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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!!

Roulette single zero versus double zero: a clearer way to compare tables

Roulette is one of the most recognizable casino games in the world, built around a spinning wheel, numbered pockets, and a ball that determines the winning result. Yet the difference between a single-zero and double-zero wheel has a direct effect on probability, expected value, and the pace at which a bankroll can change.

For players exploring online roulette, understanding the wheel is more useful than focusing only on bright graphics, welcome offers, or live-dealer presentation. The extra zero on an American-style wheel gives the casino a larger mathematical advantage, while the European version offers comparatively better odds on most standard wagers.

This guide explains how the two formats work and where SkyHills Casino fits into that choice. It also places roulette in a broader setting of responsible entertainment, where clear information and sensible limits matter more than chasing losses.

The wheel determines the basic odds

A single-zero roulette wheel contains 37 pockets: numbers 1 through 36 and one green 0. This format is commonly associated with European roulette and is widely available in online casinos. A double-zero wheel contains the same numbered pockets plus both 0 and 00, creating 38 possible outcomes.

That additional pocket may appear minor, but it changes every standard bet. A straight-up wager on one number still pays 35 to 1, yet the chance of hitting that number falls from 1 in 37 to 1 in 38. The payout remains the same while the underlying probability becomes less favorable.

The green zero and double zero are neither red nor black, odd nor even, and low nor high. They are the reason even-money wagers do not return a profit when either zero appears. Some European tables offer special rules such as La Partage or En Prison, which can reduce the house edge on selected even-money bets.

House edge and expected return

The house edge represents the casino’s long-term mathematical advantage. On a standard single-zero wheel, the edge is approximately 2.70%. On a standard double-zero wheel, it rises to approximately 5.26%. These percentages do not predict the result of one spin, but they describe the long-run relationship between total wagers and expected casino hold.

For example, a player staking €10 on red has nearly a 48.65% chance of winning on a single-zero wheel, because 18 of 37 pockets are red. On a double-zero wheel, the probability drops to about 47.37%, since the same 18 red pockets are spread across 38 outcomes. Both bets usually pay even money, but the extra green pocket changes the balance.

This difference is why experienced players often inspect the wheel layout before choosing a table. A lower house edge does not make roulette a source of reliable income, but it can make the format statistically less costly over many bets.

Comparing the two roulette formats

The table below summarizes the most important distinctions. Standard payouts are shown; individual casinos may use different variations, side bets, or special rules.

Feature Single-zero roulette Double-zero roulette
Total pockets 37 38
Green pockets 1: 0 2: 0 and 00
Straight-up probability 1 in 37 1 in 38
Standard house edge About 2.70% About 5.26%
Red or black probability 18 in 37, about 48.65% 18 in 38, about 47.37%
Typical association European roulette American roulette
Standard straight-up payout 35 to 1 35 to 1

The comparison makes the central point clear: the extra zero benefits the operator without increasing the usual payout for winning bets. A double-zero game can still be entertaining, especially for players who enjoy its traditional American identity, but it carries a higher built-in disadvantage.

Players should also distinguish between the wheel type and the presentation. A live dealer, automated interface, or mobile table may use either format. The title of the game is not always enough, so checking the rules, wheel image, and paytable before placing a wager is a sensible habit.

Choosing an online roulette table

Online casinos can offer several roulette versions at different stakes, from low-limit automated tables to live rooms with professional dealers. SkyHills Casino promotes a large catalogue of more than 3,500 games, including live dealer tables, roulette, slots, crash games, progressive jackpots, and other table games. Its Dutch-language platform also advertises mobile access through iOS, Android, and APK applications.

When reviewing a platform, players can examine the available wheel types, minimum and maximum stakes, game rules, and whether the table uses a live dealer or random number generator. Payment methods may also influence convenience. SkyHills lists cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and cryptocurrency among its supported options, while advertised withdrawals are processed within one to two business days, subject to verification and applicable terms.

The casino promotes a welcome package of up to €500 plus 200 free spins, cashback, and tournaments. Promotional value should be assessed carefully because wagering conditions, game contributions, time limits, and maximum cash-out rules can apply. Anyone comparing casino skyhills nederland with other operators should read the complete bonus terms and confirm that the service is permitted in their jurisdiction.

Bet types and bankroll choices

Roulette wagers generally fall into two groups. Inside bets cover specific numbers or small combinations, such as a split between two numbers or a corner covering four. They offer larger potential payouts but lower chances of winning. Outside bets cover broader groups, including red or black, odd or even, and ranges from 1–18 or 19–36.

The house edge on standard bets is broadly the same within a given wheel format, even though the payout and probability differ. A straight-up bet has a much larger payout than a red bet, but it wins far less often. No pattern of previous results changes the next spin, and a sequence of reds does not make black “due.”

A practical bankroll approach involves setting a fixed entertainment budget before playing and dividing it into planned sessions. Smaller, consistent stakes can help extend play, but they cannot overcome the mathematical edge. Players should avoid increasing a wager to recover a loss, borrowing money to continue, or treating a promotional balance as guaranteed cash.

Responsible play supports long-term enjoyment

Casino entertainment is most sustainable when it remains separate from essential spending. Rent, food, travel, education, and charitable commitments should never depend on a roulette result. A clear time limit can be just as useful as a money limit, particularly when online games are available around the clock.

SkyHills presents itself as an internationally licensed operator operated by SkyHills N.V. Players should independently check the current licence information, age requirements, responsible-gambling tools, and local legal position before registering. Account controls such as deposit limits, cooling-off periods, self-exclusion, and reality checks can provide useful boundaries where available.

A short checklist can help keep roulette within its intended role:

  • Choose a single-zero table when the goal is a lower standard house edge.
  • Set a deposit and loss limit before opening a session.
  • Read bonus wagering terms instead of valuing an offer by its headline amount.
  • Never chase losses or increase stakes because of a perceived winning pattern.
  • Stop playing when the planned budget or time limit has been reached.

The same emphasis on access, clarity, and thoughtful choices appears in the work of Avalokiteśvara Trust, which supports children and young monks in Himalayan communities through reading rooms, book drives, and creative learning activities. Its projects show how small, deliberate resources can create meaningful opportunities. Gambling funds should therefore remain discretionary entertainment money, never money intended for family needs, education, or community support.

Roulette offers a simple lesson in probability: the wheel matters. A single-zero game gives players a better statistical position than a double-zero game, while neither format removes the casino advantage. Explore the rules, compare the numbers, and use SkyHills Casino only within a personal budget and the laws that apply where you live.