LHA Charitable Trust

Background

Since 1959, Tibetans living in Tibet have been subject to the policies of the People's Republic of China and the Communist Party of China—under this regime, the Tibetan people's freedom of expression and political action are extremely limited. Consequently, over the past fifty years, many thousands of Tibetans have chosen to leave their homeland in pursuit of the human rights that have been denied under Chinese rule. Every year, new refugees arrive in India, after an arduous journey through the Himalayas, and countless refugees arrive with little or no education, speak only Tibetan, and possess no viable job skills to support themselves and their families. Furthermore, it is extremely difficult for adult and elderly refugees to receive an adequate education in India due to the strict school system requirements, as educational policy prevents adults over the age of eighteen years from enrolling in school. Under such conditions, Lha plays a crucial role in facilitating the transition of Tibetan refugees from their homeland to the Indian community by providing long-term rehabilitation and educational resources for Tibetan adults.

Mission and objectives

Lha's mission is to be "a resource of education and knowledge that provides meaningful, multi-level social and education services for the benefit of others." The organization seeks to generate an atmosphere of harmony and cooperation within the community by tending to the needs of the impoverished and underprivileged. A key focus of Lha is to assist Tibetan refugees to survive and prosper in their new home, while also preserving the unique Tibetan culture. Approximately 60 percent of Lha's graduates work in the local community, 30 percent work abroad and 10 percent return to Tibet. The Trust partners with several local and international organizations, such as the Tibetan Parent's Association, the Tibetan Women's Association and the Leprosy Assistance project—all of these bodies regularly collaborate with the Trust "to better meet the needs of the exiled community." The Trust's Outreach Program provides aid to the wider Indian community in the form of self-sustaining clean water projects, environmental initiatives, and the donation of medicine, books and clothing.

The Trust aims to "build a social service bridge for the Tibetan refugee community to northern India." Lha's primary objectives include:

1. Provide social services to Tibetan refugees and the local Himalayan population.
2. Provide Tibetan refugees with education and health services, as well as the skills and assistance needed to build a new life in exile.
3. Facilitate mutual learning and cultural exchange experiences between Tibetans, volunteers and other visitors.
4. Create awareness of the Tibetan refugee situation and preserve the endangered Tibetan culture.

Volunteering

Lha is the largest volunteer host and coordination organization in the Tibetan refugee community of Dharamsala, India. Lha volunteers receive the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills with the local Tibetan and Himalayan population, while also gaining hands-on experience working with a nonprofit, community-based social work organization. Till now, over 6,291 volunteers from forty different countries have contributed to Lha's initiatives.[7] During winter, Lha hosts an average of fifteen to twenty-five volunteers per day, and an average of twenty-five to fifty during summer. Lha welcomes both drop-in volunteers and also those volunteers who plan ahead for the receipt of supported services before their arrival, as well as during their stay in Dharamsala.[8] The organization offers a wide array of long- and short-term volunteer opportunities, at no cost, for both individuals and groups. While most volunteers work directly with Lha, select individuals are offered placements in other local NGOs that require assistance.[9]

Partnerships

Lha works in conjunction with various local and international organizations to build a strong network of affiliates, working towards the improvement of community and social services. International organizations include Louisiana Himalaya Association "LHA", Omprakash Foundation, Tulane University, Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Loyola University, Centenary College, Lifeworks International, the Tibet Fund, the Tibetan Friendship Group Australia, Rustic Pathways, and the TibetFreunde Swiss, while local partners include the Central Tibet Administration, Dharamshala Rotary Club, and Delek Hospital, as well as many Tibetan NGOs.

Programs

Lha provides a variety of programs for Tibetan refugees and the local Himalayan community, such as language classes, cultural exchange programs, information technology (IT) classes, vocational training, health and environment education, clothes and medicine distribution, and a community kitchen. On a daily basis, Lha serves an average of 250 people, hosts between fifteen and twenty-five volunteers, and provides up to nineteen programs and services.

Language classes

Language classes have been taking place at Lha since 1999. Currently, 100 to 120 students per month participate in the language classes at Lha. On a daily basis, Lha offers classes in English, French, Chinese, German and Tibetan, all at varying ability levels.In addition to traditional classroom sessions, Lha offers a daily English conversation class, for additional practice, with native English speakers; a tutoring program is also offered as a supplement for each language class. All courses are staffed by volunteer teachers and are open to the public.

In 2014 a new Lha English curriculum book was introduced for the Elementary, Beginner and Intermediate level English classes based on the Standard English curriculum of the Common European Framework for Reference (CEFR). 2,678 students attended language classes in 2014, including 796 new enrollments. The majority of students attend classes for two to six months, and approximately 40 percent continue their studies for between one and three (or more) years. To date, over 10,317 students have benefited from our language classes, developing skills to help in obtaining employment and increasing self-confidence. In the future, Lha plans to add more intensive courses and provide students with certificates of completion.

Computer skills classes

Lha's computer training program aims to provide students with viable job skills and consists of two levels of computer training: Beginner and Intermediate. The types of expertise that are taught include typing, internet proficiency, web design, graphic design, and fluency in technology/programs such as email, MS Word, MS Excel, and Adobe Photoshop.

