Twice a year the forbidding journey to the boarding school is necessary. Father Latak, looks to the sky and attempts to predict how the weather will develop. Only when he is sure that no storm is brewing, he starts to prepare the children for the trip over the river. It is a route that is so notorious, that it even has a name: Chadar - the path over the cloak of ice. One last time, his ten year old son Motup, plays in front of their hut. Motup is one of the few kids who regularly leave the village in order to attend one of the the better schools in town. Then the family gets ready for the long trip. The mother has sewn thick wool socks for the father and the children, and Tebean prayers and mantras are recited for protection along the way. Then the trip begins, where the children muss trust completely the experience and skill of their father.
The first steps, only a few kilometres until the frozen river, seem easy for the family. But father Latak recognizes immediately that the spring has come early this year and the sun has already began to compromise the ice. This is not a good sign, since the thinner the ice the more dangerous the trip becomes. Latak goes before the children and tests with a stick before each step on the ice. Often the ice cracks a bit, but the ice remains whole. Latak knows that no one should travel the Chadar without a good reason. But the education of the children is a good enough reason to take on the risks involved.
He knows that if he goes first and the ice carries his weight, that it will also carry the weight of the children. If it does not, it will be he that will fall in the icy water and not his two children. At the same time, Latak, Motup and the other members of the crew must keep a close eye on the mountains. The massive mountain ranges on both sides of them seem to be a scene form a picture book, peaceful and lordly. But there is danger lurking. At any given time, an avalanche can break out. Many times before people have been caught by avalanches here.
In the mean time the sun has already thawed the middle of the river. But since there are steep rocks right and left, Latak must now search for a new path for them to continue on. He leaves Motup behind him and luckily finds a way. It is a 20 cm wide path on the rocks at the edge of the river, and up to ten meters high.
They need almost an hour, skipping from rock to rock until they finally reach an area where the river is again covered with ice. Now they must find a place to set up camp as soon as possible before it becomes dark and the temperatures sink to as low as -30 degrees Celsius. Latak knows a cave where they will be protected and finally be able to get some rest. They must gather their strength because the most dangerous part of the Chadar still lies before them.
There are countless dangerous situations that make this way to school so unpredictable. But after four days it is over, they have reached their goal; the city of Leh.
The first steps, only a few kilometres until the frozen river, seem easy for the family. But father Latak recognizes immediately that the spring has come early this year and the sun has already began to compromise the ice. This is not a good sign, since the thinner the ice the more dangerous the trip becomes. Latak goes before the children and tests with a stick before each step on the ice. Often the ice cracks a bit, but the ice remains whole. Latak knows that no one should travel the Chadar without a good reason. But the education of the children is a good enough reason to take on the risks involved.
He knows that if he goes first and the ice carries his weight, that it will also carry the weight of the children. If it does not, it will be he that will fall in the icy water and not his two children. At the same time, Latak, Motup and the other members of the crew must keep a close eye on the mountains. The massive mountain ranges on both sides of them seem to be a scene form a picture book, peaceful and lordly. But there is danger lurking. At any given time, an avalanche can break out. Many times before people have been caught by avalanches here.
In the mean time the sun has already thawed the middle of the river. But since there are steep rocks right and left, Latak must now search for a new path for them to continue on. He leaves Motup behind him and luckily finds a way. It is a 20 cm wide path on the rocks at the edge of the river, and up to ten meters high.
They need almost an hour, skipping from rock to rock until they finally reach an area where the river is again covered with ice. Now they must find a place to set up camp as soon as possible before it becomes dark and the temperatures sink to as low as -30 degrees Celsius. Latak knows a cave where they will be protected and finally be able to get some rest. They must gather their strength because the most dangerous part of the Chadar still lies before them.
There are countless dangerous situations that make this way to school so unpredictable. But after four days it is over, they have reached their goal; the city of Leh.
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TVTranscript
00:00We all know it.
00:04Walked it every day.
00:08But none of them were like these.
00:16The world's most dangerous ways to score.
00:20Climbing. Freezing.
00:24Paddling for hours. All for the chance of a better life.
00:28Risky. Spectacular.
00:32And sometimes simply beautiful.
00:36The world's most dangerous ways to score.
