The Tong-Len annual Thanks Day was held once again on 19th November, marking 15 years of Tong-Len. It was a wonderful day of celebration and entertainment attended by the children from the Tong-Len hostel and school along with their families from the nearby slum and shanty communities. There were also many local and international guests, including sponsors and supporters from around the world such as Stevie Bellamy and two colleagues from The Pencil Tree in Australia, Brigid Whoriskey from Tong-Len UK and supporters from France, Switzerland, Italy and Holland.
The Chief guest this year was Shri Shanta Kumar, the former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. He spoke warmly of the achievements of Tong-Len over the past 10 years and paid tribute to the devotion and tireless efforts of its director Lobsang Jamyang. Professor Ajay Shrivastave also paid tribute Jamyang and to the slum children who were previously not considered part of society and now, through Tong-Len, have a future.
Jamyang (Director of Tong-Len) highlighted that kindness and compassion are core values of Tong-Len. ‘Our objective is not only to educate the Tong-Len children but to also make them good human beings and ready for the 21st century’.
The aim of Thanks Day is to express appreciation to all who contribute to the success of Tong-Len and to that end a sincere thanks was given to:
- Tong-Len UK
- Pencil Tree Foundation for funding the amazing new school building
- Tong- Len France
- Fontana Foundation
- The India government and municipal corporation
- His holiness the Dali Lama for his ongoing support and interest in the children of Tong-Len
- The Dali Lama charitable Trust
- All of Tong-Len’s Sponsors, Funders and Donors
- All of the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to give these children a future
- Everyone who helps Tong-Len to do its work
The annual Tong-Len social appreciation awards were presented by Brigid Whoriskey, from Tong-Len UK. Three awards were presented to recognise the special contribution of other organisations and individuals to make the world a better place:
- The College for Higher Tibetan Studies (CHTS) were recognised for the work they do to develop the Tibetan community and raise the quality of life for all its citizens, along with their focus on community values, creativity, and environment awareness.
- Wendy Valdermarin, known as Daddy-ma (Grandma) to the children, was presented with an award because tireless efforts and service to those in need. This included travelling from Europe to India on many occasions to help the poorest people in the slums and she also played an important role in Tong-Len from its small beginnings until today.
- Shankar Bhopta, one of the longest serving members of staff, received an award for his dedication and constant support to Tong-Len since 2005. He was recognised as one of the people who made the success of Tong-Len possible.
Finally, as always, the highlight of the day was the wonderful performances of the children – guests were treated to feast of dances, songs and plays. The day ended with a wonderful meal served to over 400 people prepared by the amazing Tong-Len chefs, with help from some of the children. It was a wonderful, energising, happy day.