Consensus Communities

Every month, Qu Jie saves 1,000 RMB of her 1,200 RMB salary and gives this money to her mother and younger brother each year when she returns home for the New Year celebration.

Qu Jie, a 21 year old native of Aba, Sichuan, came to work at Shambhala at the Great Wall in 2006 in search of greater opportunities. Just prior to her departure to Beijing, Qu Jie’s father become seriously ill, but insisted she enjoy her time at Shambhala and make full use of the opportunities presented to her. Her basic knowledge of Chinese quickly improved as she simultaneously began to study English from the British hotel manager. Qu Jie is now fluent in Chinese, proficient in English, and enthusiastic to attend an English language school next year while continuing work with Shambhala. When yoga training was offered to the Shambhala staff, she jumped on board and is now the hotel’s yoga instructor.

Unfortunately, Qu Jie’s father passed away the same year she joined Shambhala. She now takes on a new role providing financial support for her family in Abba. Every month, Qu Jie saves 1,000 RMB of her 1,200 RMB salary and gives this money to her mother and younger brother each year when she returns home for the New Year celebration. Her brother is majoring in Writing at Mashi Xiao University, and without their father, Qu Jie feels most responsible by affording her brother’s education. Following her own schooling next year, Qu Jie plans to return to Tibet and continue working with Shambhala, “maybe even teaching English!”

Earning 1,500 RMB per month, Xi Lou sends a large portion back home to Lhasa every month to provide medical care for his crippled sister, along with household items such as a refrigerator and television set.

After four years of working as security guard at Shambhala at the Great Wall, Xi Lou, 28, has gained a copious amount of knowledge and skills, which has given him the reassurance that he may provide for himself and his family. He has been trained to repair lighting, air-conditioning, showers and hot-water, but constantly expresses interest in learning how to drive and speak English. He is currently taking English lessons.

Earning 1,500 RMB per month, Xi Lou sends a large portion back home to Lhasa every month to provide medical care for his crippled sister, along with household items such as a refrigerator and television set. He feels tremendous delight in making proper health care available to his sister and providing a comfortable lifestyle for his family.

Whereas Xi Lou previously felt anxious that his lack of skills limited his future, he now feels at ease. Today, he earns his own money in a peaceful environment, and is confident that when he returns to Lhasa, he will have the skills necessary to secure a respectable job.

Zhou Ma’s monthly 1,200 RMB salary is largely transmitted to her savings account, and hopefully one day will support her entrepreneurial ambition

Zhuo Ma was happy to help her parents run their family-owned convenience store in Sichuan, but did not feel the self- gratification she was looking for in her work. In 2006, when Zhou Ma, now 23, was offered a front desk/waitressing position at Shambhala at the Great Wall, she was more than excited to come to Beijing so she could be exposed to a dynamic environment.

When she arrived at the ranch, Zhou Ma began training with the British hotel manager. She was surprised to learn that a full range of tasks needed improvement, from properly washing glasses to the art of waitressing. Along with her service industry skills, Zhou Ma has also been studying English at the ranch for the past three years, and now feels more acclimated to different cultures. Zhou Ma’s monthly 1,200 RMB salary is largely transmitted to her savings account, and hopefully one day will support her entrepreneurial ambition. She hopes to start selling prayer flags in her hometown, as she sees a prime market of Buddhists that currently do not have a convenient outlet in the region.