From its humble beginnings over 20 years ago, the C.E.D. (Children’s Educational Development) Society has positively impacted the lives of disadvantaged girls once living in the most remote regions of the Himalayas, the community, and its worldwide supporters.
Listening to the soft-spoken monk, the gravity of what Lama Tenzin Choegyal has accomplished leaves people in awe. Since most of us will never have the opportunity to be exposed to how life is lived in the Himalayas, Lama Tenzin paints a vivid picture of the people’s extraordinary hardships, especially the girls and women. The abject conditions and adversities he encountered when he first journeyed to the remote villages sparked an idea that became his calling after completing his studies as a Buddhist monk. Rescuing girls from unspeakable conditions is not the typical path of a monk who is encouraged to live a monastic life in meditation and prayer; Lama Tenzin would tell you that the Buddha inspired him to be among the people, be of service, and teach compassion. He continues to practice his faith by living a responsible, ethical life through many initiatives beginning with the CED.
After years of creating an exceptional, loving environment for the rescued children at the CED, Lama Tenzin continues to adapt to their needs and futures. He remains resolute that the girls must have the best of everything; this includes food, clothing, education, computers, and opportunities. Lama Tenzin’s genius is to engage the girls to be responsible citizens by learning every aspect of maintaining the CED home, developing and running new business initiatives, and contributing to the community at large. The practical exposure is evident now that the once young girls have become young women and are pursuing their college degrees in law, business administration, animation, and marketing.
From the CED’s impetus to creating new businesses and initiatives to support the CED and surrounding communities, Lama Tenzin continues to evolve and expand his initiatives to positively affect more people. The following is a brief description of those initiatives.
C.E.D. (Children’s Educational Development) Society is a home for rescued children of the Himalayas.
G.I.F.T. (Girls’ Institute For Technology), where disabled girls are educated and empowered to learn various IT skills to support themselves.
PinkPADS is a unique facility where environmentally-friendly sanitary napkins will be produced and distributed to the underserved. In addition, the initiative includes reeducating the community to dispel the cultural menstrual superstitions.
S.O.S. The Sound of Soul (SOS) Recording Studio and Music Institute is a nonprofit music education center and recording studio especially created for the disadvantaged and disabled.