contact june 2011

(continued on page 7)


Photo: TYC.org

Second Tibetan National General Meeting Held in DharamsalaBy Caroline Couffinhal

May 21st, TCV school,Dharamsala

418 Tibetans from over 20countries including the US, India,Russia, Europe, and Nepal gatheredMay 21st at the TCV school auditoriumfor the second Tibetan GeneralMeeting. The General Meeting wascalled by the Tibetan Parliament in exileafter Tibetan leader, His Holiness theDalai Lama announced his decision onMarch 10th of this year to devolve his“political authority” to that of anelected leader.

In response, the exiled parliamentappealed to him to reconsider hisdecision. His Holiness not onlyrefused, but also explained in detail thebackground of his decision to thegeneral public.

Following this, it has becomeclear that His Holiness will remain firmon his decision.

Many years ago, His Holiness onceexpressed the wish to retire from thepolitical life of the Tibetan government.

In his March 10th statement, he onceagain clarified the issue of his retirement:

“As early as the 1960’s, I have

repeatedly stressed that Tibetans need aleader, elected freely by the Tibetan people,to whom I can devolve power. Now we haveclearly reached the time to put this intoeffect.”

Copyright photo: Samuel Ivor

By Caroline CouffinhalThree executive members of the

Tibetan Youth Congress - DhondupLhadar (Vice President), TenzinNorsang (Assistant Secretary) andKonchok Yangphel (FinanceSecretary) participated in a hungerstrike lasting 25 days in New Delhiprotesting against the blocking of themonastery of Kirti and the brutalrepression inflicted upon theinhabitants and Buddhist monks ofNgaba, Tibet.

TheNgaba County in Sichuanknows serious tension.

It has now been nearly twomonths since the death of Phuntsok, a20-year-old Tibetan monk who selfimmolated in Tibet last March. This actitself was in response to the thirdanniversary of a major 2008demonstration at Kirti, during which atleast 10 Tibetans were killed.

After the Chinese authorities

locked down the Kirtimonastery that the youngmonk was affiliated with,new security forces weredeployed around themonastery and inside thecampus to regulate andrestr ict all the monks’placements and movements.

According toICT(International Campaignof Tibet) headquartered inNew York, security forcesraided the monastery in theevening of April 21st, removing more than300 monks. The police then brutally beat agroup of people who had been guardingthe monastery, killing two elderly Tibetans.

Now only a few days later, theauthorities have forbidden people to offerfood to monks, leading to a food shortagewithin the monastery.

The indefinite hunger strike beganin response to this on April 26, at Jantar

25 days TYC Hunger Strike in Delhi

Mantar, New Delhi.TYC members are now calling for the

withdrawal of the Chinese authorities fromthe Monastery and the unconditionalrelease of its political prisoners.

The organization also called onChinese authorities to allow for a TibetanYouth Congress delegation to assess thesituation of political prisoners inside Tibet.

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Contact Magazine 3 June 2011

By Parminderjit BhullarMcLeod Ganj was swarming with

fans of the Indian Premiere League (IPL)the week of May 15th. Kings XI Punjabfaced the Delhi Daredevils, RoyalChallengers Bangalore, and DeccanChargers May 15 th, 17 th, and 21 st,respectively.

These matches incited the normalhustle bustle of McLeod Ganj to be takento new heights as almost every hotel intown was booked. Hotel Asian Plaza wasone of the most fortunate businesses inthe area to benefit from the IPL coming toDharamsala. Cricket players frequentedtheir dining room and rooftop deck priorto the matches, enjoying the food andwelcoming atmosphere of the locals ofMcLeod Ganj. Even the police were calledto control the curious crowd that gatheredat the foot of Hotel Asian Plaza to catch aglimpse of the esteemed cricket players.

