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Attention: Volunteering Opportunites

Hello! I am receiving many inquiries into volunteering in Ladakh this year and thank you for writing to us!

At the moment we are busy planning and fundraising for some reading rooms in other areas of the Himalayan region. It looks like we’ll require some talented people with art and language skills September onwards.

So if you are interested, please email avalokitesvaratrust@avalokitesvaratrust.org with the subject: Volunteer 2016 and I shall send you a volunteer form if we are interested in taking it further. It’s difficult to reply to each individual, so please understand that we shall be in touch on a suitability and availability basis.

We also may require volunteers with a design or architectural background. More news on that soon.

Thank you!

P.S. The best and preferred way to be in touch is via email

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LITTLE BUDDHAS IN THE WOODS

Little Buddhas in the woods

Little Buddhas in the woods

On a magical sunny day, in the month of August (2015), we decided to spend a day with the young monks of  the Chemdey Monastery in the village of Sakti. Our friends, artist, Abhishek Singh, musician and drum-jammer Kumi Masunaga and her lovely daughter Aya, came with us to share their talents, their skills and to spread joy! We were also accompanied by my little daughter Samira, my husband, our Ladakhi friends and Sushil, a Mumbai-based photographer who captured some glorious moments!

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Assembling hula hoops

The young monks from Chemdey Gonpa school participated in ice-breaking musical activities that Kumi had designed for them. Abhishek introduced them to a few art activities, took them through the process of creating their group artwork and showed them stunning visuals from his comic book. Aya demonstrated how to ‘hula-hoop’! We also set up a book corner in the school.

The young monks were keen to learn and listened carefully to the process, enjoyed drawing and colouring, asked questions and at the end, proudly exhibited their artwork in the woods!

Kumi is a Japanese percussionist and a drum circle facilitator who lives in Hong Kong with over fifteen years of performing, teaching, and facilitating experience. She has worked with a range of ages and cultural backgrounds, designing, planning and executing programmes. For more- www.drum-jam.com

Aya is natural performer. She sings, dances and has lead her “Circle Game” playshop for groups of children at events. She has acted in youth musicals, theatre play and some TV commercials in Hong Kong. She speaks English, Japanese and basic Cantonese and Mandarin. Here engagement with the children we visited, has been both endearing very valuable!

Abhishek Singh is artist,animation film-maker and graphic novelist who currently lives between his studios in Brooklyn, New York and Mumbai. Whenever possible he retreats for a meditation trek in the Himalayas. For more – www.abhishekartstore.com

Photo courtesy, Sushil, Kumi and Abhigya

In the slideshow you will see- Chemdey Gonpa, the village of Sakti,  the monks at play and at work, receiving their Ladakhi copies of ‘Chuskit Goes to School’ , a group photo and more.

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Avalokitesvara Trust creates reading rooms for children so for International Book Giving Day , we decided to start a book-collection drive. We received an incredible response from all over India. Books were carefully chosen, ordered and shipped to Dharamsala for the young readers of Norling Creche & Kindergarten. We are happy to have enhanced their little library with good quality books. To have played a role in encouraging the joy of reading and bringing smiles to their faces!

We got together to open packages of delightful books and celebrate International Book Giving Day at the Norling creche and kindergarten. A group of 15 volunteers, aged 8 to 10 years were very eager to create a new library upstairs. They happily carried all the old books and categorised them into small, medium and large books. We had a little contest to see which group ( red, green, yellow, blue, white colours of the prayer flags) could count the most books in the least time. It was chao tic and so much fun!! And they finished counting the books in 9 minutes (they’d decided on 15 minutes as the target) After this exercise, they realised that their existing books needed to be categorised into levels and broader subjects. So we created colour codes for levels of reading, for Tibetan, science and for teacher reading material. After four hours of activity we finally displayed all the new additions on to the empty shelves.

The next day, we played a few games. An improvisation of ‘Simon says’, became ‘Norbu says, Sangmo says..’ and the library room was filled with laughter! To calm everyone down, we sat in a circle and concentrated on our breathing. This wasn’t any easy task as a few of them were curious to know what was to follow but we managed to bring back our focus and recollect the activities of the previous session and the task at hand. Setting up a library is no small job and the children once again, tidied up the piles of old books. After all this work, they had a tea break and then finally, chose a book each and sat in a corner or lay on their tummies to immerse themselves in their new book collection. It was very satisfying to see them enjoying the books with quiet rapture. We added a few finishing touches and called it a day by taking a group of books for the little ones downstairs to create a small toddler library. Now that we’re ready, we’ll be inviting ALL the children from ALL the classes to their new reading rooms. We can’t wait!!

Best Chromebook casino games for Australian players

Chromebooks offer a convenient way to play browser-based casino titles without installing large desktop software. Their lightweight design, simple interface, and reliable battery life make them suitable for quick sessions involving slots, table games, live casino rooms, and other HTML5 gambling products.

For Australian players, device compatibility is only part of the decision. A casino should also be assessed for game variety, payment options, withdrawal procedures, licensing information, customer support, and the practical terms attached to bonuses. This independent review of Spinago Casino brings those points together while acknowledging that player experiences have been mixed.

