International Theme Chapel

With so much cultural and linguistic diversity here at Shawnigan, International Mother Language Day seemed an appropriate theme for chapel on Saturday.

 

International Mother Language Day is a United Nations initiative to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, multilingualism, and the need to safeguard endangered languages.

 

“This incredible richness and diversity we have here at our School, in terms of our native languages (our mother tongues) should be an opportunity for all of us to expand our understanding of the world,” said Reverend Holland. “Especially here at Shawnigan, with this incredible opportunity we have to live amongst people from all different ways of life, different languages, and different ways of experiencing and understanding realities.”

 

As part of that understanding, Rev. Holland invited grade 11 student, Tenzin L. (Strathcona), to tell her schoolmates about her early life in Nepal.

Tenzin described her childhood in a valley in the Himalayas of Nepal, where there was no transportation, education, health care, or electricity, and the city of Kathmandu a five-day trek away. At the age of five, her beloved mother passed away, leaving young Tenzin to care for her younger siblings, working in fields, collecting firewood, and scrabbling to feed the family.

“As time passed by, I was still carrying a basket full of firewood instead of carrying a backpack full of books, and I couldn’t imagine myself as an educated girl.”

 

After more than a year of struggle and hunger, Tenzin’s uncle, a Buddhist monk, came to the village to take the children to the city. “It was like God and my mother had sent us a gift. We were so happy when we were offered the exciting opportunity to go to Kathmandu city to study!”

A Buddhist school, Shree Mangal Dvip (SMD) in Kathmandu, accepted Tenzin and her siblings. SMD takes in poor Himalayan mountain children and provides free education, food, and support, thanks to donors from around the world. Eleven years later, she graduated from Grade 10, then spent a year teaching kindergarten at the same school before being selected for a scholarship to Shawnigan.

“In May of 2019, I arrived at Shawnigan Lake School and I was so surprised and shocked to see the school campus and all the beautiful and kind people around here,” Tenzin told the packed chapel. “I will take back a bundle of experience and knowledge, which I will pass to my students and friends at my school back home. I want to become a teacher… so the upcoming generation won’t have to face the problems like my siblings and I did.”

Next, in keeping with the theme, Mr. Dukelow and student, Rintaro U., who hails from Japan, surprised the chapel by walking down the aisle dressed in matching Japanese rugby outfits and headbands! The duo announced they would sing a duet of a famous Japanese song Sukiyaki (Ue wo Muite Arukō).

 

“Songs are a big part of the rugby culture,” explained Mr. Dukelow, “So it’s kinda cool that I get an opportunity to sing this song – which I have sung in a karaoke bar in Tokyo!

 

“This is a memorable song for me. It expresses my connection between my advisor and me and gives a most important message he has taught me,” prefaced Rintaro, glancing at Mr. Dukelow. “The message is when you hit a difficulty you should look forward and never give up. I dedicate this to ‘Duke’ and I want to honour him in his last year at Shawnigan.”

 

And what a song! “I look up as I walk/So that the tears won’t fall/Remembering those spring days/And tonight I am all alone.”

 

Cheers and applause followed, and then a final surprise: prayers from four of our international students, recited in their native tongues. Leticia P. (from Brazil), Benedikt W. (Germany), Sophie S. (Mexico), and Tenzin (Nepal) offered a Portugese prayer for the elderly, a German prayer for peace, a Spanish prayer for family, and a Tibetan prayer for happiness.

 

“Today was really special. Thank you to all of you for just nurturing our hearts,” concluded Rev. Holland.

 

Note: Shawnigan is planning an international EDGE trip to Nepal in the spring of 2021, including a stint volunteering at Tenzin’s old school, SMD!

 

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOPPZYsdij8

 

For a more extensive interview with Tenzin, click here.

 

*Shree Mangal Dvip (SMD) School for Himalayan Children in Kathmandu provides free education, housing, and full care for over 500 children from the most vulnerable and remote Himalayan mountain villages of northern Nepal. Learn more about how you can help kids like Tenzin here: https://www.himalayanchildren.org/