Tsering Dhondup Lama
Tsering Dhondup Lama (18 year old boy), Class 11
My name is Tsering Dhondup Lama and I am from Solukhumbhu district of Nepal. Solukhumbu lies in the Everest region of Nepal. Like all the mountain region in Nepal, our place is also very poor and has many problems.
I was born into a very poor family that had many problems, like food clothes etc. Most kids in the mountains have to work in order to eat, so I spent my early years working with my mother.
When I was 8 years old, I got a chance to study in a government school, but still we had a hard time managing stationery expenses. I used to go to school and would help my mother in the morning and evening. I passed class four in that school. Luckily my elder brother Zamling used to study in SMD. Zamling brought me along with my brother (Tenzin Sangpo) and sister (Tsering Yangdup) to SMD Boarding School in 2000.
In this school we all felt very happy because the system of education was very good and because everything we needed was provided by the school. I could give my first priority to study now.
During those years at SMD I was given many opportunities, and a lot of help, love and and support by the SMD family. I became part of the SMD family which I am really grateful about. I know that I can't give back of all the love which SMD has given me, but I will try my very best. SMD has become part of my family where I grew up and learned culture and also dharma. In dharma class we learned meditation, enriching bodhichhita: it taught me to help any beings who are in need of help.
I just finished my S.L.C. with good marks. After that I was a lucky one to be chosen as a senior. Through this, I am helping SMD School. I am also given help to carry on with my further education, so I'm studying in Class 11 at a highschool, but I come to SMD every day.
I would like to thank our Very Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche for establishing this school for Himalayan kids. I would also like to show my gratitude to our school administrators as well as the teachers, support staff, my dear friends, brothers and sisters for making my life successful and making my time at SMD wonderful.
Currently I go to high school from 5:30am to 2:00pm. I teach guitar to interested both girls and boys at SMD and I have recently started to teach key board to young girls and boys. I am also coaching football to the junior boys and girls. I also help in the dining hall in controlling noise. I am helping the Day Boarders on Saturdays and during my holidays.
