"Tashi and the Monk": An Update on the Community

Tashi and the Monk was one of the most popular films from the 2014/2015 tour. So what is the story behind the film, and what's happening with Jhamtse Gatsal now? For those who haven't seen it, Tashi and the Monk is a film about a five-year-old girl who lost her mother, was abandoned by her alcoholic father and brought to a community in the foothills of the Himalayas called Jhamtse Gatsal. 

Created by Buddhist monk Lobsang Phuntsok, this community is a home for children who no longer have one, and Lobsang becomes a father to the children who live there. Tashi is a vibrant young girl who struggles to find her place amongst her 84 new siblings. But as she spends more time in her new community, the magic of Jhamtse begins to transform her from a wild and troubled five-year-old into a willing participant.

Jhamtse Gatsal, Tibetan for "The Garden of Love and Compassion," is perched on a remote mountaintop and is surrounded by poverty. The staff here have no formal training and simply invite the children to become active members of their own community and work together to heal themselves and their fellow members. Jhamtse Gatsal is full to capacity and Lobsang is tasked with the decision of who to invite in and who to turn away.

The children in the community are those in greatest need from nearby villages. Ranging in age from toddler to adolescent, they may be orphans and they are mostly malnourished and neglected. The goal of Jhamtse Gatsal is to provide all the children with a chance at a better life. In a region where their future will be working in the fields or breaking rocks at the side of the road, the lucky children of Jhamtse have a chance to reach their full potential and become better human beings.

The children are educated at Jhamtse and the school follows the guidelines set by the Central Board of Secondary Education. They learn math, science, Hindi, English, and Tibetan language and culture. The children are also able to participate in extracurricular activities such as music, dance, drama and sports.

I spoke with Jeff Jenner, president of Jhamtse Canada, as he and his family had recently been back to visit Jhamtse Gatsal in October 2015. He was able to provide an update on the community, which has been able to benefit from the success of Tashi and the Monk. Jhamtse has a new greenhouse, built by the students, teachers, and volunteers themselves. A new administration building has also been erected and it supports four new solar panels which provide up to six hours of electricity every day. Due to new support and infrastructure, the community will be able to bring in an additional 15 kids for May 1.

There is a capital campaign starting to raise funds in order to provide residences for the children of the community. The children currently sleep in the school's classrooms, so having a separate place where they can make a permanent home would go a long way in enabling the children to settle in. You can find out more online.

Thanks to everyone who has supported this amazing community!