I may not be able to do justice to capture my complete experience in Ladakh through this write up, however I’ll try my best to share the remarkable experience. I went as a facilitator to the most exciting group of voluntourists, a family of five from Kuwait who were able to give me the most wonderful insights about the world by sharing their life experiences. This trip was a continuous journey where I found the time to look within myself before trying to change what was outside.

We went to Tigger village in Nubra valley where we were greeted and welcomed by all with a joyful “Julley!”. Our aim was to visit the Tigger school, interact with the children and teachers and help with the playground and library programs that had been established by the 17000ft Foundation.

While I learnt a lot about the environment and the people around me, this journey helped me connect with myself more than anything else. In the process of trying to contribute to the education of children, I explored my own capabilities; to learn and teach through simple interaction. If I had to talk about one thing that I learnt through this journey, it was gratefulness. Coming from a city as polluted and noisy as Delhi, I was far away from the simple sounds of nature. The sound of birds, and wind and streams flowing effortlessly, blew my mind. How could something so simple, be so magical? I felt grateful for not just the opportunity to be where I was, but for existing itself. I was a part of a world where such beauty, calm and ease exists. It was, in many ways, a spiritual experience for me where I felt thankful for all I had. When talking to the kids, singing with them or painting with them, I felt the significance of my contributions even if they were short term or temporary. I learnt the value of true education, a value that these children understood even before they could speak. Most of them did not know how to comprehend many of the books available to them, but whenever given the chance they all had a book in their hand. The privileged, urban and young generation of today is running away from the education system. We are trapped in the limitless exposure to the world where the limits of a structured and limited education system does not fit in with ease. These limits in the education system tend to reduce the value we give to it. I learnt the importance of converging extra-curricular activities with academics for a wholesome education. The importance of arts such as music, dance or drama is not focused on enough in an academic context and its significance is overlooked or undervalued.

Through my experience in Ladakh, where I tried to assist the growth of children through the contribution of my time and more, I witnessed a sense of growth and clarity within me as well. I was able to witness the Earth in a raw and truly natural form. Spotting a shooting star from my window before sleeping or watching the milky way galaxy through the trees made reality feel like a fantasy. Although I went as a facilitator, I believe it was me who gained a lot by the locals, by the environment, by the voluntourist family and by the children of Tigger. Watching the twinkle in the eyes of the children who were untouched by any negative influence of today’s chaotic world made me want to help them reach their vision of a better future.

To conclude, I think an experience like this teaches one a lot of things out of which “gratefulness” was my biggest learning. The rawness of nature and the rawness of the local residents reflected a sense of purity which can only be experienced, not simply told. I think that the voluntourist program allows you to contribute, learn and explore while being detached from the chaos of our daily lives. Staying in Tigger was a feeling. Learning how to make Thukpa was a feeling just like making a bonfire was. It was the little things that made the trip what it was and I cherished the experience to the fullest.