This year was marked with some changes among the residents here. Pema Tsering Drukpa, 18 years old joined us in August and very soon became a key member here due to his joyfull and versatile character. Originally from Darjeeling, he first received a good education before choosing to become a monk, he previously spent two years in a gompa in Sikkim.
Then came Norden who first joined us here to work. Coming from Yuksom, Norden Bhutia, 17 years old, got poor education and did not have the chance to grow with his parents. Few weeks after he started, he actually voiced his wish to become a student and a monk. After putting him on trial over a period of two months he finally got admitted as a monk during the butterlamp retreat.
Meanwhile Pema Lama left us after studying 4 years with us. One day of December his father whom we were told had disappear long ago came at the gompa and claimed for his son back. After much discussion we unfortunatly had to allow the son to follow his father according to his personal wish.