We are fundraising for THE MAYNES' EYE CLINIC close to opening in the Kaza Community Center in the Spiti Valley in Northern India soon.

The Center was opened to much fanfare on auspicious Full Blue Moon Day, July 31, 2015.  While services in the region were severely disrupted, the building survived the 2015 devastating earthquake. It was, fortunately, built using seismic-resistant "rammed earth/mud brick" technology.  This summer the Indian Government funded the installation of solar panels so this eco-passive solar building is now the nucleus of a large Tibetan community.

This important addition to the region will reduce isolation in long winter months by providing a space for continued production of local handicrafts, a key income generator.  It will include a craft center exhibition and library space, a dental clinic and the first eye testing facility in this area - THE MAYNES' EYE CLINIC. A large hall will accommodate a cafe, and provide space for village meetings and cultural activities.

The project is an initiative of The Spiti Projects, a Registered Charity
(UK 1105720), founded by our friend, Joan Swinnerton, in 1993 to improve the quality of life for the 10,000 inhabitants of the Spiti Valley in the Himalayas between India and Tibet, and to preserve their unique Buddhist cultural heritage. They built the first hospital in 1996 in Mane, followed by a school, clinic, girls' hostel, water pump and craft center; they also set up a Child Sponsorship Scheme, a mud brick project and Knit For Spiti. See www.spitiprojects.com

Life in the Valley is hard with extreme temperatures and lack of the most basic utilities. – snow makes the valley unreachable for 8 months of the year. Wood is scarce because the valley is above the tree line and the harsh winters mean the task of keeping warm dominates everything. But the Spiti Valley enjoys over 200 sunny days a year and this project showcases the use of solar energy to provide power and warmth.  The center was designed by India’s Auroville Earth Institute who specialise in Eco Technology.  Construction can only happen during summer months, a busy time for farming and production, so it took over 3 years.  A donation of £84,000 by Adventure Ashram  paid for the land, planning and building materials. This is a group of adventurers, primarily motorcyclists, whose mission is to help the poorest people on the routes they travel in India.

Please help us create a legacy for the Maynes' family by bringing optical facilities to this poor, remote and desolate region.  My Dad, Seaghan Maynes, - a renowned war correspondent, long supported charities for the blind, and was blind towards the end of his life, so we thought it appropriate to sponsor the Eye Clinic as a fitting family tribute.

Donating to The Maynes Eye Clinic through www.JustGiving.com is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe, you won't get
unwanted emails, they send the money directly to the charity and Gift Aid is reclaimed on any eligible donations by UK taxpayers.

We need to equip, stock and staff the MAYNES’ EYE CLINIC to help this region.  Thank you for whatever contribution you can
manage. Namaste!

Sheila Imirie Maynes