Our day at Pelri Pema Choling Monastery: During 2025, new and existing sponsors continued to support their nominated children at primary and secondary schools across Bhutan. Along with Martin and myself, many people also get involved with sponsoring young monks at The Pelri Pema Choling Monastery in Paro. Each time we visit Bhutan, we spend a day there and this year was no different. My companions early summer were friends Mr Leki Dorji D who is an amazing teacher and our driver on the day, as well as Ms Ugyen Lhamo, previous UK student who always helps me with Hope 108. She came armed with drinks and snacks for all the monks. The journey to get there was up an extremely windy, bumpy dirt track. Any discomfort is immediately forgotten once we reach the monastery and see all the smiling monks, in red and orange robes, lined up to greet us. After photos outside, we were ushered inside the cool, calm interior and treated as special guests of honour. Tea and sweet rice is brought to us, followed by fresh fruit and other delicacies. Meanwhile the monks perform a wellbeing ritual for us with prayers, music and dancing. Even the youngest, smallest monks aged 4, join in by blowing conch shells. The biggest surprise came when Kuengo, the monk I sponsor, performed a special masked dance which he had learnt specially. It was amazing. After speeches, perfectly translated both ways by Leki, Lama did our astrology readings which were fascinating. We finished the day walking around outside and checking progress on building work whilst chatting to some of the monks in English and Dzongka. As the sun started to set, we also set off back down the bumpy road and away from the monastery; with so many happy memories which will last until we return the next time. A day in the life of a monk: For anyone who was wondering, Kuengo and the other monks spend their days at the monastery exactly like this: 6am- Morning prayers 7-8am- Morning Meeting 8am- Breakfast of rice with suja 9-11am- Lessons held within the monastery 12pm- Lunch break with rice and vegetable curry 1:30-3pm- Prayers 3-3:30pm- Tea break 3:30-5- Lessons 5-6pm- Debate is held 6:30pm- Dinner of rice and vegetables 7:30-8:30pm- Prayers 9-10pm- Homework 10pm- Bedtime meditation Ability Bhutan Society: Hope 108 is mentioned as an international partner in the latest annual report from Ability Bhutan Society (ABS) We have previously donated items from a swimming pool to exercise kit to help improve mobility of these children who are unable to have a standard education. Hope 108 has sponsored many children with severe disabilities at ABS. This enables them to have additional bespoke learning they need, even from home and to ensure we support their families too. Thank you! A big thank you to all the Hope 108 sponsors who sent me letters and packages to bring to Bhutan for their nominated children. The children were delighted to receive gifts from their sponsors and practiced their English by writing thank you notes of appreciation.