In 2009, the senior alumni of Crystal Mountain School established Vision Dolpo with an aim to primarily ensure inclusive and quality education for the children from the region and facilitate better health care services, as well as to eradicate poverty in all its forms, ensure food security and improve nutrition, enable better access to sustainable and modern energy, promote indigenous knowledge, vernacular architecture, and to influence the equitable and sustainable management of natural resources to conserve, and to preserve and promote the local culture and values.
With support from Action Dolpo (France), Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality (the local government), community members and friends of Dolpo, Vision Dolpo is engaged in a wide variety of activities to implement the above objectives. We work in coordination with other schools and health projects of Dolpo, and also we wish to work together with other two Rural Municipalities of Dolpo.
We are registered in the Social Welfare Council Nepal.
Our Mission
Our mission is to serve the local communities of Dolpo and similar high mountain areas in the Himalayas by primarily ensuring inclusive and quality education and health services for all, by promoting local language, culture and indigenous knowledge, and by enabling better access to sustainable energy and opportunities for local innovation.
Our Team
Tsering Wangmo
Chairperson, Vision Dolpo
Tsering Wangmo is an alumna of Crystal Mountain School (CMS) and a native of Dho-Tarap. She spent her childhood in Dho and her teenage years at Snow Leopard Residence (SLR). As one of the first graduates of CMS, she is deeply committed to Vision Dolpo’s mission of community empowerment.
She holds a Diploma in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Community Nursing, a Master of Public Health (Global Health), and a Certificate in Women, Adolescent, and Child Health (Global WACh) from the University of Washington, Seattle.
With over a decade of experience as a clinical nurse, healthcare trainer, and educator, she has worked with organizations including Vision Dolpo and Action Dolpo. She serves as Co-Director of Upaya’s Nomads Clinic and Program Coordinator at the School for International Training (SIT), Nepal. As Chairperson, she provides strategic leadership in healthcare, education, and community development initiatives.
Phurwa Gyaltsen
Secretary & Project Coordinator, Vision Dolpo
Phurwa Gyaltsen is an alumnus of Crystal Mountain School and serves as Vision Dolpo’s Project Coordinator. He has been engaged in the education sector since 2013 as a Science teacher and later served as Program Manager of CMS from 2019 to 2023.
Originally from Tokkyu (Taksi) in the Dho-Tarap Valley, he brings strong local knowledge and leadership experience. His portfolio includes oversight of CMS operations, Lang Basic School, Snow Leopard Residence (Kathmandu), and Vision Dolpo’s Bachelor’s Program. His work focuses on improving access to quality education in remote Himalayan communities.
Lhakpa Tsering
Treasurer & Coordinator (Undergraduate), Vision Dolpo
Lhakpa Gurung is the Treasurer of Vision Dolpo and an alumnus of Crystal Mountain School. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Development Finance from Kathmandu University and has over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector.
Since 2013, he has served as Manager of Dolpo Tulku Charitable Foundation and previously worked as a Field Coordinator with the Himalaya Project, focusing on Amchi education. As Treasurer, he oversees financial management and supports program coordination to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective resource utilization.
Nyima Dhargey
Academic Coordinator, CMS | Board Member, Vision Dolpo
Nyima Dhargey is one of the first alumni of Crystal Mountain Secondary School and has over 15 years of experience as a primary school teacher in Upper Dolpo.
He has played a key role at CMS as a teacher, inventory manager, and instructor of local music and dance, and has supported winter education programs as a volunteer. In 2024, he was appointed Academic Coordinator of Crystal Mountain Secondary School, continuing his commitment to educational development.
Tsering Youdon
Board Member, Vision Dolpo
Tsering Youdon is an alumna of Crystal Mountain School and a graduate in Public Health from Nobel College, Pokhara University (2024). She is part of the second cohort of Vision Dolpo’s Bachelor’s Program graduates.
She joined Vision Dolpo as Hostel In-Charge of Snow Leopard Residence in April 2024. Her previous experience includes volunteering with CMS, the Nepal Red Cross Society, and community-based organizations in education and social development.
Tsewang Sangmo
Vice-Chairperson | Vision Dolpo
Tsewang Sangmo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Golden Gate International College (2015). She is an alumna of Crystal Mountain School and a member of Vision Dolpo’s sixth cohort of high school graduates.
She previously worked as a teacher at CMS and remains actively involved with Vision Dolpo. Based in Kathmandu, she continues to contribute to organizational governance while balancing family responsibilities.
Tashi Lhamo
Board Member, Vision Dolpo
Tashi Lhamo graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Sagarmatha Engineering College in 2024, becoming the first civil engineer from the Dho-Tarap Valley under Vision Dolpo support.
