Pema
Ts'al Mundgod
Pema
Ts'al Mundgod is a unique facility, being a home for the
children, an educational center where they receive help
with their homework from the local school, and an educational
institution where classes are taught.
During
the school term, the students attend the Central School
for Tibetans in Mundgod, which is run by the Government
of India, from 8am to 4pm. Pema Ts'al activities run from
6pm to 10:30pm with classes, self study, group discussion
and prayers, though this changes to accommodate studying
and preparation for exams and tests.
There
is no set course at the school, but special emphasis is
placed on Tibetan language and grammar, literature, composition,
religion and culture. In addition, the students are taught
English, science and math. Due to the kind donation of computers
by a member of the Vikramasila Foundation, Pema Ts'al has
also started the Dean Computer Center to teach the children
typing and basic computer skills.
Even
though the families of the students live in Mundgod, the
children live at the school where they receive three meals
a day and attention toward their studies, which is not always
possible in the refugee community. The children do have
the opportunity to visit their relatives on weekends and
during holidays. When finances permit, Pema Ts'al also arranges
educational trips and excursions during school breaks, or
invites outside teachers to the school for special educatioal
programs.
Currently,
the students of Pema Ts'al live in a rented house that was
formerly a home for the elderly. The conditions are overcrowded
and unhealthy for the children. The walls are cracked and
peeling, and the building is unsafe. During the hot season,
there is very little water and the roof, which is made of
a thin layer of cement and corrugated metal, heats up the
building to nearly unbearable levels. The staff and all
the students at Pema Ts'al look forward to moving into their
new school as soon as construction of Phase I is completed.
