Dear Sponsors and Friends,
We hope that 2024 got off to a great start for you. In February, Tibetan Buddhists celebrated the start of the year of the Wood Dragon, a symbol of ambition, courage and growth, qualities that we are seeing unfold in our Tara Bodong daughters are they benefit from the unique blend of Western education and Buddhist philosophy.
Here’s what been happening at the Nunnery/ School ...
A Day in the Life of …
Lumla Village is 9,500 km away from Hilversum and life there is very different. We asked two of the children to share their experiences and hopes for the future. You’ll find their answers at the end of this newsletter.
But first, a look back at 2023…
School
The girls successfully completed another year of school, studying subjects like English, Hindi, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies (EVS). Six of the older ones are going into Grade 12. Once they graduate, they will receive the Indian Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). This is equivalent to the International Baccalaureate (IB) or British A’ Levels pre-university certification. They are also being trained in Tibetan Buddhist studies to prepare them to take their vows as nuns. After graduation, they will be able to help their community as leaders, teachers, health care providers and social workers.
March 2023: Geshe Pema Dorjee Visits the Nunnery
In March, the girls received their Buddhist robes (Kasayas) from Geshe Pema Dorjee. This is a significant milestone for the village. Most of the inhabitants are Tibetan Buddhists who came as refugees to India. They lead a nomadic life and many children don’t have a chance to go to school. Now thanks to their combination of Western and Buddhist education, our students will have a chance to attain the highlest level of education in Tibetan Buddhism – the Geshema degree. This is the equivalent of a doctorate (PhD) and will allow them to stand alongside their male counterparts as equals - teachers and community leaders.
August 2023: Geshe Dorjee visits the Netherlands
We were very happy to welcome Geshe Dorjee once again to the Netherlands! During his visit, we took the opportunity to record an interview between him and our chairman Christian Horn. A link to the interview is included at the end of this newsletter.
October: Buy a Tulip – Help a Girl Campaign
Once again it was a successful campaign. It is scheduled to coincide with the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, to highlight the positive impact of girls on their communities. We would like to thank all the schools that participated in the project. International School Breda, International School Hilversum, International Primary School Hilversum and International School Laren. The money raised will go towards our maintenance and contingency fund.
November 2023: French Wine and Cheese Evening.
We opted for an intimate setting at the La Petite Creperie in Hilversum. Thanks to the kind contributions from several shops in the neighbourhood, the event was a big success! Many thanks to our generous sponsors. Gastrovino Delicatessen en Wijnen, Gijsbrecht groente en fruit speciaalzaak, Olala Chocola Hilversum, Kaas Kamer Hooi & Klomp, Le Fournil de Sébastien, La Petite Creperie
December 2023: Hummingbirds Choir Cristmas Market
Once again, The Hummingbirds Choir Hilversum chose Tara Bodong as its beneficiary for funds raised at its annual Christmas market. We would like to thank the choir members who contributed their time and talent to make the event a success.
Links
Your monthly contribution of €45 goes a long way!
We are still searching for one more sponsor and invite you to contact us if you or someone you know would like to join our Tara Bodong sponsor family.
Keep checking our website for more news and updates!