When I was very young, my mother and father died due to alcoholism. I was left under the care of my uncle, the only living relative. Because we did not have a home, we lived in the street in front of a shop. We slept on a bed of used cartons out in the open in all sorts of weather. To feed ourselves, we picked up rags and sold them to the shopkeeper and were able to buy some food. We lived well below the poverty line with 2000 rupees (less than $28 U.S.) to spend on our livelihood. Every day after going to public school, I roamed the streets because I had nowhere to go.

 One day, when it was cold and raining so heavily, I caught a high fever. My uncle begged a passerby on a scooter to help me get to the hospital. So we all got on the scooter and went to the hospital. Thankfully, after three days, my fever broke and my health improved. 

My luck began to change the day Doctors Simika and Sudhanshu from the dentist centre noticed me walking around aimlessly. They invited me in to get me off the streets and give me a place to go and watch TV in their waiting room. As it happened, Lama Tenzin and the CED children went to the same dentist centre and where my uncle met brother Lama Tenzin.  They talked about my future. After their talk, my uncle explained that to protect me, brother Lama Tenzin wanted to adopt me and give me a safe home with food and education. That very night, my uncle packed my few clothes in a bag, and brother Lama Tenzin came to take me to the CED Society in a red car. At first, I was a little scared when I arrived, but now I feel so lucky. At 11 years old, I have been given many opportunities, including a safe home, private education, eating lovely food like momos (steamed dumplings) and pizza, and playing various sports and games. I am no longer alone and have many sisters and brothers. After one year, I even learned to speak Tibetan.

Lastly, I want to thank all the sponsors and especially brother Lama Tenzin because it is through him and his compassion that I am here today.