Friends of Humanity has undertaken a project to provide solar electricity to the Tashi Chime Gatsal Convent located in Bigu, a remote village in the Dolkha District of Nepal. The convent was built in 1934 and has never had any lighting for the 60 nuns who live there.

The monastery is a home, but also an educational center. The nuns are receiving training in various fields. The contribution of solar electricity helps to improve their living conditions and the quality of education.

Articulated in 3 stages, this project has a total budget of $39’000. After two months of work, the 2 first stages were completed in late 2008 for a total budget of $26’000. Within these two phases, almost the whole solar power system was installed. The electrical installation of the convent goes to the dormitory, the monastery, the kitchen, bathrooms, some toilets and to the guest room.

The third and final stage was planned for 2010 and required a budget of $12’000. The goal was to install new solar panels to provide electricity to a small office complex and other toilets.