My name is Duc Luong. From August to September of 2009, I took a trip to Golog to visit Thubten Chokor Ling. It was during this period that I spent a fair amount of time preparing computers and laptops for deployment to the Hungkar Dorje Technical School. The idea was to bring up-to-date computing technology to this remote part of Tibet so that students could learn new skills and develop a greater appreciation and understanding of our modern world. As the information age pushes forward, I feel it is important not to leave the Tibetans behind in the dust.

It was during this time that I taught a select group of university candidates, which consisted of monks, yogis and lay people, some basic English and western culture and etiquette. I figured if they had pre-exposure to American culture, that it would make life simpler once they do go abroad to study in The States. (Less culture shock and confusion is always a good thing, in my opinion.) Apart from the lessons we had on spelling, grammar, pronounciation and the like, the students also listened to English music and watched American films and tv shows and were always required to write reports and summaries about them afterward. Equal emphasis was placed on reading, wrting, comprehension and verbal communication. Written and oral examinations were fairly common. Despite having such a heavy work load, and especially given the time constraints, I felt we all achieved more than what we set out to do originally. In this regard, I am more than satisfied at what the students accomplished during my time there.

Concurrently, I also took part in beginning a documentary type multimedia project that would, on a yearly basis, record and document the impact and changes affecting the people, culture and local communities surrounding Longen Monastery due to the inception of the vocational school. This was especially interesting because we had the unique opportunity of starting the project right around the time when the school just opened up and began. Because the Tibetans in this area of Golog have never had such an institution and are now taking this big a step forward in terms of education, it will be quite intriguing to see the long term results of this study.

During those two months that I spent in that part of Golog, I really got to know the students and learned a lot about their way of life and culture. I met many of their friends and families and felt like I was always welcome there. Needless to say, this has marked a very enjoyable and memorable milestone in my life, one which I will not soon forget.

Many thanks go to the Long Hoa Buddhist Temple, the Project for Ethics and Art in Testimony, the Blue Valley Foundation, the Blazing Wisdom Institute and the many other individuals and organizations that helped and contributed to the successful completion of this endeavor. Without you guys, these projects would not have been possible. I hope to be able to continue doing this kind of work in the future and to always make a difference for the people of Tibet. ~ Duc

While construction continues and is expected to be completed by next summer, the first group of 100 students comprised of young men and women coming from all over Tibet have begun classes in Tibetan, Chinese language and wood carving.  With an awareness of gender equality our first students are comprised of a nomadic, poor, and often parentless group of 14 to 21 year olds who have had little or no opportunity for education prior to our school's opening. They are now enthusiastically enjoying their first opportunity to receive a practical education, which will help prepare them, their families and communities for economic self reliance.

Courses are limited during the building process, and there are only 5 teachers out of an eventual 30 instructors. Our aim is to be at the full capacity of 600 students who have completed 9 years of compulsory education, and any youths without formal education but who have an earnest desire to study, and to train them systematically. This is expected sometime after next summer’s construction comes to an end.

The Hungkar Dorje School will keep costs down to about $80.00 per month for each student in the 3 year program. This includes all costs for boarding, food, health care, educational materials, and teacher’s salaries. 

Funds for the school’s operations will come from private donations, a modest tuition, and the sale of handicrafts by artisans affiliated with the school.  For families who cannot share in the cost of education there will be no fee. Additionally, much of these costs will be augmented by the ongoing sale of medicinal and culinary herbs as well as by other businesses which are planned for development.