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

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.

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!!

Online Keno Explained For Australian Casino Players

Keno is a numbers game built around simple predictions and fast results. Players select numbers from a set range, then compare their choices with numbers drawn by the game. Online versions bring this format to casino websites and mobile screens, often adding different ticket prices, prize tiers, themes, and automated draws.

For readers discovering digital casino games, understanding the mechanics matters more than chasing a headline promotion. ThePokies.net is presented on promotional review pages as an Australian-focused online casino with keno-style entertainment alongside slots, table games, live dealer titles, and mobile access. The information below explains how the game works, what to inspect before registering, and how to approach online gambling with sensible limits.

What Keno Is And How It Works

In a standard keno round, the game generates a set of numbers from a larger pool, commonly 1 to 80. Before the draw, a player chooses several numbers, known as spots. The result depends on how many selected numbers match the drawn numbers and how the chosen ticket or paytable values those matches.

Online keno follows the same basic idea as retail keno but removes the need to visit a venue or wait for a scheduled session. A digital interface usually allows players to choose numbers, set a stake, and begin a draw within seconds. Some versions offer quick-pick selections, while others let players mark every number personally.

The odds and payouts depend on the game design. Selecting more numbers can create access to larger prizes, but matching enough numbers may become less likely. The paytable should therefore be reviewed before any wager is placed, since the name “keno” does not guarantee identical rules across casinos.

Why Online Keno Appeals To Australian Players

The main attraction is accessibility. A player can open a casino site through a desktop browser or mobile device, choose a keno game, and view the rules without handling paper tickets. Fast rounds also appeal to people who prefer a short session rather than a long card or table game.

Some Australian-facing casino sites combine keno with a broad catalogue of slots and casino classics. Promotional pages for ThePokies.net describe approximately 1,600 games, live tables, mobile play, and payment options including PayID and cryptocurrency. These claims should be checked against the current website terms, because game availability, banking options, and eligibility conditions can change.

Bonuses can also influence interest. A promotional review may advertise a thepokies.net no deposit bonus for instant play and a larger welcome package, but “no deposit” does not mean that every withdrawal is automatic or unrestricted. Wagering requirements, maximum cashout limits, game contributions, identity checks, and expiry dates can all affect the real value of an offer.

Features To Check Before Playing

A clear interface is useful, but the most important information is usually found in the rules and account sections. Players should be able to identify the operator, understand the applicable terms, and see how deposits, withdrawals, and verification are handled. A polished design should never replace basic due diligence.

Licensing deserves particular attention. Casino review websites may discuss licensing or regulatory claims, yet players should verify the current position through the operator’s own legal pages and relevant Australian guidance. It is also worth checking whether the service accepts Australian residents, whether the advertised games are available in the user’s location, and how complaints are managed.

The game provider can offer another useful point of comparison. Recognised software studios often publish game rules and payout information, although the presence of a familiar provider is not a guarantee of a particular outcome. Random results remain random, and previous draws do not make a number “due.”

Comparing Common Keno Formats

Different formats can feel similar while producing very different play experiences. The following comparison highlights common distinctions rather than promising a specific outcome.

Format How It Usually Works Main Point To Check
Draw-Based Keno Numbers are selected and compared with a scheduled or instant draw Draw frequency and prize tiers
Instant Keno The result appears immediately after the ticket is confirmed Paytable and return information
Video Keno A digital presentation combines keno rules with animated visuals Whether extra features alter the mathematics
Live Keno A hosted or streamed format presents draws in real time Schedule, stream reliability, and settlement rules
Multi-Card Keno Several tickets or number sets are played in one round Total stake per round and combined exposure

For a newcomer, instant keno may be the easiest format to understand, while live versions can provide a more social presentation. Multi-card play requires special care because the displayed price may apply to each card rather than to the whole round.

The return-to-player figure, where published, is another useful measure. It describes the theoretical long-term return across many plays, not the result of one session. Short-term wins or losses can vary widely, so this figure should be treated as information about the game rather than a personal forecast.