00:58They have only one goal. To attend school.
01:06But the only way to get there leads them across the river and the ice.
01:12No one likes walking it.
01:16But whoever wants to go to school has no choice.
01:20Four days through the canyon.
01:24Four days of struggle.
01:26Four days of torrential water.
01:30It is one of the longest existing ways to score.
01:36And definitely one of the most dangerous ones.
01:46Zangla. A village on the river Zanskar.
01:48High up in the Ladakh.
01:50In the Indian Himalaya Mountains.
01:52Everything seems sheltered.
01:54Idyllic.
01:56Almost like a small world of its own.
02:00Which is exactly the problem the 650 people living here face.
02:04Because their village.
02:06Lies in the midst of the Himalayan mountains.
02:08Which are up to 8,000 meters high.
02:10They are isolated from the outside world.
02:12In an almost never ending winter.
02:14There are only a few months free from snow and ice.
02:18That's why the children who want to attend the good schools in town.
02:24Must take on one of the most dangerous ways on earth.
02:28Motop is only 10 years old.
02:32And even if it sounds incredible.
02:34He takes on this extremely dangerous journey.
02:38Motop attends boarding school in Leh.
02:40The second largest town in Ladakh.
02:42The two months of winter break are now coming to a close.
02:46Even though lessons will first start in a week's time.
02:50It's Motop's last day in the village.
02:54Motop is one of the few boys who regularly leave the village.
02:58In order to attend one of the better schools in town.
03:02Two years ago he won a scholarship for the school.
03:06Since then his and his family's life have changed a lot.
03:12For his schooling Motop leaves many of his friends behind for a long time.
03:18Because most of the children attend the standard school in the village.
03:22The way to school really is an expedition.
03:24Lasting several days.
03:26For which Motop's parents, Latak and Chosdon, prepare meticulously.
03:40Latak will accompany his son on the way across the frozen river.
03:46There are no shopping facilities or accommodations on the river.
03:54The essentials, like provisions and sleeping bags, have to be carried by father and son themselves.
04:00Latak must not forget anything.
04:02Every packing mistake can become life-threatening on their journey.
04:08The heavy load is carried on the self-built sleigh most of the way.
04:12The chadar, as the way on the ice is called, makes many demands of fathers and sons.
04:18The chadar poses many riddles.
04:25The water may rise at any time.
04:28Obstacles may appear from nowhere.
04:30Therefore the journey may take seven to eight days.
04:33And sometimes even more than a fortnight.
04:36That's why we have to carry all the stuff with us.
04:44The children, living in the up to 4,000 meter high-lying mountain valleys of northwestern India,
04:50must decide early on whether they want to leave their village at some point.
04:54In most cases, this is only possible if they go to a better school at an early age.
05:01Yang Dol lives in the neighboring village.
05:05Her big house is almost empty, because none of her four children live at home on a permanent basis.
05:11All of them attend school far away from the village.
05:22Okay, take this with, and this, and this also.
05:26Her daughter, Dolka, is 12 years old, and is anxiously preparing for her dangerous way to school.
05:35But for her dream job, she puts up with a lot.
05:40I want to be a doctor when I grow up.
05:50I want to take care of patients.
05:52I like doctors.
05:57Her mother, Yang Dol, wants her children to attend good schools.
06:00That's why both she and her children accept the separation.
06:03If children agree to go to that school, it's already a great relief.
06:11Nowadays, without proper schooling, one is no longer a valuable member of society.
06:16That's why we send the children to school.
06:18Whether one becomes valuable or not, education is a must.
06:22Shortly before departure, Watuk, who is in the fifth grade, and his father, take another close look at the river.
06:35They have only made the journey, the Chadha, one other time before, and that was the previous year.
06:41How long will it take them this time?
06:43And whether they will make it at all solely depends on the condition of the river's ice.
06:48Apart from this bridge, there is no infrastructure at all on the sanskar.
06:52The river is completely untouched, inaccessible, without a footpath on either side.
06:57For father and son, it's of vital importance to know the river and its dangers in detail.
07:05We first have to cross the ice over there.
07:07You agree, don't you?
07:09Afterwards, we can easily pull the sleigh through the snow.
07:12But Motup is not really listening.
