Tong-Len
A Charitable TrustWe help displaced communities in North India achieve a secure and sustainable future by addressing the root causes of their poverty and ill-health through a range of education and health-based projects
Taking on humanity, one step at a time...
Tong-Len is a small charity working with displaced Indian communities in the area around Dharamsala. Most families live in a state of desperation within slum camps.
Tong-Len aims to help these homeless communities gain access to basic human rights. The main focus is to break the cycle of deprivation through education. To this end, Tong-Len has established its own school and provides hostel accommodation for those children in most need.
Our Projects
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Donate and make a difference today…
Every penny we receive makes a difference and we cannot thank you enough for thinking about us and making a financial contribution.
If you are interested in setting up a standing order, direct debit or for other payment options, please email anna@tong-len.org.
Donate in £GBP
Donate in $AUD
Donate in $CAD
Donate in $USD
Donate in €EUR
About Us
Tong-Len Charitable Trust (Charity Number 16284) was set up in December 2004 to support desperately poor communities in the Dharamsala area of Himachal Pradesh. Its prime focus has been in supporting the educational needs of the children from these communities. It has established its own school and provides hostel accommodation. It also engages in health work. The founder and Director of Tong-Len Charitable Trust, Therchin Gyaltsen (Jamyang), had a vision to help destitute Indian children, seen begging in the streets and scavenging in the rubbish dumps, gain access to education.
Tong-Len UK is a separate and an independent organisation from Tong-Len Charitable Trust and is registered as a charity in Scotland (SC036383). Its sole purpose is to raise funds for the work of Tong-Len Charitable Trust in India. It was established in March 2005.
Agir Ensemble pour Tong-Len is a separate and independent organisation from Tong-Len Charitable Trust and Tong-Len UK and is a registered association in France (W061010272). Its sole purpose is to raise funds for the work of Tong-Len Charitable Trust in India. It was registered in 2018.
In some projects, especially health, Tong-Len works in partnership with the Dalai Lama Trust.
Jamyang, a refugee Tibetan monk, was moved by the plight of the young Indian children he saw begging in the street and scavenging in the rubbish bins. He discovered they were living in terrible conditions in a slum camp with no access to clean water, sanitation or education.
Jamyang shared his concerns and his vision to help these children go to school with a few other Tibetan refugees and Western volunteers who helped him establish the charity in India.
The name Tong-Len comes from the Tibetan words meaning ‘give’ and ‘take’, the idea being that through compassion one shares in the suffering and pain of others whilst simultaneously giving out love and kindness.
Our News
Flood Update
Work has started on building new shelters for the residents of the Chetru slum who lost their homes and meagre belongings to the flood waters. The local authority has allowed new shelters to be built on a piece of land close to Sarah village, not far from the Tong-Len...
Chetru floods
You may have seen in the news that there has been terrible weather in the Dharamsala area leading to flash flooding and landslides. The Chetru slum has been very badly affected, with many families’ homes and possessions swept away by flood waters. These marginalised...
International Women’s Day 2021 – 8th March
Yesterday, 8th March, was International Women’s Day 2021 and the theme for this year is #ChooseToChallenge. Women and girls are more likely to live in poverty, and the negative effects of Covid-19 have impacted women disproportionately. We must all #choosetochallenge...
November 19th 2020
19th of November is a very special day for Tong-Len as it has been celebrated as Thanks Day by the children of Tong-Len to show gratitude to all the individuals and organizations who have been supporting us for the work we are doing. This day always has been a...
First Tong-Len Vocational Training Programme is underway
Despite the many challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic, the new vocational training centre opened its doors to the first 15 students in October 14th. These students from families living below the poverty line are enrolled in a 6 months electrician training program where...
Tong-Len nursing students graduate
Congratulations to Nisha, Poonam and Sarika on the completion of their nursing studies. The 3 girls have now graduated and will shortly begin their professional careers. Sarika has decided that her first position should be with Tong-Len, so will be working within the...
Our Gallery
Experience what we do by visiting our gallery
Get In Touch
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Tong-Len Charitable Trust
Tong-Len Charitable Trust (Charity Number 16284), V.P.O. Mohal Jatehar Mouza Sarah, Tehsil Dharamshala 176215,District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India, Phone No ( +91 ) 9816314891
Director: Therchin Gyaltsen
Tong-Len UK
Tong-Len UK (Charity Number SC036383), 5 South Charlotte St, Edinburgh, EH2 4AN, UK
Director: Anna Owen
Agir Ensemble pour Tong-Len
Agir Ensemble pour Tong-Len (Association Number W061010272), 1715 route de Biot, 06560 Valbonne, France