When Norbu was at school his teachers drummed the message into him that it is important to give back to the community. Today he is living out the values that were taught to him as the Director of Learning and Ideas for Tibet (LIT). He humbly tells us his story as he explains the workings of LIT and its achievements as a servant to the Tibetan people.
After completing Hotel Management training in 2012 Norbu returned to McLeod Ganj. A friend who was working at LIT told him about an opportunity to serve the community and so he started his involvement with LIT, first teaching Intermediate English. Later he took on the role of cashier in addition to teaching. In 2015 he was asked to lead LIT and this he has done ever since.
Norbu, the Director of LIT
Photo: LIT
Norbu dreams of when LIT can support destitute Tibetans financially, and is raising awareness of the need amongst the Tibetan community.
Acccording to LIT’s website, it was founded in March 2009, by a young Tibetan, Tsering Sangpo, and an Australian, Lauren Smith, to address social issues affecting the Tibetan refugee community. Many Tibetans arrived in India fleeing from political persecution in Tibet and came with very limited funds and skills as many come from illiterate farming or nomadic backgrounds. Therefore, many refugees find it difficult to integrate into India which can lead to high unemployment rates, alcohol and drug abuse, depression, poverty and feelings of disempowerment and isolation.
Tsering, sought to address these issues by providing free education and skills training to recently arrived Tibetan refugees in a flexible environment. He also wanted to provide a place for the local and international communities to discuss and address local issues and spread awareness about the situation in Tibet.
LIT provides totally free education to Tibetan students. Students from other backgrounds are accepted for a small fee provided that they can afford it. In 2017 LIT had 134 students in a variety fields which include English, French, computing, and Japanese.
LIT’s mission is to provide, through daily classes:
1. Free education to disenfranchised Tibetan refugees and local members of the community.
2. A platform for the local and international community to discuss and address issues affecting the local Tibetan community to allow for positive changes to be made at a grassroots level.
3. Employment opportunities to the local community.
4. Tibetan refugees with access to health care services.”
LIT is a registered charity, dependent on financial contributions from individual donors, corporations and organisations. It can be found off Jogibara Road below the Japanese Restaurant.
Contact magazine spoke to some of LIT’s students, volunteers and staff about their experiences.
Tashi Chopel is a student at LIT. He said that LIT is like a lamp causing the darkness of ignorance to disappear. He added that he has been able to clear his mind and think about others. He particularly values the teaching methods used at LIT.
Another student, Tsering Tobden, says that his English has improved in the time that he has been studying at LIT.
Lobsang Wangdue has studied for two years at LIT. He says that he can now communicate with people. “It is very important to me,” he says proudly. He has put a lot of effort into studying vocabulary. He also notes that LIT uses many different techniques to teach English.
Staff member Tenzin Tselha gets excited about the excellent relations between staff and students. “I feel that each day at LIT is productive,” she says.
Co-worker Tenzin Tseyang says that an important part of each day is getting knowledge and giving knowledge. “I can learn from the students,” she says enthusiastically.
Volunteer Alex Laba has the last word. “I really enjoy LIT because it has good vibes.”
LIT’s website: https://lit-dharamsala.org/
Students at LIT with their volunteer teacher
Photo: LIT
LIT Classroom
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