With the influx of new visitorsto McLeod Ganj, many hotels in the arearaised their rent in order to make the mostout of the tourism boost. Hotels were notthe only businesses benefiting from all ofthe traffic. In fact, IPL cheer girls from the

Bangalore Royal Challengers were seensporting new dos as they walked out ofa local beauty salon called Hair Art byDiana. Many travelers were alsoventuring off to local attractions such asBhagsu Nag, Naddi, and Tsuglakhang.The local vendors selling chai, water, andlocal delicacies experienced a welcomedincrease in income for the month.

Not all local businessesbenefited from the IPL being in town.Travel agencies in McLeod Ganj did notsee new customers throughout thisevent. Many IPL fans had already madetravel arrangements with outsideagencies, and were not interested in theservices here in McLeod Ganj.

Even Western tourists arecatching the cricket bug! AmericanVolunteer, Eric Tracey, attended theKings XI Punjab vs. Delhi Daredevilscricket match. The match left him with astunned impression of cricket in India.“It was so fun to dance along with thecrowd and experience this beautiful gamewhich we do not have back home.”

The presence of the IPL inMcLeod Ganj was not only exciting for

locals and travelers, but also forKings XI Punjab, who received its owndose of enrichment. After cooling off inthe frigid waters of the Bhagsu Waterfall,Kings XI Punjab was welcomed to the areaby His Holiness the Dalai Llama when hemet both the operational staff and the teamat Tsuglakhang courtyard. His Holinessmade them aware that he may not knowwho’s winning at any point in the game,but that he wanted to share in theenjoyment and celebration of India’sfavorite game!

(Sources: phayul.com, Times ofIndia)

IPL Storms through Dharamasala

Photo: Phayul.com/Norbu Wangyal


TWA asks for Panchen Lama’s WhereaboutsBy Barry RattiganIn 1995, a six-year-old Tibetan boy namedChoekyi Nyima was recognized by theDalai Lama as the 11th Reincarnation ofthe Panchen Lama. Panchen Lama is thesecond highest individual in TibetanBuddhism and is second in importanceonly to the Dalai Lama. An importantfactor to this story is that Choekyi Nyimawas born in Tibet in 1989 under Chinesecontrol.

For centuries, the Dalai Lama and thePanchen Lama have always recognizedand given legitimacy to each other’sreincarnations. Two days after beingrecognized by the Dalai Lama, this six-year-old child and his entire family werekidnapped by officials of the Chinesegovernment, and haven’t been seen orheard from since. In effect he became the“world’s youngest political prisoner.“Choekyi Nyima would now be 22-years-old. Noone has been able to contact him,nor knows his true whereabouts, or evenif he is still alive. The Chinese claim that he is safe andhappy but this has yet to be confirmed.In his place the Chinese have installed

their own version of the Panchen Lamawho the vast majority of Tibetans don’trecognize as having any real authenticity,or legitimacy.

Since it invaded Tibet, the Chinesegovernment has tried to use TibetanBuddhism as a political tool to controlTibetans’ desire for religious freedom andpolitical autonomy. For the last 60 yearsthey have interfered in Tibet’s religiousaffairs, such as traditional ceremoniesand Buddhist practices, that are sacredto Tibetans.

The ongoing occupation of Tibetviolates both humanitarian andinternational law, denying the Tibetanpeople the right to practice their religiousbeliefs in peace, without interference fromoutside forces.

What has happened to Choekyi Nyimais not only criminal but also morallyreprehensible. There has been little helpfrom the international community.Perhaps due to the Chinese influence onglobal trade and the world economy.Other countries may be hesitating toquestion China’s actions for fear ofChinese reprisals and economic sanctions.

The history of the previous PanchenLama ( 1938-1989 ) is quite revealing aswell. For many years the Chinese usedhim as a puppet to try and legitimize theirinvasion and occupation of Tibet. Duringand after the Cultural Revolution he wasdenounced and spent about ten years inprison. When he was released he livedin Beijing; however, he remained criticalof Chinese actions and policies in Tibet.He died mysteriously in Tibet in 1989.The Chinese are aware that in the futurethey can continue to interfere with Tibetanaffairs, both religious and political,treating both monks and nuns withcontempt and Buddhist tradition withdisrespect.