Chromebook gaming area Spinago review focus What players should check
Browser compatibility Mobile-friendly casino interface and HTML5 titles Test loading speed and controls
Slots Variety of themes, features, and volatility levels Review paylines, RTP information, and stakes
Table games Availability of blackjack, roulette, and baccarat Check live or digital versions
Payments Deposit and withdrawal methods for Australians Read limits, fees, and processing times
Trust factors Licensing, ratings, complaints, and support Verify terms before depositing

Why Chromebooks suit online casino play

Most modern casino websites use browser technology designed for phones, tablets, and modest laptops. This makes a Chromebook capable of running many popular slot games and digital table games directly in Chrome. Players generally do not need Windows software, an installation package, or a powerful graphics card.

The main advantage is convenience. A Chromebook can be opened quickly, and its uncluttered operating system reduces the number of background tasks competing for resources. A stable Wi-Fi connection remains essential, especially for live dealer games, where delays can affect the viewing experience. Players should also keep ChromeOS updated and avoid using casino websites on public networks when entering payment details.

Spinago’s appeal for Chromebook users comes from its browser-first experience. The independent review at https://spinago-casino-review.com examines how the casino performs across game selection, bonuses, banking, mobile access, licensing, support, and withdrawals rather than judging it by graphics alone.

Slot games with simple browser controls

Slots are usually the easiest casino games to play on a Chromebook. Their controls are designed for touchscreens and smaller displays, while the game logic runs through the browser. A useful casino lobby should include several categories, such as classic three-reel games, video slots, jackpot titles, and feature-rich releases with free spins or bonus rounds.

A broad catalogue can be attractive, but quantity should not replace useful information. Players should look for visible details about minimum and maximum stakes, paylines, return-to-player figures, and volatility. Lower-stake games may suit casual play, while higher-volatility slots can produce larger swings in a bankroll. Neither format guarantees a profit, and previous results have no influence on the next spin.

Chromebook users should also watch for games that place too many animated elements on screen. Heavy graphics can cause lag on older devices, particularly when several tabs are open. Closing unused tabs and choosing a stable internet connection can improve performance, although neither step changes the mathematical house edge.

Table and live casino options

Digital blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker-style games are common alternatives to slots. These titles tend to work well on a Chromebook because their controls are relatively compact. A player can usually select a stake, choose an action, and view the result without downloading specialist software.

Live casino games require closer attention to connection quality. Video streams use more data than standard casino games, and an older Chromebook may struggle with high-definition broadcasts. Players should examine whether a title offers adjustable video quality, clear betting timers, and readable tables. Rules, side bets, and minimum wagers should be visible before play begins.

The presence of a live dealer can create a more social atmosphere, but it does not make the game more favourable. Roulette outcomes remain random, and blackjack strategy cannot remove the casino’s built-in advantage in every situation. A sensible approach is to select games for entertainment value and set a firm spending limit before opening the table.

Bonuses, payments, and withdrawals

A welcome bonus can increase a starting balance, but its value depends on the attached terms. Wagering requirements, eligible games, maximum bet rules, expiry periods, contribution percentages, and withdrawal restrictions may all affect how practical a promotion is. Reading the full terms is more important than focusing on the headline figure.

Spinago’s promotional offering should therefore be assessed alongside its payment system. Australian players may want to compare available cards, e-wallets, bank-related methods, processing times, minimum withdrawals, and possible fees. Account verification can also be required before funds are released, so identity documents should be submitted only through official and secure channels.

The review reports positive player experiences alongside serious complaints involving rejected withdrawals and alleged problems with funds. Those reports do not automatically establish that every player will face the same outcome, but they are material risk information. Anyone considering a deposit should treat unresolved withdrawal complaints as a reason to proceed carefully, keep records of transactions, and avoid depositing money that would be difficult to lose.

Safety, support, and responsible play

A trustworthy-looking interface is not proof that a casino is suitable. Players should verify the operator’s licensing details, read the privacy policy, and check how customer support handles account, payment, and verification issues. Support channels should be tested before depositing, particularly if the casino relies mainly on email or live chat.

Independent ratings can help identify recurring themes, but they should be read critically. A positive review may describe a smooth registration process, attractive games, or fast support, while a negative review may point to delayed verification or a disputed withdrawal. Looking at both types of feedback gives a more realistic picture than relying on promotional claims.

Responsible gambling tools are equally important. Deposit limits, session reminders, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options can help players control their activity. Gambling should remain a paid form of entertainment, not a strategy for covering bills or generating dependable income. Australian players who feel their gambling is becoming difficult to manage should seek assistance from an appropriate local support service.

A useful fit for digital learning habits

Choosing browser games on a Chromebook also involves basic digital literacy. Players need to distinguish between the casino’s official website, advertising pages, imitation sites, and unsafe download prompts. They should use strong, unique passwords, enable account security features where available, and avoid sharing verification codes with anyone claiming to represent support.

That same habit of careful observation is valuable in educational settings. Avalokiteśvara Trust supports literacy and creative learning in Himalayan communities, where practical activities can help children connect ideas with the world around them. Its story about clay anatomy lessons illustrates how structured, hands-on learning can make complex subjects easier to understand. The comparison is limited, but both digital entertainment and online information benefit from clear guidance, patience, and responsible use.

A Chromebook can be a useful access point for casino games, but convenience should never replace verification. Before registering, players should confirm that the games load properly, understand the bonus conditions, check the banking rules, and review current player feedback. They should also remember that software quality says little about whether withdrawals will be handled smoothly.

The key point is simple: the best Chromebook casino experience combines compatible browser games with careful financial checks, transparent terms, and disciplined spending. Spinago may appeal through its selection and easy web access, yet its reported withdrawal complaints deserve serious attention. Players should make decisions based on the complete risk picture, not on graphics, bonuses, or a single favourable review.