“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” -Carl Bard
My name is Kunga Woeden and I studied in Tibetan Children Village School, Bylakuppe till class IX. I discontinued my school education soon after as I got disinterested in studies adding to the misfortune of my family. Since then, I stopped visiting home and dissociated myself from everyone – family, friends and relatives and started living alone and doing odd jobs in Delhi to meet my basic needs.
Just as they say, there is always light after darkness, one day my mother found me after much effort and took me back home. With advice and help from someone she knew, she took me to Empowering the Vision (ENVISION) Office to seek guidance as she believed too that it’s never too late to start your life all over again. After hearing my personal and educational background ENVSION office introduced me to a programme called “Second Chance School” that they are associated with. Second Chance is a residential learning facility by an NGO named Ritinjali in Delhi. It is a school for deprived young adults (male) who drop out of the formal education system or do not have skills required for jobs/ or career in the formal/organized business sector. It also provides a secure and loving home/hostel and stimulating environment to boys through range of learning experiences.
With the guidance and support from ENVISION and after a meeting with Ritinjali staff, I got enrolled in Second Chance Programme at Ritinjali on 30th June 2018.
The initial six months starts with learning life skills and vocational training at Pallavanjali – an inclusive school providing education and life/vocational training to children and young adults from diverse background and different abilities. Our class at Pallavanjali starts at 9:00 am till 3pm, five days a week. The classroom training includes life skills training like basic table etiquettes, body posture, dress code for various occasion and ‘English’ speaking class. Also we were also taught about job interview preparedness/etiquettes etc.
Back in hostel, after the classes gets over, we learn basic computer education followed by recreational activities like playing musical instruments, painting and other indoor games. Also since I am into paintings and drawings as a hobby, I have taken to completing the amateur Thangka painting on our walls here, and I am currently in the process of painting the four harmonious animals (as per Tibetan Buddhism). Along with shaping our future ahead, they also ensure our basic necessities are well taken care of – providing a loving home, good food, clothes, basic toiletries, stationery, little pocket 
money and other requirements.
At Second Chance, after the first six months of training on life skills and vocational training, we have to choose our career of interest. Initially I wanted to pursue computer course and after much exposure to the various courses and career opportunities here, I have finally decided to pursue my career in graphic designing. Along with my time here at Second Chance, I have enrolled myself to finish school through correspondence from National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Those who missed their formal education, under whatever circumstance, must avail this amazing opportunity. I feel so blessed and privileged to have this chance to start all over again.
ENVISION and Ritijali has given me new hope, confidence to renew my passion and means to pursue my dreams and have assured to support my efforts always, as long as I am committed and sincere. Amidst the struggles, failures, under-confidence and disappointment that I was going through, Second Chance school has come to me as a blessing and I am grateful to everyone, including my family for the support and love.
I hope young people reading this feel inspired to start again, start a new beginning, particularly those who faced setbacks in life or are feeling lost.