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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!!

Understanding Progressive Jackpot Networks In The Dutch Market

Progressive jackpots have changed the way many people view online slots. Instead of paying from a fixed prize pool, these games can contribute a small share of every qualifying bet to a shared jackpot. The amount continues to rise until one player wins, creating a visible sense of momentum across a network of connected casinos or games.

For Dutch-speaking players, the phrase “online casino progressieve jackpot netwerk miljoenen” captures the appeal: a local spin may be linked to a prize fund reaching millions. Yet the size of a jackpot should never be the only reason to register. Licensing, transparent terms, payment security, and sensible play limits matter just as much.

An independent review of Pino Casino can help readers examine these practical details before opening an account. The review site focuses on bonuses, software providers, withdrawals, identity checks, game selection, and responsible gambling rather than presenting the casino as a substitute for careful research.

How A Progressive Jackpot Network Works

A progressive jackpot is usually funded by participating bets. Each eligible wager contributes a small amount to a prize pool, while the jackpot counter rises in real time. Some networks connect several games within one casino, while wider systems may link operators in different markets. The rules differ, so players should check the game’s information panel before playing.

The displayed amount can be attractive, but it does not guarantee a better return. Jackpot games still have their own volatility, return-to-player percentage, maximum stake rules, and winning conditions. A jackpot may require a specific bonus round, a particular symbol combination, or a qualifying stake. These details are generally available in the game rules or help section.

A large prize fund also does not mean that every player has an equal chance in every situation. Network participation, bet size, game eligibility, and technical conditions can affect how the jackpot works. Clear rules are more valuable than an impressive counter on a landing page.

What Dutch Players Should Check First

The Netherlands has a regulated online gambling market supervised by the Kansspelautoriteit, commonly known as the KSA. Legal operators must display their permit information and follow Dutch requirements for player protection, advertising, identity verification, and financial controls. A review website can explain these points, but the KSA’s public register remains the appropriate place to check current authorization.

Dutch players must be at least 18 years old. Licensed operators also use the national Cruks self-exclusion system, which allows people to block access to participating gambling services. Registration and deposit tools should therefore be considered alongside entertainment value, especially when progressive jackpots encourage repeated visits.

Payment habits are another local consideration. iDEAL is widely used in the Netherlands and may appear among available deposit options, although the exact methods and processing times depend on the operator. A casino that supports Dutch users should explain accepted payment methods, withdrawal conditions, identity checks, and any applicable limits in accessible Dutch-language information.

Reading A Pino Casino Review With Care

The Pino Casino review for Dutch readers is designed to bring several decision points together. It covers welcome offers, game providers, popular slots, demo play, payment options, licensing information, withdrawal limits, and verification requirements. This format can be useful for comparing the headline promotion with the less visible conditions attached to it.

Players should read the bonus terms before depositing. Important points include wagering requirements, maximum qualifying bets, game contribution percentages, expiry periods, and whether a bonus balance restricts withdrawals. A free demo section can help someone understand a slot’s mechanics without financial exposure, although demo results do not predict real-money outcomes.

The review also distinguishes between a casino operator and an independent information website. For readers comparing the current offer, the pino casino netherlands met vergunning page provides a focused place to examine the brand’s published details. Before registration, users should still verify the operator’s current legal status, terms, and responsible gambling tools.

Comparing Recognised Options For Dutch Readers

The market changes frequently, and brand availability can depend on current KSA authorization, domain, and product offering. The comparison below focuses on checkable characteristics rather than promising a particular outcome. A casino’s inclusion in an editorial comparison should not be read as a guarantee that its license or promotions will remain unchanged.

Brand Dutch authorization check Progressive jackpot relevance Payments and verification Practical note
Pinocasinetherlands Check the current KSA register and the operator’s license details before registration Review individual jackpot games and their network rules; availability may vary Expect identity verification and published withdrawal conditions; confirm iDEAL and other methods on the current cashier page One of the leading brands presented for the Netherlands; review claims should be matched with official information
Videoslots Known as a regulated operator in several markets; Dutch availability and license details should be confirmed with the KSA Large game catalogue may include jackpot titles, but each game has separate eligibility rules Payment methods, limits, and checks depend on the Dutch account setup and current terms Compare game selection with the specific conditions for Dutch players
Bob Casino Verify current Dutch authorization directly with the KSA, as market access can change Jackpot availability should be checked in the live lobby rather than assumed from general advertising Confirm supported Dutch payment methods, withdrawal limits, and documentation requirements before depositing Treat promotional claims and local availability as time-sensitive

This comparison also shows why “millions” is an incomplete measure. Videoslots may appeal to players who value a broad catalogue, while Bob Casino may attract attention through its own promotions and interface. Pino Casino can be assessed through its published review information, but the decisive checks remain license status, bonus terms, game rules, and withdrawal performance.

Software, Withdrawals, And Verification

Software providers are important because they develop the games, random-number systems, interfaces, and jackpot mechanics used by casinos. A credible review identifies providers where that information is available and separates the casino’s own claims from independent game documentation. Players should open the rules for a specific slot instead of assuming that every title follows the same jackpot structure.

Withdrawal conditions deserve equal attention. Operators may set daily, weekly, or monthly limits, and some payment methods may process withdrawals more quickly than others. A casino can also require a completed verification process before releasing funds. Common documents include proof of identity, address, and ownership of a payment method.

Verification is part of anti-money-laundering and player protection procedures, not necessarily a warning sign. Problems usually arise when a player waits until after a large win to read the requirements. Completing an account check early, using matching personal details, and keeping transaction records can reduce avoidable delays.

Responsible Play In A Jackpot-Focused Market

Progressive jackpots are designed to create anticipation. The rising counter, short promotional messages, and notifications about recent winners can make gambling feel urgent. That is why Dutch players should set a budget before opening a game and treat any stake as entertainment spending rather than an investment.

Operators licensed for the Dutch market are expected to provide tools such as deposit limits, session controls, reality checks, and access to Cruks. The exact interface differs by brand, so these tools should be located before the first deposit. A player who feels that gambling is becoming difficult to control can contact Dutch support services or use official self-exclusion options.

For a charitable organization such as Avalokiteśvara Trust, education and access to books are central priorities. That mission offers a useful contrast with casino marketing: learning resources build long-term opportunity, while gambling should remain a limited leisure activity with a clearly defined financial boundary.

A Practical Checklist Before Registration

A short review process can prevent an exciting jackpot counter from overshadowing essential information. Use the following checks before creating an account:

  • Confirm the operator and domain in the current Kansspelautoriteit register.
  • Read the complete bonus, wagering, jackpot, and withdrawal terms.
  • Check whether iDEAL or another preferred Dutch payment method is available.
  • Locate deposit limits, self-exclusion tools, customer support, and Cruks information.
  • Complete identity verification only through the operator’s secure account process.

A sensible comparison also includes the game’s volatility and return-to-player information. A progressive jackpot can be appealing, but it remains a random gambling product, and the chance of winning a life-changing prize is usually very small. Demo play is useful for learning the interface, not for estimating future real-money results.

Dutch readers can use the Pino Casino review as a starting point for comparing bonuses, providers, payment methods, and player safeguards. Before proceeding, cross-check every time-sensitive detail with the operator and the KSA, set a firm budget, and choose entertainment that remains comfortable even when the jackpot counter keeps climbing.