Lobzang gives speech at the opening of kamerakidz photo exhibition, August 2012

In early august Lobzang Stobdan (one of nilam´s project beneficiaries) had his first big "presentation" in Leh. Nana Ziesche, a German photographer and travel tours leader, had implemented a photo project with some of the SECPAD students in the remote valley of Zanskar already in summer 2011: kamerakidz! The pictures have been taken bythe children themselves, showing different aspects and impressions of their lives, from their very own perspective. The captured motives range from their natural environment to photos of relatives and friends. Nana has now taken a wide selection of these to Leh. And as it turned out that Lobzang was the only participant of the Project who is residing inLeh, he was allowed to hold the opening speech at the exhibition. And had an important visitor: the Dalai Lama himself joined the event! Unbelievably proud and happy, Lobzang was still running with a huge smile on his lips for many days to follow, as Nana expressed later in an email to nilam. To give that speech in English showed how much he had already learned at Mahabodhi School where not only his language abilities are improving rapidly and he is enjoying the large variety of things to do and learn. Additionally Lobzang has already made friends with many of the other students residing like him the hostel of the school - a great balance so after only 9 months in Leh!