I realize that I haven’t written a lot about my current volunteer position at the Tibetan Reception Center. Things are going quite well there. I spend my mornings there working on art projects with the children. There is quite a good collection of art supplies so myself and the teachers can think of plenty of creative projects for the children. Since I’ve been there we’ve made masks, flags, puppets, Christmas trees, butterflies, and hats. Sometimes the children choose to free draw, often drawing pictures of their villages, families, Tibetan landscape, or Buddhist stupas. The kids love to paint, cut, and glue (especially sparkles!). Some of the children evidently had opportunities to draw and color prior to their arrival here, but many also complain that they don’t know how to draw or color! Sometimes that doesn’t stop them and they dive right in – but sometimes, the kids won’t color independently or will need a little coaxing. It’s a very rewarding feeling when you see a child that won’t participate and after spending a little time with them, they gain enough confidence to make art themselves!
Even though I can’t really speak Tibetan (beyond the basics of “how are you?,” “what’s your name?,” and “very good!,” I manage to develop special relationships with each of the kids. Maybe I’m not well suited for this position in a way though, because I become attached to the kids so easily and am always disappointed when they leave. But the nature of the place is such that the children only remain a couple weeks before leaving on buses for Dharamsala (in India). I’m always sad when I show up at work one morning and don’t see the faces I was hoping to see. Though the children of the past are never forgotten, I am always eager to get to know the new faces, hear their stories, and see their artwork.
After over two months at the center, I still cannot believe that these children are the same children that spent weeks or months crossing the greatest mountain range on earth, in secret, at night, and in the cold of winter. These same kids who smile, laugh, hug, and draw seemingly without a care in the world were just forced to climb Himalayan mountain after Himalayan mountain top escape the injustices in their own country and seek better lives. It reminds me how strong and resilient children are and how, with a little love and care, they can bounce back after difficult experiences and begin to make a return to their lives of innocence. That, more than anything else, is what makes me know that my job at the Reception Center is important.
Coloring our way to Communication
