TIBET

The Tibet Heritage Fund is involved in restoration of over 90 of the few remaining traditional houses in Lhasa.   It hopes, with the cooperation of city officials, to restore approximately 180 houses and also enable the urban poor Tibetans who live in them to remain with improved housing and living conditions. THF is also working on larger infrastructure projects in the city including sewerage and drainage. 

THF expat staff is small and is committed to employ traditional Tibetan labour and keep age old painting, decorating and building skills alive. They also train locals in engineering, architecture skills needed to improve the city's  infrastructure.

" It's really something magic - to lose it would be tragic "
the Village People

 

These Tibetan (Agga) women are water-proofing the roof of a house in the the traditional way. The roof will be water proof for around 15 years. 

 

As they crush the roof stones they sing traditional songs to a rhythmic working beat. Dozens of traditional songs are still in practice through THF and local efforts.

 

Local skilled artisans are employed to paint the restored housing in the traditional way. 

Each artisan usually has a team of younger Tibetans to whom skills are passed on. 

 

These older restored houses may be opened up to tourists by residents whose income at present is insufficient for maintenance.

If not for convincing arguments and quiet diplomacy by the THF, the local government would have replaced these houses with flats.

 

The traditional housing is built around a system of courtyards, most of which are in urgent need of structural repairs.

 

Apart from traditional artistic enhancements, restoration includes repairing structural faults, and improving water and sewerage facilities. 

 

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