An Evening with Michael Wood

The Spiti Project Charity invites you to enjoy an evening with Michael Wood, as he delivers a talk on his recent expedition, “The Search for Shangri-La,” on the evening of the 22nd April.  

The renowned author, historian and TV presenter will deliver a fascinating insight into one of the most impressive continents as he talks about his breathtaking journey through the Himalayas into the mysterious kingdom in West Tibet, through to Northern India into the majestic Nepal. Travelling onto Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash before reaching Toling and Tsaprang.

Formed by the Spiti River, the Spiti Valley offers awe-inspiring scenery, the valley is rich in herbs and rare plants used in Tibetan medicine for hundreds of years. The valley rises at the Kubzum-La pass before descending into the mighty Sutlej River, 150 kilometres downstream.

The mission of the Spiti Projects Charity is to improve the quality of life for the Tibetan communities living in the Spiti Valley, working together with the local people to promote health care, education and to conserve their unique cultural heritage.

Since 1993 the project has seen numerous projects completed within the community. Training programmes offer opportunities for the local people to develop their skills and gain new skills to help the local communities. Sponsorship programmes from the charity have been given to a number of students, allowing them to further learn new skills and to further their dreams for their future. The village elders received help to restore an ancient Tibetan Monastery which dates back to the 10th Century AD.

The Kaza Hospital, has taken away the 3 day trek over high mountain passes to Manali for the people of the valley to receive medical treatment. Local people donated some land, and their services to help build the hospital and with additional funding the Kaza Hospital was built.

The Mane Village School began development in 2002; the traditionally built and designed local school provides an invaluable education to the local children. Since being completed in 2005, the school has become both a centre for primary and secondary level education and the project has donated books to fill the library and with further plans to build a school dormitory to enable children from outlying villages the opportunity for an education.

Projects like the Kaza Hospital and the Mane School offer an opportunity for the local people to live a healthy life and achieving an education in order to support both themselves and their families.

Enjoy this fantastic opportunity to learn about the adventures of Michael Wood on Wednesday 22nd April at 7pm at the Royal Geographic Society.

For more details and to book your tickets visit www.spiti.org/ or call 01753 583123.