A journey of transformation, love, and service

An interview with housemother Ama Yangzom

Let’s start with you telling us a little bit about your life prior to joining Jhamtse Gatsal.

Life was very different for me back in the village. I used to attend a government school in my village and after school I helped my parents with the house chores and sometimes I also helped out in our fields. As per my capabilities, my life in the village only meant fulfilling my and my family’s basic wants and needs. The one thing that I realized during my stay in the village was that life is hectic. Everyone is engaged in some work or the other, and life in general is very busy. However, what I also adore about life in our remote villages is that everyone is very supportive and open minded to help those in need. Back in my village, I used to keep myself occupied with work because that was what the villagers and the elders preferred.

Following are some words that I grew up hearing from my elders and parents—being born as a woman implies a large responsibility on our shoulders and one must be well equipped and prepared to ensure their own survival.

What attracted you to Jhamtse Gatsal as a place to work?

Jhamtse Gatsal is a very exciting place of work for me because even after being here for 17 years, I feel I am still a student here.

My responsibility as an Amala (housemother) is to love and take care of my children, correct their mistakes, and help them improve every day. Nonetheless, I am also a human being, so I too commit mistakes and I am fortunate that I have someone like Genla* as my teacher for my growth.

I feel that working elsewhere would not give me deep satisfaction because I will do everything from morning to dawn for my selfish desires. But Jhamtse Gatsal is different. Here I am guided and taught daily to help others, treat everyone kindly, and live a life of service. So I know that staying in Jhamtse Gatsal helps me live a meaningful life.

(*Genla is a title of respect in our local community for teachers. It is how we address our Founder and Director, Genla Lobsang Phuntsok. It is pronounced with a hard g, like get.)

What is the appeal of JG’s mission that transcends the challenges of remoteness (personal and social change)? Why have you stayed?

I joined Jhamtse Gatsal in 2006 to work as an ordinary employee in the role of an Amala (housemother) and nothing more. However, as I became comfortable and familiar with being at Gatsal, I started setting goals for myself. To be precise, I felt that the mission and the vision of the Community was something that aligned with what I wanted to do in my life—help others. Jhamtse creates the environment for me to face and conquer my challenges.

Personally, Jhamtse Gatsal fulfills my basic needs to live a satisfied and meaningful life. Firstly, it provides me with an opportunity to earn a livelihood. Beyond that, it enables me to contribute to society in a small way. Lastly, being at Jhamtse Gatsal helps me cultivate and enrich my inner values which help in my own self transformation.

We’ve heard Genla refer to you (and all staff) as “teachers of life.” What does that mean to you?

If I am to share my opinion on this topic, I feel that there are two ways to educate, like our Genla shares with us.

The first one is academic, where teachers are responsible for the children’s learning through every aspect of their studies-related queries.

My teaching is mostly emotional and life skills driven. Like a mother, I help the children understand their healthy and unhealthy behaviors, practice living a disciplined life, appreciate their culture and cultural practices, learn some life skills to live a sustainable and interdependent life, and much more. Though I don’t teach them academically, I believe that whatever I am teaching them will be useful in their lives.

Can you briefly describe your work, your programs and projects in terms of your goals and aspirations?
As well as the impact that you believe you are having.

In the beginning, I personally didn’t like working as an Amala (housemother), but after listening to Genla talk about the significance of an Amala, it pushed me to introspect on the capabilities within me and I was scared to death just thinking about the weight that the title of “AMA LA” carried in itself. After deep soul-searching, one thing certainly came to my mind that this would be challenging for me. Taking care of more than 20 children and loving them as a mother is not an easy task. However, I consider myself lucky to meet someone as great as Genla, from whom I got support and encouragement to take this on and succeed.

As per my goals and aspirations there is nothing huge that I want to do, I only wish to show my kids a better path to life so they live a meaningful and happy life. When I see them doing great in their lives, be it in the present or future, I am the first one to be happy.

Has living and working at Jhamtse Gatsal changed you in any way?

For me, working and living at Jhamtse Gatsal has changed me in a fundamental way. I was very self-centered and narrow minded back in the village. But now under the guidance of Genla I have learned to prioritize others over me. I have also learned how to communicate empathetically with others.

The most important and valuable fact that I learned after coming to Jhamtse is the theory of interdependence - everyone around the world is dependent on each other for their livelihood. I also believe that if we are unable to help others then the least we can do is not harm them. These principles have been strengthened for me at Jhamtse.

What impact is Jhamtse Gatsal having on the children? And in your region?

I feel Jhamtse has had a great inspirational impact on me and I hope it is for others too.

Jhamtse Gatsal has a great vision and mission which will continue to have an impact on the kids and individuals within the region and outside of it. Jhamtse follows a very unique approach where children from challenging backgrounds are nurtured - not just academically, but also in terms of life ethics and values. Jhamtse also supports and encourages adults like me and local communities to live more sustainably, mindfully, and interdependently.

Based on what I have seen and heard, Jhamtse is already having a great impact on others. The kids who graduate from Jhamtse Gatsal are taking this a step further and are inspiring people around the world with their actions that align with the philosophy of Jhamtse.

Has there been one moment, one event, one interaction where you had a “wow” moment and said “this is it, this is what Jhamtse Gatsal is and this is why I am here.”

For me every moment in Jhamtse is a “WOW” moment. Years ago, Genla used to tell us that Jhamste would one day be recognised globally. Back then, this was something we could not even imagine and today, seeing its impact all over the world creates wow moments for me.

I feel at ease when I am at Jhamtse because the difference or the gap between the rich and the poor is not visible and everyone is on the same page due to the belief of community members in “LOVE AND COMPASSION”.

Another thing that I am astonished about is the passion and the commitment of the staff to the children and always moving forward with the hope of children to do better each day of their lives. This is the moment where I am like YES! This is my JHAMTSE. This is a place where strangers mingle so easily and coordinate in perfection with each other. It seems like a bond which has been weaved for years.

In the case of Jhamtse, I feel that everything I do—be it the smallest action—is a contribution to humanity and staying here makes me feel at ease because I can see and sense the positive energy around me. The one thing that I am most grateful about staying in Jhamtse is that I am able to fulfill my dreams and on the other hand I am also able to cultivate growth within me.

On a summarizing note I can say that staying and working at Jhamtse makes me more productive and I am able to work to my fullest capability. I am also able to think out of the box. I also get to learn many new things from my children. I also am reminded of my school days by watching my kids, which refreshes my school memories, friends and am often left with a satisfying smile.

From Village Life to Jhamtse Gatsal