Development Ratings

The Trust may be perceived as sect-like due to its ‘Head, Heart, and Hands’ philosophy, which may undermine support. However, there is no religious connotation to the Trust, or the community service part of the principle. Scholars do not need to hold any particular religious affiliation to be considered.

The Trust may be considered political because it supports Tibetan refugee students, Tibet having been under Chinese rule since the 1950s. The Trust also has as it patron His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. The Tibetan connection is an historic one, however, and the Dalai Lama does not influence the Trust.

There has been variable income, suggesting variable support, but this is largely due to the Trust being heavily financially supported by highly committed trustees. Extra funds are sought as and when needed to fund capital projects. Future plans include a step up in US and Irish fundraising to provide more consistent income to fund an endowment. Along with other donations, this will pay for planned infrastructure costs and help support the expansion of scholarship numbers from the interest.

Scholars may feel less connected to their home regions after spending their teens away at school. POCT emphasises contributions to their communities and alumni foundations, however, which will help mitigate this. Unlike PIVT in the UK, the schools are physically much closer to the scholars’ home communities and not in such a foreign environment. Holidays are spent at home.

There are security risks, particularly in parts of Nepal. Children have been withdrawn from schools in these more dangerous areas for a time but the current situation is more stable.