07:17He dreams what the risky way across the river might hold in store for him.
07:22I want to be a pilot when I grow up.
07:28Because the pilot and his plane are always up in the air.
07:31I like that.
07:32I'd love to be up in the air.
07:34The way to his dream?
07:45Dangerous and far.
07:47About 100 kilometers on foot, through melting ice, lie ahead of the 10-year-old boy.
07:53The Chadha has many facets.
07:56And even among the local experts, it is considered to be entirely unpredictable.
08:07Anyone walking along here is afraid of falling in and being pulled under by the current.
08:15The last dinner within the family circle.
08:18Motup was at home for two and a half months.
08:20Now he's leaving again, for a very long time.
08:26The family is proud because Motup was selected for a school which was founded by the Dalai Lama.
08:32Not only in the neighboring Tibet, but also in the Indian Ladakh.
08:36The Dalai Lama is the most worshipped and admired person.
08:40Motup says goodbye to his family with a song in honor of the school founder.
08:44Not only in the new jail, but she is a strong contradictor.
08:45Not only in the task, but she was born and one country with a strong South.
08:47She also transformed...
08:48Not only in her dream...
08:49...to the one to aim...
08:50Not only in her dream Narayan.
08:51The two of us Mikvalini wobraeler the place spoke to him.
08:52"...해요.
08:53The next village is Oklahoma one country.
08:55Oh babies...
08:56You are a popular Obj!!
08:57...その外 em se name...
08:58Not only in Hashem to them...
08:59...but the two...
09:01Don't stop hattenam."
09:03The Batteries National Spanniersady for ShTr夏.
09:04都是 Habibar worship here.
09:05But only in the winter...
09:06It was zeker beforeizarfall of India.
09:10The next summer class is before she came to an order.
09:11The next morning, the 12-year-old Doh Ka starts even earlier on her way to school.
09:17Her home is quite far away from the point of access to the river.
09:21Her mother, Yang Tol, accompanies her.
09:37Motop says goodbye to his mother outside the house.
09:40Except two weeks for summer holidays, he won't see his family for nine months from now on.
10:05I'm very sad and have no appetite.
10:08The first two weeks after letting my child go are very tough and lonely.
10:13After a fortnight, I miss them less, and it gets a bit better.
10:18Being on my own is difficult.
10:21When my big brother is at home, we do everything together.
10:25He tends the sheep and the goats, but now I have to do that by myself, and that's difficult.
10:35With good reason, parents and children cross the river always in small groups.
10:42That way, they can help each other in an emergency and profit from the other's experience.
10:50Motop and his father meet Doh Ka down at the river.
10:53She will join them.
10:54Hello, how are you?
11:11Shake his hat.
11:13Shake his hat.
11:14Come on, shake his hat.
11:15Come on, shake his hat.
11:17Two more fellow students are waiting.
11:19Zeshma and Jordan.
11:21They are accompanied by Jordan's father, Thinley.
11:24Latak carries Doh Ka's baggage.
11:28His sleigh must bear more than 30 kg by now.
11:49The six of them plan to make the 100 km in three to four days, if nothing goes wrong.
11:57The other children use hiking sticks for better support.
12:07The adults carry the sticks for a different reason.
12:17With the stick, we check if the snow and the ice are okay.
12:22The stick is a tool for us.
12:26Here, the snow is hard and good.
12:33At the beginning, the path is wide, the ice strong and thick.
12:40The children are making good progress on the fresh snow.
12:45It is cold.
12:52In spite of the sunshine, temperatures lie at minus 10 degrees Celsius.
12:55In the shade, it is far colder.
13:00The first three hours of the way that will last for days lies now behind the children.
13:07They are tired, and have decided to ride on the sleighs.
13:13Time for the first break, right next to the river on the ice.
13:25Thinley nights the kerosene stove.
13:27Latak fetches water, from the river of course.
13:31Hot and sweet food is supposed to invigorate the children.
13:46Dinner is what is always is in wintertime, even at home.
13:50Chai and sampah.
13:51This is a sweet, milky tea made with barley flour.
14:08One ten minute break per hour, one big break per day.
14:12By following this rhythm, the adults hope that the children will be able to cope with the challenges of this long way to school.
