Welcome to EkNews - Ekno Experience’s Volunteer newsletter!
As we all know the world is fast changing place. Since the beginning of 2009 we have already seen many people face hardship through bushfires and floods in Australia. Many western countries have entered or are predicted to go into recession In 2009. If all predictions are true then the world will be challenging place to be part of. However amongst all the adversity you can still make a difference and can you change something the world?
You can experience the simple joy of contribution in such a meaningful way to the lives of those less fortunate than yourself!
You can make new friends and develop new skills!
You can develop a lifelong relationship with a country and population that has always intrigued or inspired you!
You can explore another culture while having a minimal impact (benefitting local communities)!
You can further your career by gaining hands-on works experience!
You can contribute to positive social change!
You can choose a destination to visit where the positive impact of your Volunteering and or Work Experience is an important one to offset the inevitable damage done by visiting in the first place!
Ekno Experience will help you to be part of these very important milestones of your life!
Our placements range from 1 week to 5 months.
14 day short programs for those who want to combine work with language lessons with travel in both India and Nepal.
More details on our website www.eknoexperience.com – Work
CURRENT JOBS/WORK EXPERIENCE
Manager – Thosamling Nunnery, Sidhpur, Dharamsala – A manager is required for Thosamling Nunnery. The nunnery is the only nunnery built in India for Western Nuns and Lay Women.
The manager is responsibilities will be for daily office work, staff management, overall maintenance of the centre and the duties list. The person reports to the Director but must have the ability to work independently.
The working hours are 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. One month holiday twice yearly (retreat at Thösamling offered if desired). Hours are partially flexible, depending on availability of other volunteers. We offer free board, lodging and airfare reimbursement if the candidate completes one year, or partial reimbursement for any lesser time stayed (minimum 6 months for partial reimbursement).
Please send a letter of interest plus C.V. to thosamling@gmail.com. Application closing date: 15 March 2009.
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English Conversation Partners - Required English conversation partners for Monks who are studying for their Geshe degrees (Professors of Buddhism) in the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics. The Head of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics (IBD) is the Dalai Lama and has he has given instructions and funded the monks to study English and Chinese for a year (possibly 2 years). Offered in India only. Volunteer English Teachers - Teach English to Tibetan Refugee mature-aged students or teach English to Nepali School students. Offered in India & Nepal. Volunteer Technical Trades Teachers – Teachers with the following expertise are required:
These positions are with an adult Vocational Teaching Centre in the Kathmandu Valley. Offered in Nepal only. Trainee Potters – Learn techniques of an ancient old craft traditional pottery making with local potter from the delivery of the clay, preparing, kneading, forming the ware, finishing, drying, firing and preparation of the pots for delivery. Offered in Nepal only. Editors - Required helping with editorial duties of transcribing Tibetan Buddhist texts into English as part of the Tibetan Library & Archives objective of publishing books and manuscripts. Offered in India only. |
Graphic Designer - A Graphic Designer is required for the local English news magazine CONTACT. The magazine is a free distribution which relies on stories from other volunteers and advertising. Offered in India only.
Journalists for two positions:
1. The local English news magazine CONTACT. This print magazine is a free distribution which relies on stories from other volunteers and advertising.
2. An online news internet site called Tibet Sun. This internet news site has its office in McLeod Ganj.
Offered in India only.
Other Volunteering opportunities are also available in Dharamsala and Nepal. Full details on our website www.eknoexperience.com or email Sharon at info@eknoexperience.com for further details.
DHARAMSALA NEWS!
Dalai Lama News
The Dalai Lama’s health has continued to be of a concern to all, going to Delhi early in February to undergo tests for a pinched nerve. He has now fully recovered.
He will give a one day teaching on 11 March 2009 this year as the annual spring teachings have been cancelled.
He is expected to teach in Kaza, Himachal Pradesh in July, (see below) and Ladakh, Leh in August this year. Nirvana Tours in association with Thosamling Institute isgiving you the opportunity to attend the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Kaza as part of their annual fundraising tour to Ladakh. For details see bottom of newsletter.
Australia - His Holiness will also visit Australia again in 2009 will visit Sydney, Hobart & Melbourne. The schedule for December 2009 is:
| Tue 1 December | Teaching - Nagarjuna's Commentary on Bodhicitta | Sydney |
| Wed 2 December | Attendance at the Mind & Its Potential Conference & Public Talk | Sydney |
| Fri 4 December | Public Talk | Hobart |
| Sun 6 & Mon 7 December | Visit to New Zealand | |
| Wed 9 December | Attendance at the Parliament of World Religions | Melbourne |
| Thur 10 December | ATC Nobel Peace Prize Event & Public Talk | Melbourne |
www.dalailamainaustralia.org/
Other news:
The Tibetan New Year (commonly known as Losar) is currently underway. This is the major event of the year and the Tibetan community come together in unity to eat, drink and generally be merry. However, there is a serious side to the event and in Dharamsala, some members of the community held a three day hunger strike to bring recognition for Tibetans who are undergoing human rights violations inside Tibet.
http://www.tibetanyouthcongress.org/second_day_of_tibetan_new_year.html
NEPAL NEWS!
