Ani Karma Khonchok was born in 1951. She became a nun in 1968. She is the oldest among the nuns who became nuns in 1968. She was at Karma Drubdey when it was established by Khenpo Rinpoche in 1968 as a nunnery. She is one of the oldest disciples from Bhutan. She is a very devoted practitioner and meditator. She does not waste her time chatting, she is always indoor practicing. When Khenpo Rinpoche was in Bhutan she was his main attendant. She has been a Nyerpa (steward) for many years and has been a Vajra Master for three years.

My name is Tsheyang Drolkar. I was born on 1st January 1985 in the village of Trashigang. It’s my own interest and wish to become a nun. I joined the nunnery on 23rd August 2024. After completing my studies I would like to be in charge of the store.

Ani Jangchok Zangmo came to the nunnery in 1989. Her sister Ani Yeshi Zangmo is also a nun at Karma Drubdey nunnery. Ani Jangchok Zangmo taught the younger nuns in 2011. She liked teaching but now she is happy to be part of the 3-year retreat that started in 2012.

She studied up to grade 6 in the government school in Sakteng. She joined the nunnery on the 21st of February 2022. She has three siblings. She would like to study in the Shedra and in the future she would like to be a teacher. When asked why did she become a nun? She said that when she was small and saw monks and nuns in red robes she would be very happy and would like to wear robes. So, it’s her own interest and wish to become a nun.

Ani Rangjung Lhamo joined the nunnery in March 2020. She was brought to the nunnery by her mother. She has 9 siblings. She goes to government school and she is studying in grade two. She has many new friends in the nunnery and is happy. She his the sister of Ani Tashi Sertsho. After graduation from school she would like to study in the shedra and would like to do a retreat. Then she would like to serve as a discipline master in the nunnery.

Ani Damcho Drolma joined the nunnery in 2019. She has four siblings. She is studying in grade 3 in Kuengarabten Pre-school. When asked, she said that she is happy since she gets everything in the nunnery and she gets to go to the school. She gets to play with her new nun friends. She would like to study up to grade ten. She would like to be a teacher in the future.

Ani Pema Lhatsho completed class four in Sakteng Lower Secondary School. She has four siblings. In the future she wants to study in the shedra, hopes to do the retreat. She wants to be a teacher of Buddhism.

Ani Yosel Drolma is from Mongar Chili, Bhutan. She has studied up to class seven in the government school. She has four siblings of which she is the oldest. She says that she has come to the nunnery to practice dharma. She thinks that if she practices dharma this will benefit her in this life time and in her next life time. She also feels that it will benefit her parents. She feels that if she stays homes she will have lots of problems with worldly activities. In the futures she plans to study well and she would like to serve the nunnery in whatever way she can.

Ani Karma Yeshi Palmo came to the nunnery in 2010. She speaks Dzongkha and a little Tibetan. She has had no formal education but is very interested in learning as much as she can at the nunnery. She wants to study dharma, and learn how to speak and write in English. She wants to learn to meditate and she wants to do retreat.

My name is Yonten Palmo. I was born in 2014 in a middle class family in a village called Kharjung (Helumbu) of Nepal. There are 5 members in my family. They are my dad, mom and one younger brother. I joined my school village but they lacked some facilities. I don’t have time to study since I need to help my parents. So I joined the nunnery in Kathmandu where my cousin’s sister, Tsewang Lhamo, is also a nun. Now I am studying in grade one and I have many friends. I love to watch cartoons, do prayers and play with my friends. I am happy to be a nun and I like to study hard and help my parents.

My name is Dondrub Sangmo, and I’m from Okhaldhunga, one of the 14 districts of Nepal. I was born on April 14, 1991, and I have 12 siblings, including myself. From a young age, I always wanted to become a nun, and five of my brothers are monks. It was very hard for my parents to take care of everyone, so I couldn’t attend school or receive any formal education at that time. I helped with household chores and took care of the yaks and cows. On June 4, 2024, I joined the nunnery with the help of my brother, even though my parents wanted me to go abroad. Life in the nunnery is peaceful and fulfilling. I study with the younger nuns, and I’m happy that I can read Tibetan pechas (religious texts). The environment here is very different, I no longer have to work in the cold weather as I did in the village. I am very content with my decision and truly enjoy the morning prayers and everything about life here.

