A few days after Pa and I arrived, I asked Roshini if there was a school nearby. An obvious question as every morning at breakfast were the sounds of children laughing, as if just on the other side of the wall.
“That’s Trevini, it’s right there,” she said, pointing to the building next door. “Lama Sir is the principal. He’s a wonderful man.”
I asked if Pa and I might meet him. “Of course. I’ll call him today.”
The next morning we were seated in his office, where he told us about the children under his care. There are local students, and many from impoverished villages in remote regions of Nepal.
Of the nearly 200, 60 are from afar, many are orphans. All 60 live in a large house adjacent to the school. Lama Sir lives with them as well.
I asked how he came to be principal. Wangden Lama at birth, he was raised by middle class parents in Darjeeling and taught by Canadian Jesuits. Having attended a Jesuit university myself, we connected.
Lama Sir, that’s what his students call him, left India not long after completing his university education. His sister was in Kathmandu having started the Trevini School. He wanted to join her. Our conversation was cut short as Lama Sir had to teach a class. But before leaving, he insisted we return in the evening to meet some of the students.
It was an incredible two hours,
listening to and learning about the circumstances of their early lives and their recognition that education is the only way forward.
At one point, Lama Sir went to his shelf to show us an example of the work the students are capable of.
Pa and I were sad the evening had to end but the students needed to study before lights out at ten.
After nearly two weeks away from Kathmandu, Pa and I wanted to return to Trevini. Yesterday Lama Sir invited us back for the evening meal.
After touring the kitchen,
and one of the dining areas, that’s Dawa Lama on the left,
we peaked into a bedroom
and a study area,
before sitting down for dinner with Lama Sir I
and Lama Sir II. That’s what I call them.
Lama Sir II is also from Darjeeling, and Jesuit educated. He moved to Kathmandu years ago to accept a teaching position. Last year he resigned to work at Trevini for no pay, and to live with the students and Lama Sir I.
By the way, the meal may have been the best Pa and I have had since arriving in Nepal.
This morning we returned to the school to teach Lama Sir I’s first period class.
Just inside the front gate is a beautiful mural,
and on the wall adjacent items of interest to students and parents.
Next to it a celebration of Women’s Day.
The courtyard was quiet
as Pa and I were a few minutes late.
We peaked into one classroom
where Science was being taught to 3rd level students,
and then found Lama Sir I taking attendance.
For the next hour Pa and I had the privilege of conversing with these remarkable students about what they want their lives to look like.
On the way out, no time to talk as Lama Sir I had another class, we were treated by a younger one.
It made our day.
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