Tibetan charity celebrates remarkable success story as student becomes medical doctor

Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 1: One of Tibetan Charitable organisation Tong-Len’s first students, Pinky Haryan, has graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), marking a achievement not only for herself but for the organization that transformed her life.

Pinky, who once begged on the streets with her mother, has now fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a doctor, a journey she never imagined possible. Her life changed in 2005 when, at just four years old, she was selected to join the Tong-Len school in Dharamshala after being rehabilitated from Charan Khad slum in Dharamshala by a Tibetan monk. “In 2005, I was selected to join the Tong-Len hostel, becoming part of the very first batch of students. The change from living on the streets to living in the hostel was incredible,” Pinky recalls. “A few months after joining, I participated in an interview session. Despite my young age and limited understanding, I expressed a desire to become a doctor. I didn’t fully grasp what being a doctor involved, but I voiced my dream nonetheless.”

Her dream, which seemed impossible for a child raised in poverty, became a reality because of the education, care, and support she received through Tong-Len Charitable Trust. More than just academics, the organization instilled in her values of compassion, kindness, and a commitment to serving humanity. “Today, as I celebrate my achievement of becoming a doctor, I am filled with a deep sense of purpose,” Pinky shared in her article ‘From Handouts to Healing Hands: My Path to Becoming A Doctor’. “My journey is not just about a professional milestone but about the person I’ve become—a person committed to serving others with empathy and dedication. I am incredibly proud to be part of a legacy that includes many other children whose lives have been changed through Tong-Len’s initiatives.”

Pinky also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to those who supported her along the way stating, “I am incredibly proud to be part of a legacy that includes many other children who, like me, have had their lives changed through Tong-Len’s initiatives. I am profoundly grateful to Tong-Len, its supporters, the staff, my parents, and especially to Jamyang la, my Guru ji, and to Navita, my hostel mother. Without their unwavering support, my dream of becoming a doctor would have remained just that—a dream. I carry with me not just the knowledge and skills of a medical professional but also the values and lessons learned along the way.”

Founded in 2004 by Tibetan monk Therchin Gyaltsen (Jamyang), Tong-Len Charitable Trust has worked to support children from impoverished families in Dharamshala. The charity provides education, hostel accommodation, and health care to street children, transforming their lives by giving them access to opportunities they would otherwise never have had.

Tong-Len UK, a separate organization registered in Scotland, raises funds for the trust’s work in India. Over the years, the trust has expanded its initiatives to include holistic education, vocational training, and healthcare services for children and families living in slum communities.

Under the Child Sponsorship scheme, Tong-Len helps children from extreme poverty attend school and live in hostels, often giving them their first experience of a secure, family-like environment. The Tong-Len School, which now serves around 300 students, provides a comprehensive education, nutrition, and healthcare to its students, both from hostels and slum communities.

Since its inception, Tong-Len has supported numerous students in reaching higher education, with graduates now pursuing careers in medicine, nursing, economics, journalism, and more. Pinky Haryan’s graduation as a doctor is the latest triumph in a long list of success stories that highlight the charity’s profound impact.