An Open Letter From Tibet

Posted by Kay Phillips 
on Oct 31, 2011
 

Don Cullen has just sent us a summary of his current activities in Tibet

 

Hi Everyone
Perhaps "Tashe dalek" is more to the point, as you would know by now,  it means "Greetings" in Tibetan. I have attached a report on the  project that the International Committee supported on behalf of the club.
We have been blessed with a lot of success this trip.



1. Purchased  a new building in Tagong for our Orphanage. Actually, it is an old guest house and is currently being re-furbished to accommodate our 55 boys, plus allows for additional growth. This takes away the problem we had with a demanding landlord who was a little "heavy handed" with his rent increases.

2. Organised for teachers to teach basic education such as reading, writing and simple maths. This is in Jaga Nunnery just outside Tagong where 600 Nuns are housed. 80% of them are illiterate. We had to seek permission from the Monks at a Monastery to implement this plan. ( Yes, I know, Monks above Nuns, but that is the culture and one learns to play the game but we alter the rules a little to suit our needs).  We obtained the necessary permission to provide the teachers which will enhance not only their study, but their lives as well.

3. Opened a large new Green House at Bata/Dora. This Greenhouse will now provide fresh vegetables to over 400 students in surrounding areas. As previously detailed, we provide a cooked lunch each day to all of our students. That way, we know that they are receiving not only an education, but nourishing food as well.

4. A new Medial Facility in Suhurong. This building has 8 rooms and will serve as a dormitory / clinic to treat patients who have to stay over while receiving their treatment. The clinic itself is the cleanest I have ever seen in Tibet and you could literally, eat off the floor (to coin a phrase). We also support Dr Drolma who runs the clinic.

5.  We have supported a medical Clinic in Cheda Shol just outside Lhasa. Dr Ugyen is so appreciative of our support and keeps the place clean. (This may sound strange, but we are talking Tibet where cleanliness is a little different to the west). This trip, we organised for a grinder, pill making machine and storage as Dr Ugyen is well known in the medical field in Tibet as an excellent pharmacist with traditional medicines. An 'apprentice program' has now been implemented, so that he trains young people from nomadic areas in basic first aid techniques. They can then go back to their camps and if need be, provide medical attention or temporary medical attention until Dr Ugyen arrives. This is a first of it's type of program and we are more than proud to have instigated it for the Tibetan people. TVPA pay board and a small stipend to these students.
Dr Ugyen also provided us with his records from the past 12 months. They showed that he has treated over 10,000 patients, free, in the past year. He works 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. TVPA are his source of income and rent. We provided him with a Greenhouse last year. He now grows vegetables for his patients and those too old to get out and are housebound. He gives the vegetables free.

All of the above are initiatives of Tibetan Village Project Australia except the purchase of the new orphanage building at Tagong. That was purchased by some American tourists travelling with Tamdin from TVP in the U.S.
We provide all blankets, clothing, school and sports supplies for the boys.

Brian Roche from the club, joined us for this trip. I suggest that when convenient speak to Brian, he can tell you his impressions of our work and commitment to the Tibetan people.

I look forward to catching up with everyone around mid November. I hope everyone picked a winner at the cup, as for me, I would not know who is running or who is favourite. The only tip I have is "Be true to yourself" then you will always be a winner.

Peace, Light & Happiness,

Don, (or Donpa as I am called by my Tibetan friends).
Sponsors