Ladakh

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Hello luvvies!
I have returned from another school project in Zanskar region (photos to follow when more time) about 3 weeks ago, straight into exam week at my school. HH Dalai Lama has arrived and I have been attending his teachings with the rest of the population here until his departure today. No words needed - very lucky.
One of our boys has not been so lucky, though. Due to a craze in bow and arrow play (self made but very impressive) he has had a globe rapture, will lose sight in one of his eyes and has been in a hospital for last 10 days. My nursing days continue and my heart so wants to fix it all.. Thinless Nurboo is 12 and has not complained or blaimed his friend once.
I'm calling him Superman and that always puts a small smile on his face.
School had also had a visit from a Dutch foundation sponsors and with their donation we have started the much needed work on boys rooms. I have received 100 pounds into my account: Wendy thank you for your 20, ECHO team - thanks for your part.
May I please ask the rest of you (including the new entrants to the site) to please, please, keep the donations coming, spread the news...it would be great to see the true change in boys conditions of life, long-term. Even a ten pounds from each one on this e-mail connection would bring at least 500 pounds more.
On a small scale, we are still fundraising for boys winter clothing and better winter food provisions (really sparse and basic here in winter).
I will put together an attachment you can use to do some fundraising with friends and beyond. Until then here are my account details: Irena Arambasic - Nationwide - Strand branch - Sort Code 07 44 56 - Acc. Number : 49499909. This account is empty now and will be purely used for the Pethub Gonpa School project.
I will be departing Ladakh around 8th September and hope to spent 3 weeks in Dharamsala, but will make sure money keeps pouring to the project.
You should have seen the gratefulness on Geshes face even though my input (from your greatefully received donations) was so small in comparison to the Dutch source.

Thanks and Love to all.

Irena

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Photos

When in a monastery do as....
Freedom arrived over a 2 months ago and...Oh yeah!... It feels good, dries before you wash it and gets people greeting you with respect - wandering if you are a nun... well not yet. But hope for the avalanche of donations for a sponsored haircut.

Lunch time in the dining hall
It doesn't have to be like this...and it won't take much.

1800 Euros from Dutch foundation sponsors + 100 pounds from UK
As promised, the work has already started on boys rooms but we need more help.
This is the progress so far: the wood on the walls and ceiling should be put by the end of next week, than lino and carpets can go in...

Work is in full swing..
The outside of the rooms is getting a new coat...It should all help in winter, with a building with no central heating!

Softer sleep and easy to clean new floor..
After the lrooms are finished the new mattresses and bedding will go in and boys can move back in from their temporary sardine quarters.

Compassion in practice
This young calf has been deserted by its owner as its face was falling appart. When he was found outside, the dogs were sniffing around and the maggots were nestling inside the holes on his face. After seeing his bleeding eye and swellings, hearing him gurgle while he was breathing I thought he would die in maximum 2 days.
But, boys have taken him into the dormitory courtyard, got antibacterial liquid and medicine... They have been closing the holes on its face, finding softest grass and applying bandages to protect it from flies. Two weeks on, aided by strong will for survival the calf is feeding, standing up and wandering around the courtyard.

The blessings from HH Dalai Lama
Five days of feeling lucky and grateful...wishing you all the same...may you too seek and find your own Path and follow it.

Comments

[Jelenaaa]

HEYY !
Cao tetka =] kako si ?? evo mi smo svi dobro ! stigli smo sa holideya prije par sedmica i sve je sad po starom. Bas smo se lepo proveli =] Ja, mama i Maja smo bile u Lici , najvise mi se tamo svidalo najlepse mi je bilo na Plitvice ! inace u Novom Sad je isto bilo super i tako za sve ostalo. . Javi nam se se porukom kad stignes ! puno pozdrava od sviju nas =] xoxox