Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Making Connections


On our last trip to Dehradun our Office Manager, Tashi Wangchuk took us on a side trip to the Vocational Training Centre,  part of Tibetan Children's Village, where he himself attended school. Here we were introduced to a very talented group of young people.  These young people are learning valuable skills such as Secretarial and Computer Education, Solar Energy, Automoblile Mechanics, Carpentry, Food service, so many important skills to creating a future for themselves.
       We were excited to make this connection for many reasons: 
    In the very near future with the building in Jiagon and  the continuous growth of SHS in Delhi we will be involved with a variety of projects which will require many different skills.  It is our hope to offer internships and possible future employment to these bright young people, those who are  interested, and have the skills to help with these ongoing projects.

With Tashi's teacher and adviser,  Madam Choezom discussing possible internship programs

Electronics Student


Because it is also an important goal of SHS to preserve the Tibetan Culture.  Making a connection with these young, educated, passionate, Tibetan's,  can help us work toward this goal. By providing fresh input, energy, and their skills around the  present and future needs of the Tibetan community.





Don't miss the Lhasa license plate


Here we are with our wonderful hosts and that is Michael,  our visiting English teacher that accompanied us on our travels


Potala Painting on hood of the "Coolest Car Ever"




 The Coolest Car ever  this car was a class project. The amazing thing about this is that the Auto mechanic shop  instructor is teaching not only  how to build, Fix and repair things but how to do it by using recycled parts or fabricating their own.






  One Student's solar water heating project that is being used by the school





In the Solar Education Dept  they are able to build and install large scale solar water heaters and much more I am sure.  Tibetan Children's Village in Suja. and in Dasa are only two of the places they have installed their work. 








And to top the visit off we were treated to a very special lunch prepared and served by the students of the food and beverage department, here they are training to work in the high end Hotel and Restaurant industry.  The lunch and service was perfect!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

New Beds for Monks!

Thanks so much to an anonymous donor we now have much needed beds, pillows and linens for our young monks!

Such Focus!




These bed frames were made locally and arrived here by bicycle rickshaw two at a time. ( I am still looking for a picture)

             






They were freshly painted  and the wood for the mattresses trimmed up and put in place


    





         The finished bedroom

Monday, February 25, 2013

Visiting Teachers


     Our monks here at SHS have  inquiring minds and a voracious hunger to learn.  So you can imagine how happy they were  to have two teachers visit the Phodrang and offer their knowledge and skills.  Lhamo Dhondup to teach  Tibetan grammar, and Michael Madrone teaching English Grammar.
     








        Lhamo Dhondup


Lhamo Dhondup was only able to stay for a short period of time due to his own ongoing education. Because of this,  his time here was very special. The monks happily attended his classes during Losar, when they  usually have extra time off from their studies.






Michael Madrone presently lives in Italy but you may have seen him at the Sakya Monastery in Seattle.  He teaches English as a profession.



I have to say, I was also very happy to have Michael here.  These super bright students in the English class I have been teaching   had some very tough questions for me. Like "What is the Past Perfect participle?" or the "Present Progressive?) Yikes too tough for me!!!! So thank you so much Michael for helping with that !!!!! along with your help with some teaching ideas and a great reference book for others that come here to teach English.


As a side note:
 Sponsoring a teacher is a truly  wonderful way to help these amazing young monks! if anyone is interested please contact the Sakya Heritage Society website http://sakyaheritage.org/


                                                Kunga Yeshe in English class

PS> I should mention that we have an incredible full time teacher on staff here as well as the visiting teachers his name is Genla Sonam Wangchen. Please stay tuned for a photo, he is very hard to catch!!! very busy : )