From Slums to Shelter: Monk Jamyang Fulfils Home Dreams of Dharamshala’s Forgotten Families
2 min read
Dharamshala, May 18
Under the majestic shadows of the Dhauladhar ranges, a heartwarming transformation is unfolding in Dharamshala. For decades, families living in the slums of Chaithdu and Salangdi nurtured a dream—to have a home of their own. That dream is now turning into reality, thanks to the selfless efforts of Buddhist monk Jamyang and the Tong-Len Charitable Trust.
With support from the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Scheme of the Government of India, and the effective implementation by Dharamshala Municipal Corporation, the Trust has provided crucial financial aid and logistical support to dozens of slum dwellers. Recently, 10 of the 29 identified families received ₹25,000 cheques from Tong-Len to assist in home purchases, while the remaining beneficiaries will receive support soon.
Each home—worth ₹1.5 lakh—comes equipped with basic amenities: a bedroom, living room, kitchen, toilet, and access to water and electricity. Monk Jamyang facilitates the remaining funds through bank loans and other means, ensuring that the families, most of whom now work as sanitation workers on outsourcing basis, can repay EMIs with dignity.
Beyond housing, the trust also gifts gas stoves, utensils, bedding, and offers six months of helpline support post-relocation. It even educates beneficiaries on hygiene and utility use.
The emotional testimonies speak volumes. Sulichand, who lived 40 years in a slum, was moved to tears upon receiving his home. Young women Latasha, Neelam, and Kalpana broke down as they held their first-ever property cheques, grateful for the chance at a dignified life.
For two decades, Bhikshu Jamyang has been a guiding force for children and families once dependent on begging and rag-picking. Many of those children now walk new paths as doctors, engineers, and teachers, a testament to the monk’s unwavering vision.
This is not just a housing initiative—it’s a quiet revolution of compassion, dignity, and empowerment.