Chinese propaganda can bemisleading to the internationalcommunity. They claim progress and ahost of improvements, such asdevelopment and modernity but thereality is that today the situation insideTibet is becoming worse and worse eachyear. The plight of the Tibetans and thekidnap of this boy have been largelyignored by the international community.

Central to the culture and identity ofthe Tibetan people is the practice ofBuddhism and the main ethos ofBuddhism is non-violence. Therefore,despite the fact that they have lost theircountry, there has been very littleretaliation or reprisals on either Chinesepeople or Chinese assets. Without thissortof retaliation, it is difficult to attractthe world’s attention to Tibet’s issue ofindependence. Despite everything thathas happened to them, one thing that isstriking about the Tibetans is that theyhaven’t lost hope.

We can only hope and pray thatChoekyi Nyima is alive and well, but it islikely that we will never know the truthabout what has happened to him.



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(continued from page 1)

Photo:TYC.org

Tsewang Rigzin, President ofTibetan Youth Congress expressedhimself on the subject of the first day ofthe movement: “The continuing siegeoutside and inside the Kirti Monastery,the abduction of more than 300 monksand murder of two elderly Tibetans bythe Chinese army are human rights’violations. He urged the internationalcommunity to support the Tibetanpeople, adding, “the critical situationNgaba must be mentioned by UN duringthe Human Rights annual meetingbetween China and the United Stateswhich is held this week.”

According to the official website ofthe TYC, the physical conditions of thethree hunger strikers are showingobvious signs of deterioration. The threeof them have each already lost at least 10kg since the strike began. “For more than15 days they did not eat anything solid.Despite the heat in New Delhi, the threemembers of TYC remain determined andsteadfast in their business, only drinkingwater since the beginning of themovement,” reports one member of theTYC in Dharamsala, India.

A delegation from Dharamsala made

some visits to embassies andorganizations to raise public awarenessabout these new tensions that have beenraised in Nagba. President TsewangRigzin and General Secretary TenzinChokey went to the Embassy of theUnited States, the District Office of UnitedNations, and finally to the Council ofHuman Rights to try to convince thehighest authorities about the seriousnessof the situation in Nagba.

On May 15th in Jantar Mantar, TheKalon Tripa Professor SamdhongRinpoche visited the hunger strikers.

The Tibetan Youth Congress said itreceived requests from various people andorganizations including people from insideTibet asking it to call the fast off due tothe deteriorating health of the 3 activists.

“In view of the several requestsfrom the delegation of European Unionand their assurance for a continuedsupport for Tibet, in particular the issueat Ngaba Kirti Monastery coupled withpleas from our brothers and sisters insideTibet, we have decided to indefinitely calloff the hunger strike today,” TYC said ina statement posted on its Facebook page.

On May 19th, the open-endedHunger Strike was finally called off. The3 executive members, Dhondup Lhadar,Tenzin Norsang ,and Konchok Yangphel,were admitted to a hospital in New Delhiafter surviving 25 days without food.(Sources: TYC website, phayul.com)


By Pieter Ubels and Caroline Couffinhal

A day in a life of a Rogpa volunteer.On Saturday 14th, under a big blue sky,

an event was held in the courtyard of DayTCV school. The 7th edition of the annualRogpa Festival.

The festival has become a regularfeature in Dharamsala’s calendar. It washeld for the first time in 2006. This festivalwas organized not merely to raise fundsand awareness but also to celebrate thecommunity spirit which characterizesRogpa’s spirit.

Rogpa is Tibetan word meaning‘trusted friends and helpers’.

A very enthusiastic couple foundedthis NGO called Rogpa in September 2005and it is continually striving to preserveTibetan culture, integrity andindependence for many generations tocome.

It acts to integrate the Tibetancommunity in exile by increasing Tibetancooperation and responsibility.