My name is Karma Lhaki Drolma. I was born in 2009 in the village of Borangmang Sakteng, Trashigang. I joined the nunnery on 15th January 2024. There are 5 members in my family. They are my dad, mom and one elder brother, one younger brother and two sisters. My sister is s nun. Her name is Karma Sangay Palmo. My mother and father are cow herders. I would like to study in the shedra and be a teacher in the future.

Ani Karma Yangzom comes to Karma Drubdey Nunnery from the Tashiphug Monastery in the Gelephu region in southern Bhutan. She was sent to the monastery by her mother to study buddhism. She would like to be a good nun and to fulfill her mother’s wishes. Her aunt felt that Karma Drubdey would be a much better place for her as there were only a few nuns at Tashiphug Monastery and so she brought her to Karma Drubdey. Now she is studying at Kuengarabten Primary school with the other young nuns. She is happy with her friends and she likes going to school. She hopes to joint the shedra in the future.

My name is Sonam Drolma. I am from the Southern part of Bhutan and came to the nunnery in 2011. Although I was already a nun in one of the nunneries in southern Bhutan, the hot weather made it hard for me to study there. So I decided to join Karma Drubdey nunnery where the weather is much better. I have five siblings back at home. Although, I didn’t go to a formal school, I joined the shedra (monastic college.) in 2016. I am happy to have the opportunity to study here. I hope to go into retreat in future.

My name is Dechen Choki. I came to the nunnery in 2002. After completing the basic monastic training, I went into retreat for 2 years and joined the shedra (monastic collage) in 2011 and graduated in 2021. I have been serving in one of the Kagyu nunneries as a teacher for one year. In 2023 I will be going to India to study Tibetan medicine for five years.

Ani Tenzin Zangmo came to the nunnery in 1996. She has two sisters there, Ani Thapkey Drolma and Ani Dechen Palmo. She received a 2nd grade education in the Bhutanese public school before coming to the nunnery. She speaks Dzongkha, Tibetan and a little English. She is funny, frank, open minded and interested in helping others.

My name is Rinchen Choden. I was born on 2nd November 2008. I joined the nunnery on 23rd August 2023. I studied through grade 4 in the government school. I am the only one daughter in my family. I am happy in the nunnery. I would like to study and do retreat in the future. Now I am trying to study well. After completing my studies I would like to be a teacher and serve the nunnery.

My name is Karma Drolma. I was born on 1st January 1986 in the village of Borangmang Sakteng, Trashigang. It’s my own interest and wish to become a nun. I have 8 members in my family. My mother and younger father are yak herders. I joined the nunnery on 23rd August 2023. After completing my studies I would like to be in charge of the store.

Ani Pema Jangchuk came to the nunnery in 2001. She has a first grade education from Bhutan’s public school. She speaks Dzongkha and Tibetan. She likes to help others.

Ani Gaylek Palmo came to the nunnery in 1993. She speaks Dzongkha and Tibetan. She wants to meditate and help others. She hopes to be able to study more some day.

Ani Zhenphen Zangmo came to the nunnery in 1996. She speaks Dzongkha and Tibetan. She is thought of as a very kind hearted person, always thinking of others first and is loved by all. She likes to meditate and has completed a 3-year retreat.

I became a nun in the year 2006. I speak Dzongkha and Tibetan. After my formal monastic training, in 2014 I went to Dolma Ling Institute, in India, to study further. However, due to health reasons, I could not continue my studies there. Nevertheless, I am continuing my studies here in Bhutan and hope to graduate from here.

My name is Karma Palden Yuden. I came to the nunnery in 2007 after completing the 7th grade in one of the government schools. I speak Dzongkha, Tibetan and English. I have 4 siblings including a twin sister who passed away few years ago. After completing one year preliminary retreat, I joined the shedra (monastic college) in 2014. I love studying, reading books and mediating. I also love to help others. Currently I am studying and serving as an assistant teacher. I hope to complete my studies and serve my nunnery and Guru at the best of my ability.

My name is Karma Thinley Wangmo and I joined the nunnery in 2008. I went into one retreat in the year 2013. In 2014, I went to Dolma Ling monastic college in Dharamsala, India. After studying for 3 years in India, I came back to my nunnery in Bhutan in 2018 and I am continuing my studies here. I hope to graduate from here.

