Bournemouth: Representative Tsering Yangkey and Tibet House Trust Secretary Tenzin Namkha visited the Tibetan weekend school in Bournemouth, a coastal city in southeast England, on Saturday, 20 September 2025.

The Office of Tibet, London delegation was in Bournemouth to raise awareness about Tibet at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference and used the opportunity to engage with the local Tibetan community. This was coordinated by the Tibetan Community in Britain’s regional coordinator Tenzin Sangmo.

The Bournemouth Tibetan community, comprising 16 families, extended a warm traditional welcome to the Representative and Trust Secretary at the school. Coordinator Dawa Woeser opened the welcome ceremony by sharing the school’s history. Founded in July 2019, the school faced disruption during the Covid pandemic but resumed in 2022. Today, it serves 16 Tibetan students, with parents taking turns to teach Tibetan language classes every Saturday for three hours. Woeser also acknowledged Tibet House Trust for its continued support of the school’s running costs.

Addressing parents and students, Representative Tsering Yangkey underscored the vital importance of learning Tibetan and encouraged families to speak Tibetan at home. She also highlighted the role of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), urging families to participate actively in CTA initiatives, contribute through the Green Book, and uphold Tibetan culture and values, especially during this Year of Compassion. She expressed deep appreciation for the parents’ dedication in sustaining the school.

A lively question-and-answer session followed, during which the Trust Secretary Namkha introduced the new Green Book online system. Students then presented a traditional Tibetan dance, delighting the gathering. The Representative offered khatas to two students beginning their university studies this term, with all the students each receiving a gift arranged by the parents as a token of encouragement.

The visit concluded with a community lunch, offering further opportunities for meaningful exchange and strengthening unity among Bournemouth’s Tibetan families.

Volunteers assisting the Office of Tibet at the party conference, Namgyal Tsering and Namgyal Tarab, also joined the school visit.

“On behalf of the Tibetan community in Bournemouth, we are honoured and delighted to welcome Mrs Tsering Yangkey la and the team. We deeply appreciate your precious time and kind presence. The time we shared together was truly wonderful and memorable. Thank you” remarked a Bournemouth Tibetan community member.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, London