I traveled to Manjushri Di-Chen Buddhist Learning Center (MDBLC), a school for young Tibetan Buddhist monks in Pharping, Nepal to assist the staff in implementing an interactive health education and hygiene campaign. MDBLC’s vision is to provide a modern education alongside a traditional monastic curriculum, in hopes of preserving Tibetan Buddhism and culture in a contemporary setting. I spent my mornings teaching English and my afternoons leading workshops focused on health awareness and behavioral hygiene practices for the students. In addition to this, I assisted the students in creating an archive of photography and writing compiled during my stay on issues related to health and happiness. With support from the Wallenberg Travel Award, all 55 students were vaccinated against Hepatitis A, and a water filtration system was installed, reducing the occurrence of water borne illness at the monastery. My experience this summer allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of cultural preservation and compassion for all human beings.
Melissa Allan