Rogpa is not a business or a charityand does not subscribe to a ‘hand out’philosophy. Rather, it acts to empowerTibetan people through combined effortscontributing to autonomy and self-determination. This is currently achievedthrough the Baby Care Centre(BCC) byproviding Tibetan families with achildcare cooperative space, as well asannual festivals that raise awareness andfunds for Rogpa’s projects in Korea.

Because of the exile, Tibetans in Indiahave an immediate disadvantage like theloneliness due to the isolation from familyand friends. There is also a disconnectionand alienation from the new foreignculture. A detachment from their Tibetanroots furthermore causes a partial loss oftheir self identity.

The aim of this event is to create aunity that reinforces the Tibetan identityand emphasizes a cooperative spirit forchildren. The festival is also the birthdaycelebration of Rogpa, raising money andawareness of the organization’s cause.

Pieter Ubels is 21 years old and he’sfrom New Zealand. He recently graduatedfrom a architecture university in N.Z andhe’s taking a year off now to think abouthis future. He’s passionate about helpingpeople and he heard about the ExiledTibetan community in Dharamsala. Hecame to volunteer here in McLeod Ganjand he’s currently tutoring a few

Tibetans monks and he wants to help outin any other way he can.

He found out about Rogpa throughRichie, a tireless enthusiastic volunteerand coordinator of the Rogpaorganization. Pieter met Richie two weeksago while he was creating the poster forthe event and his curiosity caused him toinquire about the organization. Richieproposed the opportunity to volunteerfor the Rogpa Festival and Pieter happilyaccepted.

After 5 days of preparation, the daycame. Last Saturday, in the courtyard ofTCV (Tibetan Children Village) daySchool the Rogpa Festival 2011 was held.

Pieter spent his day helping staff andhe also organized a workshop for children,making musical instruments like drums,shakers, pan flutes. It allowed the kids toexpress their creative side through theproduction of simple musical instruments.He said: ‘They really got into itimmediately and they exceeded allexpectations’.

During this day, there was a greatatmosphere which characterized Rogpa’svalues.

‘It’s good to see a good mix of peopleand great cooperation between them’. Tohim ‘It’s not only being part of anorganization, it’s being part of a family’.‘People were available and they werelending a hand in everything. This is thespirit of Rogpa: a positive attitudetowards everything, everybody workstogether, sharing ideas and caring foreach other. It’s not work, it’s not a job.It’s about giving back, working togetherfor the community’.

During the day, there was a range of

activities, stalls and shows not only forthe children but also for the generalpublic.

In the morning, there was mayhemsurrounding the clothing sales and thiswas quickly replaced by an excitingtombola where everyone couldparticipate. The event was then held atthe standstill due to captivating liveperformances by many talented shows.This included an entertaining clown anddance and music pieces by both Tibetansand foreigners. Even Rogpa’s own staffand volunteers got up to dance,entertaining the crowd with their moves.

Other highlights of the festival includea children’s photograph exhibition, andthe opportunity for children to contributein the creation of a huge Peace bannerlying on the ground.

Several games such as ‘Bingo’ and‘Bozo Buckets’ were organized andgratefully appreciated by the crowds ofpeople.There was also delicious food and snacksmade by the volunteers and happilyconsumed by the general public all daylong.

After the busy day, all the staff,volunteers and parents felt rewarded bythe experience. It was a complete successboth in raising awareness and a profit of22612 rupees.

And of course happiness foreveryone.

Sources: Rogpa.com –for more information : www.rogpa.com

The Rogpa Festival 2011

Copyright Photo: Caroline Couffinhal


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“My desire to pass the authority isno desire to escape my responsibilities.This should be beneficial to Tibetans longterm. That does not make a discouragementon my part. Tibetans have placed such faithand such confidence in me that I amdetermined to play my role for the just causeof Tibet, like any of them.”

During the eleventh session of thefourteenth Tibetan Parliament in Exile thattook place recently on the 14th of March,His Holiness formally proposed that thenecessary amendments be made to theCharter for Tibetans in Exile to reflect “hisdecision to devolve his formal authority tothe elected leader.”

