Sep 22 Four points by Sheraton Hotel
This is an exciting day. After walking around the old town area of Lhasa – I loved the small alleys and original courtyards where the Tibetan people live, we took a break at Makeame: we picked this place not only because its such a famous tourist spot, but especially because I figured there must be a acceptable restroom since there are so many foreigners going there. I was right. The toilet was pretty ok, way better than any public toilets in Lhasa – its hard to believe that you have to pay 1 RMB for those disgusting toilets… The hygiene standard for Tibetan people is really really poor which is difficult for us.
At noon time, we left for the school: Training center for blinds in Lhasa, where Braille without borders project started. Sabriye Tenberken and Paul Kronenberg, who I met last year at the Life award ceremony, founded this project 11 years ago. After many years hard work, its now a mature school which hosts about 41 blind kids at the moment. (Details please see: www.braillewithoutborders.org, or read Sabriyes books and the movie Blindsight) We were very excited about the visit. After picking up some pastry for all the kids, we found the school in no time. Its situated in the center lhasa in a small alley. There is no big sign, but we saw two notices in Chinese, English and Tibetan stating the visiting hours, so we knew we were at the right place. Its a typical Tibetan style wooden door with beautiful painting and carving, we pushed the doors to open and a cute puppy dog came out and welcomed us. The kids were still in class, then the bell rang and suddenly we were surrounded by many smily faces: honestly those were the happiest and purest smiles that Ive ever seen in my life. They are curious and shy, some were running around, some came to touch us and asked us questions, some sat with each other and started singing. We were just overwhelmed – the energy, the joy, the love is filling up this little courtyard.
Paul welcomed us with a big warm hug and introduced us to people around. Some of the kids just got surgery the week before from three American surgeons and they look really good. Nima, the project coordinator, who also grew up in the school showed us around – he speaks incredible standard American English although he had never spent time in US. We were just stunned by the fluency and the pure American accent.
The whole place is cozy and clean, extremely clean – probably at 5-start level! We were just impressed. There are three classes: Mouse, Tiger and Rabbit and after Rabbit class, the kids go to regular school – this was also a wonderful thing Sabriye and Paul fought through since no regular school was willing to accept any blind kid before. Now almost all the kids from the blind training center are the best of the class or even school when they are out – blackboard is difficult for them, but since they all speak good English (normally better than the teachers), they trade English tutoring with their classmates for the notes from classes. All kids here learn to master English, Chinese and Tibetan, read, write and of course using the Braille for all of them. There are two dorm rooms: all 24 boys in one room and 17 girls in the other room. Although it is extremely crowded, rooms are all so clean and the kids never fight.
We spent almost all afternoon talking with Paul and Nima learning about the project, watching video clips from the kids, playing and talking with them, and the best of all, was hearing the beautiful singing from the girls – it was really voice from heaven! Time flew by. We really didnt want to leave but we knew we shouldnt disturb too much of the routine. However, we decided to visit the farm – vacational training center for the blinds close to Shigatse, about 200 KM west of Lhasa on Thursday on our way to Ali. That makes us happy.
We couldnt stop thinking about the kids after we left and finally decided to get chocolates and mooncakes for them – actually it was just an excuse to go back to see the kids again. They are so easy to be satisfied and they are so good at sharing which is unbelievable nowadays among Chinese kids! So we stopped again at night: honestly they bring us a lot more joy than we ever can!
All this experience hit me so much that I started wondering what I am here for. Why did I come to Tibet? Why did we plan to drive to Ali? To challenge ourselves? To experience excitement? To hear Gods voice? To find myself? Honestly I kind of knew that there was a reason that I did this trip, but it was vague. I kind of knew that God would speak to me during this trip, but I didnt know what it would be. I took a lot of time this year seeking myself and seeking my values but I havent found the real answer yet.
But today, all this came together. Why do I waste my time going on a meaningless trip – of course Ali is going to be overwhelming, but what can be more overwhelming than witnessing the life being changed? What can be more meaningful than bringing smile to an innocent needing child? Why dont I utilize this time and this opportunity to do something more meaningful, even just a little?
So tonight, I made the decision to cancel the rest of the trip, instead, to go help Paul with their project – I dont know what, I dont know how, but I believe that I can, because I believe this is what God wants me to do.
I felt so light and so relieved once I made up my mind – suddenly I knew this was the reason God sent me on this trip for.
Thank God that Gao and Jie both agreed with the idea and we would go to the farm on Thursday to see what we can help out there. Today is the day our life is changed.