Information for volunteers
On a regular basis the LNA (Ladakh Nuns Association) and the DFLN (Dutch Foundation for Ladakhi Nuns) receive requests for information about volunteering in Ladakh. It can be useful for everyone considering this, to have some information before making a decision.
Ladakh is a Buddhist area in the North Western part of the Indian Himalayas. It has a cold desert climate: extremely dry all year around and the winters are very cold. It is only since the late ‘70’s of last century that Ladakh opened its boarders for tourists. Tourism is growing and is a very important source of income for the local people. Leh is the capital and biggest town of the area (about 15.000 inhabitants).
In 1996 Dr. Tsering Palmo established the LNA to raise awareness for
the situation of Buddhist nuns among people in Ladakh and
abroad.
Due to the lack of nunneries in which they can live and study, nuns
continued to live with their families. They have been exploited as
domestic helpers and fieldworkers not only for their families, also
for monks in the monasteries.
DFLN supports LNA with their projects, like creating possibilities for nuns to have an education and supports the building of a new nunnery near Thiksey
What can be done by volunteers?
Help building a nunnery
Near Nyerma (45 minutes by bus from Leh), a new nunnery is being
built. Two years ago the building started. Now there are 10 elderly
nuns living in 5 rooms. Last summer a kitchen and a community room
were finished. Next summer guestrooms will be added.
Volunteers who want to participate in building are not expected to be
professional builders. There is a supervisor and there are
professional construction workers. In the future young nuns will be
responsible for taking care of the guests.
Teaching English
Lately more often LNA nuns have contact with foreign organisations and
tourists. In those situations English is the language mostly
used.
The level of speaking and understanding English is very diverse: some
speak it rather fluently and without hesitation, others just started
and are rather shy.
It is important that volunteers who want to teach are able to stay at
least for a few weeks, preferably longer.
Native English speakers can teach advanced students. Others who speak
English rather well can teach beginners. We need someone who can
develop a curriculum that can be used by volunteers in order to be
teaching English efficiently.
Every now and then there are chores and activities at the LNA where volunteers can help. Sometimes help is needed at the office. (DTP, writing Newsletter, etc.) Maybe you have certain skills or knowledge that can be useful. Please let us know!
What do we ask?
Volunteers should be aware of differences in culture and have to be able to adjust to the local situation. In Ladakh there is hardly any luxury. Electricity and hot water are not always available.
It is important to know that in Ladakh time schedules, appointments and plans often change. The way people deal with “time” is not as strict as we usually do. This makes that everyday turns out to be a surprise and a challenge to practice patience.
Sometimes it happens that building can’t go on for a while. Please don’t expect someone to arrange some other activities; you should be able to take care of that yourself. Flexibility and patience are important personal qualities in this environment. Mental stability and self-reliance are also important when you want to be there for a while. There will not always be other volunteers to support you. The nuns don’t have time to take care of volunteers on a daily base.
What do we offer?
You will get to know and work together with special people in a
special environment. By being there and working together you will
experience the joyful, peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. You will also
learn about the problems nuns have to deal with in their daily
life.
In short: there will be a lot of new experiences you will encounter
while being in Ladakh. There will also be time to just sit when the
nuns pray and sing, and be part of that experience. You can take time
off to travel around I other parts of Ladakh or do a trekking.
Volunteers mentioned how much their stay in Ladakh enriched their
life. Please look at the reports on this website, written by various
volunteers who came to Ladakh in the past few years.
In case you want more information or you have questions to ask please contact:
Aniek Jaartsveld: aniek.jaartsveld@gmail.com
Volunteer coördinator and Board member of the DFLN
top
Sponsor:
Powered by:
Webdesign SoleiL