To be honest, I forget how I hear about the Tibetan Children’s Village. Regardless, I decided to stretch my legs and walk to the TCV.

Since the Tibetan Children’s Village is located only a mile outside the town, I say to myself “No problem. I’ll love a fresh walk in the countryside.” Well, the walk is exhilarating; the walk is also confusing. In looking at a map, a combination dirt and gravel road seems to lead to the “village.” Somehow, I turn onto a private lane which deadens at a private residence. Fortunately, a woman speaking some English points out a path. She utters those always fateful words: “Not hard. Much shorter.” Always be cautious when somebody says “Not harder. Much shorter.” I have to scramble up a cliff, and carefully crawl under barb wire! When the path intersects a road, I divert to the road. Surely, this road has to lead to the Tibetan Children’s Village.

It does! Upon reaching the village, I find the main office. Surprised that a visitor from the USA is present, the office selects a staff member to show me around and tell me the village’s story. 

After the 1959 arrival in Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama and his sister realized that children especially needed help, and that these children would be the future hope of Tibet. With his sister agreeing to make arrangements to care for the children, the village was founded in early 1960 with 51 refugee children. Since the early 1960’s, approximately 16,000 children have been helped.

Much like the Decatur Methodist Children’s Home (or now the Wellroot Family Services) which helped orphans after the Civil War, the Tibetan Children’s Village consists of several “houses” staffed by foster parents. These parents receive 6-12 months of training, and usually spend their life working in one “house.” Their house may have up to 35 children from the ages of one to eighteen. The children are cared for as well as learn how to handle responsibilities, sweeping and cleaning the house, preparing meals, etc. As the children grow older, the children are taught in the residential school. When we pass the playground, I can tell that I’ve arrived at the most important time of the day, recess!

While the Children’s Village originated to help orphans who had lost parents in the Chinese invasion of Tibet, the Village had to face a sad reality. Despairing of life in Tibet, many parents arranged to have their children smuggled into India. Knowing that they, as parents might never see their child again, the parents hoped for a better life for the child free from Chinese rule. Wow!

Since the founding of this Tibetan Children’s Village, other Tibetan communities have been established in India. Located in about 35 refuge settlements scattered around India, approximately 100,000 Tibetans now live in India.  

Earlier, I first know that I’m close to the Tibetan Children’s Village when I see the following sign!