The computer classes attract from twenty to thirty students each month. As a fee is required to attend these classes, Lha offers select students full scholarships each month—especially to those refugees who are associated with other local NGOs, such as the Tibetan Women's Association, the Tibetan Youth Congress, and the Kunphen Center. Since 2003, over 2,000 students have benefited from computer skills classes and workshops.

Vocational training

Lha provides vocational training, including professionally taught IT classes, photography courses and massage therapy courses. Lha plans to provide other types of vocational skills in the future, such as chef courses.

When a qualified IT teacher is available, Lha offers an IT program focusing on web design and development, graphic design as well as business skills. Basic photography courses taught by professionals, when available, are open to all interested persons. At the course completion, students display their work in the ‘Lha Photography Exhibition.’ Lha also partners with Chung Yuan Christian University to provide a semi-annual IT workshop that is focused on multimedia programs, the internet and word processing.

Cooking and baking classes are available to those wishing to pursue careers in the food industry.

Community soup kitchen

To address the problem of limited access to both clean water and nutritious food in the local community, Lha initiated the Community Soup Kitchen Project in 2009. On 6 July 2011, Lha officially opened its soup kitchen in the Ahimsa House venue—it was the first soup kitchen in Dharamsala and provides low-cost, nutritious meals, and clean water to Tibetan refugees (those who cannot afford the nominal fee receive the same services at no cost). In order to fund the monthly cost of the soup kitchen, Lha has partnered with the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States (U.S.). In 2011, the church received pledges that amounted to US$1,200 per month and the subsequent goal was to increase this amount to US$2,000 to completely cover the monthly cost of the soup kitchen. Since its opening in 2011, 258 people have benefited from the Lha community kitchen. A survey conducted in December 2014 showed that 96% of users say the meals are beneficial to their health, and 87% said they come to the soup kitchen because of financial problems. With a goal of finding a more permanent solution to the malnutrition problem in the area, Lha offers educational seminars on proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles.[10]

Clean Water Project

Starting in 2010, Lha's clean water project continues to provide clean filtered water to Tibetan communities. The purpose of installing these clean water systems is to ensure that people can access free, filtered water, thus helping to keep the community healthy into the future. The filter unit is an RO+UV+ UF and TTS, considered one of the best filtered water systems available in the area. It will provide more than 100 liters of clean and safe drinking water per hour to the students and their teachers and staff members, while the stainless steel tank is capable of storing 500 liters of water. The water is used not only for drinking but also for cooking, thereby improving the quality of food served at the schools. Additionally, a water cooler providing instant hot and cold filtered water was installed with funds provided directly by Lha. We expect these improvements will help alleviate some of the water-borne illnesses children commonly suffer from in this region, especially during the monsoon season, and that it will contribute to maintaining a high level of general health among students.

Free Community Magazine

Contact Magazine is a recognised and registered publication under the Registrar Office of the Newspaper, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Government of India. The registration number is HPENG/2013/51798. Recognised by Lonely Planet and other international travel resources. Contact has been a popular source of news and information on Tibetan issues, and the Dharamsala community, for over 18 years.

700 – 1,000 copies are printed each month and distributed in the greater Dharamshala area and in Delhi, and various diplomatic missions to India. Copies are also send to various Tibetan schools, settlements, offices and NGOs in India as well as abroad. Contact keeps readers up-to-date on current issues and events, and provides networking, education and volunteer opportunities, as well as social services information. Contact staff and contributors hope you will enjoy and benefit from our modest efforts to build a community through communication.www.contactmagazine.net

Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche website project

To make the writings, speeches and teachings of His Eminence Professor Samdong Rinpoche freely available to the general public, Lha launched the bilingual website (Tibetan and English) The website contains many researched articles, audio and video clips on Buddhist teachings, Tibetan culture and language, democracy, non-violence, and the situation of Tibet, and receives over 11,000 viewers per month. Lha was proud to launch this website as an initiative towards preserving Tibet’s culture, language and heritage, and to help it to flourish.Professor Samdong Rinpoche, an eminent and distinguished scholar, teacher and philosopher, is a lifelong campaigner of Ghandian principles, and works closely with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Rinpoche was the first elected Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan Central Administration, and a former Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile. His services are valued at the highest level in many institutions, including former Principal/Director, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Chancellor of Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, member of the Expert Advisory Committee, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and President of the International Buddhist Congregation.[11]

Public health initiatives

Lha facilitates initiatives to improve community health and increase awareness about the importance of hygiene and physical well-being. Donations of medicine are collected and distributed by Lha to local public health centers, such as Delek Hospital and the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Health.

Lha provides educational seminars on AIDS, sexual health, and provides information on sexually transmitted diseases, including free distribution of leaflets and condoms and the importance of their use. Lha also offers seminars on other, more general health issues.

The community kitchen provides extensive hygiene and nutritional education classes to improve community health. Lha incorporates simple health information into its English language classes to help Tibetans effectively communicate with doctors and pharmacists. All donations that are in the form of medicine are distributed by Lha to local public health centers.

