She was drying her rice in a friend’s field because hers was on the hill side, and not as sunny – not as good for drying the rice – and she was the youngest of her siblings (were there 10 of them?). She was about 10 years younger than her older sister, whose children were playing with Anika and Paloma. She was in 11th grade, the only person in her town in upper grades, and she dreamed of being a media writer or journalist for the Dzong media channel (basically their public TV station). Her spoken English was excellent, and she said she read books any time she could find time, because the best writers read a lot. Her walk to school was long by our standards, 1 hour each way, probably over a mountain, but she said she was used to it, and it was no problem. I hope she gets into college. It’s gated by an entrance exam, and about 40% of applicants are admitted. If she doesn’t get in, she won’t get to become a professional, because her family can’t afford private college. She would end up a farmer like the rest of her family. I’m hoping for her. She seemed smart and focused and motivated, and I hope her dreams come true.
