Breaking the Cycle in Ladakh

Sep 21

#11:
Padum to Phe and GHE Himalayan Innovation Centres

Published at 03:19
Dispatch created from email
12th - 13th September 2018

Now back in Leh for a couple of days and the best internet access I will
have in Ladakh, I will attempt to update you all with a couple of blogs
in succession. Here’s the first one.


Day 10

Padum to Phe - 33km

Total distance - 627km


From Phe, after struggling with the internet, I set off in the late
morning for Phe. There was no rush as it was meant to be just a simple
ride back to Phe, via a couple of monasteries, to meet up with the
Global Himalayan Expedition team that was due to arrive in the late
afternoon.

First stop was Sani Monastery, and just in front of it, the Holy Lake of
Tuthot. The lake is formed by dozens of springs that jet water straight
out of the hillside. On the far side of the lake was an enormous statue
on Buddha set in the grassy floodplain of the river. The stupa inside
the monastery is presumed to date back to the 2nd Century AD, the oldest
stupa in Ladakh.

Continuing towards Phe on the south side of the valley, I then diverted
12km to see what I think is one of the most special monasteries I’ve
seen, Zunkul. Set into a cliff high above the windswept valley, at an
altitude of around 3900m, it was a serious side excursion to get there,
but worth it. With winter approaching, this place will soon totally cut
off from the world, as it is for half of the year. A monk said that this
is optimum as there is little else to do except meditate and reflect.The small cave / puga (prayer and meditation room) was particularly
special. Set high up and half into a cave, the ceiling was lined with
hundreds of coins, I guess were once offerings.

From there it was back to Phe to meet the rest of the GHE expedition.
It had been an extra long day’s drive for them from Kargil. It was a
large group - Paras Loomba, Jaideep, Gaegan, Stephanie, 18
expeditioners and a staff including guides, catering and several
others. The rest of the group had been together for several days,
acclimatising back in Leh and getting to know each other before
spending two days on the road to get to Phe. The first thing I had to
do was introduce myself to the group and try to catch up. We camped
that night on a spare field in the village.


Day 11

Phe

13th September 2018

The aim of the day was to set up two Himalayan Innovation Centres in
schools in Skiagam, a few kilometres from Phe, and then in Phe.

Skiagram primary school has 31 pupils. The very impressive 29 year old
principal (who has a masters degree in education) decided to amalgamate
three tiny schools to have a better educational outcome for all. The
principal had options to progress his career in a larger place, but
being from the region, he wanted to stay and make a difference in his
own region. In applying for GHE to provide the computers and RACHEL
(wifi and education resources), he’d written a seven page essay as to
why his school needed the Innovation Centre.

Not just the students and teachers were there to welcome us, but the
whole community were involved. It was a big deal - after the
installation, not only were the students keen to learn how to use the
computers and virtual internet, but the parents were also inquiring
whether they could access the technology perhaps after school hours.

We were entertained by the school assembly and then singing/dancing
performances by the students and women.

The afternoon was spent setting up the same technology at the larger Phe
School. There was an equally enthusiastic welcome, great hospitality and
rounds of performances from all age groups. It too was a great community
event - the whole community was appreciative. After it was all
installed, I gave a presentation to the older students and most of my
GHE teammates in the new computer room.

There was a fair amount to fit in one day, but we came away feeling it
was incredibly successful and that each community was incredibly excited
to receive the Innovation Centres as this is going to provide many more
opportunities in a region often overlooked by the government.

Comments


  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-08 20:38:02 sispalegni says:

    Them believes altogether best suited. Every one of lesser areas ended up being built by lots of track record instruction. I like the necessary paperwork a good deal. game slot online

    Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks portal berita judi slot

    There are a handful of intriguing points in time in this post but I do not know if they all center to heart. There may be some validity but I’m going to take hold opinion until I explore it further. Very good post , thanks therefore we want much more! Included with FeedBurner also casino tiger club

    Aw, i thought this was an extremely good post. In notion I must invest writing like that moreover – taking time and actual effort to have a excellent article… but what things can I say… I procrastinate alot through no means find a way to get something done. U Town casino

    I do agree with all of the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They’re very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very short for starters. Could you please extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post. tktx

  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-08 20:37:57 sispalegni says:

    Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work. Portal Republik Judol

    Hello! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot! Pro Player Poker

    There are some intriguing points with time in this article but I do not determine if them all center to heart. You can find some validity but I am going to take hold opinion until I take a look at it further. Great write-up , thanks and now we want a lot more! Added to FeedBurner too game slot android

    This is very educational content and written well for a change. It's nice to see that some people still understand how to write a quality post.! cuan dari internet

    I’m impressed, I have to admit. Really rarely do you encounter a weblog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you may have hit the nail around the head. Your concept is outstanding; the pain is a thing that there are not enough persons are speaking intelligently about. I am happy that I came across this inside my find something about it. Portal Game Slot 303

  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-07 20:47:08 sispalegni says: I discovered your blog site on the internet and appearance a few of your early posts. Keep in the excellent operate. I just now extra your Rss to my MSN News Reader. Seeking toward reading a lot more from you at a later time!… toto
  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-07 20:47:05 sispalegni says: This is very educational content and written well for a change. It's nice to see that some people still understand how to write a quality post.! games and gadget
  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-05 18:09:48 sispalegni says: This was a really great contest and hopefully I can attend the next one. It was alot of fun and I really enjoyed myself.. whatsapp官网下载
  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-05 18:09:45 sispalegni says: I’m curious to find out what blog system you are utilizing? I’m having some small security problems with my latest blog and I would like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any solutions? Telegram安卓中文版手机版下载
  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-04 17:17:27 sispalegni says:

    Came clueless, left worried. Thanks for the post. Sometimes I wonder whether the planet is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it. Luffybet

    Thank you for very usefull information.. Seiko Mods

    Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work. stake palm ai

    Very nice info and straight to the point. I dont know if this is really the best place to ask but do you folks have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thanks dallas landscaping bandarsoccer

    Will you mind if I refer to any of your article content given that I give you credit not to mention sources back to your websites? My web pages is within the very same topic as your own and my prospects will really benefit from most of the knowledge that you present on this website. Feel free to let me know if it is okay for you. Take care! Tuna55

  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-02 19:10:21 sispalegni says: I think youve made some actually helpful factors. Not as well lots of people would actually feel about this the best way you simply did. Im genuinely impressed that theres so much about this matter thats been uncovered and you also did it so nicely, with so considerably class. Fantastic one you, man! Definitely terrific things correct here. kubet
  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-02 09:28:26 sispalegni says:

    I like models private text. It can be really good to seek out a person demonstrate around thoughts within the main and perhaps wholesomeness in such a special vitally important market might be effortlessly expert. Prodentim

    An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write extra on this topic, it may not be a taboo topic but typically people are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers Neuroquiet

    I’m curious to find out what blog system you are utilizing? I’m having some small security problems with my latest blog and I would like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any solutions? Java Burn

    i am always looking for some free stuffs over the internet. there are also some companies which gives free samples. Fitspresso

    Only aspire to mention ones content can be as incredible. This clarity with your post is superb and that i may think you’re a guru for this issue. High-quality along with your concur permit me to to seize your current give to keep modified by using approaching blog post. Thanks a lot hundreds of along with you should go on the pleasurable get the job done. Manna Flux

  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-02 09:28:21 sispalegni says:

    Hey there this is a excellent write-up. I’m going to mail this to my buddies. I stumbled on this while browsing on google I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. Zencortex

    I cannot thank you fully for the posts on your web page. I know you set a lot of time and effort into them and really hope you know how deeply I enjoy it. I hope I’m able to do something identical man or woman someday. Tonic Greens

    I do believe all of the ideas you’ve offered to your post. They’re really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very brief for starters. May just you please lengthen them a little from next time? Thank you for the post. Sugar Defender

    This may be the proper weblog for everyone who wishes to be familiar with this topic. You are aware of so much its nearly hard to argue to you (not that I really would want…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin with a topic thats been discussing for a long time. Wonderful stuff, just great! Prostavive

  • Report as abuse...
    2024-12-01 20:10:47 sispalegni says: Hey there this is a excellent write-up. I’m going to mail this to my buddies. I stumbled on this while browsing on google I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. kubet77
  • More...



Add Comment


Notify this dispatch to subscribers?

Yes
No
Cancel