From One Classroom to Another
Yarmouth High School is located in Yarmouth, Maine, and has included Siddhartha School in its roster of community service work since 2011. We reached out to ask Yarmouth’s social studies teacher, David Pearl, about what the value and experience are like for Yarmouth students. The pictures shown span multiple years and feature students who have participated in the Global Action Club, which sponsors Siddhartha students, as well as moments of monastic and student engagement.
David, tell us why you first made the decision to support education at the Siddhartha School.
David Pearl: First, it was a long-standing tradition at the Global Action Club (GAC), which is why I first learned about it/started supporting it. But I think what’s kept us supporting the Siddartha School is the importance of education. We are superlucky here, and it’s very fulfilling to know that the money we raise gives someone an opportunity they wouldn’t have without our support.
It’s a long-standing tradition in the Global Action Club, and I’m glad you are supporting someone’s long-term dreams. Supporting someone’s education feels incredibly good, especially in areas and places that they don’t always have access to these opportunities we have.
Our support for the Siddhartha School began after an inspirational visit to our school by Khensur Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan. Rinpoche taught us about compassion and introduced us to his school and the mission. Our club has supported a student at the Siddhartha School since 2011, and Stanzin is the fifth student we have sponsored.
You provide a gift that cannot be taken away—an education. What gifts have you received in making these gifts?
DP:The letters we get back from Stanzin, it’s always cool to see how she’s grown, and seeing “thank you, YHS Global Action Club” in her handwriting is pretty cool, knowing that someone halfway across the world is thankful for our support
We also have a growing community of people who see pictures of her and posters showing our support for her, and that community is brought together by this main goal. We all talk about how we can continue to support her and watch her grow throughout her years.
It is a gift every time we see Stanzin growing and learning at the Siddhartha School. It is so fulfilling to know that we are giving Stanzin a tool to channel her intelligence and help her pursue her interests and skills as much as she can.
Knowing that, in a small way, we are helping students receive a strong, modern education while honoring their rich cultural heritage is a true gift. It is easy to take our own education for granted, and helping Stanzin reminds us about how lucky we are.
It is a gift itself knowing that we are providing an education for Stanzin. It should not have to be a privilege to be educated. It’s a heartwarming feeling knowing we are helping her achieve a successful future for herself.
Why do you continue to make the Siddhartha School and its Partnership a focus of your support?
DP: It’s a unique way to support someone else and an opportunity many students don’t have. I also think our continued support is because education is probably the most valuable thing a little kid could get, and it sets them up for a future with more opportunities because they are so educated.
It is a very valuable experience on both ends. Being able to support someone’s education thousands of miles away and know you are making a lasting impact is an opportunity very few people have. It is also very heartwarming to know that the person we are helping to fund education for will thrive and do very positive things in life, contributing even more to the good of society.
Our support for the Siddhartha School continues because it is a clear and simple way to help make the world a better place. This is a place where we feel we can make a real difference.
We continue to make the Siddhartha School Partnership a focus of our support because we feel as if providing an education to those in need is a way of making a meaningful difference in our world. We are providing an education that can lead to a successful future, something that should be a given and not a privilege.
Thank You
Siddhartha School Partnership is forever grateful for the support of schools, groups, and individuals who help our mission thrive. We could not do it without you! We love how culture, generosity, and kindness pass over ocean and land to connect people in our sponsorship program.
