His Holiness The Dalai Lama inaugurated the new hostel on 19th November 2011. He also inaugurated a second hostel for pre-school children from the camps. This hostel has been wholly funded by The Dalai Lama Trust, which will also cover the first year running costs. Tong-Len now has the capacity to take on a further 24 children into the sponsorship programme which would enable them to attend school full time. However in order to do this we need new sponsors for these children. Please contact anna@tong-len.org for more more information about how you can sponsor a child.
On the day before the inauguration, there was a commemoration of Michael's memorial window and plaque. A number spoke about Michael's wonderful life and his contribution to Tong-Len, including Michael;s father, Paul Blakey, Anna Owen, Jamyang, three of the hostel children, the senior representative of the Charan community and Mary Hayman, the creator of the memorial window who also gave a message from Michael's church.
Your continuing support for the Tong-Len Michael Blakey Memorial Hostel is much appreciated as there is still much to be done in getting adequate water and electricity to the location in Sarah as well as broadband for the children's learning. If you want further information please contact anna@tong-len.org or visit the web site at http://www.tong-len.org .
All funds raised through this page will go towards the Michael Blakey Memorial Fund. As an alternative to online giving, cheques can be made out in favour of Tong-Len UK and sent to Tong-Len UK, 7 Oak Lane, Edinburgh, EH12 6XH, UK. Please also include a note that the money sent is for the Memorial Fund.