An alumna of CMS and a member of the second Bachelor’s Program cohort, she joined the Vision Dolpo board in 2022. She also served as a secondary-level teacher in 2024 and will support upcoming CMS infrastructure and construction projects on behalf of Vision Dolpo.
Pemma Lhamo
Board Member, Vision Dolpo
Pemma Lhamo is an alumna of Crystal Mountain School and a member of the third cohort of Vision Dolpo’s Bachelor’s Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, having received a full government scholarship.
She is currently serving under the Government of Nepal’s mandatory service program in the Himalayan region. Since joining the Vision Dolpo board in 2022, she has contributed to health-related projects, drawing on her clinical and nursing background.
Tashi Nyima
Board Member | Vision Dolpo
Tashi Nyima is a fourth-semester undergraduate law student at Nepal Law Campus and a member of Vision Dolpo’s fourth Bachelor’s Program cohort.
He joined the Vision Dolpo executive board in 2022 and has been actively involved in organizational activities. His legal education is expected to strengthen the organization’s governance, compliance, and advisory capacity in the future.
Lakpa Thapa
Board Member, Vision Dolpo
Lakpa Thapa is an alumnus of Crystal Mountain Secondary School and has over 15 years of experience working with non-profit organizations supporting monastic and community education across Nepal.
He joined the Vision Dolpo board in 2022 and contributes valuable experience, networks, and perspectives that enrich board discussions and strategic decision-making.
Gyalpo Thapa Bhote (Gyalpo Dolpo)
Board Member, Vision Dolpo
Gyalpo Thapa Bhote is a dedicated community leader, social mobilizer, and an alumnus of Crystal Mountain Secondary School (CMS). His deep-rooted commitment to the Dolpo region began at CMS, where he served as a teacher and Academic Coordinator for several years. Within Vision Dolpo, he has held pivotal leadership roles, serving as Project Coordinator (2016–2019) and as President (2016–2021), before transitioning from his more recent executive responsibilities to focus on broader regional advocacy.
With extensive experience in local governance, Gyalpo served as the first Ward Chairperson of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality–1. In this role, he became a prominent voice for the socio-economic development of the valley, working across sectors to improve education, infrastructure, and sustainable tourism.
Currently, Gyalpo focuses his efforts on socio-political awareness and youth mobilization, striving to bring Himalayan voices to local, regional, and national platforms. He is recognized as helping bridge the gap between grassroots community needs and national policy discourse, advocating for the holistic development and empowerment of the people in high mountain communities like Dolpo. As a Board Member, he continues to provide strategic guidance to Vision Dolpo, bridging the gap between grassroots community needs and national policy discourse to advocate for the holistic development and empowerment of the people of Dolpo.
Board Advisors
Ngawang Lhundup
Advisor | Local Culture Preservation & Promotion
Ngawang Lhundup is an estemeed Advisor for Vision Dolpo. Born in 1995 in Dolpo, Tarap, he studied Tibetan language and Buddhist education at a local yogic monastery and completed secondary education in Kathmandu. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tibetan studies from the prestigious College For Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah, known for excellence in Tibetan studies. Ngawang collaborated on three books during college, including the 22nd issue of the college’s journal and a compilation of top Tibetan linguistic research.
In 2015, Ngawang joined Namdroling Monastery’s Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, a renowned center for Tibetan Buddhist education outside Tibet. He served on the institute’s editorial committee, contributing to the “Padmai Rangdang” journal. Ngawang authored five volumes on Namdroling Monastery’s history, one of the largest Tibetan monasteries. Since 2015, he has been documenting old scriptures, folk tales, folk songs, and local history, while serving as chief editor for “Himalayan Platform,” a Tibetan magazine for Dolpo. He also edited Dolpo-related terms in the Monlam Grand Dictionary.
Anticipate the release of Ngawang’s three books in early 2023. These books delve into Dolpo’s monasteries’ history, biographies of revered lamas, and an introduction to their works. Ngawang’s commitment to cultural preservation empowers the Dolpo community, making him an invaluable asset to Vision Dolpo.
Phurwa Dhondup, PhD
Advisor | Programs and Community Development
Dr. Phurwa Dhondup is an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences in the Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver. Born and raised in Dho Tarap, he is a proud alumnus of Crystal Mountain School (CMS). His deep commitment to his home region is central to his career; he served as the founding President of Vision Dolpo and has held key local roles, including Teacher at CMS (2010–2011) and Project Coordinator for Action Dolpo (2012–2013).
Phurwa completed his PhD in Geography at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2025, where his doctoral research explored state-building, indigeneity, and multispecies worldmaking in the Himalayas. He also holds an MA in Human Geography from the University of Colorado and a second MA in Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies from Tribhuvan University.