14:19At least Motop is optimistic.
14:21He has been through this once before.
14:27Last time, it wasn't that far.
14:30I liked it.
14:31I was only a bit scared.
14:35Afternoon is approaching.
14:37It won't be long until the sun disappears behind the mountains of the canyon.
14:41Then, temperatures could quickly drop below minus 30 degrees Celsius.
14:46Concentration suffers from the permanent cold and exertion.
14:51But it makes no difference.
14:53They have to keep going.
14:54And quickly.
15:06Motop's mother, Choz Don, is visiting a stupa in Sanglau.
15:10At the Buddhist monument, she will pray for a safe passage for Motop and Latak.
15:17Last year, the chadar was very tough.
15:34Sometimes they had to walk in the water.
15:38They had to walk in the water.
15:39All the clothes got wet, and so did the money.
15:42They nearly fell off the rocks.
15:44But luckily, they were rescued.
15:45During the winter months, the chadar is the only way to leave the high mountain valley Sanskar.
15:59In this uppermost northwestern part of India, there is practically no infrastructure.
16:08Whoever doesn't absolutely need to go to town, stays in his village and goes to town in summer.
16:18And they have to walk in the water.
16:19They have to walk in the water.
16:20They have to walk in the water.
16:21They have to walk in the water.
16:22They have to walk in the water.
16:23For many Ladakhis, the chadar is an adventure they never want to experience.
16:25But still, school children regularly make the long journey.
16:33The sun has just gone down behind the mountain in the river valley.
16:38It suddenly turns ice cold.
16:40Their first night out in this unforgiving wilderness lies before them.
16:48Latak and Thinley now need shelter as quickly as possible for the night.
16:52A few meters above the river, they have discovered a cave.
17:01A few meters above the river, they have discovered a cave.
17:11Finding a safe shelter by the river is an adventure in itself.
17:14And it certainly won't be the only time they will all have to climb the rocks.
17:29They will spend the first night up here in this half-open cave.
17:34The cold has already struck the children to the marrow.
17:38They must keep themselves warm by every means in order not to fall ill.
17:50At nightfall, temperatures decrease to minus 30 degrees Celsius.
18:00Now the fire not only warms the inhabitants, but also heats up the cave floor a bit,
18:05on which fathers and children will later want to sleep.
18:09Alexander's day-toke will find the end of the lake.
18:12He will be desperate.
18:14Motok is tired and his father is concerned about the following days.
18:19If the weather remains good, this will be a calm Shadar.
18:25If it gets bad, anything can happen.
18:28Anything can happen.
18:30I think it'll work out.
18:35At least day two starts with sunshine.
18:40The night was cold, but bearable.
18:45On the Chadha, there are no pajamas or extra clothing.
18:49One sleeps in the clothes one is already wearing.
18:53The only way to endure the icy temperatures in the old army sleeping bags.
18:58And a solid night's sleep is important for the children.
19:16I get tired when we walk for a long time.
19:19Sometimes we don't take any breaks, but I like the breaks.
19:24When we stop for the night, I look forward to my sleep.
19:28I look forward to my sleep.
19:29I look forward to my sleep.
19:30I look forward to my sleep.
19:33From now on, things get very serious.
19:37The most difficult passages of the way to school are imminent.
19:41The river Zanskar digs ever deeper into the canyon.
19:49The speed in which the river flows increases dramatically.
19:53And there is less and less ice along its banks.
19:56From now on, this way to school is seriously dangerous.
20:00Two kilometers further down, they reach the first really difficult passage.
20:18The ice at the edge of the rock is so narrow and thin, it seems they are stuck for the moment.
20:23The ice is strong enough to support them.
20:32With all his experience, Atak checks whether the ice is strong enough to support them.
20:36Here, the river is not deep, but fast, and extremely cold.
20:55If one of the children fell into the water here,
20:59quite definitely he or she would be pulled under the ice
21:02by the river's current.
21:04The mistake would be fatal.
21:07Ten-year-old Motuk dares to go first.
21:10His father, Latak, keeps his eyes glued to him all the time.
21:25Passages like this one,
21:29a foretaste of the difficulties which experience has shown,
21:33will be awaiting them in the course of this journey.