An ad hoc committee was set up afterHis Holiness’s decision, and they draftednecessary amendments in the Charter.

The members of the committeeincluded the Speaker and Deputy Speakerof the Parliament, Kalon Tripa, Kalon forthe Department of Education, and PemaJunney, a Member of Parliament. Thiscommittee has made public the proposedamendments to the Charter.

The meeting that originally was to beheld from the 21st of May to the 23rd of Mayhas now been extended by one day.

The 418 delegates from all around theworld, including political activists, NGOrepresentatives, as well as the TibetanPrime Minister elect, Lobsang Sangay,several former prime ministers andministers, former Members of Parliament(MPs), incumbent MPs, MPs elect, andother government officials have beengrouped into 10 different committees whichwill present their respective committee’srecommendations.

The meeting is expected to discussan inclusion of a new Preamble and Article1 into the Tibetan Charter as well as 39other articles drafted by the CharterAmendment Drafting Committee headed bythe incumbent Tibetan Prime MinisterSamdhong Rinpoche.

The current Kalon Tripa, Prof.Samdhong Rinpoche, also addresseddelegates, stressing the importance ofmaintaining the legitimacy of the Tibetangovernment in exile, regardless of changesthat could be made to the charter.

After the opening ceremony, duringa press conference, Mr. Penpa Tsering, theSpeaker, said, “The responsibility of thedelegates here is to improvise on the text,the wording on things that they think mightparaphrase help make projects moreeffective, particularly on the preamble andarticle number.”

A final draft Preamble and the FirstArticle Amendments to the Charter havebeen presented to His Holiness the DalaiLama on Tuesday the 24th, theconcluding day of the General Meeting.

The meeting ended on May 24thby reaching a consensus to not onlyappeal the Tibetan leader, His Holinessthe Dalai Lama to assume a role of“ceremonial head of the state,” but alsoto formally request the Tibetan Spiritualleader to endorse an amended Preambleand Article 1 of the Tibetan Charter.

A final compiled report waspresented the following day (May 25th)

to His Holiness. In front of the audience,he rejected the request to remain the ‘headof state.’

Given HisHoliness’s consistentstance since March, this decision did notcome as a surprise to legislators.

The Tibetan legislators met for twodays on May 26 and 27 for a specialsession to discuss and evaluate theproposed amendments to the Charter andPreamble.

In the following issue, ContactMagazine will provide more details on thediscussion. (Sources: phayul.com, TibetPost, CTA website)



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Primary Health CentreLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, main marketHOURS: 9:30am-4pm, Mon-Sat

Tibetan Delek HospitalLOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, betweenMcLeod Ganj and Lower DharamsalaPHONE: 222 053, 223 381HOURS: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm,Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Mon-Sat; Emergencies: 24 hrs, daily

(continued from page 9) Kailash Tribal Meditation SchoolTaught by Yogi SivadasWEB: www.yogatribe.orgLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, nr the Green Shop - Map #6HOURS: visiting 1-2pm, no class on TuesPHONE: 981 615 0326EMAIL: [email protected]

I am Happy Open AshramWEB: www.iamhappy.inEMAIL: [email protected]: Behind Hotel Akashdeep,Bhagsu- Map #6 & McleodganjHOURS: 4-5pm, Mon-SatMOBILE: 9882868470 or 9569221047

Om Yoga, Meditation & Reiki CentreSee the Yoga & Reiki section.

Tushita Meditation CenterWEB: www.tushita.infoLOCATION: DharamkotHOURS: 9:30-11:30am, Mon-SatPHONE: 221 866EMAIL: [email protected]

Vipassana MeditationWEB: www.sikhara.dhamma.orgLOCATION: DharamkotHOURS: 4-5pm, Mon-SatPHONE: 221 309EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan Language ClassLOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdHOURS: Registration from 9-11am, Mon-FriPHONE: 220 992See ad on pg 3.

