The annual winter program for local children at the Surmang shedra starts each year in late November or early December and ordinarily concludes at Losar (Tibetan New Year). This year, for the first time, the program was extended past Losar, concluding on February 29.
This year’s children’s program was the most successful yet in terms of the scale of participation. Approximately 160 children participated at the Surmang shedra complex and another 100 at a second location, Jamshi.
Surmang Khenpo has shared these photos of the Children’s Education Program and its celebratory conclusion a few weeks ago…
Monks serve as the teachers for the children’s program.
Reading and writing in Tibetan are the principal subjects.
As has been the case each year, a colorful graduation ceremony was held with the participants and their families at the close of the program.
The top students received awards for their achievements in the program.
Thanks to many generous donors, the funds are in place for the remaining construction on the Surmang shedra. However, support for the shedra’s ongoing program activities for children and, starting in the next year, for adults, remains very much of a funding need.