21:42Latak and Thinle take no risks.
21:45Their responsibility for the children is too great.
21:48This time, everything works out fine.
21:55But the next problem is just around the corner.
22:04The river levels have risen during the night.
22:07Water has run across the ice cover and another ice layer has formed.
22:12A treacherous one indeed.
22:25As they've sat down the觉,
22:26When catching the water has disappeared,
22:27the rut have separated fromtaa,
22:28as they've noticed.
22:29And it turns out the boat in theijter's safe.
22:30As it blankets and charloses are�せ,
22:32they stay tight.
22:33Moving forward on the river becomes ever more difficult.
22:41The danger intensifies as the route leads downhill.
22:47As the group advances towards the valley,
22:50the water is moving towards the valley.
22:53As the group advances towards the valley,
22:56the water is moving towards the valley.
22:59As the group advances towards the valley,
23:02the warmer it gets.
23:04The ice on the rocks gets thinner and thinner.
23:23Here, the ice has already broken away from the edge of the rock.
23:32The water is going to be on the water.
23:40The father's decide to examine the next few metres on their own without children.
23:46The danger of breaking through and slipping into the water is too great.
24:02If they can't continue on the ice, they must avoid it by moving across the rocks.
24:13Can we cross here? From up above or from here?
24:16No, it's impossible from here. We have to climb the other way.
24:32At all costs, Latak wants to avoid a dangerous climb and takes another close look at the narrow parts.
24:43No chance at all. They have to climb over the rocks.
24:54Falling is only one of the fears that trouble Latak.
25:02What can one say about the Chadar?
25:07Three years ago, a boy broke through the ice and died.
25:14I knew the boy.
25:17That's not allowed to happen and shouldn't ever happen.
25:21That's what I pray for.
25:22The men have to investigate whether the rock is passable at all here.
25:33It seems possible.
25:38Moreover, they don't really have a choice.
25:42It seems possible.
25:43Moreover, they don't really have a choice.
25:44The fathers decide to carry the luggage over to the other side first.
25:58The fathers decide to carry the luggage over to the other side first.
26:02It's a balancing act, and a very dangerous one too.
26:18More so with 30 kilograms of weight on their backs.
26:21Thinley fights his way up the rock inch by inch in his rubber boots.
26:35The higher he climbs, the more difficult the passage gets.
26:49The rock ledge is the crux.
26:51Far more narrow, steep and difficult, the descent to the river.
27:10Thinley gropes his way down without safety ropes.
27:24One false step, and he falls down the river together with his backpack.
27:29One false step, and he falls down the river.
27:30One false step, and he falls down the river.
27:36Done.
27:38Even without safety equipment.
27:41They somehow managed.
27:43While the children are still completely unaware of the dangerous situation,
27:48Latak sets off with the remaining luggage.
27:59So far, the chadda has worked out well for the children.
28:06Now, the first really great challenge on their way to school lies ahead of them.
28:14First up, Watop and Dolkaha.
28:16The adults split up in a way so that they can help the children at the most dangerous spots.
28:32The fathers do not carry ropes or any security devices.
28:57Should Matup slip, Thinley must by all means catch him.
29:03Now, once more, it gets really steep.
29:27One slip and fall into the cold water, and the river would instantly carry away the children.
29:45The fear is written all over Matup's face.
29:57But in the end, everyone manages the dangerous passage across the rocks.
30:22I was afraid while climbing, but it was also fun.
30:29The mountains are high, and it's scary to look down.
30:39Done.
30:41The next passage is easier, especially on the sleigh.
30:45From time to time, the clear ice surfaces.
30:48The right moment to catch a breath.
30:52Like this, the way to school is fun, and time flies for the next few kilometers.
31:01On the chadar, I like riding the sleigh the most.
31:07Because it feels like sitting in a little car.
31:10It is a lot of fun.
31:11The next day, day three, the weather has suddenly changed.
31:16The fathers had been expecting this already yesterday.
31:20It's snowing.
31:22Fresh snow means rising temperatures, and therefore rising water levels.
31:27Here, in the narrowest and steepest part of the canyon, this could have serious consequences.
31:32Today, they're great for playing with.
31:46At high water, the iron bars serve as a footbridge across the river.
