Dharamshala: Tibetan monk transforms lives of slum children by helping them pursue higher studies | India News – Times of India

DHARAMSHALA: Lobsang Jamyang, b Tibetan monk who was born in Tibet but lives in exile, works hard to change the lives of slum children through education in Sarah village near Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
The monk has changed the lives of hundreds of slum children who, until they met him, were rag pickers or begging on the streets.
The Tong-Len Charitable TrustStarted twenty years ago with two British volunteers, it has brought about significant change in the lives of these slum children who have now become doctors, engineers and journalists. The Dalai Lama Trust is also offering them all possible help.
Opening their journey, Lobsang Jamyang, founder Tong-Len, said that they tried to save the lives of slum children, and many of them have now made good careers.
“Initially in 2004, we tried to save the lives of slum children, and then we planned to give them primary education. Gradually they reached middle school and then high school. They are very talented and reached university. They are capable of higher studies, and we support them. Some of them have now become doctors and engineers, and many are pursuing nursing training. One of our students, Dr. Pinki, is a great inspiration to many students, and some are preparing preparing for NEET exam We also support Some students want to get coaching for UPSC, and some are preparing for allied services So there are many such students,” he told ANI.
Mamta, one of the students from the slum, who was helped by the trust, is now preparing for the SSCJL exam with an aim to take up a government job, as evidenced by her journey.
Speaking to ANI, she said, “I am one of the first ten students of Tong-Len when it was established in 2004. This institute has transformed many lives. If I had not been here, I would have gotten married because our community loves no unmarried girls above 18 years old. My parents are confident that our girl is capable of doing anything. I want to get a government job because, as far as I know, no one from our community is in the government sector. I want to bring this change to our community.”
Tong-Len started in 2004 with just ten children, and currently there are more than 340 students.
Tong-Len, meaning ‘Give and Take’, recently celebrated its 20th founding anniversary on November 19 in the north Indian hill town of Dharamshala here.
Pinki, another child who begged on the streets in her youth, has now become a doctor.
“I have just completed my MBBS degree on July 24 and I am preparing for the FMG exam. I am looking forward to clearing this exam so that I can practice as a doctor in India. The whole journey from 2004 to 24 has been quite The change is happening from the bottom up, not only in our educational perspective, but also in our lifestyle. There is a change in our thinking It was a great challenge for Guru Jamyang to convince and guide us parents, and I am glad that our parents at the time made the right decision. Now many children from our community are taking exams because they are able to do so,” she said.
Lakshmi, a student of class 9, also praised the trust and said that many of the students have achieved successful lives with the help of the trust.
“Many of the students from this organization have led successful lives, and they inspire us all. Some are doctors, engineers and journalists, and some are training to become nurses. We used to live in slums, and there were no basic amenities like food or water, but now there has been a big change and we live here in a social house,” she said.