Hindi ClassesLOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Rd,beside the Korean RestaurantPHONE: 981 649 4732

Hindi Lessons with KailashLOCATION: At Bhimsen’s Indian Cooking ClassPHONE: 220 063, 941 816 1947HOURS: 4-6pm, daily

Hindi Lessons with SunilLOCATION: Kunga Guesthouse, Bhagsu Rdand in DharamkotPHONE: 221 942, 941 818 7281EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan LanguageLOCATION: The LibraryHOURS: 10-11am and noon-1pmSee Buddhist philosophy listing.

MEDITATION


Tourist InformationBus Schedule

* Times and prices may vary.Please check with the bus stand ahead of departure.

LEAVING FROM THE MCLEOD GANJ BUS STAND, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED:DELHI: Ordinary Bus: 4:45am, 6pm, 6:45pm, 8:15pm and 8:30pm (Rs330) Semi Deluxe Bus: 6pm (Rs355) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8pm (Rs1035) AC TATA: 8:30pm (Rs840)

AMRITSAR: Ordinary Bus: 4:45am (Rs165)*from Dharamsala

DEHRADUN: Ordinary Bus: 9pm; AC Deluxe: 5:30pm

MANALI: Ordinary Bus: 5:40pm, 8:40pm *from Dharamsala

PATHANKOT: Ordinary Bus: 11am, 12:10pm, 12:30pm, 2:10pm, 3:50pm, 5pm(Rs75)

SHIMLA: Ordinary Bus: 5am, 5:30am, 6am, 8am, noon and 4:55pm (Rs235)*from Dharamsala

Semi Deluxe Bus: 8:22am, 7:45pm and 9:30pm (Rs???) *fromDharamsala

FOR BOOKINGS:LOCATION: ticket stand under McLLo’s, main squareHOURS: 10am-6pm, dailyPHONE: 221750For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.

TAXISA private taxi to Lower Dharamsala willcost you Rs 160. Cram into a jeep (from

the bus stand), and it’ll only cost youRs10.

Kailash Tribal School,RYS 200 & RYS 500 YTTC(Yoga Alliance USA Recognized)LOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green ShopWEB: www.yogatribe.orgHOURS: visiting 1-30 pm, Closed on TuesdayPHONE: 981 615 0326EMAIL: [email protected]

Om Yoga, Meditation & Reiki CentreLOCATION: Ketan Lodge, behind Akash Hotel,on Jogiwara Rd - Map #17HOURS: 8am-6pmPHONE: 980 569 3514

Rishi Yoga Centre with Yogi ShivamWEB: www.siddharthayogacentre.orgLOCATION: Himalyan ParadiseHotel Jogiwara Rd - Map #15HOURS: 7-8am & 6:15-7:15pmPHONE: 981 656 5138EMAIL: [email protected]

Siddhartha Yoga Centre with Yogi ShivamWEB: www.siddharthayogacentre.orgLOCATION: Upper Bagsu Nag Map #1HOURS: 7-8am & 6:15-7:15pmPHONE: 981 656 5138EMAIL: [email protected]

Shiva Yoga Shala, Swami SudhiWEB:www.shivayogapeeth.comLOCATION: Kalsang Guest House, Tipa Road,Mac Leod Gandj - Map #28MOBILE: 7417873295/9882352047EMAIL: [email protected]

Police Contact InformationLOCATION: Past St.John’s Church, on road toDharamshala in Cantt area.PHONE: 221 483

Tibetan Delek HospitalLOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, betweenMcLeod Ganj and Lower DharamshalaHOURS: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Mon-Sat;Emergencies: 24-hrs, daily.PHONE: 222 053,223 381

Post OfficeThe McLeod Ganj Post Office is located onLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, past Peace CafeHOURS: 9:30am-1pm and 2-5pm, Mon-Fri;9:30am-noon, Sat.PHONE: 221 924Parcels and money orders can besent in the mornings only.

