Residential Program:

Tibetan Homes Foundation is a residential school network, comprising larger homes, smaller homes, and senior hostels at its main school in Mussoorie, as well as branch schools in Rajpur and Gohri Mafi. We call these homes as “Khimtsang” ; reflecting  family life. The branch school in Dekyling operates as a day school, primarily serving children from the Tibetan Settlement in Dekyling.

In the three residential schools, a dedicated caregiver, who fulfills the nurturing role of a mother, looks after the children. When students reach the senior-most level of their schooling, they are transferred to senior hostels in Mussoorie. This transition allows them more focused time for study and helps prepare them for life beyond the Tibetan Homes Foundation family.

What makes these homes unique is the self-sufficient lifestyle they encourage. Children, with the assistance and guidance of their home mothers: who we call as “Amala- A mother”, handle daily chores such as cooking, cleaning, and washing, which are integral to their daily routines. Senior children are assigned duties and help with household chores, while younger children are paired with older ones for guidance and care. This includes assistance with bathing, laundry, school needs, and homework. This system fosters a strong sense of family, responsibility, and belonging. It instills essential values like love, care, responsibility, honesty, hard work, and compassion, making it a cultural and holistic upbringing for the children in these family homes.

LIFE IN THE TIBETAN HOMES 

The day in the homes begins at six in the morning, with the children starting by making their beds and tidying their rooms. Afterward, all the children, except those assigned kitchen duties, gather for morning prayers. Once prayers are over, they are served tea, bread, and “poori with boiled egg” on Sundays. After morning prayer, all gathered at the dining hall,  have their breakfast quickly before washing up and heading to school.

By 12:45 p.m., the children return home for lunch, their main meal of the day, which typically includes rice, dal (lentil sauce), and vegetables. After a short break, they return to school for their afternoon classes by 1:45 p.m.

The school day ends at 3:45 p.m., and the children return home. At 4:30 p.m., afternoon tea is served, and by 5:30 p.m., they gather for evening prayers in the prayer room.

After prayers, the children focus on their studies—some completing homework, while others spend time reading in the designated corners of their homes. Some spend their time in the small library – a reading corner of their homes.

Dinner is served at 7:00 to 07:30 p.m. After washing up, the children regroup in the study room for some additional study time.

By 09:00 to 10:00 p.m., the day winds down with children enjoying last-minute conversations, songs, or games before preparing for bed. After exchanging "good nights," caregivers quietly check on them to ensure everything is in order, and soon, peace settles over the homes.

Sundays are dedicated to chores. The children do their laundry, help younger siblings, and visit the shops located on the school premises.