On the 16th of June, we visited a monastary to donate 200 school bags. This monastary runs a school for over 600 street children--those who are too poor to have uniforms and pay fees to attend regular school. Over 200 live at the monastary--because they are orphans or because their parent cannot take care of them.
We were taken upstairs where the head monk lives--always barefooted in a monastary and visited with him for a few minutes--through Dr, Win interpreting--before some children were brought in. This little boy, about three, treated him like a grandpa. He had several sores on his head, but looked happy. A number of the children sleep in this room, because of the overcrowding.
Hands together is a sign of reverence and these children had been trained. They were wearing what looked like summer pajamas. The "thanaka" which is on their faces is a kind of astringent that protects from the sun. Usually the children have their heads shaved completely. We were told that leaving a patch of hair on their heads allowed them to identify "their" children from other street kids if some are accused of mischief, etc.
We were amazed at the numbers and the sound in this huge classroom. There were maybe 6-8 teachers over groups, and each group was reciting loudly. It's hard to understand how learning can take place in this kind of condition.
The girls who live at the monastary are dressed in lighter color robes and do have their heads shaved. They are not required to go out daily barefooted to fill their bowls. But they do go out and ask for food or donations. Again--loud recitation and crowded conditions.
We were told that the bags themselves would be donated to the neediest, but the notebooks, pencils, etc. in the bags would be divided so the contribution would go further. These bags are mostly a goodwill gesture on the part of LDSC. We have taken them out to villages, but there simply aren't enough for all the children, so they become "awards" for outstanding students, not necessarily the neediest.
As we left, Carl and the monk shook hands warmly. Two good men who enjoyed each other's company.
We were taken upstairs where the head monk lives--always barefooted in a monastary and visited with him for a few minutes--through Dr, Win interpreting--before some children were brought in. This little boy, about three, treated him like a grandpa. He had several sores on his head, but looked happy. A number of the children sleep in this room, because of the overcrowding.
Hands together is a sign of reverence and these children had been trained. They were wearing what looked like summer pajamas. The "thanaka" which is on their faces is a kind of astringent that protects from the sun. Usually the children have their heads shaved completely. We were told that leaving a patch of hair on their heads allowed them to identify "their" children from other street kids if some are accused of mischief, etc.
We were amazed at the numbers and the sound in this huge classroom. There were maybe 6-8 teachers over groups, and each group was reciting loudly. It's hard to understand how learning can take place in this kind of condition.
The girls who live at the monastary are dressed in lighter color robes and do have their heads shaved. They are not required to go out daily barefooted to fill their bowls. But they do go out and ask for food or donations. Again--loud recitation and crowded conditions.
We were told that the bags themselves would be donated to the neediest, but the notebooks, pencils, etc. in the bags would be divided so the contribution would go further. These bags are mostly a goodwill gesture on the part of LDSC. We have taken them out to villages, but there simply aren't enough for all the children, so they become "awards" for outstanding students, not necessarily the neediest.
As we left, Carl and the monk shook hands warmly. Two good men who enjoyed each other's company.
3 comments:
Great pics! I'm glad that you finally got some up! What an awesome experience:)
I've been missing seeing your updates too. I'm sure it's hard with your slower connection.
I'm touched to see the effort to educate and take care of all of those children. But my favorite picture is the one of Dad shaking hands with the monk. It's so him. I bet he really enjoyed his conversation or whatever kind of communication was possible with him.
It's always so cool so see what you are doing there on the other side of the world.
Very interesting.
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