October saw visits from three different groups from United States and England under Lha’s Cultural Exchange programme.

The groups became involved in various activities to learn, explore and widen their knowledge on Tibet and its culture while staying with us. We introduced them to guided circumambulations (kora) around Tsuglakhang, the main temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to introduce them to the beliefs and benefits of kora in Tibetan Buddhism.

Experts were invited to give them talks on the human rights situation in Tibet, with question and answer sessions, and lectures by Geshe Lhakdor, former translator to His Holiness the Dalai and Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. All the groups enjoyed an educational tour of the Museum, Men-Tsee-Khang, Delek Hospital, Library and Norbulingka Institute to enrich their knowledge of Tibetan medicine, culture, art and artefacts. One group, led by our founder Neil Guidry, also toured Bir and Tsopema.

A group of nurses and doctors from the United States led by Neil conducted free health checkups and screenings, including eye and dental checkups and gave a talk Everyday Hygiene at Gaden Choeling Nunnery. They visited monasteries in Bir where they conducted health screenings, donated screening machines, including a blood pressure monitor, and trained a number of monks to do emergency screenings. Along with a homecare nurse from Tibet Charity, they visited the elderly people’s home to provide services there. The group took part in discussion with Tibetan nurses to enable an exchange of experiences, expertise and knowledge.

A group of 22 students and teachers from Bedales School, England arrived on October 25 and stayed with us for five days, engaging in various activities as part of their cultural immersion programme. The students volunteered in Lha’s English Conversation class as well as pairing with Lha students on a one-to-one basis for mutual learning; this gives both parties a great opportunity to learn from each other. The group participated in Lha’s Monthly Mass Cleanup which took place on October 26, cleaning areas of the forest along TCV road, Lingkor road and below Tsuglakhang. These areas were densely covered in trash: glasses, bottles, plastics etc. The group joined our usual volunteers and language students to work on the cleanup. The Bedales School students and teachers received audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on October 29.

In addition to their educational tours and activities, the groups went on outdoor excursions and hiking to ensure their trip was fun and memorable.