Ani Choeyang Randrol is from southern Bhutan, she joined the nunnery in 2013. She studied up through the sixth grade at the public school before joining the nunnery. Her parents divorced when she was very young. She says that when she was home she was sick most of the time and that since she has moved to the nunnery she is feeling much better. She has three siblings. Her two sisters stay with her mother and stepfather back home. Her stepfather is good to her. She doesn’t have any contact with her father now. She decided herself to become a nun. She says that she has seen her mother facing many problems and she hopes that when she grows up she will be able to help her mother. In the future she would like to do a retreat and then serve the nunnery in whatever way she can.

Ani Rangjung Drolma studied up to Class 9 in Autsho Central school in her home town. She has 5 siblings. It was her decision to join the nunnery. She wishes to study in the shedra, to do retreat and eventually to serve the nunnery.

Yudruk Dolma is from Bumthang, Bhutan. She joined the nunnery in March 2020. She is the youngest among eight siblings. She studied up to grade ten. It is her own wish to become nun. She would like to study in Shedra and would like to serve the nunnery.

My name is Dechen Lhamo Tamang and I am from Nuwakot district of Nepal. I was born on the 17th of January 2018. I lived with my mom, grandparents, and a younger brother. My mother’s name is Phur Gyalmo Tamang and my little brother’s name is Mingmar Gualpo. He is two years old. I read from nursery to K.G. in my village school. My favorite subjects were Nepali and English when I was in my village school. But now, I can read Tibetan, mathematics and science in my nunnery and I love Tibetan and mathematics the most. I joined Tek Chok Ling nunnery on the 3rd of July 2023 and became a nun on the 6th of July 2023. I also got a new name (Dechen Lhamo) from Rinpoche. I love everything about the nunnery, it is very different from my village. I made many friends too. They are Lodroe, Tsundue, Youden, Tsomo and Karma. I like to be with Urgyen Dolma (5 years old) most of the time because she helps me with Tibetan subjects and plays with me. I want to learn many things in my future and help my mom and my friends.

My name is Karma Wangmo. I was born on 15th June 2010 in the village of Borangmang Sakteng. I studied through grade 6 in the government school and joined the nunnery on 1st March 2023. There are 6 in my family: my grandmother, mother, father, two sisters and me. My mother works in the fields and looks after my grandmother. I am very happy in the nunnery with the help and care of all the teachers and my friends. After completing my studies I would like to serve my nunnery.

Lhundrub Drolma wants to study Buddhism. She wants to study in the shedra and would like to do a retreat. She wants to be a nyerpa in the future.

My name is Urgyen Dolma. I was born on 11th October 2017 in the village of YolmoNepal. Including myself there are 5 members in my family. They are my grandparent, mother and my big brother. My mother’s name is Maya Sherpa. She works in the fields and looks after my grandparents. My elder brother is in grade five. My father died when I was so little. Maybe I was 13 months that time. We have one dog, Tommy, and three kittens in my home. I love to play with the kittens and sometime my kittens sleep with me. But I am afraid of my Tommy because he is very big. I had many friends in my village school, among them my close friends are Mingler and Lhakpa. I joined the nunnery on 4th December this year (2022) and I am the newest nun in my nunnery right now. I found many friends here and everyone loves me. Tsundue is the same age as me and she is from Dolpa. I love to draw with my friends and I like to draw the pictures of persons and color them. I love all subjects, but I love mathematics period. I am also learning to read Tibetan and I hope I could read well very soon. I have my cousin sister (Ani Karma Yangzom) and aunt (Ani Tsultrim Dolma) with me at the nunnery and they take care of me very well. In future, I want to become a good person and help others.

She is studying in class three. She is the eldest among three siblings. In future she would like to be Nyerpa.

My name is Youdon Lhamo and I was born in Braggang village (Yolmo) which lies in Sindupalchok district of Nepal. Yolmo is very peaceful and beautiful place. I was born in 2014. I have one little sister. Her name is Lhakpa. We use to play together and she is like my best friend. My parent work in the fields. I became a nun in August 2022 and I love living in nunnery. Pema Dolma was my birth name and I got a new name, Youdon Lhamo, from Rinpoche when I became a nun. I was very happy for my new name and I love it when nuns call me by my new name. I don’t go to school when I was in my village and I don’t know how to read or write. I spend my day by playing with friends and helping my mother. But now I can read say some alphabet and write them down. Sometimes my friends help me to spell the words and they are very helpful. I love to draw random picture of people and houses because it is very fun. I like to eat with my friends during mealtime and sing rhymes in classroom. We have a dog in our nunnery and his name is Gyagsha. I love to play with Gyagsha. I love my friends and senior nuns.