Buddhist monk, Lobsang Phuntsok, had a vision of creating an educational community for at-risk youth in the Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh, India.  He had grown up in the remote area and wanted to provide an opportunity for students with adverse backgrounds to thrive and embrace the principles of love, compassion and wisdom.   

 

In 2006, his dream became a reality and today, Jhamtse Gatsal,or the Garden of Love and Compassion, was born.  Now the community houses a school and a home for over 90 children who are multi-lingual and being trained to achieve their fullest potential. 

 

Fast forward to the summer of 2018.  BHS alumnus Jaime Manning flew across the world on flights that took three days, then drove on treacherous terrain for three more days to arrive at Jhamtse Gatsal.  She was not disappointed.  In fact, as the sun rose, she found that it was the most beautiful place she had ever been in her extensive travels.

 

“The children held our hands and showed us around the community,” she said.  “It was filled with vegetable and flower gardens and surrounded by mountains.  The students got up early each morning to do chores and exercise and served us this wonderful Chai tea and then our team got to work and the students went to school.”

 

The team to which Manning refers is part of the Dell Computer Legacy of Good program.  The company partnered with National Geographic to install laptops, solar panels, and internet service for the remote village. Employees from Dell, Goal Zero Solar, an internet expert, an expedition leader and two videographers accompanied Manning, who served as a medic on the excursion.  

 

Twenty computers were installed and the students learned about and helped install the solar panels. The team provided keyboarding instruction since many of the students had never typed on a computer and the solar panels provided the opportunity for some of them to read at night for the first time.

 

While there, Manning and the team helped Dell to improve the quality of life for the students and their families by encouraging innovation, teaching technology, and creating partnerships to maximize the benefits of the systems installed.  For Manning, however, what she learned from the students was even more  valuable.

 

“I have always known that what matters most is the people around you,” she said.  “But sometimes I forget to make time for them and to just sit and enjoy them, laugh together and tell them I love them.  Sitting in this remote area, surrounded by children singing “Country Roads” and looking at the beauty all around me, I found a peace I have never known.  I hope to replicate that feeling now that I am back in the states.”