The students of Tog Len with Dalai Lama. (File photo by Author)
Dharamshala, November 20, 2014: Tong Len is a unique residential home for slum children based in Dharamshala and doing excellent work to educate the children of migrate laborer. These displaced families which come here from some of the poorest areas of India , work as the labour in construction or other works in and around Dharamshala, whereas their children use to beg. A survey say that there are a large number of such communities and nearly u 600 people struggling to survive in flimsy make-shift shelters which offer only minimal protection against the harsh climatic conditions. Disease is rife and this is exacerbated by severe malnutrition. Children, like their parents, have little or no opportunities for education and many spend their days scavenging and begging.
Ten year back Tong Len spread its helping hand to uplift these children to come in the main stream if the society to live a better and secured life. It picked up the children gave them roofed shelter, food and opening in the schools of their choice.
Tong-Len's mission is to help displaced communities in North India achieve a secure and sustainable future by addressing the root causes of their poverty and ill-health through a range of education and health-based projects. The organization, Tong Len was founded by a Tibetan monk, Lobsang Jamyang. Born in Tibet and later came to India in 1997. During his stay in Dharamshala he visited Charan Khad and with the help of other monks and his friends, in 2004, 10 children from the slum were enrolled at the residential school to start this organization.
Tong Len strives to provide education and safe environment for children of displaced families from poor parts northern India who had migrated to the Kangra valley and is now largely live in Charan Khad.
Tong Len, celebrated its 10th anniversary at its campus at Sarah near Dharamshala on Wednesday. At this occasion former Tibetan Prime Minister, Professor Samdong Rinpoche said, “I derive great satisfaction to see a monk performing an act of compassion.” stressing on giving importance to their native language and culture Rinpoche said “It is essential that you should learn and continue to use your mother tongue. Giving equal importance to a second language other than your mother tongue is in my opinion misplaced.”
Among other dignitaries and guests, present in the ceremony were Professor Ajay Shrivastava, Chairman of Umang Foundation in Shimla and Anna Owen, Director of Tong-Len UK.
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