About us
Rigul Trust is a registered UK charity raising awareness and funds for welfare projects and poverty relief in Tibetan communities in Rigul, Tibet, and other Himalayan regions.
Our objectives written into the Charity Commission Governing Document are:
“The relief of poverty and financial hardship, the advancement of education, the advancement of religion, the relief of sickness, the preservation and protection of good health, in particular but not exclusively in Rigul, Kham, Tibet as the trustees may decide”.
Donations received will go to fund activities in the field.
100% of all other expenses are met by volunteers.
A bit of history
Many Tibetans live in severe hardship and our current and planned projects for schools and health clinics in these communities benefit both the Tibetan and the local people of the region. The Rigul Trust was founded in 2003 and the projects in Rigul continue to flourish with the support of the Trust. We have projects mostly in Rigul, Tibet but also in a few other Himalayan communities.
Now there is a completed, purpose built school where currently about 140 to 150 children attend every day of the year with 5 teachers and 3 cooks. The children receive two hot meals a day free and come from far and near, many having to walk up to and over an hour each way. The winters are severe.
Also, the Health Clinic is flourishing, housed in its purpose-built building, where about 80 people receive free consultations and treatments daily. Medicines are paid for in summer when there is work. In 2016 funds were raised to purchase an ‘ambulance’ for Dr. Chuga which enables him to collect medicinal herbs and also to transfer people when necessary.
Funds were sent to Rigul Foundation in Belgium between 2003 and 2007. Francois Henrard was very involved with Rigul Foundation and visiting Rigul. Before we registered as a UK charity, Margaret Richardson and David Curtis raised awareness and funds around the Southampton area.
We registered in May 2008 and Margaret and David became trustees. Once we had registered as Rigul Trust, it was then that Margaret had a mission and a vision to get the Rigul Trust known internationally and this is a dream that has now come true.
Margaret, on behalf of the Rigul Trust, is in regular contact and works with Ringu Tulku, the trustees, the agent for Rigul, and an intermediary in mainland China.