31:49If they too are beneath water level, there is no way forward.
31:54Then, the river becomes impassable at this point.
31:58I've never been held up here by high water.
32:08But I've heard of people that had to go around this place, and they needed an extra two days.
32:15Because of high water.
32:25Last time, Latak was standing in the water up to his belly.
32:29It quickly becomes obvious that, again, he and the children will not get away from the high water.
32:35An approaching group knows what it looks like over there on the river.
32:40Hello, how are you?
32:42What does it look like over there?
32:43High water? It's up to here.
32:48Up to the knee?
32:50Yeah.
32:53Up to where exactly?
32:56Up to here?
32:58No, to here.
33:01In fact, the condition of the ice coverage is ominous, menacing, worrisome, threatening.
33:13Up to here.
33:14Up to here.
33:15Up to here.
33:16Up to here.
33:18Up to here.
33:20Up to here.
33:22Up to here.
33:24Up to here.
33:26How high the water actually is becomes evident only when the school children and their fathers are right in the middle of it.
33:30Because the water level may suddenly rise, because the water level may suddenly rise within minutes.
33:39To dodge into the rocks once again is absolutely impossible.
33:42They are too steep here.
33:43Thinley urges him to hurry up.
33:48Okay, that's not a lot of water. Let's go.
33:50Not over there. Come here.
33:59Latak dares to go on to this passage together with the two boys and Sesma.
34:04The rubber boots are impermeable, but not lined.
34:07The feet immediately turn ice-cold, and that hurts.
34:13For the moment, Dolka stays behind. Her boots are not high enough.
34:33In the middle of the river, the levels seem to decrease a little again.
34:37But the children are now ice-cold in their boots.
34:45Jordan can't go on any longer.
34:47After 200 meters, he is absolutely exhausted, and needs to be carried.
35:03A little later, the water gets deeper once again.
35:07Now, it seeps into the rubber boots.
35:09Now, it seeps into the rubber boots.
35:13At least Motop has stayed dry, in contrast to Jolden.
35:21At least Motop has stayed dry.
35:23In contrast to Jolden.
35:37Water has seeped into his boots at these icy temperatures.
35:43Luckily, his father has taken precautions, and has a fresh pair of socks for him.
36:05The Tak has now waded back to Fetchdorka.
36:17Everything is completely wet, at minus 30 degrees.
36:21Thinley didn't pack extra dry socks for himself, though.
36:39And so the old ones in the wet rubber boots will have to do.
36:43The Tak must cross the river three times.
36:57For Dolka, one piggyback ride is already enough.
37:05I was very afraid here a moment ago.
37:07It feels as if you're falling into the river, but I like the climbing.
37:13It feels as if you're falling into the river.
37:15Day four.
37:17The destination seems within reach.
37:19Only a few minor, tricky passages lie ahead of them now.
37:27Motop and the others are in a hurry to reach the town now.
37:31On the one hand, they are simply tired out, after 90 kilometers of marching.
37:36And on the other hand, the rising temperatures are melting the ice more and more.
37:43It's not as if you're falling into the river.
37:45It's not as if you're falling into the river.
37:47Here, a few kilometers away from the road leading to Ley,
37:49it once again gets really dangerous.
37:51The edges of the ice on both sides of the river are very thin.
38:05The current and the warmth have almost cleared the river of ice.
38:13Again, the rocks are the only way out.
38:17Going up seems to be less tiring this time.
38:31But going down...
38:35going down...
38:39This detour, so shortly before the end, is very hard for the students.
38:51Especially Jordan, who is so exhausted he can hardly walk anymore.
38:57He repeatedly loses his balance.
39:15The fact that we went over the rocks once again was not so bad.
39:19But sometimes, I was afraid too.
39:37Because from the top, it feels like you were looking down a high, steep wall.
39:55But then, the children have made it.
40:03After about 100 kilometers on the river, a steep path forks off towards the street.
40:09The last real obstacle on the way to school in Ley.
40:13Now, the fathers too are exhausted.
40:32They want to freshen themselves up a little before arriving at the big town.
40:43At the end of the school holidays, share taxis are waiting for fathers and children who have to return to school.
41:01Up here, in the middle of nowhere.
41:05It's another 60 kilometers to Ley.
