A big applause to the just-ended play staged in the School Hall. It is our first  dramatized western play at Jhamtse Gatsal. Thanks to our friend and supporter, Suzanne from Switzerland, for her voluntary services offered to our children for the last few months.  She is a Teacher in the International School of Geneva.

The fact that our kids never lack in talent, intelligence and sense of humor was reinforced by watching the famous children’s play CINDERELLA this afternoon, complete  with full costumes and a regale of royal outfits that seemed to be weighing down our little kids.  I was amazed by the level of confidence and poise with which our children performed on the stage. The choice of the girl and boy (Pema Drolma of Class Six and Langa Tsering of Class Five) for the lead roles was perfect, as they played their roles so naturally, joyfully and with perfect elegance and grace. Their delivery of dialogue was also so dignified, clear and so sweet to hear.

It is so good that so many boys and girls could take part in the play as based on our own childhood memory.  Children always like to play acts and perform, and feel immensely happy to play even a small part in any play.

We all are extremely grateful to Ms. Suzanne, for working so hard, day and night, to put together this play!

So here again, thank you Suzanne, for your inexhaustible energy and creativity, love and understanding, and for opening the floodgate of joy and cheer for our children over the past weeks during which the whole atmosphere in the school transformed into a celebration of music and singing and dancing as much as a celebration of childhood divinity and unspoiled joy and spontaneous happiness.

As you leave for Switzerland tomorrow, we wish you a pleasant journey and we look forward to your next year’s longer visit!

1 Comment | Permalink

Stealthy pictures of all the teacher’s, doing their thing!   (Except for Sachi….he was the ‘man behind the cam!’)

3 Comments | Permalink

In May, four class VI students, Gen Lobsang (Director), Gen Sangpo (Tibetan teacher), Gen Ngawang (Campus Manager), Beezy Madam and Jeff Sir (two visiting volunteers from the US), and one doctor and four nurses from Lumla went to Kharteng and Phomang villages to give immunizations. On the way, the road was very dangerous. First we went to Phomang. We saw the villages are very dirty: e.g. there is cow dung near the houses, and many houseflies. They throw plastic everywhere and there are no toilets, but near some houses there is a structure made of branches and people go to toilet in a hole on the top level and below pigs eat. There are many houseflies and there was one girl sitting on a stoop, covered with houseflies and crying. Her family was gone to farm. And there was a naked girl and she was also crying and she was 9 years old. In the villages many parents have lots of children and they don’t know how to take care of them.

People drink dirty water from ponds. They don’t know that boiled is better. They don’t know what germs are. That is why they get sick. There is no doctor in the village and poor people haven’t money to buy clothes and medicine. So, many people die.

Then we went to Kharteng to give immunizations and to explain how immunization is important. We met one grandmother who was blind because when she was working in the field, a rice plant leaf poked her eye. Her eye was blue. Then we also met one baby who was with rash. His mother’s name is Dargey. Gen Lobsang said, “You wash your baby before 10 am every day with boiled water and with baby soap.” And he also said, “After 10 o’clock take the baby inside because the sun is hot.” This because after 10 o’clock there is risk of ultraviolet rays. “If you don’t have baby cream, baby powder, oil, and baby soap, tomorrow I will bring for you.”

Many people were scared of injection because some had never seen injection before and some think it is dangerous because they think it is the same as pricking oneself when they sew clothes. When we were going to immunize, many people hid in their houses. We saw a pregnant woman was hiding. She was scared of injection. Gen Lobsang said, “If you get injection, it will be good for you and for your baby.” Then she got an injection.

We learned that immunization is important to keep the body strong and healthy. So, we think we should continue to go and teach them. We know that if we were in the village we would be the same like them. Thank you for supporting.

Written by: Tsowang Lhamo, Pema Drolma (A), Tenzin Drolma (A), and Tsandang Lhamo (class VI students)

3 Comments | Permalink

Ngawang, leading the students in marching.

2 Comments | Permalink

Everyone here participates in the organization of the play. Everyone is ready to start, even when it is after school and they are tired from waking up at 5 in the morning. They never complain and are always saying “thank you”. The class 1 and 2 students are very proud to be a part of the “Ugly Duckling” show. I started with three ducklings and ended with 10. When you ask someone for boots, everyone will come with boots. Everyone is so willing to help. Also, all the children have a great sense of humor. They are always laughing. Even when we have no electricity or music, and we can’t see each other because it’s so dark out, they still practice with much enthusiasm and joy. Although the children were shy and not used to theater at first, they immediately understood how to cooperate with one another and this project. This is something that is very special here. They are very eager to learn and be a part of the project. I never once had a negative reaction from any of the children in all of the three weeks I’ve been here. They are always smiling and excited. And they are always ready to follow and learn. They have open hearts. Because two of the children have the same name, I was confused about who was a duckling and who was a chicken, but they immediately told me who was who.
Even though we have no stage, lights, or fancy decor, the children and staff here bring so much creativity and collaboration to make these plays possible that it hardly matters. I am so touched by their understanding and their willingness to make it happen.

1 Comment | Permalink

A small glimpse at normal happenings around the community.

2 Comments | Permalink

Today, as we have a half day of school, we have done a cleaning project in & around the campus!
It was so exciting & fun for all the students as well as staff as we united once again through this small project.
After 3rd class, we started our cleaning program along with the children to make the campus clean!
We usually do this on every Friday, i.e. on Half Day!

2 Comments | Permalink

To All Board Members, Volunteers, & other Friends,
I, Sabyasachi, on behalf of every staff of Jhamtse Gatsal, want to say you THANK YOU VERY MUCH for being with us!
You guys have been a great support for us. We all are trying very hard to make this community the BEST OF THE BEST..We hope that we will achieve this surely. We need you always like now.
:)
Thank you once again.
:)

4 Comments | Permalink

A small glimpse at normal happenings around the community.

13 Comments | Permalink

They are preparing for their half yearly exams very hard!
Mostly everyday they are giving class test to be more better than yesterday!
By the end of this month, they will have their exams..
So, I wish all of my dear students a very good luck for their Half Yearly exams.

And here are some daily snapz:

9 Comments | Permalink

← Previous Page — Next Page →

• Search


About
Jhamtse Gatsal, Tibetan for “Garden of Love and Compassion”, is a children’s community located in the Indian foothills of the Himalayas. Opened in 2006, it is currently school and home for 74 children from disadvantaged family situations in the nearby villages.

• Categories

  • Daily Life
  • Events
  • Improvements
  • Uncategorized

• Archives

  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • March 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009

• Admin

  • Log in
  • Contact Us