Spiti Projects

Improving the quality of life for the communities that live in the Spiti Valley

The History of the Spiti Projects Charity to the Current Day

The Spiti Projects Charity was set up by Joan Pollock in 1993. Joan started her career as a nurse and later moved onto the Travel business in the 1980s. In 1992 Joan was in visiting Manali, Himachel Pradesh, India. During her stay, a Doctor from the Lady Willingdon Hospital invited her to a slide show at the hospital on the Spiti Valley.

The valley had been closed to the outside world since 1959. Joan was overwhelmed by the beauty of this isolated valley and concerned to see the desolation of the people. When asked if she would help to raise money to build a hospital in Kaza, she was delighted and became totally committed to helping to improve the health, hygiene and general wellbeing of the local people of the valley.

Since then the charity has successfully built a Mission Hospital, Mane Village School and Mane Village Clinic. We have also set up a Child Sponsorship Scheme, a Mud Brick Project, and Knit for Spiti, creating opportunities for communities to get involved and participate in helping Spiti Projects grow.
The Spiti Projects Charity relies on the generous donation received and we would love your support. You can do this easily on donate page.
Joan Pollock in Spiti

A message from Spiti Projects Founder, Joan Pollock.

'To my great surprise and pleasure my God Daughter nominated me for an award for the work that has been done over the last 30 years in health and education for the people of the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. As you will see, it was announced in The Times on the 14th June 2025 that I was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) by our King, Charles lll in his Birthday Honours list.

A big thank you to all those kind people who have supported us over the last 30 years. Without their generosity we would not have been able to do the valuable work in the valley that we have done. With all good wishes, Joan'

Appeal for Spiti Projects

Please support our Appeal to provide basic eye tests and economically priced reading specs for the rural people of the Spiti Valley. Read more on our projects page.

To donate click the link here.

Thank you so much, from the team at Spiti Projects.
donate here

Pam Sidhu's interview with Joan Pollock

Joan Pollock discusses how her journey to support the community in Spiti began and how everything then evolved from building the hospital to the school, to setting up sponsoring the local children and then the building of the United Nations Award Winning Community Centre.

Joan also explains her relationship with the Dalai Lama and how important it is for him to be part of the journey within Spiti, which he visits regularly.

United Nations Climate Change Award for Low Carbon – Winner in 2016

We, in partnership with the Auroville Earth Institute, designed and built the Kaza Eco-Community Centre with key participation of villagers in Kaza and local earth craftsmen of the Spiti Valley, in India.
Read More

Our Supporter

Dalai Lama

Supporter
Joanna Lumley Volunteer

Joanna Lumley

Supporter

William Dalrympal

Patron
Meet Our team
Our charity is committed to environmental and conservation issues and to helping improve the health, hygiene and general wellbeing of the people of the Spiti Valley.
Flat 113 Stafford Court, Kensington High Street, London, W8 7DR
info@spiti.org +44 (0)7721 066 761
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