Christmas for Levi!
Levi Tumanguil has been working for Tsem Ladrang for a few months, as part of the Ladrang team. She is from the Philippines and is in Malaysia working very hard. She has a daughter and mother dependents. She loves and misses them very, very much. Andrew who works closely with her tells me that she talks about them a lot, and she calls them every Sunday using Skype. So on this festive season we wanted to show Levi she is important to us.
Can you imagine having to move country so you can earn enough money to take care of your family? It must be very difficult for Levi to leave the people she loves so much but according to the people she works with, they always say that she never complains. She is always willing and eager to help and never says no. She is someone that tries her best and puts a lot of care into what she does.
We like and care for her, so yesterday Su Ming kindly arranged for a small party for her! It was a Christmas/Appreciation dinner in honour of how hard she works and the great attitude that she has. We, at Kechara and Tsem Ladrang, really appreciate her a lot.
We had some snacks and drinks and also gave her some gifts. I had a new dress/shoes arranged for her and a golden locket/chain. This special locket took me some time to find. I had students looking high and low for it and finally found. We placed a picture of Levi’s daughter inside the locket to wear so she can have her close to her heart daily. Her daughter called her for a new school bag, so we got a nice new school bag and sent it to her daughter…Levi was very happy about that also. The ladrang and Kecharian friends had this nice little party just to celebrate Christmas for Levi today…we wanted to make her feel cared about and respect a holiday that is important to her being she is Catholic. I wish Levi a very Merry Christmas and all the best!
Tsem Tulku
Christmas chocolate log!!
Some yummy Malaysian desserts..
Some Japanese sushi!
Andrew (right) is really in a party mode hehe
Is that….the Grinch?!
Su Ming (middle) getting bullied by 3 Kechaians! Hehe
It was really all smiles that day. Even Fat Monk (right, background) put on a party hat! Hehe
Levi doesn’t know what’s happening..yet
Or what this party is about!
Su Ming surprises her and presents her with a locket!
She loves what’s inside…want to guess what’s in the locket?
Su Ming shows her that it’s a picture of her daughter in the locket!
Levi’s so happy she’s stunned and out of words
Here she is admiring her new pendant!
She also got a dress! Everyone oogled at the dress, even Levi herself hehe
Trying on for size? Hehe
Party group picture!! Odd..odd..but very sweet Kecharians!!
A more “normal” photo
I called to tell Levi how much I appreciate her and the work that she does. To us, she is not just a worker. We are her family here and we will take care of her. Here they are listening to my phone call.
Bryan (left) getting Levi to pose for her photoshoot in her new Christmas dress….She will wear this on Christmas day and meet her other Phillipino friends to go to Church and dinner together.
He quickly styles her hair for it too!
Close up shot of her new pendant, with a photo of her daughter inside
Joy (right) and Levi both work in Tsem Ladrang together
Melissa who comes in and volunteers at the aviary in the Ladrang is good friends with Levi
Levi’s photoshoot! Hehe
The Kechara influence? hehe
Levi cuts her chocolate log cake!
This Christmas Party was especially for Levi. She will have Christmas Eve off and Christmas day so she can attend Mass at Church. I am very happy that our group can do something special for her. Everyone in Kechara is important.
Tsem Rinpoche
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I just received this from Levi today (Christmas eve), how sweet of her!
I have a sense of fondness for KECHARA and RINPOCHE because of the care and attention they offer to others. This celebration for LEVI is a clear example of this. As a diasporic Filipino myself, born and raised Catholic (with leanings towards Dharma) I very much appreciate Rinpoche’s wholehearted respect for other traditions and faiths. Christmas is truly one of the holidays near and dear to the hearts of Filipinos worldwide. Celebrating with Ate Levi in the special way that you all do as Kecharians shows me the living spirituality and community that is Kechara. If I remember correctly, the tagline for KSK is “Hunger Knows No Boundaries.” This is precisely what I love about Kechara’s work and want to celebrate as well — that “Dharma Knows No Boundaries.”
Maligayang Pasko, Ate Levi! I wish you all the best with your dharma work there at Tsem Ladrang and may your family be well.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holydays to all at Kecharaland!!!
Thank you very much, Rinpoche, for taking the time to post about
moments like this, moments which help me to see what living spirituality looks like.
I have learned to REJOICE in moments like this because of You. And my life has become more joyous because of it. May you continue to Turn the Wheel of Dharma for all to benefit near or far.
En La Kech,
Jnaseh
Dear all,
It was so thoughtful, show of love, sincere appreciation and kindness that Kecharians have given to Levi, who is away form her family, mom and daughter in Phils. Levi is and forever have a family in Ladrang and whom she has diligently take care of. Being so far away from distance home, and nevertheless she has a warm home in Ladrang for her to feel love, kindness and care.
Levi appreciates and like the gift of the pendant and dress very much, but the memory and feeling of being appreciated, love and acknowldegement will always be part of her beings. This she will eventually transforms give it back to others on another occassion.
This is what i see as the result of the teachings from H.E.Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. Kecharian has a great way to show their appreciation and love. I have came to known Levi briefly when was voluntering at Ladrang, and she has shown me the warm welcome and her willingness to help and support. Have a blessed Merry Xmas and Happy New Year…Levi, and may all your wishes come true.