Volunteers: From Freshmen to Confident Tour Guides

Maksat Ovezov, a graduate of the Faculty of Regional Studies of Kalmyk State University, takes great pleasure in telling about his favorite exhibition, dedicated to the dharmapalas — the protectors of the Buddha’s teaching. For four years he and his classmates were part of the volunteer group at the Central Khurul, who were also entrusted with conducting guided tours.

“These boys and girls did an enormous amount of work: from timid freshmen they grew into confident tour guides who know their business. They are all very active, purposeful, intelligent young people,” Galina Aydarova, an employee of the “History of Buddhism” museum, says with a smile about her charges.

“This is our headman Sanal Kekeev, the charming Maksat Ovezov, our beauties Katya Bovaeva, Ksenia Sandzhieva, Anna Muchkaeva, Aisa Karmashova,” Galina Alekseevna introduces them to us by name. She is their mentor, who, if needed, will teach, show, and explain. Over these four years a strong and warm friendship has developed among them.

Today they came to the museum as guests. They showed the diplomas they had received at Kalmyk State University. By the way, many of them are straight-A students. They talked about how useful their volunteer work had been. They noted that the knowledge they gained at the Central Khurul had helped them greatly. For example, Aisa Karmashova used material she had gained during the tours in her thesis.

In conclusion of the meeting, the senior administrator of the Central Khurul, Yonten-Gelung, congratulated the young people on graduating from the university and thanked them for their close cooperation: “You are among the few who were entrusted, on par with professional tour guides, to ‘lead’ guests, to represent our people, our republic, our culture and religion. I am sure that you will certainly use all the knowledge and experience you have gained in life, and that they will be only for the good.”