Srijana B312 Girl Age: 15
Class: Tibetan Opportunity Class
Srijana is from Kavre, a district which is next to metro Kathmandu. At the age of three, her parents left their village and came to the city because they were very poor and hoped to find work in Kathmandu.
They wanted to provide a good life and as many opportunities as they could so that their children don't have to face the difficulties that they had faced. Srijana and her younger brother joined SMD long after their dad was employed here. (Their dad, Bhola worked on the construction of the school, way back in 1985, two years before SMD opened, and now their mum also works here.)
Though she was born as Hindu, Srijana chose to become a Buddhist after joining SMD. She is very happy where she is and feels very fortunate to study in Kathmandu since her friends in the village are already married and their lives are tedious which makes Srijana feel very sad when she visits. The schools in her village needs repairs, equipment and furniture. There aren’t enough textbooks and the teachers aren’t qualified. Due to poverty and the lack of their own education, parents encourage their kids to work rather than letting them study.
Srijana is very grateful to SMD for helping her and her family. She really appreciates the facilities and opportunities the school has provided and she is waiting for the time when she will be able to do something for us. Srijana believes that SMD has saved many children, especially girls from marriage. Without the generosity of Rinpoche many girls would probably end up having children and living in the village and working like donkeys. She’s seen some of her village girl sold by their relatives to put food on the table for the rest of the family. These girls were never seen again and Srijana thinks that she is very lucky for not being one of them.
Srijana’s life is much easier here compared to life in her village and furthermore, the teachers here are qualified. In 2007 Srijana was choosen to attend a conference in Australia, representating SMD. Even though it was only for two weeks, it was like dream come true. It was her first time out of Nepal and was a new experience which she will always remember. She gives her heartfelt thanks to Very Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche for opening this school and welcoming the children of the poor.
Srijana needs $205 USD
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Choden Yangchen B403 Girl Age: 15 Class 9
Choden Yangchen is 15 years old. She is from Nar, Manang which is located in the northern part of Nepal. It takes more than four days to reach Choden’s village from Kathmandu. In winter, Nar is very cold and it snows all winter. Sometimes, the yaks suffocate in the heavy snowfalls.
When she was 5, Choden's father passed away when he fell from an icy trail while working with the yaks. It was her mother who raised Choden and her two brothers, labouring in the fields as well as at home. A few years later Choden’s younger brother also passed away due to some undiagnosed illness. Choden's mother was hugely shocked by her son's death. Not knowing what to do, she called her eldest son (who is one of the Thrangu Rinpoche's monks) back to the village. Choden's brother stayed at home for few weeks but when he was returning from his home to the monastery, he was very depressed by his family’s situation.
As soon as he reached the monastery, he referred his sister to SMD School and in 2000, Choden Yangchen got one chance out of hundreds to study at SMD. Her aim is to become a doctor or a nurse. She says that she is very happy at school, thinks that she is very lucky to be at a school like SMD and contributes a lot to life here.
Choden Yangchen needs $250/year
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Menla Tsering Gurung B519 Boy Age: 8 Class 1
Menla Tsering needs $200 US/year
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