Jhamtse International is the most satisfying and fulfilling nonprofit I have been involved with. Their work in supporting a school and village for the most at-risk children is brave, generous and path-setting. The Children's Village in remote Arunachal Pradesh, India, provides home, family, the best education and nutrition to children who would otherwise not have any of these things. The school is path-setting in that all involved predicate all that is done on the basis of love and compassion, and the children blossom in that environment. Everyone who has experienced this amazing place is marked for life by the experience.
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Jhamtse International supports a school, home and childrens' community for the most at-risk children in the outermost reaches of a far northeastern state, Arunachal Pradesh, in India. Our school, Jhamtse Gatsal (Garden of Love and Compassion n Tibetan) is in India, but on the border of both Bhutan and Tibet (China). The state is primarily populated by the Monpa people, Tibetan heritage, speaking a dialect of Tibet. As a result, the whole state is contested as Chinese territory. The region is remote, very poor, and both nomadic and agrarian. Children often cannot go to school, even where there may be a state school (of questionable quality). The children we take into our community are either orphans, or parents are too poor to care for them, or at risk for many other reasons. There is inadequate food, no health care, and no chance to be children. These children would have a very short life expectancy, largely due to inadequate nutrition and preventable diseases. When they come to Jhamtse Gatsal, they get a family, home, more love and attention than one could imagine, three nutritious meals per day, health care and the best possible education in Tibetan, Hindi and English. The children blossom and excel, they become open, welcoming and caring. The love at Gatsal is palpable -- one never hears squabbling, the children don't argue or fight, the teachers and staff (and visitors) feel that they are part of something magical, a special ideal world. The children and the community are becoming a demonstration and learning center for the surrounding villages. The Dalai Lama was so impressed, when he visited, that he became a sponsor and made us pledge to keep up the work, saying "Good, good, you must keep and grow your efforts." We take responsibiltiy for the lives, education and welfare of the children and staff at Gatsal, where they will learn about community and how to be citizens of the world, and how to give back. We support their education from kindergarten through university, if they wish to go on. Jerry Zadow
Being a part of Jhamtse Club truly changed my perspective on life and interactions between people from different cultures. I've donated to and been a part of charities and organizations that haven't been that satisfying because they felt so distant from the everyday people they were helping. Not so with Jhamtse Gatsal. From the first day I got involved, I was seeing pictures, and hearing the first-hand stories of the kids and the school and the villages. It was so personal. I felt connected to them. Eventually, people in the club wrote letters to the kids at Jhamtse, and I wrote one, too. When I say that they'd read them and written back, it made me so happy because Jhamtse Gatsal really is a community. Being a part of it has made me more optimistic and purposeful. It also feels so good to know that every dollar raised is going straight to the school, its upkeep, and its expansion to include more kids. This place really is a gem, a truly beautiful garden of love and compassion. -Danielle
In my 4 years of experience in jhamtse Gatsal I like most that here the kids have deep affection for each other and staff. If sometimes, someone is sad or not feeling well, they are always ready to help and try to make them happy and laugh. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this community. Through this, I got a great opportunity to give back to the world.In this community the feeling of oneness which everyone has makes us feel as a family. No one is regarded superior in position.Every decision is taken unanimously which makes working really comfortable and smooth as we did in our home.
The dedication with which the community serves its purpose shows that it strives towards working as a family- a place where love and compassion gets priority above all else.I am very happy to be a part of it.
I have joined Jhamtse Gatsal Children's Community as the Finance Manager in September 2006, just one & half months after this Community was started. At first I thought it is just an ordinary place and there is nothing much excited or new about it. But later, I discovered that this is truly a wonderful place, much and much more than I have expected. I am fortunate enough and thankful to lord Buddha that he has made me to be a part of the Community and Jhamtse International. We are in total 25 staff who are very fortunate & serving under the dynamic leadership of Venerable Lobsang Phuntsok. He has been with us for the last two years. Things have turned out a lot working together with him. He is so inspiring & energetic. I am always looking forward to consult him whenever I get depressed and he helps me a lot. After four years of its successful existence of Jhamtse Gatsal it has become a role model to the rest of the Community in the area. Jhamste Gatsal is truly a garden of love and compassion. I am extremely thankful to the supporters of Jhamste International from the core of my heart without them Jhamtse Gatsal would not be in existence. We have accomplished a lot in the past four years but still it is just a beginning and we have miles to go.
I have participated in the very beginnings of Jhamtse International from its inception. As a former teacher and professor and now a psychologist I have been so heartened by the development of this project in all its aspects. The school in India is a marvel - it has provided for all the needs of its students and its curriculum with its inclusion of teaching on compassion is light years ahead of the curriculum in any US public school. The support structure and the inclusion of young people in this country is also a very positive aspect of its organization. Talented and visionary people have given their skills to the organization and it is run effectively with money going to the school and delivery of service to the children. The three girls I sponsor are absolutely thriving in every way and it is a delight to hear about their progress. I feel confident that this program will lead to the full development of these young people and the school program will become a model for the educational enterprise that leaves nothing out for the heart or the mind.
Love & compassion is the perfect word to be incorporated in people of this organization. The strong vision & mission of Jhamtse Gatsal has inspired me a lot.
To be a part of this community is a privilege. This is a kind of organization which has a very strong vision with the destination not far off provided we work on the foundation of a kind heart & sharp mind.
Jhamtse Gatsal located in the verdant world of Arunachal Pradesh is one of the place which proves as a source of inspiration to many, lifting one's spirit in moments of despair. Built on the foundation of Love & Compassion it strives towards achieving great heights in forming a better world.
I have come from West Bengal to teach Science & Math here! The first thing attracted me the most is the Kind Heart of the students, staffs around this community.. This makes me I am with my own family always.All are very much committed, inspiring.Great opportunity to get a chance to work with this community..feel like the luckiest person! :) keep going..
