Monk Education

Background

According to a UN report regarding the adoption of its Tibetan resolution in 1965, ‘The Chinese occupation of Tibet has been characterized by acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment; torture and cruel, inhuman and degraded treatment of Tibetans on a large scale.’” Dharamshala is the shelter-home to hundreds of monks from Tibet including his holiness the Dalai Lama. Mcleodganj is often referred to as Little Lhasa, named after the capital city of Tibet – Lhasa. 

Challenge

This refugee community of Tibetans have devoted their life to Buddhisim. Although, due to language and socio-economic barriers they face difficulties in comparison to their Indian counterparts. Many of them arrived in Dharamshala, India with no money and skills. They are illiterate and hence face unemployment. They are slowly integrating into the local Indian community but face difficulties due socio-economical reasons. 

SBB Intervention 

SBB works with local Tibetan NGOs who provide non-formal education to adult refugees and help in skill development. Through our work, we envision to build skills, knowledge and self-dependency. We work with the NGOs to provide non-formal education to adult refugees and help in skill development.

  Main tasks of the volunteers:

  • Prepare lesson plans for the monks and refugees (all adults)
  • Teach the subject (English, French, German, any vocation-cooking, stitching, arts, etc.)
  • Give homework and check it
  • Come up with activities to improve the skills of the students
  1. Program Base: Dharamshala
  2. Project duration: 2 – 24 Weeks
  3. Joining dates: Open throughout the year
  4. Arrival date: Saturday or Sunday are preferable, if not weekdays will be managed
  5. Arrival airport : Dharamshala Airport or Delhi International Airport with bus transfer to Dharamshala
  6. Beneficiaries:  Refugee monks from Tibet
  7. Working days: Monday to Friday, Weekends are off
  8. Total volunteer hours: Based on the availability of the students, usually the first half of the day, generally 25- 30 hours a week
  9. Weekends: Free to do sightseeing or travel
  10. Requirements: volunteer needs to have good command of English, relevant skills for teaching a language or a skill
  • Pre-arrival assistance
  • Detailed pre-arrival orientation and cultural awareness info
  • Pick-up from Delhi/ Indira Gandhi International Airport
  • Bus ticket and coordinator travelling with you to Dharamshala on bus
  • A detailed orientation about India, project, cultural responsibility and things to remember in India
  • Accommodation with host family (single or dual occupancy)
  • Meals (Authentic Indian meals) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Support in local transportation
  • Bus ticket back to Delhi
  • Drop at Dharamshala bus station
  • Logistics & program assistance if required
  • Emergency support

Volunteers in Dharamshala are placed in very welcoming local host families which are ready to receive you like a family member, share food and space with you. Chances of having single or dual occupancy are there as we don’t keep more than 3 people in one room in host families. Host family accommodation is best to discover the local culture and to enjoy tasty home-made Indian food. Food includes breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared at home. Meals are pure vegetarian (daal, sabji, raita, chapatti, etc.)

Facilities include : 

  • Shared bedroom
  • Western washroom with toilet & shower
  • Hot & cold water
  • Filtered water
  • Common Fridge
  • Common semi-automatic washing machine
  • Kitchen access to cook food if wished so
  • Wi-Fi or internet Data access
  • Family environment
  • Comfortable & safe stay option
  • Hindi class
  • Indian saree workshop
  • Professional Yoga class
  • Indian cooking class
  • Air fare
  • Visa
  • Insurance
  • Local transportation (mostly on walking distance or support from coordinators)
  • SIM card
  • Personal expenses

For costs and further details please contact us on info@stepbeyondborders.org