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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!!

Blackjack S17 vs H17: Rules that shape your odds

Blackjack looks simple at first glance: players receive cards, choose whether to hit or stand, and aim to finish closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Yet a small rule printed in a casino’s game information can change the mathematics of every hand. One of the most important details is whether the dealer stands or hits on a soft 17.

The terms S17 and H17 describe that dealer decision. S17 means the dealer stands on every soft 17, while H17 means the dealer must draw another card when holding a soft 17. Understanding this distinction helps Australian players compare blackjack tables more carefully and choose games with rules that match their preferences.

A clear ruleset also makes online play more transparent. Before registering or claiming a promotion, players should review the casino’s terms, wagering conditions, available payment methods, and responsible gambling tools. A specialist resource such as https://spinagoreview.com/ can help visitors assess Spinago’s casino offering and understand the features available to Australian customers.

What S17 and H17 mean

A soft 17 is a hand containing an ace counted as 11 while the total remains 17. A classic example is ace-six. Because the ace can change from 11 to 1 if necessary, the hand has some flexibility. If the dealer takes another card and would otherwise bust, the ace can often be recalculated to keep the hand alive.

Under S17, the dealer stops drawing on soft 17. With an ace and six, the dealer stands immediately. Under H17, the dealer must hit that same hand, creating the chance to improve to a stronger total such as 18, 19, 20, or 21.

The distinction applies specifically to the dealer’s soft 17 rule. It does not mean players must follow the same instruction. A player’s decision depends on their own total, the dealer’s visible card, the number of decks, doubling rules, surrender options, and other table conditions.

Why the dealer rule changes the house edge

Hitting soft 17 gives the dealer an extra opportunity to improve a hand that is already a standing total. This generally increases the casino advantage by a small amount. The exact impact varies according to the rest of the blackjack rules, but H17 is usually less favorable to the player than S17.

The effect may appear minor because it concerns only a specific category of dealer hands. Over many rounds, however, a small mathematical difference can influence expected returns. Players who compare several tables should therefore treat the soft 17 rule as part of the overall value of a game, alongside blackjack payouts and doubling restrictions.

This does not mean an H17 game is automatically unsuitable. A table with H17 may offer other favorable conditions, such as a lower minimum stake, late surrender, double-after-split, or a 3:2 blackjack payout. The correct approach is to assess the complete ruleset rather than focus on one feature in isolation.

How the rule affects playing decisions

The dealer’s soft 17 instruction changes some basic strategy plays. A strategy chart designed for S17 may recommend a different action from one designed for H17, particularly in situations involving soft totals, doubling, splitting, and surrender. Using the wrong chart can undermine otherwise disciplined play.

Players should match their strategy guide to the exact game conditions. A six-deck H17 table with double-after-split is mathematically different from a single-deck S17 table that restricts doubling. Even when the dealer rule is the same, payout and deck rules can produce different recommendations.

Soft hands deserve special attention because their value can shift quickly. Holding ace-six, for example, is very different from holding a hard 17. The ace provides flexibility, and the best decision may involve drawing or doubling depending on the dealer’s upcard and the table’s rules.

Comparing the main rule differences

The table below summarizes how S17 and H17 operate and why the difference matters during play.

Feature S17 blackjack H17 blackjack
Dealer action on soft 17 Dealer stands Dealer must hit
Example Ace-six ends the dealer’s turn Dealer draws after ace-six
Player impact Usually lower house edge Usually higher house edge
Strategy chart Use an S17 chart Use an H17 chart
Main advantage More favorable dealer rule May appear with other attractive features
What to check next Payouts, decks, doubling, surrender Payouts, decks, doubling, surrender

The table should be viewed as a starting point rather than a complete assessment. Blackjack variations can include side bets, special bonus hands, different blackjack payouts, and automatic shuffling procedures. Side bets often carry a substantially higher house edge than the main game, so they should be considered separately.

A casino lobby may show the game name without displaying every rule immediately. Open the information panel before placing a wager and look for the dealer soft 17 instruction, blackjack payout, and limits on doubling or splitting. These details are more useful than a promotional headline when comparing tables.

Finding a suitable online blackjack table

Online casino interfaces can make rule-checking convenient because game information is usually available from the lobby or help menu. Live dealer tables may display the rules near the betting area, while digital blackjack games often provide a paytable or information icon. Players should take a moment to inspect these details before committing funds.

For Australian users, practical considerations also include Australian-dollar support, deposit and withdrawal options, transaction times, identity checks, and customer service availability. A review site can bring these factors together, helping players compare a casino experience beyond the size of its game catalogue or the wording of a welcome bonus.

Promotions deserve careful reading. A bonus may include minimum deposits, game contribution rates, maximum cashout limits, expiry periods, and wagering requirements. The most appealing headline offer is not necessarily the most useful one for a player seeking a straightforward blackjack session.

Responsible play and clear personal limits

Blackjack is a game of chance with a mathematical house advantage. Skillful decisions can reduce that disadvantage, but no strategy can guarantee a profit or remove the risk of losing money. Players should treat the game as paid entertainment and avoid using funds needed for essentials.

Setting limits before opening a session can make the experience more controlled. Time limits, deposit limits, loss limits, and reality checks are practical tools, especially when online games are available around the clock. Players should also avoid chasing losses or increasing stakes in an attempt to recover a previous result.

Clear information matters in every setting where people make choices about money. Avalokiteśvara Trust’s story from Ladakh illustrates the importance of access to knowledge and learning resources in Himalayan communities. That focus on informed access is a useful reminder that responsible decisions begin with understanding the facts before acting.

Practical checks before you play

A short review of the table and account conditions can prevent avoidable surprises:

  • Confirm whether the dealer stands or hits on soft 17.
  • Check that a natural blackjack pays 3:2 rather than a less favorable rate.
  • Review deck count, doubling rules, splitting restrictions, and surrender availability.
  • Read bonus wagering terms separately from the blackjack rules.
  • Set a budget and session limit before making a deposit.

SpinagoReview.com presents information for Australian players assessing Spinago’s games, promotions, cryptocurrency options, Australian-dollar support, withdrawals, licensing details, and player assistance. Its promotional links can make it easier to reach the casino, but every player should still verify the current terms and confirm that gambling is legal and suitable for their circumstances.

The S17 versus H17 distinction is small in wording but meaningful in mathematics. By checking the dealer rule, matching the correct basic strategy, comparing the full table conditions, and using responsible gambling controls, players can approach online blackjack with greater clarity. Visit SpinagoReview.com to review the available casino information and explore current offers responsibly, only if you are of legal gambling age and comfortable with the risks.