Working with nature

27 October 2010
Posted in Emergency news

Mudslide specialist Richard Hughes visited Shey in September 2010 to investigate the characteristics of the August mudslide, and started to prepare design concepts for protective measures, working with nature.

The school sits on the edge of an ‘outwash fan’ that has evolved over thousands of years and it is likely that water, rock and mud flows will happen again at some time in the future. The Arup Design Team has worked on the design of protective measures that will be implemented in 2011. Funding has been secured for these works.

All classes fully operational again - Latest News 25th October 2010

25 October 2010
Posted in Emergency news

All classes are functioning again even though some classrooms are still being repaired. Following the loss of furniture and educational resources, there is much ‘making do’ until funding becomes available to complete the re-equipping.

Against this background, it was nice for students and staff to be able to celebrate Founders Day on 24th September, marking the 9th anniversary of the opening of the school. The event was celebrated in a quiet way out of respect for those who lost homes and loved ones. The children sang, danced, performed plays, enjoyed samosas, and took part in competitions. Each class prepared a display on a given topic - such as nomadic life, or the costumes or food of Ladakh. The nomads won!

Everybody was so enthusiastic and involved that sports day and prize-giving had to be postponed until the next day. All this was a great way for the school community to come together in celebration after the traumatic events of early August.

Structural assessment - Latest News 22nd October 2010

22 October 2010
Posted in Emergency news

Structural engineer Nicola Perandin from the London-based Arup Design Team visited the campus for a week in September 2010 and examined each and every building and piece of infrastructure. Although the mudslide caused considerable internal damage and destroyed a lot of equipment, the only structural damage he found was an end wall of the Junior South Block that is 3cm out of vertical at the top.

Four weeks on ... - Latest news 02 September 2010 17:00

02 September 2010
Posted in Emergency news

Four Weeks On …

17h00 London time, Thursday 2nd September 2010

The disaster occurred during the night of 5th-6th August: four weeks ago. All classes are now functioning again at Druk White Lotus School – some in recently cleaned classrooms, others in tents and dormitories. Staff managed to salvage some furniture, but a huge amount remains to be done to provide furniture, learning materials and equipment to restore the school to a fully functional level.

Back to School - Latest news 24 August 2010 12:00AM

24 August 2010
Posted in Emergency news

12h00 London time, Tuesday 24th August 2010

Back to School

All day pupils appear to be safe. Two DWLS day-pupils who are currently in a relief camp will be moving into the school hostel for 2 months while their homes are rebuilt.