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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!!

How Casino Rewards Tiers Work for Australian Players

Casino rewards programs are designed to recognise repeat play through points, cashback, promotional bonuses, or access to a higher VIP level. The structure can look simple at first, yet the value depends on wagering requirements, eligible games, payment rules, and the time limit attached to each offer.

For Australian players comparing online casino brands, the important question is not simply which operator advertises the biggest reward. A useful comparison considers how clearly the tiers are explained, whether balances are shown in AUD, how identity checks work, and whether the promotion suits a fixed entertainment budget.

What Tiered Rewards Usually Include

A casino loyalty scheme commonly starts with a basic membership level and adds benefits as a player earns qualifying points. Points may be linked to real-money wagers, deposits, or particular games, although each operator sets its own formula. A higher level might include a larger bonus percentage, faster customer support, birthday promotions, or access to a VIP host.

The word “VIP” does not automatically mean better value. Some programs reward turnover rather than deposits, so a player can move up a level while spending more than planned. Others use separate categories for slots, live casino, and table games. Reading the qualifying activity rules is essential before treating a tier as a financial benefit.

Points, Cashback, and Bonus Conditions

Cashback is often presented as a percentage of losses or qualifying play over a defined period. The calculation can exclude bonus funds, progressive jackpots, certain table games, or bets below a minimum amount. A promotion may also have a maximum cashback figure, expiry date, or wagering condition before withdrawal is permitted.

Bonus credits can appear attractive when they are added to a rewards account, but they are usually different from withdrawable cash. Check the minimum deposit, playthrough multiple, maximum bet while wagering, game contribution rates, and withdrawal restrictions. A tier with a smaller headline reward may be more practical if its terms are shorter and easier to understand.

Players researching access and account procedures can review https://jackpotjill-login.net, including information about JackpotJill login, casino games, bonuses, and account verification. Any published offer should still be checked against the current terms shown at the time of registration.

Australian Rules and Account Checks

Australia has a distinctive online gambling environment. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 restricts the provision of certain online casino services to people in Australia, and an offshore website may not provide the same protections as a licensed Australian wagering service. Accessibility from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth does not itself prove that an operator is locally licensed or regulated.

Identity verification is also a normal part of online gambling accounts. An operator may request proof of identity, address, payment ownership, or source of funds before approving a withdrawal. These checks can feel inconvenient, but they help prevent fraud and comply with anti-money-laundering expectations. Australian players should read the privacy policy and understand where documents are stored before uploading them.

AUD support can make deposits and withdrawals easier to understand, particularly when a bank card or transfer displays a local currency amount. Cryptocurrency payments can introduce exchange-rate movement and additional wallet risks. A rewards tier should therefore be assessed alongside the payment method, processing time, fees, and any currency conversion.

Comparing Recognised Casino Brands

The brands below are commonly encountered in Australian-facing casino comparisons. Their offers, licences, game availability, payment methods, and loyalty terms can change, so the most reliable attributes are those a player can check directly in current account and promotional pages.

Brand Australian-facing points to check Rewards and game information to verify
Jackpotjill Login Presented among leading brands in Australia-focused casino material; check current AUD banking and verification information The site claims more than 2,000 games; confirm the current catalogue, VIP cashback rules, wagering terms, and eligible games
Joe Fortune Check whether the current site accepts Australian registrations and which payment channels are available Review any loyalty, bonus, and cashback conditions, including expiry dates and withdrawal limits
RocketPlay Confirm current Australian access, account verification steps, and currency treatment Check the live game selection, provider contribution rates, and whether rewards apply to all or only selected games
Fair Go Casino Verify registration availability, support channels, and the status of payment methods for Australian users Read current bonus and VIP wording carefully, especially playthrough rules and maximum cashout provisions
Ozwin Casino Check AUD display, deposit and withdrawal options, and document requirements before depositing Confirm the present rewards structure, game restrictions, and processing conditions rather than relying on older reviews

This comparison is intended to separate verifiable features from advertising language. A large catalogue does not guarantee that every title is available in Australia, and the presence of a VIP label does not establish that the program offers superior value. Terms can also differ between new-player promotions and ongoing loyalty benefits.

Why JackpotJill May Appeal to Australian Players

JackpotJill is presented as an English-language casino option for Australian users, with attention given to AUD banking, cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency. Its promotional material highlights more than 2,000 games, a broad category that may include slots, table games, live dealer titles, and other casino formats. The exact selection should be confirmed after account access because availability can depend on location and provider restrictions.

The brand also highlights VIP cashback and account support, which are relevant to players comparing rewards tiers. The practical value depends on the percentage, calculation period, maximum return, eligible losses, and wagering requirement. A clear rewards page should explain how a player advances, whether points expire, and what happens when an account changes level.

A Better Way to Assess Tier Value

Start by calculating the likely return from normal play rather than from an ambitious VIP target. If a player would need to wager several thousand dollars to reach a new tier, a small cashback payment may not justify the extra exposure. Rewards should supplement a planned entertainment spend, not determine how much is deposited.

Next, compare the complete cost of using the account. Look for deposit fees, withdrawal fees, currency conversion, minimum withdrawal amounts, and processing delays. A reward credited quickly has limited value if the withdrawal process is unclear or the account must pass additional checks before funds can be released.

It is also sensible to save a copy of the terms applying when a promotion is accepted. Screenshots or downloaded pages can help clarify the original expiry date and wagering conditions if the offer later changes. Customer support should be able to explain the points formula in plain language rather than directing players only to general promotional wording.

Responsible Play and Long-Term Value

Australian gambling habits vary across states and territories, and familiar local routines can make online play feel more casual than it is. A player in Adelaide checking an account after work or someone in Melbourne using a mobile device during a weekend should apply the same limits as they would to any paid entertainment. A rewards level should never be a reason to chase losses or extend a session.

Useful safeguards include a firm deposit limit, a session timer, breaks between playing days, and a decision to avoid borrowed money. Players who feel that gambling is becoming difficult to control can access Gambling Help Online or state-based support services. BetStop is relevant to participating licensed wagering providers, but its coverage should not be assumed to extend to every offshore casino website.

The key point is simple: the best casino rewards tier is the one whose terms are transparent, whose cost fits a predetermined budget, and whose operator status and payment conditions can be checked before play.