In the Garden of Love and Compassion

3min read

This story comes from an expedition to Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community in Arunachal Pradesh, India, in 2018.

Five days of travel to get here. Four flights, three days of driving on some of the most treacherous roads in the world, and we find ourselves on a thin ridge in the midst of valleys filled with mist that dive down to a river hundreds of feet below. We are in the lush, green foothills of the Himalaya. There are monkeys, Atlas moths, and countless critters I’ve never seen or heard of before.

I’m here with a team from Dell Computers, Goal Zero solar, and the Joyineering Fund, a non-profit dedicated to humanitarian projects in remote communities around the world, to install a solar computer lab for the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community. As part of the project, I’m also shooting a video to document the journey and the impact this initiative will have on the community.

Jhamtse Gatsal means “in the garden of love and compassion,” and it is truly an oasis. The community is made up of children who come from traumatic backgrounds. Either they were orphaned or could not live in the situations they were originally from. There are kids of all ages here playing, learning, and growing.

As we work alongside the staff and children to bring this project to life, I’m struck by the resilience and joy that radiates from this place. The children have an unshakable energy and a curiosity that feels boundless. They are eager to learn, to help, to understand the world beyond these misty ridges.

The solar computer lab we’re installing is more than just a collection of hardware. It’s a doorway to opportunities. With reliable power and access to technology, the children and staff will have the tools to connect with the wider world, learn new skills, and share their stories. More importantly, the lab provides them with the ability to apply to and attend colleges, giving them a chance to better themselves and their futures. In a community as remote as Jhamtse Gatsal (17 hours from the nearest airport), solar power, internet, and computers are not just conveniences; they are lifelines for education and health. Through the lens of my camera, I’ve been capturing this transformation.

One moment that stands out to me is when we finally turned on the system for the first time. The lights flickered on, the fans hummed, and the screens glowed. The children gathered around. Some of them had never seen a computer up close before and the sheer magic of it was palpable. They laughed and cheered as we showed them how to navigate the basics, from typing their names to drawing pictures.

It wasn’t just the kids who were excited. The teachers beamed with pride and gratitude, knowing how much this lab would enhance their ability to teach and guide these children toward a brighter future.

In the evenings, as the mist rolled back in and the valleys were swallowed by darkness, we’d sit together—our team, the children, and the staff—sharing stories, songs, and meals. There was a sense of unity here that I’ve rarely felt elsewhere. Despite the challenges these kids have faced, this place has given them a chance to rebuild, to thrive and to dream.

Jhamtse Gatsal is a reminder of what can happen when people come together with love and compassion at the heart of their mission. It’s a place that challenges you to look inward, to reevaluate what truly matters, and to ask yourself what you can do to make the world a little brighter.

As I left the garden of love and compassion, I carried with me not just memories of a transformative project but also a renewed sense of purpose. The journey to Jhamtse Gatsal wasn’t just about installing technology. It was about connection, humanity, and the power of community.

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