When Jamyang, a refugee Tibetan monk, arrived in Dharamsala, north India, he witnessed young children living in miserable slum conditions.  He discovered that none of these children were attending school.  Jamyang was convinced that the only way of breaking the cycle of poverty for these children was through education.

Jamyang shared his concerns and his vision to help these children go to school with a few other Tibetan refugees and Western volunteers who helped him establish the charity. 

The name Tong-Len comes from the Tibetan words meaning ‘give’ and ‘take’, the idea being that through compassion one shares in the suffering and pain of others whilst simultaneously giving out love and kindness. For more of Jamyang’s story, click here.