 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
The need for aid in Tibet
Despite claims that the People’s Republic of China has brought development to Tibet, according to the United Nations Human Development Index, the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is poorer than Bangladesh, Angola, Haiti and Rwanda. Most Tibetans are unable to afford adequate health care, and every year hundreds of Tibetan children make the perilous journey across the Himalayas in pursuit of an education in exile.
Projects in Tibet
Water Pump Project, Tibet Autonomous Region
Tibet Relief Fund is participating in a health education project within the TAR. The provision of safe drinking water is critical, as most people currently rely on water from rivers that are often contaminated by animals. Children are particularly vulnerable to diarrhoea and other health problems. This project targets villages and aims to install one hand pump in each household of the poorest villages. Tibet Relief Fund has already raised funds for 100 pumps.
Tibet Schools Project, Tibet Autonomous Region
So far the Tashi Tsering Foundation in Lhasa has built over 50 primary schools in central Tibet - nine of these schools, as well as a college for vocational training, were constructed with assistance from the Tibet Relief Fund. Tashi Tsering is an advocate of education as the answer to Tibet’s problems. He has instigated a matched funding programme whereby for every pound donated by Tibet Relief Fund and other western aid organisations, the Chinese government provides an equal amount. This has proved to be invaluable in bringing education to the rural communities in the Tibet Autonomous Region. We continue to raise funds to support initiatives through the Tashi Tsering Foundation.
Beehive Project: Nyoshul School, Kham
Nyoshul is a small, isolated community in eastern Tibet where the literacy rate is only 5%. The small local school became completely run down and its lack of sleeping accommodation rendered it impractical for the widely dispersed nomadic population that it was intended to serve.
The Beehive Project was launched in 2002 to renovate and reinvigorate Nyoshul School. The buildings have new roofs and the leaking walls have been repaired. But there is still an urgent need to improve both the facilities and the quality of education at Nyoshul. The nearby river still provides the only washing facilities, and families need help with the costs of boarding, stationery and textbooks. If enough funds can be raised, the school will eventually have six classrooms providing education for children aged between seven and 16 years. You can now help by becoming a Friend of the Beehive School – supporters will receive annual updates about the school’s progress.
Shuxiong Tibetan Schools Fund, Kham
Tondashun Community School is located in the mountains of northern Yunnan. Originally set up by a lama in the retreat of Dondupling Monastery, the school quickly outgrew the premises. The local community cleared some land on the mountainside above their village and provided the wood to build a temporary structure for the children. However, conditions at Tondashun were basic. The children endured two severe winters of bitter winds and sub-zero temperatures in the temporary school before new school buildings were built with help from the Tibet Relief Fund. With a second school in the Shuxiong area (Baimaxueshan School) and a third located in a nomad community in Donla, (Genye School), the Shuxiong Schools Fund is providing education to over 300 children.
Help us to put compassion into action - donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated. Another way of supporting our projects in Tibet, India and Nepal is to purchase gifts through Enlightened Gifts where there is a range of goodwill gifts, a great selection of cards, books, CDs and Tibetan crafts.
Back to top
