*No matter what is going on, never give up*

On 14^th June 2009 I started my study life in E.S. Tibet. I have been living in India for about 2 years and before I joined this school I spent 1 year in TTS (Tibetan Transit School) learning basic knowledge of Tibetan and English language. I have unforgettable memories in TTS. That was my first time living alone in a society at age 19 years old. I encountered a number of difficulties at first like language, weather and food. So many times I wanted to give up, but The H.H. Dalai Lama words always encouraged me "No matter what's going on, never give up".

And I realized the only thing I have to do is study harder than before. Disease and homesickness caused me to leave school. I felt disappointed with my health. I knew I would regret it the whole of my life because I left TTS. Then I decided to go back to Tibet and help my parents and fulfill my obligation to look after my parents. I tried to get a visa to go back to Tibet but I failed.

My name is Tashi Dolma and I was born in Eastern Tibet. My village is located in valley of mountains; there are jungle forests on the both sides of valley. In the middle of the valley there is a river that is the origin of the Yellow River, the water which we drink is from the summit of mountains. The

people are very kind and loving, the style of life in my village is very simple, and people always give their time to other people who ask help. My father is a head master of a primary school, and my mother is a farmer, she always stressed the importance of education, they have been working too hard to pay their children's tuition fees. I have two sisters. Since I was born, my mothers plant the seed of love in my heart, she taught me to treat everyone as a family number.

Since I was 6 years old I started to my schooling life. I studied in primary school for 6 years, then I went to secondary school for 6 years, Even though I spent 12 years in school, I did not learn much. The environment of study and quality of teaching was not good. During that time I did not know education was very important to everyone, and also I did not know that knowledge comes from practice. Because I always stayed with my parents and my friends in my village, it had made me short-sighted. Also I did not set up my aim very high, I always spent my time playing childish games.

After I took the examination to attend university, I decided to come to India to learn about the history and culture of Tibet and English language. I got the permission to come to India from parents. Lucky, I got a passport from the Chinese Government.

In May 2006 I started my journey to India, compared with other Tibetan people, I did not have any big problems along my journey. A few days later I arrived in Nepal, I stayed in the Tibetan Reception Center for about 1month; there everyone who works at the Reception Center treated me like a family member. Since then, I started my life as a refugee in India. Now I have been receiving education at E.S.Tibet. I am struggling to change my life. Of course I can see the changes in both of my action and mind, I think the environment of the school has been changing me in every way; especially I was influenced by my respected teacher and lovely school mates. My life is filled with bitterness and happiness. I felt lonely and sad, because I am far away from my homeland, I left my parents behind me, and I am afraid that I won't see them in my life again. I am happy when compared to people who are living around me. They don't have cloths and shoes to wear; don't have sufficient food to eat. I thank everyone who helps me to have such a good opportunity to learn English

Thanking you

E.S.Tibet Student
Tashi