YOGA & REIKIHimalayan Iyengar Yoga CentreLOCATION: Dharamkot, on the footpath to Bhagsu - Map #5EMAIL: [email protected]: www.hiyogacentre.com

Universal Yoga with VijayRecognized by Yoga AllianceWEB: www.vijaypoweryoga.comLOCATION: Room #5, Yongling SchoolBuilding, Jogiwara Rd - Map #15HOURS: 9:00 -11:10am & 4:30 - 6:30PmEMAIL: [email protected]

G O I N G T O A M R I T S A R ?Come see us at Tourist Guest House

British colonial mansion turned into beautiful guest house that tourists have been f locking to for a taste of the

Raj li fe style. We have Internet connection at Rs 1/min.

Comfortable stay with home cooked meals. Dorm bed Rs 85, Single/dble w. bath Rs 125-250.

Walking distance from train and bus. Private parking.Recommended in travel guide ‘Lets Go-2000’.

Contact Harindar at : 0183-553830 / 0183-3103219E-mail : [email protected]

Tour guide service by nunsTibetan Nuns Project’s branch office based in McLeod Ganj provides you with tour guide

services around Dharamsala – including nunneries.

For full details, please contact us at: Tibetan Nuns Project, c/o Dolma Ling NunneryP.O. Sidhpur – 176057, Dist. Kangra, H.P (INDIA)

Email – [email protected] no – 1892 246413/246419

Mobile no – 94180 34641


The Mountain Cleaners is a volun-tary organization founded in April 2009by Jodie Underhill who have success-

fully set up a waste management system atthe popular trekking destination Triund.You can help Jodie and the Mountain

Around Town: Helping OutANIMAL RESCUE

Dharamsala Dog RescueWe are in urgent need of vet volunteers,animal experts and sponsors. We are in im-mediate need of sponsors for two paraly-sed dogs that need a home, wheelchair,monthly food and medicine. Please contactus if you see an injured/sick dog. Anythingyou can do is appreciated.WEB: www.hnsindia.orgLOCATION: Behind the District Court Complexon Chilgari St, Lower DharamsalaPHONE: 981 622 0841EMAIL: [email protected]

Rogpa Baby Care CentreWe help low income Tibetanfamilies to

become self-sufficient by providing freechild care for infants so their parentscan work. Can you help with art, games,singing and lots of hard work? (includingdiaper changing!) If you can create andmaintain a fun and loving atmospherewith our children, hours are Mon-Sat,either 8.30am-12pm or 1pm-5pm(located near no.13 on map)

Rogpa Shop and CafeHelp serve drinks and cakes, plus sellour fairly traded products. Weaccept donated clothes & books(located near no.14 on map)Min. commitment for both jobs is 3 weeksPlease contact us directly or by [email protected]

PUBLICATION

Contact MagazineSubmit a single piece or become a steadycorrespondent of this local, grassrootspublication. Contact needs volunteers towrite, proofread and edit copy and work ongraphic design.Volunteers needed, especiallythose with a knowledge of Photoshop.CONTACT: Lobsang Rabsel at the Lha office,Temple Road.PHONE: 981 615 5523EMAIL: [email protected]

Volunteer language teachers, for both long-and short-term placements, are needed forquality education in Mcleod Ganj:

Gu-Chu-Sum provides support for ex-po-litical prisoners and their families. It alsoorganises campaigns for the release ofcurrent political prisoners.Gu-Chu-Sum School needs volunteers forits English conversation classes and tutor-ing sessions from 6pm onwards, Mon- Fri.LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, downstairs Lung-taJapanese RestaurantHOURS: 4:30-6:30pmPHONE: 220 680EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibet Hope Center is a registered NGOstarted by two Tibetans to support thenewcomers from Tibet.We run a conversation class where ourstudents can practice their English, andwe are in constant need of conversationpartners. They love to ask questionsabout your life and exchange ideas onmany topics.Think Globally, Act LocallyWEB: www.tibethopecenter.orgLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, behind Gu-Chu-SumHOURS: 4:30-5:45pm, daily, and we evenhave a campfire every evening!PHONE: 981 637 3889EMAIL: [email protected]

works with Indian com-munit ies l iv ing in

poverty toward a healthy and sustainablefuture.Needed urgently: volunteer primary teach-ers and assistants for maths, English andart, as well as nurses and health workers.CONTACT: Tashi LhamoLOCATION: Top floor, Bank of Baroda oppo-site art gallery, Kotwali Bazar, DharamsalaPHONE: 981 608 1562, 223 930EMAIL: [email protected]