41:08It's another 60 kilometers.
41:10Motuk, Jolden, Tolka and Teshma are totally tired.
41:16They fall asleep immediately.
41:18And are too exhausted to be glad to have made it across the river.
41:22Two hours later, they reach Ley.
41:40After a four day expedition, the boys arrive at the school gate.
42:02The girls attend a different, bigger school.
42:04They have to drive on.
42:08Here, at the stairs of the Jamyang School, one of the most dangerous ways to school on earth, ends for Motuk and Jolden.
42:16And school begins.
42:22Together with their fathers, they register for their new school year.
42:29They have to pay for their own children!
42:34Only a few steps away is Motuk's dormitory.
42:44The 10-year-old shares his bedroom with seven fellow students.
42:51Two of the boys have already arrived.
42:54They come from remote valleys.
42:57Their way to school is much shorter,
42:59so their parents can visit them from time to time,
43:02in marked contrast to Motok.
43:18Of course I'm a bit sad,
43:20but at the same time I am happy to meet my friends again.
43:25But it's still very sad,
43:27because my dad brought me here and now he has to leave.
43:34A few minutes later, it's time to go.
43:36The fathers must quickly return due to the rising temperatures.
43:39After only half an hour,
43:41they say goodbye to their sons without further ado.
43:44Don't be cheeky, don't start fighting, and be good at school.
43:51Take good care of each other.
43:53Take good care of each other.
44:09It feels bad, very sad.
44:11I feel like crying leaving the children behind like that.
44:14It's just sad.
44:16But we don't cry, because we don't want to set a bad example.
44:20It might make them want to cry even more.
44:23That's why we try to control ourselves and just leave quickly.
44:30Latak and Thinli quickly set out
44:32because of the unpredictable conditions on the river.
44:35They don't know how long the ice will last,
44:37and do not want to waste time.
44:43The next day is a Saturday,
44:44the beginning of the new school year.
44:54Everyone in Motuk's school starts with a Buddhist prayer.
44:57Dolka's school lies at the upper end of town.
45:08Here, too, everyone prays.
45:11Then the headmaster holds an introductory speech
45:13for the new school year.
45:23Dolka's school is much bigger.
45:25After the morning assembly,
45:281,400 students go to their classrooms.
45:32Good morning, sir.
45:35Oh, good morning, good morning. Sit down.
45:38Thank you, sir.
45:40Okay, how are you?
45:42Fine, sir.
45:46Dolka is in the seventh grade now.
45:48She's got math class,
45:50or rather, the joy of mathematics.
45:51Motuk now is in the fifth grade,
45:54and he swiftly receives a pile of new books,
45:56one luxury the school of his home village does not offer.
46:00lunchtime.
46:02All 300 students of the Jamyang School
46:03assemble in the auditorium.
46:05They're having rice and lentils,
46:07served by the so-called foster mothers.
46:08foster mothers.
46:10For Motuk, the foster mothers are the people to home.
46:12They're having rice and lentils,
46:13served by the so-called foster mothers.
46:15For Motuk, the foster mothers are the people to whom he relates most closely at boarding school.
46:22They live together with him in the residential home.
46:24They live together with him in the residential home.
46:26He is a part of the family.
46:28They live together with him in the residential home.
46:29and support their fosterling, not only practically, but also morally.
46:46One of them is Dolma Tseki.
46:48When the children return from holidays,
46:51at first they miss their parents very much.
46:53their mother, their dad.
46:55But after a week everything returns to normal again.
46:58We let the children play.
47:00We divide them into different groups.
47:03We console them.
47:05And slowly, they calm down.
47:06Time will heal the painful farewells.
47:09Motuk and Jordan have found a surrogate family here at school.
47:13Their fathers, Latak and Thinle, are back on the Chadhaah.
47:17Ahead of them lies a long and dangerous way.
47:19We divide them into different groups.
47:21We console them.
47:22And slowly, they calm down.
47:24Time will heal the painful farewells.
47:26Motuk and Jordan have found a surrogate family here at school.
47:29Their fathers, Latak and Thinle, are back on the Chadhaah.
47:32Ahead of them lies a long and dangerous way.
47:36And no one knows what surprises it holds in store.