Free book distribution

In July 2008, Lha’s U.S. partner, the Omprakash Foundation, shipped a total of 30,000 books from U.S. to Dharamsala. All of the books were distributed to Tibetan and local Indian schools, charitable organizations, libraries and individuals in Dharamsala and surrounding regions. Lha continues to collect books and donate them to libraries and schools. In 2014, Lha distributed around 340 books, through the Rotary Club Dharamsala.

Environmental awareness and aid initiatives

Lha initiates environmental awareness activities such as mass clean-ups, trash collection, installation of garbage bins, and to provide education on environment conservation. Lha also publishes posters, brochures and leaflets in three languages: English, Tibetan and Hindi in observation of world environmental days. In addition, Lha has created an environmental website to inform the global Tibetan and Himalayan communities as well as the general public about the importance of environmental issues of Tibet and the globe. The website includes many researched articles both in English and Tibetan, is updated regularly as new information is available, and is visited over 3000 times a month.http://tibetnature.net/

Lha initiates environmental awareness activities, such as environmental clean-ups, garbage collection, installation of garbage bins, wildlife conservation. Lha also publishes posters, brochures and leaflets in three languages: English, Tibetan and Hindi in observation of world environmental days.. Lha's volunteers have also helped with the education of students and the local community about the importance of environmental conservation.

In an effort to raise awareness and educate the global Tibetan community on the importance of environmental issues and Tibet's fragile ecology, Lha created a Tibetan-language website.

Clothing distribution

Lha annually collects thousands of articles of clothing, shoes, and other items at its office on Temple Road—the majority of the collected items are donated by volunteers and visiting tourists. Lha has partnered with the local Rotary Club to facilitate clothing distribution campaigns and, each month, Lha donates 100 to 200 items of clothing to the Rotary Club. The Rotary Club helps with the distribution of clothing to the people who reside in the slums of lower Dharamsala. From Ahimsa House, Lha also coordinates additional campaigns throughout the year that assist the people living in McLeod Ganj. Since inception, this project has distributed over 25,000 articles of clothing to both the local Indian community and the Tibetan refugee community.

Cultural Programs

Lha offers the following programs for students, volunteers, and other visitors: Cultural exchange, cultural immersion, and Tibetan homestay. The duration of the cultural exchange and cultural immersion programs are typically one to two weeks, while the Tibetan homestay program requires a one-month commitment.

Lha works with student groups from the Tulane University School of Social Work, Centenary College, Loyola University New Orleans, Rustic Path Way, Lifeworks International and other U.S. universities and high schools. In 2011, Lha organized exchange programs for nine student groups from the U.S. and France.

Cultural Exchange

In 2002, Lha was asked by Tulane University’s School of Social Work to assist a group of graduate social work students on an international social work expedition to Dharamsala [12]. Students were engaged in social work projects within the Tibetan refugee and the local Indian communities and our cultural exchange program was born.

Lha has been welcoming growing numbers of visiting University and High school groups each year, a total of 1,229 students to date [13].

Each visiting student is paired with a ‘Mutual Learning Partner’ – a Tibetan student at Lha. The students are able to share stories about their lives and experiences, while engaging in social work and other meaningful activities. Students also visit the homes of their partner, meet other members of their family and make friends in the Tibetan refugee community. Lha can arrange lectures from well-known professionals in the evenings on particular topics like the political situation of Tibet, social status of Tibetans in Tibet and of Tibetans in exile, Tibetan medicine, and Tibetan Buddhism and culture.[14]

Tibetan Homestay

For interested students and volunteers, Lha organizes a month-long homestay program with the participation of a Tibetan refugee family. The program is designed to provide unique insight into the rituals, traditions, and general family life of Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj. The profits from the homestay program are received by the host families and help support their lives in exile. Lha’s organized homestays of one month are with Tibetan refugee families and include accommodation, breakfast and dinner.

Community Library

Lha has a community library located in McLeod Ganj. Lha's library is the only collection of books available to the community in these locations. Our McLeod Ganj library is well stocked with teaching aids for volunteer teachers and also houses a good collection of novels and non-fiction literature. In addition, the library contains a section dedicated to books about the fundamentals of Buddhism, meditation and happiness. Borrowing is free for all.[15]

Awards

In 2014 Lha was awarded second place in the category of "Best Practices of Social Media Usage" in the South Asia-wide 3rd eNGO Challenge Award – Celebrating Digital Information Tools for Communities – South Asia. The Award recognizes the best non-government organisational practices of using information and communication technologies. The presentation ceremony was held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on 5 November. From thousands of NGOs around South Asia, 307 NGOs from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were nominated.

In 2015 Lha was awarded first place in the category of "Best use of Website & Internet Tools" in the 4th eNGO Challenge Award. Lha got this recognition for its extensive online presence and effective use of digital tools to carry out its activities. The eNGO Challenge aspires to create an ecosystem by recognizing and honouring NGOs which are using Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital media tools for good governance and practices that are benefiting societies and communities at large. It is a joint initiative of Public Interest Registry (PIR) and Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF). [16]