Good morning one and all gathered here.
On this special occasion, I feel honoured and privileged to have this opportunity to share with you my experience in Sakya Academy. My name is Kunga Thabkey, and I study in class 7, and it has been three lovely years since I joined the school.
When I first came here, I was stunned by the facilities of this exquisite place, and I thought that something good was going to happen in my life, but it wasn’t that easy.
In the beginning of my academic year, I realised that I was poor in almost all the subjects, specially English Language. For me to stand here in front of you all giving speech in English is quite an achievement and I know that I have lot more to achieve.
We have every facilities we need for a good education; good food, a nice hostel, a big play ground, modern classrooms, IT Labs, tablets and most importantly very dedicated teachers who are guided by a very diligent leader, our Principal Ma’am. I thank all my teachers and the principal for all the hard work they put day in and day out in educating us!
The persons I should thank the most are Rinpoche la and Dagmo Sonam la. I can only imagine how much of hard work goes into building such an environment and I will remain thankful to you for the rest of my life. They have always been around to ask and address our problems and take care of us when needed like our real parents would do.
I have always been little nervous whenever I met Rinpoche la, who doesn’t, right? And to my surprise I have found him eating food and playing football with us. He always tries to make us happy and stay comfortable in Sakya Academy. Therefore, I can never thank enough to Rinpoche la and his entire family for giving me this opportunity. Thank you.
I wish you all a very happy founders day.
Kunga Thabkey
Class 7
My Memorable Journey
A very good morning Dagmo Sonam la, Ma’am Principal, distinguished Guests, Teachers, and my dear fellow students.
My name is Kunga Gyatso, and I study in Class VII. My friends call me Gyatso Bhai. I am here to share with you my memorable journey from my village to Sakya Academy. I was 13 years old when I first left my home. My parents were farmers then and I believe they are still. They are farming in a very remote village in a hilly area in Nepal. When I was much younger in Nepal, I never liked the idea of going to school and I would rather help my parents in the field, yet my parents forced to me to go to the school in our village. Obviously I was too small to understand the importance of education.
One day my parents told me that they were sending me to India to become a monk. I don’t know why but I got excited and I was very happy to know that. Maybe I was curious to see a new and bigger place.
But at the time of leaving my home, it was a moment of sadness and tears trickled down my cheeks, and a group hug with my parents was the last part of the departure.
It was in the month of December 2013 when I arrived at Sakya Centre, where I spent two valuable years learning scriptures and then I came here to join the school. I am not one of the most intelligent students at Sakya Academy but I’m doing my best to achieve my dream.
Now, when I look back on my journey so far, I definitely thank my parents for taking that crucial decision, which I’m sure was not an easy one for them. Today I feel very lucky for the opportunity that I received and I am trying my best to make the most of it.
I thank His Eminence Gyana Vajra Rinpoche la and our Godmother Dagmo Sonam la for creating the opportunity and taking care of us like no one else. We know how much of hard work is being put into this Academy to make this place a better place to live and giving us what we really need, and that is education. You are living for us and we wish to live for you. With a deep sense of gratitude I thank Rinpoche la, Dagmo Sonam la and my dear teachers from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you.
Kunga Gyatso B
Class 7