Mongpoo Bamboo School – Father Van S.J., India

A unique school, built entirely of treated bamboo, was constructed in Mungpoo Plantation, Darjeeling District. This was a popular school as the medium of teaching was English, the only one in the area.

This became the project of Father Gerard Van Walleghem, a well-respected Jesuit who had devoted many years teaching at the famous, St. Joseph’s School, North Point, Darjeeling. It was well supported by the school’s Alumni Association.

However, cash flow became a problem and so Owen through GFF donated INR 470,000.00 after meeting Father Van at a Rotary meeting in Darjeeling in 2007.

Eventually the idea of bamboo was abandoned and a brick and wood school had been constructed.

Owen was honoured to be the first to sing to the school at a Rotary dinner and in doing so he used the hymn “Men of Harlech” and changed the words to mirror the traits of the school and the fellowship of being a Rotarian member.