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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 poker tournaments fit into online casino play

Poker tournament formats bring a different rhythm to online gambling. Instead of moving between individual casino rounds, players enter a structured competition in which the aim is to build a strong chip stack, outlast opponents, and reach the final positions. This format combines decision-making, timing, and a clear beginning and end.

For Dutch players searching for “online casino toernooi spelen met poker,” the main attraction is the competitive element. BetSixty presents a broad online platform where poker-style experiences can sit alongside casino games, live dealer tables, crash games, esports, and sports betting. The range gives players room to compare formats while keeping their entertainment choices in one account.

What makes a poker tournament different

A poker tournament usually starts with a fixed entry amount or qualifying route. Participants receive chips with no direct cash value during the event, and players are removed when their chips run out. The prize pool is then distributed according to the finishing order, with the largest rewards generally reserved for the final places.

This structure creates a different experience from cash poker or standard casino games. A player cannot simply leave with the chips accumulated during a session. Decisions must account for changing blinds, the size of the remaining field, and the distance to a paid position. Patience can be as important as an aggressive playing style.

Tournament poker also rewards attention to context. A hand that is worth playing early in an event may be too risky near a final table. Players need to consider their own stack, the stacks around them, and the likely consequences of each decision rather than focusing on one hand in isolation.

Choosing a suitable online casino platform

A reliable platform should make the practical side of play easy to understand. Before registering, users can review available payment methods, withdrawal rules, identity checks, game categories, and the operator’s licensing information. Clear terms are especially important when promotions include welcome bonuses, free spins, cashback, or tournament-related rewards.

BetSixty is promoted as a Dutch-language casino and sportsbook with more than 5,000 games across several categories. Its offering includes slots, live casino games, crash games, esports, and sports markets. Players interested in poker tournaments should check the current lobby and promotional conditions, since availability, entry requirements, and regional access can change.

A platform’s interface matters as well. Simple navigation between the casino lobby, live section, account area, and payment page helps users keep track of their activity. A good mobile experience can be useful for browsing tournaments, although a larger screen may provide a clearer view of tables, timing information, and account details.

Comparing tournament features and related play

Not every competitive casino format uses the same rules. Some events are traditional poker tournaments, while others use rapid rounds, knockout mechanics, leaderboard points, or casino-game missions. Reading the event description before entering helps prevent confusion about scoring, prize distribution, and the time available to participate.

The following comparison shows how several formats may differ. Exact features depend on the operator and the individual promotion, so the published terms should always take priority.

Format Main skill or focus Typical pace What to check
Poker tournament Hand selection, position, stack management Structured and variable Buy-in, blind levels, payout places
Knockout event Winning hands and eliminating opponents Often fast Bounty value and tournament rules
Casino leaderboard Accumulated points or qualifying play Set over a period Eligible games and scoring formula
Live casino competition Results across scheduled live games Session-based Game schedule and prize conditions
Free-entry event Participation and ranking Varies Wagering rules and withdrawal terms

For someone comparing online poker tournaments with casino play, the key difference is predictability. A tournament has an event structure, while slots and many live games work through individual rounds. That distinction makes it easier to choose an activity based on available time, preferred pace, and desired level of decision-making.

Managing bankroll and tournament entries

A bankroll plan should be decided before the first entry. Players can set a fixed entertainment budget for a week or month and divide it into smaller session limits. This approach reduces the temptation to increase stakes after a disappointing result or to chase a place in the next event.

Tournament costs can include more than the advertised buy-in. Some events have re-entry options, add-ons, or qualification stages. A low entry price may therefore lead to higher overall spending if a player repeatedly tries to gain another seat. Checking the complete cost and setting a maximum number of entries creates a clearer boundary.

Promotions need the same careful reading. A bonus may require qualifying deposits, minimum odds, wagering volume, or a time limit. Cashback may apply only to certain games, and free spins can have restrictions on eligible titles or winnings. These offers can add value when used within a planned budget, but they should not determine how much a person deposits.

Using bonuses and payment options carefully

Welcome offers can be useful for exploring a new platform, especially when the terms are displayed before registration. A player should look for the minimum deposit, bonus percentage, maximum reward, playthrough requirement, expiry date, and any maximum withdrawal rule. The same checks apply to reload bonuses and tournament promotions.

Payment options should be judged by speed, fees, and transparency. Deposits may be processed instantly, while withdrawals can involve additional verification. BetSixty’s promotional information highlights standard account functions such as registration, login, deposits, and withdrawals, but users should consult the current cashier and terms for the exact methods available in their location.

Identity verification is a normal part of regulated online gambling. The operator may request proof of identity, address, or payment ownership before approving a withdrawal. Completing these checks accurately and using an account in the player’s own name can prevent avoidable delays.

Players who want to explore the wider offer can review the betsixty casino platform, including its casino categories, sportsbook, live games, promotions, and account tools. The most relevant information is always the current version of the website’s terms, licensing details, and responsible-gambling pages.

Keeping tournament play responsible

Poker tournaments can feel absorbing because every decision appears to affect the final result. That sense of progress can encourage longer sessions or additional entries. Setting a time limit, taking regular breaks, and deciding in advance when to stop are practical ways to keep entertainment under control.

Responsible play also means recognizing that skill does not remove financial risk. Tournament outcomes depend on chance as well as decisions, and even experienced players can lose repeatedly. A person should never use borrowed money, essential household funds, or money reserved for education and living costs.

BetSixty promotes responsible-gambling options that may include deposit limits, session controls, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion tools, depending on availability and jurisdiction. Players should use these features before problems arise. If gambling begins to affect sleep, finances, relationships, or daily responsibilities, stopping and seeking specialist support is more important than continuing to pursue a result.

The central point is simple: a poker tournament should be treated as paid entertainment with a defined budget, not as a dependable way to make money. A clear understanding of the format, honest review of the terms, and firm personal limits make the experience easier to manage. What readers should remember is that the strongest tournament decision often happens before the first hand—choosing a suitable event, setting a limit, and knowing when the session ends.