TCV (TIBETAN CHILDREN'S VILLAGE)
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Of these seven centers, one of them is located in Ladakh, near Leh.
Ladakh is a magnificent region, made of the highest peaks and the drier valleys of the world, at an average altitude of 5300 m. Its inhabitants perpetuate an ancestral way of life.
Ladakhis of Lamaist Buddhist tradition, welcomed many Tibetan refugees, mostly gathered in Leh (3500m) in Little Tibet.
The Montessori system is adopted for the primary school. To preserve Tibetan culture, already very threatened, they chose not to teach english to the Tibetan children in kindergarden until their last year when those who are ready can start, respectful of each child’s pace.
The Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959 resulted in the death of over a million Tibetans. More than 100 000 refugees followed the Dalai Lama in exile. Among them, thousands of orphans and destitute children. To rescue and provide them a Tibetan education, a first center was established by the sister of the Dalai Lama « Nursery for tibetan refugee children »)in Dharamsala. In 1971, it became the TCV (Tibetan Children's village)
TCV adopts the principles of SOS villages. Its concept is based on three main principles:
Every child needs the attention of a "mother" or a parent, creating a close relationship with him.
Children grow up with boys and girls of different ages they may consider as their brothers and sisters in a house that is theirs in a village, which is a framework for their development.
Natural siblings are not separated.
TCV currently supports 15,000 children in seven different centers. The main one is in Dharamsala. However, the needs are still important. Thousands of Tibetans continue to flee China. Some parents are separated from their children and send them into exile so that they can follow a Tibetan education.
The TCVs aim is:
To provide the best and most modern education possible, whilst providing a deep and intimate knowledge of the Tibetan cultural heritage;
To cultivate a sense of national identity, with the hope of returning to Tibet.
To help young people to gain confidence and become active members of their society and the world.
Thus I am led to visit four Montessori environments, all equipped with many Montessori material, where children work with great concentration and where the teachers are very experienced (30 years of experience!) They were trained in the Dharamsala’s TCV training center.
The athmospere is quiet and studious.
Children show a great autonomy in their choice of activities as soon as they arrive in the classroom.
Well known to all Montessori teachers, the satisfied look of a child having completed his work.
Beautiful spacious classrooms, bright, tastefully decorated with concern for harmony.
The teachers are very cheerful, caring and present but with the distance required for the development of the independence of the child, and exude a certain wisdom.
A beautiful cooperation between the children.
The "mana" for meditation, a daily ritual in each class.
In conclusion, children ready to tackle the rest of their education and their lives with confidence, strengthened by their numerous abilities.
Ms. Pema Dolma, director of kindergarden, explained to me how happy they would be to have a partner class. To share with the children, and also with the teachers, anxious to improve their knowledge of Montessori.
On a material level, they need more books in English for 5-6 year-olds, games, puzzles ...
Volunteers are welcome, but only if they speak Tibetan!
