The disapproval, however, turns to eagerness when it comes to Tibetan history and politics. “We discuss a lot of politics at home and I’ve been following up on news related to Tibet, especially the protest against the Olympics. There are lots of opinions and one needs be aware of them,” says Palkyi, who stayed in Delhi till the age of six, when her parents decided to move to the US, where her father works at the Tibetan American foundation and her mother is a nurse.

“They believed that America would provide me access to better educational facilities. We also have other family members settled there,” she says as she introduces her cousin Pema Khando, also participating in the camp. “Our parents decided that we should come together and do something constructive here,” smiles the 14-year-old. Her forte is dance, and she was looking forward to attending dance lessons back home this summer. “I was selected in the auditions,” she beams, adding, “but then the camp happened”. There are no regrets though, as she notes that Tibetan dance lessons will help her perform better onstage in Minnesota.

More than anything else, though, for camp coordinator Youdon, it’s the interaction between the students that’s the high point of the course. Field trips have been organised to areas like Bir, Sherabling, Suja and Sherab Gatseling.

“This will also help children realise how blessed there are,” he says, “they should be thankful for the luxuries that are available to them.”

Precisely the reason why Sithar Dolma accompanied her 11-year-old son, Jigme Tsering, from New York. “Parents can make attempts to teach things but surroundings play an important role in the conditioning,” she says. And even though her son, like any 11-year-old child, seems slightly nervous about the classes, he is confident he will make friends within ten days who will attend his birthday party on July 17.

... contd.