Nepal was a popular destination for volunteers last year and every newsletter we publish experiences of past volunteers that go to either Nepal or India. Our volunteers work in Thimi in the Kathmandu Valley. Thimi is largest of Nepal's potter communities, and consisting of about 8,000 individuals involved in some aspect of pottery. Wares of many types are produced in the community and most of the pottery items are used in everyday life throughout the Kathmandu Valley. The cost common items pottery containers for water storage and for cooking, flower pots of all sizes, tiles etc.
People can come and live and experience life in this potting community through our Volunteer Program.
Marijke, a Volunteer from Switzerland, spent 2 months living and working in Thimi last year and you can read her story next. Our volunteer teachers are placed Vinayak Shiska Niketan School through our partner organization Experience Nepal. You can check out more on Thimi on http://www.silverceramicsystems.com/NepalPotters.htm or about volunteers at VSN School on http://www.vinayak.edu.np/introduction.html
If you are open to different ideas and cultural values, enjoy working with people, and are prepared to live a life without frills for a short time you will be amply rewarded with a wonderful experience. One which you will remember for the rest of your life. If you enjoy working with children and people in general, have a trade, or a medical background this could be the experience you have been looking for.
WHAT OUR PAST VOLUNTEERS HAVE SAID
A big thank you to Marijke Voorbrood who spent from late September to end of November 2008 volunteering as a Nurse and Nurse Educator in Thimi, Nepal. Here is what she had to say:
‘It has been 3 months since I left Thimi, Nepal, where I had a beautiful time, working as a teacher and staff-nurse, 2 different jobs. This offered me a very good and close contact with so many Nepalese people, young, old, children and teachers, sick, and healthy people and all working class.
A time full of events, excursions with the students, and working hard in order to offer the best of time and skills.
Very quickly I adapted to a life so much different than the West, because of my daily contact with the locals, and…. I am still missing it. I miss their kindness, their smiles and the time of life that gives a reason to live every day.
That’s why my thoughts so often wander to all the Nepalese I met during my stay. In particular the kids, and their teachers, working hard with little money and material, but proud to be at school. My patients, poor but with a grateful smile when help was given.
So much work waiting to be done should money be available, and volunteers offering their time, skills, energy and compassion.
A remark to you, reader who gets interested into volunteering: My story is a true story, I learned a lot, and in spite of (and thanks to) some difficulties I am very happy and thankful for this experience.’
Marijke Voorbrood, Mid-wife, nurse, teacher, Switzerland
WORKING HOLIDAYS
If you have a short holiday planned why not try one of our working holiday programs – Teach English to one of the Dalai Lama’s monks in India, teach English to Nepali school children while combining it with learning Tibetan or Hindi or combine it with a holistic course and a cooking class… the choices are endless.
Full details are on our website www.eknoexperience.com – Work - Holidays.
Other Travel News:
BOOK NOW AS SPACES ARE LIMITED!
2009 Nirvana Ladakh trip (16 days, 15 nights) leaves Delhi on 25 June 2009.
We are offering participants on the Nirvana Tour the opportunity of a lifetime to attend Dalai Lama’s teachings in the remote Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India as a 6 day extension to the Ladakh trip.
Nirvana Ladakh trip – 16 days, 15 nights
Australian Dollars A$3500, US Dollars $2100, Euros 1750
Nirvana Ladakh trip & Kaza extension – 22 days, 21 nights
Australian Dollars A$4450, US Dollars $2750 Euros 2300
This trip is a fundraising trip for Thosamling International Institute for Buddhist Women. Further details are on our website www.eknoexperience.com – Travel, Nirvana Tour, or email us at www.eknoexperience.com for further details.
Our Nirvana Buddhist Sites tour will take in the sites of Sarnath, Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Kushingar and Lumbini. It will depart from Delhi on 21 December 2009 for 12 days and 11 nights. This is also a fundraising trip for Thosamling and full details are on our website www.eknoexperience.com – Travel, Buddhist Sites.
If you are the independent type take advantage of our expert advice and experience to help you with your transportation and accommodation needs. If you want to learn a new skill combined with some travel to Dharamsala then one of our Mind, Body & Soul Packages will be ideal for you. Whether it’s a Meditation, Reiki, Yoga, Language Cooking or Jewellery making class, your journey won't be complete without one.
Other courses offered are: Reiki, Meditation, Yoga, Massage, Tarot Card Reading, Crystal Healing, Dance, Cooking, Language and more...
See our full range of courses and descriptions on our website.
We at Ekno Experience will do all organization, leaving you free to concentrate on getting the most out of your travels and your experiences in India. Be warned however, once she (India) is in your blood it could be there forever.
Email us your suggested itinerary and we will do the rest to arrange all the details. Check out the list of destinations on our website.
or
call or SMS on 0437 967 819 in Australia.