Kelsang Dekyi

In 1978, Kelsang Dekyi was born in Medog, a county in Nyingchi, a city in Tibet. Her family is ethnic Menba. Medog's economy is underdeveloped, due in large part to the disadvantages caused by its geographical location.

Despite the passage of time, Kelsang Dekyi can recall every detail of the day, in 1989 (she was 11 at the time), when she and her former classmates started their journey to their primary school. "For the first time in our lives, we walked beyond our hometown. Travelling a long distance, we spent seven days to get to our destination," recalls Kelsang Dekyi.

Shortly after she graduated from the Affiliated Institute for Nationalities of Hebei Normal University (in Shijiazhuang, capital of North China's Hebei Province), in 2001, Kelsang Dekyi returned to Medog to teach at a primary school. "I hope all Menba children (in my hometown) will receive an education," she was quoted as saying.

During the past two decades, Kelsang Dekyi has exerted every effort to be an excellent teacher. For example, she has updated her knowledge, to keep current with the rapidly developing world. She has also explored new ways to better educate her students.

Kelsang Dekyi cannot remember how many times she has traveled across precipitous cliffs and deep valleys to visit impoverished residents (of Medog), to persuade them to allow their children to stay in school. Neither can she remember how many times she has trudged, with her male colleagues, across mountains and rivers to escort students home. Given her persevering efforts to promote education among Menba children, Kelsang Dekyi gained the residents' trust. Many residents have called her "Dream Protector."  

In 2018, Kelsang Dekyi was appointed vice-principal of Medog Wanquan Primary School. In February 2019, she was named a National March 8th Red-Banner Pacesetter by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF).

"While I studied in Hebei Normal University (about 20 years ago), I realized rural residents (in Tibet) should encourage their children to make greater efforts to improve their studies, to change their fates … It is gratifying to see an increasing number of my fellow villagers have realized the importance of education in recent years," Kelsang Dekyi, a delegate to the 13th National People's Congress, said when she was interviewed by Chinese and foreign media outlets during the congress.

"In recent years, the Party and the Chinese Government have adopted preferential policies, and have increased funding to promote children's education. As a result, the region has taken the lead in the country in providing the free, 15-year compulsory education to children. Schooling has helped shape my life. I believe more Tibetan rural children will change their fates through education."

Kelsang Dekyi says she remembers her original dream, despite the passage of time, and she follows her heart. She vows to make greater efforts to cultivate more excellent students.

Photo Supplied by Fan Wenjun

(Women of China English Monthly May 2021 issue)