Protect Himalayan Culture through Education

Shubu, 5, a student at the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Cultural Institute (ITBCI), is just like any other child that age: curious, energetic and wanting to play. You would never know the extreme domestic situation she experienced in her young life. Thankfully, she is too young to remember and with the support of ITBCI and her mother, Sanjaya, Shubu’s life is looking very different.

Shubu’s father was violent towards Shubu and Sanjaya in a way that left permanent scars and led to his imprisonment. Becoming a single mother in extreme poverty, Sanjaya did not know where to turn. However, when ITBCI heard of her story, they offered a tuition to Shubu once she was old enough for kindergarten, as well as a place to live for her mother and her. Sanjaya was able to find a job as a cleaner in the school and to begin life anew. Things are still hard. But, with tuition and all the necessary stationery paid for, as well as several nutritious meals a day for Shubu. Sanjaya has even begun saving for the future.

“Now I always know she can be safe and happy” says Sanjaya. Seeing Shubu play and learn, her past seems very far away.

Now thanks to your support, Shubu’s future is something to look forward to.

ITBCI school is in Kalimpong, which is in the far north of India, nestled inbetween Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. The school  is extremely diverse, with students from many ethnic groups throughout the Himalayan region.

The students are encouraged to make friends with eachother and to extend their freindship circles beyond their own groups. One of the ways this happens is through the students learning about each others traditional art forms. The students undertake weekly classes in tradional arts and culture, and students work together to rehearse and to choreograph each others' performances.

When I have visited the school, students often tell me that this is their favourite part of school life. One student who I spoke to, Dondhen, told me that on joining the school she was welcomed and encouraged by the other students. She went on to tell me that her friendships were cemented by rehearsing with other children for one of the schools dance performances.  

At ITBCI school teachers and students believe strongly in the power of traditional arts and culture. The founder of the school, Ven. Dhardo Rinpoche was keen that Tibetan arts and culture should be practiced and preserved, and that all children who come to the school should practice, learn and share their traditional art forms. When the school was set up Dhardo Rinpoche recognised that with many Tibetans having to flee their homeland, traditional arts were in danger of dying out.

The school now has children from Bhutan, Nepal, as well as many other Himalayan communities, and they all learn about each others' traditional arts. Children take part in weekly classes where they learn and perform dance, music and acting. This gives the children a sense of accomplishment and helps them to grow in confidence. Many of the children I have spoken to when visiting the school have said that this is their favourite part of school life. The school regularly hosts performances for the public and is oiften commissioned to perform at cultural events. In Kalimpong ITBCi is so well known for its performances of one particular dance that it is known as the 'Snow Lion School'.

I have recently come back from spending time with students, staff and teachers of the school in Kalimpong, West Bengal. The purpose of my visit was to support the school to make a 4 year plan for the next phase of their development. The process went extremely well, and they now have a year by year plan in place for 2019-23, with detailed steps which will enable the school to get the results they dream of for the students, and for the school as a whole.

Developments include increasing the number of students they admit, increasing their own in country fundraising, and starting an alumni association of former students.

The school’s commitment to supporting their students is impressive. The school is committed to excellence in order to lift the communities they work with out of poverty.

I have just come from spending a week at ITBCI school, helping them to plan for the next phase of their work. The highlight of my trip was on  the last afternoon, when I met with a group of 5 students. They were bright, enthusiastic and very appreciative of the school. 

The age range of students at ITBCI is from 3-16, and I met students from age 13-15. They discussed their career aspirations and the fact that they would not have been able to continue in school without the financial and emotional support which ITBCI provides. Most of the students come from a family background where they are first generation learners, and their parents are wage labourers, earning very little and with no job security. 

Every single one of the students said the thing they appreciated most about ITBCI school is how frindly and supportive and kind the teachers are. I asked them what they would like to change about the school and their answer was very simple "Nothing!"