Our need for a new thapsang:
Background
In Monpa households, the thapsang (kitchen, dining, and gathering area) holds a very special place. It is not just where meals are prepared and eaten; it is also a space for celebrating the family spirit daily by bringing everyone together. The Jhamtse Gatsal thapsang has been a source of deep joy and comfort for all its community members – children and adults alike.
The original thapsang at Jhamtse Gatsal, constructed in 2005, was a humble bamboo and mud building crowned with a tin roof. Its original purpose was to serve approximately 50 children and adults.
We urgently need a new thapsang to serve as the central gathering place for community members and visitors alike.
With a focus on our culture and sustainability, we have set out to build something that will inspire and serve as a model.
Our new thapsang will:
be a unique building in our region. It will serve as a model of what's possible. It was designed in alignment with our mission to balance and integrate the new with the old mindfully. The modern look is fully integrated with traditional cultural aspects and sustainability at heart.
be completely sustainable, with solar power, rainwater harvesting, and walls made from locally sourced Adobe bricks. It will break the cycle of thinking that “this can’t be done.” Our dedicated kitchen staff will also have housing options (apartments) for themselves and their families.
also serve the vital purpose of enabling us to host local, regional, national, and global events - on the topics of education, sustainability, cultural preservation, etc. This will amplify the awareness of our work and provide additional support for our ongoing mission - to raise the next generation of changemakers. The new thapsang will also serve as a model for our region and the world.
To complete our goal of securing the final $300,000 in funding, our immediate goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of 2023 to ensure our continued progress.
