The association TOKSPO Amitié France Ichar Zanskar (TAFIZ)

The birth of Tokspo   In 2006, while we were trekking in Zanskar, we met Stanzin Gayzang and Tachi Tsering. On the road back to the Monastery of Phuktal at Padum, they invited us to stay several days in their village of Ichar where we were welcomed by their families. It was then that the idea to found an association in France to participate, side by side, in the sustainable growth of their village was born.     At that time, the villagers wished to build a boarding school for the children of the state school, which accommodates approximately 60 children, several of which came from villages situated one to three days walk away. The children in this situation were accommodated by " host families". With this " hostel ", they hoped to accommodate  more pupils and, thus, ensure the future of their school, which, moreover, was doing well, animated by young motivated Zanskari teachers.   In March 2007, the association " Tokspo -  Amitié France Ichar Zanskar " was therefore founded, and its statutes were settled at the prefecture of Annecy, in Haute-Savoie. A slide show by André Rosset, on Pakistan and Ladakh, was organised at the Silk mill of Faverges to make this foundation known. Very quickly, tens of members answered our call, many of which were members of the Alpine Club of Faverges.   To start raising the required funds, the first " actions " were organised: selling bread at the market of Combloux in July, or during the General Meeting of the CAF, in November, taking part in the Christmas Market of Faverges in December,…       Moreover, the first year of its creation, Tokspo benefited from a  subvention of the CAF (Faverges and from financial support by the Millet Expedition Project, a project concerning a five-month stay in Zanskar, which was chosen by the jury of this grant. Tokspo Welfare Society of Ichar   On site, in order to see the project through, our Zanskarpa friends, have registered the statutes of an association also named " Tokspo ". This way, our twin association can take concerted action in executing this project.   Tokspo Ichar has also set himself goals concerning education, cultural animation and preservation of traditions. It is currently presided by our friend Tachi Tsering, with the help of a whole team of young motivated Zanskarpas.  Tachi Tsering Declaration in the official newspaper of TAFIZ: Publication n°: 20070014 Registration, at the prefecture of Haute-Savoie, of the association  TOKSPO - AMITIE - FRANCE - ICHAR - ZANSKAR (TAFIZ). Goal: build a boarding school for the school of Ichar, in Zanskar (India) and, moreover, take part in the sustainable growth of this village of the Himalayas. Head Office: 439, route de Saint-Gingolph, 74210 Giez.  Date of declaration: 13 March 2007.