Photo: Pema Tsering (promoted to Class 6) helplng Sonam Gyalpo understand his results.
Result day marks the conclusion of this year’s session
The 2023-2024 school year finished on March 28th with Results Day celebrations. What a happy day it was – SMDers’ academic performance was excellent this year. During the final examination, our pass percentage stood at an impressive 97%. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to both our dedicated teachers and hardworking students.
On Results Day, family members and guardians come to meet the teachers who do their best to give guidance, to help our children go forward. The new academic session will begin on April 14th, the day following the Nepali New Year of 2081.
The 30th Thrangu hundred million Mani Puja
After Results Day concluded, our monks started preparations for the annual prayer festival, the aim of which is to recite one hundred million mantras of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig), the Bodhisattva of compassion. The Mani Puja is held annually here at SMD with the blessings of V.V. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche.
During the ten days of the puja, participants join in the chanting and recite the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara’s mantra ‘OṂ MAṆI PADME HŪṂ.’ The primary aim of the puja is to collectively recite this mantra one hundred million times and dedicate the merit for the long life and good health of H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, and all the other great Dharma masters, as well asfor all beings to enjoy good health, long life, prosperity, happiness, and world peace.
This year, in particular, we will supplicate for the swift return of our precious guru Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche and dedicate the merit to the swift end of all ongoing wars and famines.
One of our mums, Chorten Bhuti Lama, in Ghyaru, Manang. Barley (along with millet and potatoes) are hardy crops that can grow at altitude, in harsh conditions
80,000 Nepalis fly out of Nepal every month, seeking opportunity Elsewhere
One in four households in Nepal has a member working overseas at any given time. Roughly 25% of the GDP is remittances … the global average is 5%. Outmigration has severe negative effects in a country where 80% of the population has been dependent upon their land for survival.
If remittances were invested in agriculture, Nepal could become food sufficient, but the land lies fallow and communities are grow increasingly vulnerable in the face of supply chain disruptions, and the frequent floods, earthquakes and landslides Nepal is heir to. In many villages, women are left to do the heavy work and mind the children – a risk for small children. Learn more https://storymaps.arcgis.com
We discourage our Students from studying Nursing
“Exploitation, low pay, high nursing college fees, lack of academic or professional growth…” https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/nursing-grievances-against-the-state
Teacher Training: Empowering Future Educators
As Rinpoche advised, we encourage our students to become teachers. Two SMDers are working on BEd degrees at the Asian College of Teachers, which offers globally accredited teacher training. At less than $4000 USD for the entire degree programme, tuition is within reach for Nepalese students who can continue to live in Nepal while studying online. Shoutout to Doris K at The Zurich University of Teacher Education.
Photo: Urgen Tsomo while teaching at Ghyap Basic School
“I am Urgen Tsomo Lama, currently enrolled in an online Bachelor of Primary and Secondary Education program offered by the Asian College of Teachers and accredited by the European International University (EIU) Paris. This BEd course is designed to prepare educators to work with learners aged 5–18 years in a variety of school settings.
I want to encourage and inspire students to pursue a career in teaching to become the kind of skilled teachers that they hoped for when they were students. I was often demotivated when I witnessed teachers who struggled to teach effectively and manage the classroom, but I am also motivated by seeing children in remote villages like mine who lack access to quality education. It saddens me to imagine a future where there is a shortage of teachers. So, I am committed to becoming a teacher who not only educates the mind but also nurtures the heart. I aim to become a teacher to change lives through education and to fulfill a piece of Rinpoche’s aim.”
Urgen Tsomo has twin passions: teaching & writing poetry. Last year, she was teaching at Ghyap Basic School. She is in 1st year BEd studies with the Asian College of Teachers.
Some of our new kids who willing be joining SMD this year.
The new year starts on April 14. We will have between 40 and 50 new children needing sponsors.
Photo: Choegyal Lama
Choegyal Dorje Lama – Marathon Man
Choegyal, currently studying in Grade 11, placed 5th in a 5k marathon, despite not having trained (he was preparing for final exams). Choegyal hopes to compete in national and international marathons, and he is considering pursuing a career as a sports teacher or professional coach. He is also a dedicated vlogger (see his YouTube channel) and a proud advocate of Nubri, the high-altitude valley he hails from in the Gorkha District.
If you are coming to Nepal and you want to bring something for us, We Need:
* multitamins with minerals, tablet (non-chewable) form, adult dose. (We cut to recommended dosage).
* wart medicine
* antibiotic and fungal creams
Nepal Post Office is currently unable to process outgoing mail to different countries: While we understand the inconvenience this may cause, we want to assure you that all incoming mail services remain unaffected. The Nepal Post Office will continue to handle and deliver incoming mail from around the world without interruption. However, outgoing mail services to destinations outside of Nepal will be temporarily unavailable until further notice.
Here is the list of the country where outgoing mail is fine: Austria, Italy, United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, France, Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, United States, Qatar, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Maldives
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