A recognized scholar in political ecology, his work is supported by the National Geographic Society, SSRC, and the Wenner-Gren Foundation. A recipient of the 2020 Dor Bahadur Bista Prize, his research appears in leading publications like Geoforum, Himalaya, and The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Highland Asia. He also leads community-based multimedia projects documenting Dolpo’s folk songs and oral literature.
Bikash Deshar
Advisor | Educational Programs
Bikash is an educator with more than 15 years of experience in Education and Leadership. He helps manage the day to day academic programs in Crystal Mountain School, create curriculum to engage students and design a teaching learning environment for both teachers and students. He has also served as the Academic Director for 3 years from 2020-2023 on-site at Crystal Mountain School.
Bikash holds a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Management from Kathmandu University and has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Tribhuvan University. In the past, he worked as a Program Manager and a country lead in Sunsar Maya, a non-profit based in San Francisco and Kathmandu. He is also a STEAM educator and a teacher trainer with an experience of training around 500 teachers from around the country. He also worked as an Chief Education Officer in a non-profit called Tergar Charity Nepal and helped them create their pilot curriculum on Women Literacy Program. Working with students and in the education sector is his passion.
Dhargey
Health Assistant, Dho-Tarap Valley
Dhargey Gurung is widely known throughout the Dho-Tarap Valley as “Dr. Dhargey” for his unwavering dedication as one of the region’s few healthcare professionals. Since graduating as one of the first Health Assistants from Dolpo, he has been serving the community with proficiency and trust for over six years.
A native of Tokyu (Taksi) and one of the first alumni of Crystal Mountain School, Dhargey is a vital healthcare provider in the village. He plays a crucial role in supporting the health and well-being of both students and villagers in the Dho-Tarap Valley.
Tirina Manandhar, Architect
Advisor | Passive Solar and Vernacular Architecture
Tirina Manandhar is a passionate architect and co-founder of ForeSight Architects Pvt. Ltd., with a strong dedication to shaping sustainable and socially responsible projects. Armed with a Masters of Science in Energy for Sustainable Social Development and enriched by a student exchange program at NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Norway, Tirina has made meaningful contributions to the field of architecture, focusing on sustainability.
As an Advisor, Tirina Manandhar’s expertise elevates Vision Dolpo’s mission in fostering a harmonious coexistence between architecture and the environment, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.
Our Partners
The Action Dolpo association is our primary partner, helping fund all our major programs for CMS, health post, and undergraduate support. Established in 1993 by Marie-Claire Gentric (Ama), the purpose of the association is to help the population of Dolpo, in particular the inhabitants of the Tarap Valley, in Nepal, by giving the means to the youth of these remote regions to study and preserve their rich heritage, and culture of Tibetan origin. Priority is given to school instruction as a means of access to hygiene, health, protection of the environment, reflection on one’s own culture, etc.
Founded in 2016, Fore Sight Architects Pvt. Ltd is an architectural consultancy with operational areas of architectural services, sustainable design, interior design, technical assistance and co-ordination and construction supervision. Collaborating with Vision Dolpo on Passive Solar and Vernacular Architecture research and development, Foresight is working on innovative projects, including designing passive solar buildings for Crystal Mountain School and residential structures, as well as an integrated Early Childhood Development Center in the Dho Tarap valley. Their comprehensive approach combines aesthetic appeal, functionality, and technical expertise to deliver tailored design solutions. Foresight Architects is committed to sustainable practices, incorporating energy-efficient design principles to create environmentally conscious structures that improve the quality of life for clients and communities.
Established in 2021, BLACK SQUARE DESIGN STUDIO is a dynamic architectural and interior design firm that collaborates with Vision Dolpo on Passive Solar and Vernacular Architecture research and development. They are dedicated to enhancing people’s lives through innovative design solutions that exceed expectations. With a multi-disciplinary approach combining creativity, strategy, and technology, they create memorable spaces and engaging visual systems. BLACK SQUARE DESIGN STUDIO is known for their ability to generate results-oriented designs, working closely with clients to bring their vision to life. Their commitment to building a better tomorrow is reflected in their focus on comfort, functionality, and visual appeal in every project, while also preserving local traditions and adhering to international quality standards. Through their work, BLACK SQUARE DESIGN STUDIO aims to contribute to a sustainable society by creating diverse, contextually sensitive designs that positively impact their clients, stakeholders, and the environment.
In 2021, Vision Dolpo competed in the GlobalGiving Accelerator program becoming a GlobalGiving partner. Since then, Vision Dolpo has been using the online non-profit crowdfunding platform to raise funds for research and development of passive solar technology, especially for Crystal Mountain School. Support the cause by donating to our projects on GlobalGiving.
Vision Dolpo 