TUTORS & CLASS ASSISTANTS

Lha Donation CenterAccepting donations of all kinds: clothing, sleep-ing bags, books, school supplies, office sup-plies, medical supplies, used laptops, finan-cial assistance... Donations are clearly recordedand distributed to those in need, both Tibetanand Indian. Lha is a registered non-profit,social service organisation. See advert on pg 3.

Tong-LenDonations welcomed: medical supplies, sta-tionary, books, toys and children’s clothing.LOCATION: Top floor, Bank of Baroda oppositethe art gallery Kotwali Bazar, DharamsalaPHONE: 981 608 1562, 223 930

DONATIONS

Volunteer TibetYou’re motivated to share your timeand assist organisations in the Tibetancommunity. Even if you’re j us t

passingthrough Dharamsala, there arestill many ways to donate your time & make adifference.

WEB: www.volunteertibet.org.inLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite AkashGuesthouse.HOURS: 9am- and 5pm, Mon-FriPHONE: 98820 17083, 220 894EMAIL:[email protected]’s Team Volunteers required to teachIndian women computer/English skills. For moreinformation visit [email protected] mobile 09817515123

For a full list of volunteer opportunities,bothlong- and short-term, please contact us:

The Active NonviolenceEducation Center (ANEC)facilitates trainings, workshopsand open forum discussions onnonviolent strategies to help

resolve disagreements and differences atall levls of human society.As part of our General Outreach Program,ANEC welcomes volunteers from westerncountries to participate in informal paneldiscussions on ideas and views of regionaland global peace and nonviolent strategies.Free lunch and tea for volunteers.WEB: www.anec.org.inLOCATION: No. 262, 1st floor, KhajanchiMohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower DharamsalaPHONE: 941 809 4476, 941 898 7745EMAIL: [email protected]

Learning and Ideas for Tibet (L.I.T.) isa non-profit organization that needs arange of volunteers interested in theTibetan movement and communityeducation.CONTACT: LaurenPHONE: 941 879 4218L O C AT I O N : Jogiwara Rd, near the KoreanRestaurant

Lha Community Social Work fostersprojects for the benefit and enrichment ofthe local community.We provide a library, English and Frenchclasses, computer training, medicalassistance programmes, environmentalprogrammes and clothing distribution toneedy Tibetans and Indians, in addition tosupporting construction and renovationprojects. See ad pg 3.WEB: www.lhaindia.orgLOCATION: Temple Rd, across from StateBank of IndiaHOURS: 9am-noon and1-5pm, Mon-FriPHONE: 220 992

Nyingtob Ling (‘Realm of Courage’) helpssupport Tibetan children from disadvan-taged families.The children work hard at making delightfulhandicrafts and paintings. They are sofriendly and LOVE visitors!LOCATION: Near Norbulingka, SidhpurPHONE: 0189 224 6366, 981 685 1841EMAIL: [email protected]

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

A N E C

The Clean Upper Dharamshala Projectwas founded in 1994 to provide awaste management system in andaround McLod Ganj. The GreenWorkers, the Handmade Recycled

Paper Factory, the Green Shop and theEnvironmental Education Centre are part ofthe Clean Upper Daramshala Project. Joinus for the weekly guided tour on Wednes-days at 3 pm at the office of CUDP!

ENVIRONMENT

Cleaners every Monday at 9.30 am & jointhem up to

contact june 2011

Documents

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