Tibet 2009

In this region of Central Tibet, at an altitude of approximately 4000 meters, it usually only rains in summer when the Indian monsoon manages to cross over the immense Himalayan barrier, and it is during these months that the work of harvesting crops is generally carried out. However, this year the climatic conditions have once again been adverse; the lack of rain has caused many villages to lose almost all their crops. Aid was therefore used, in first place, to buy sacks of rice, flour and barley that were distributed to the families according to their numbers, in order to ensure their survival in the winter months.

In the city, volunteers of the Association also bought for each child a winter jacket, sweater, trousers, shirt, woolen underwear, leather and canvas shoes, hat, soap, towel, toothbrush and toothpaste, and for those children attending school – uniforms and enough exercise books, pens, ink and pencils to last the coming year. As always these gifts and money were distributed equally amongst all the children, sponsored or not, in order to avoid ulterior suffering. The distribution aid was held within the grounds of Gangchen Monastery, which has been since centuries a centre of help for the local population.

The sponsored children were identified and photographed with the help of the village-boss and representatives of the local government. Many of the children received news and photos from their benefactors and even if the help is distributed equally between everyone, for the children and their families it is a great joy to know that someone far away is thinking of them and they wait anxiously for news and photos. Photos and letters sent by sponsors always end-up on the simple alters in the homes of the children along with the other precious objects of the family. With the help of teachers from the local schools the children and their parents prepared thank you letters, which were translated into English by local volunteers.

This year there was wonderful news for Singma and Gangchen Villages; after drilling to a depth of around 60 meters a font of water was found and abundant water was brought to the surface, a real treasure for the local population! Thanks to the donations collected a pump was bought to guarantee the continuous flow of water and work is now underway to channel the water underground – in order to reach three or four irrigation tanks, the first of which has already been built.

The thousands of trees planted in the past years around Dhonnang, Nepu, Gangchen and Singma villages have grown thanks to constant care and the indispensable irrigation work, now made more easy thanks to the discovery of water in Singma! Many new trees have been planted this year thanks to the donations collected. The presence of these precious trees, very rare at this altitude, protects the villages from landslides, erosion of the already arid ground, from the strong winds and dust of the high lands; returning to Italy from the high deserts of Tibet it is easy to understand what an enormous wealth the presence of our rich woodland patrimony is…
This reforestation programme, proposed by the Lama Gangchen World Peace Foundation, is carried out in the context of the UN project “One billion trees for life”.

Once again this year we have been able to help all the primary schools located in the villages. In Nye School, which accommodates more that 400 children, the Association carried out the distribution of materials for all the school children of the area: uniforms, hats, exercise books, pens, ink and pencils. Almost all the children study and live in this school, and the dining room was equipped with new sets of plates, bowls and cups in aluminum for each child. The school also received, as requested by them, a tractor that will be used for the transportation of children to and from the villages, food supplies, wood and other necessities; new blankets, a machine for the washing and slicing of vegetables – to raise the level of hygiene and increase the amount of vegetables present in the daily diet of the children – as well as a photocopy machine and fax for the office.

This year the dispensaries of Nye, Nepu and Singma all received help. In Nye Dispensary, the largest in the area, four doctors are already working in shifts to guarantee a constant service, and thanks to help they have already received there are beds available for both patients, who have to stay for treatment, as well as for their family members who have to travel from distant villages. These dispensaries, guaranteeing medical assistance to an area that was previously completely without, were supplied with medicines and medical materials. Now there is also a veterinary hospital in Nye Village, a vital support for the local population whose livelihood also depends upon the rearing of yak, cows, goats etc.

The monasteries have always been the heart of Tibetan culture and the centre of help for the local population. The Association supports several monasteries in order that they can cover the costs of basic necessities (food, clothes, shoes, blankets, mattresses, medicines) as well as complete building work and the continual repairs that are needed due to the extreme climatic conditions of Tibet. This year a new generator was bought for Gangchen Monastery. Donations are given both for the maintenance of the monastery and of the monks, who alternate between study and work. This year the monasteries of Poti, Riwo Choling, Gangchen and Sed Gyued have been helped. The sponsored monks received letters and photo from their benefactors – who are always present in their daily prayers – were photographed and wrote their thanks.

This year, Chatring Monastery, in Eastern Tibet, made a new and important request for help. It is a large monastery with around 800 monks, who are forced to work outside of the monastery to maintain themselves. The request for help is on behalf of 55 monks who have committed themselves to the Geshe study programme (equivalent to a doctorate in Buddhist philosophy). This programme lasts 14 years and includes at least 12 hours of study each day: for these monks it is impossible to work, the sponsorship of these monks will guarantee them the possibility to continue their studies.