My name is Pema Tseten, but some of my friends call me Akor, which is the name of my village in Tibet. Most people call me Pema, the short form of my name. I was born before dawn on the 17th of July in 1986.

I lived in a rural village and it is an exquisite place where we can see different types of birds floating on the ponds and lakes. The mountains and plains are covered by meadows full of perfumed flowers in the summer. In the beginning of autumn, both sides of the road are full of wild growing, fruit trees. There is fruit all over the ground that has fallen from the trees. It seems we Tibetan people live in heaven. But in my village area, most people are illiterate. They have warm hearts and compassionate natures. Few people have got opportunities to study.

One day when I was around 11 years old, my parents sent me to become a monk in the monastery. I lived there for one year. Then the Chinese government made a rule about the age of children staying at a monastery. Monks under 18 years weren't allowed to stay in the monastery, so they sacked me and many other monks too. From 12 years of age, I wandered to many places in China and Tibet, and wherever I went, I looked for temporary jobs. It seemed I couldn't get a fair life.

I finally returned to my village. The sun disappeared over my village when I was squatting quietly on a rock by a stream listening to the radio and I heard about Tibetan people living in exile in India. I heard there was free education for Tibetan people and the opportunity to see the H.H. the Dalai Lama. So I decided to go to India. I didn't tell anyone including my family. I left my lovely home, beloved parents and dear friends. I worked for a few months in the Lundu area but I didn't like the crowded narrow streets, the noise, and food, the long and boring work with Chinese people. I wanted to see an open, blue sky.

I really wanted to study and go to school again. After 6 months working in Lundu I had enough money saved to make my escape from Tibet to india in 2006. I crossed the Himalaya for a month. Finally I arrived at the Tibetan Reception Centre in Nepal. I had walked all the way from my homeland. I was taken care of but there were more than 3000 people at the time and only one bus leaving for India each week. It took three months before I could come to India. I felt very excited on my journey but it was a totally different feeling when I arrived here. Everything was very different to my homeland.

Fortunately I got a great opportunity to join the Tibetan Transit School and through His Holiness Dalai Lama's care, I completed the school within 3 years. I couldn't yet stand on my own feet using English because of limited schooling in Tibet before coming to India.

One day, one of my friends introduced me to the charitable E.S.T. that provides a facility for schooling, expenses and help for homeless Tibetan young people. I tried and didn't pass the E.S.T. Entrance Exam in 2009 so I went to Mecloed Ganj and worked for one year. Then, I heard that E.S.T. had a vacant position for one student and tried again. I was successful and finally became a student at E.S.T. in 2011.

After finishing this school in 2013, I will be able to fulfill what I desire. Countless children are waiting for me in Tibet and somewhere else and what I have learnt at this school, I will be able to share with a new generation. Now I have a dream that will come true.!

Thanking you

E.S.Tibet Student
Pema Tsetan