Educating Tibetan Bon Children and Youth

Many of the students at the Children’s Welfare Center (CWC) at Yungdrung Bon Monastic Centre (YBMC) in Dolanji, India are Bon from Tibet and Nepal.  All of these students are very poor and many are orphans or semi-orphans. They would have no chance to attend school in their native villages.  

Fortunately, they are granted the opportunity to attend the CWC, where they are provided housing and a quality education.  Here is a story of one student who attended the CWC for many years.  He learned English while attending school: 

I am the fourth child of my parents.  I have two sisters, and two brothers. My father is a farmer and we had no other income source.  My family could not afford to send me to school when I turned five. Two years passed and at seven years old, I was admitted to a primary school. I went to school without shoes on my feet and had no schools supplies like pencils or notebooks.A year later my father was very ill and he had to walk for days to get medical help. His illness meant I could not attend school for a whole year.

My father heard about Bon children studying in India and that six boys would be going. He asked that I be included in the list. He offered land to pay for the cost of the journey. After a week of travel we reached the centre. I was so happy to see all of the students.  During the first class, I had the highest score. I have learned many things in my years here and now can speak English. I have good friends and we play sports and learn about life and how to succeed and care for others and the environment.  

Your support changes lives! Thank you for your interest in the education of  Bon youth.