR FROM TAJUK, AND STUDENTS MUST FIND BOARDING IN THE AREA TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES. GAR RELIEF PROVIDES FUNDING TO HELP COVER BOARD AND DAILY LIVING EXPENSES FOR THESE STUDENTS IN NANGCHEN, WHICH HELPS EASE THE STRAIN ON FAMILIES AND ENSURES STUDENTS CONTINUE TO ATTEND SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL BUILDING IN TAJUK CONTINUES TO HOUSE THE BENDURYA MEDICAL CLINIC AND SERVES AS A COMMUNITY CENTER AND GATHERING SPACE FOR PICNICS, PUJAS AND PRACTICES OFFERED BY MONKS FROM GARGON MONASTERY, AS WELL AS FOR OTHER LOCAL FESTIVITIES.