Yongdon

Childhood

2007-12-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

I took this photograph because it reminds me of my childhood. Where I grew up the mountains were covered in beautiful flowers. We never put them in pots because they grew everywhere naturally. I love these flowers because they help me remember home.

Altar

2007-12-28T07:57:00.000-08:00

I begin my day by making offerings to the Buddhas.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

2007-12-28T07:54:00.000-08:00

I came here to get a good education and to be close to His Holiness.

School Holiday

2007-12-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

These are my friend's children. They have a 2 month vacation from school every year around Losar, the Tibetan New Year. They attend the Tibetan Children's Village (TCV), a free school where they learn Tibetan history, language, and religion. At TCV, the children receive an education they would not be able to have in Chinese controlled Tibet. The TCV schools are an important part of maintaining our culture.

Standing Tall

2007-12-28T07:36:00.000-08:00

He is so cute and he stands so tall like the trees.

Breakfast

2007-12-28T07:31:00.000-08:00

In Tibet we eat a lot of tsampa or barley flour. We use our hands to mix the flour with yak butter or milk. It is so delicious.

Lunch

2007-12-28T06:59:00.000-08:00

I spend a lot of time cooking. My days are filled with praying, learning, and my many chores like cooking and cleaning.

A Place to Rest

2007-12-28T04:22:00.000-08:00

This is where I rest at the end of each long day. I am so grateful that I have been able to live here in India. I feel truly lucky to be near His Holiness the Dalai Lama. However it is hard to find work. I would like to go to the United States where I could live and work for a few years and try to get a green card. Then maybe I could apply for a visa to return to Tibet to help my village.