Bonuses, Payments And Account Terms

Casino promotions often attract attention before the underlying game rules have been read. ThePokies.net is promoted as offering a claimed AU$50 no-deposit bonus, plus a larger welcome package. Such offers may be appealing for trial play, but the conditions are decisive. A bonus may require a qualifying registration, identity verification, a minimum age, specific games, or a set number of wagering cycles before funds become withdrawable.

A useful way to assess an offer is to separate the advertised amount from its practical restrictions. Look for the bonus expiry period, maximum bet while wagering, eligible game contribution, minimum withdrawal, and any rule that removes bonus funds after a cashout request. Terms should be available before registration, not revealed only after a deposit.

Payment convenience also needs context. PayID may be familiar to Australian users, while cryptocurrency can involve exchange-rate movement, wallet risks, and different transaction procedures. A site’s deposit methods may not match its withdrawal methods, and processing times can vary according to verification or banking checks.

Account Details Worth Reviewing

  • Minimum age and Australian player eligibility
  • Current licensing and operator information
  • Bonus wagering and expiry requirements
  • Deposit, withdrawal, and identity-verification rules
  • Available support channels and complaint procedures

Reading these points first can prevent confusion later. It also helps distinguish a genuine introductory offer from a headline figure that has limited practical value.

Exploring The Wider Casino Experience

Many online keno players also browse other categories, particularly when a casino presents a large library in one account. ThePokies.net promotional material highlights slots, jackpot-style games, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and live dealer tables alongside its keno-related content. Variety can be convenient, but it can also make a session expand faster than planned.

The presence of many games does not improve the odds of a chosen title. Each game has its own rules, volatility, and stake range. Slots may produce frequent small results or less frequent larger ones, while table games and live formats use different betting structures. Keno remains a number-draw game, so switching categories does not create a reliable way to recover previous losses.

Game Categories To Compare Carefully

  • Keno games with different number-selection ranges
  • Slots with varied volatility and maximum stakes
  • Live roulette, blackjack, and baccarat tables
  • Jackpot games with special prize conditions
  • Mobile titles with simplified or altered interfaces

Mobile access can be convenient when the layout displays the full paytable and account balance clearly. Before playing on a phone, users should also confirm that they are on the genuine website, using a secure connection and a private device rather than a shared public terminal.

Responsible Play Starts With Practical Limits

Keno is a gambling activity, not an income strategy. The random draw means that skill, pattern tracking, and previous results cannot guarantee a future win. A fixed entertainment budget is safer than using money intended for rent, food, education, bills, or charitable giving.

Players should also consider time as well as money. Fast digital rounds can encourage repeated wagers, especially when a site makes deposits and replays easy. Setting limits before opening a game creates a clearer boundary than deciding how much to spend after a losing streak has begun.

Simple Safeguards For A Keno Session

  • Set a spending limit that can be lost without financial strain
  • Choose a time limit and stop when it expires
  • Avoid chasing losses with larger tickets or extra cards
  • Keep gambling separate from essential household funds
  • Use available deposit, loss, or session-limit tools
  • Take a break if play feels pressured or difficult to control

If gambling begins to affect sleep, finances, relationships, or concentration, stopping is more important than finding another strategy. Australian players can also seek support through recognised gambling-help services and local health providers.

A Clear Way To Evaluate Online Keno

Online keno is easy to understand at the basic level: choose numbers, select a stake, wait for the draw, and compare the result. The harder part is evaluating the environment around the game, including payout information, promotional restrictions, payment procedures, licensing details, and responsible-play controls.

A promotional casino review can help identify features such as a claimed AU$50 welcome incentive, a large game catalogue, live tables, mobile compatibility, PayID, and cryptocurrency payments. It should still be read as marketing information rather than a guarantee of winnings or a substitute for checking current terms.

Before registering with any online casino, open its rules and bonus pages, confirm eligibility and licensing information, set a personal spending limit, and only then decide whether a small entertainment session is appropriate.