| community development projects | adopt a grandparent |
| Community Development Projects |
When Tibetans first came to India in the late 1950s, they were offered land to settle on by the Indian Government. This land was, however, marginal and unproductive. The settlements developed slowly over time with help from the State Government and foreign agencies. Today they have workshops, farms, schools, old people's homes and clinics but there are still severe problems with transportation, sanitation, electricity and communication. Some of these communities, especially the ones in the remote areas, get almost no help from the outside world, yet their need is the greatest of all. Tibet Charity is trying to redress the balance. |
 Tenzingang settlement - Arunachal Pradesh Tibet Charity has visited all of the Tibetan settlements and is aware of the problems they face. Plans for development are made during these visits and also later on when groups from the settlements submit proposals in writing. TC always follows up on its’ projects to make sure that the money is properly utilized. Regular updates are sent to the sponsors on the development of the project. There is no restriction on the kinds of projects funded. So far funds have been given to projects ranging from a new mains water supply system to providing short term financial relief to homeless individuals. The case studies that follow illustrate this range. |
| Drinking Water Project |
In 2007, Tibet Charity provided a new water pump and replaced broken pipes at the Old People’s Home in the Dhargyaling Tibetan Settlement thus giving the elders water supply in their home for the first time. The original pump and pipes were very old with a lot of leakage and could not adequately supply the water storage system. What’s more, the pump was totally unreliable, which meant they would have to go for days without water. It was not easy to get the pump repaired as the nearest repair store was four hours away (it can be more during the monsoon as the roads flood). With the supply cut off, the old people were forced to fetch their own water in a bucket from a considerable distance. With the new system in place and running smoothly, they now have a constant supply of water in the home. |
 Residents of the old people's home |
| Livestock for nomads |
Some Tibetans settle down in Ladakh and pursue a nomadic lifestyle very similar to the one in Tibet. Since they have no land they are entirely dependent on their animals for survival. Their animals give them wool, butter and cheese which is their only source of income. Following a fact finding mission in August, TC decided to provide one particular community with new livestock. The Tibetan Welfare Office has been given funds by Tibet Charity to buy sheep for the herdsmen and also to provide them warm clothing to get through the harsh Ladakhi winter. |
Immediate Financial Assistance to Poor and needy Individuals |
Not only does Tibet Charity support community projects, it provides relief for individuals in dire need. Mr. Dhamchoe from Tenzingang in Arunachal Pradesh, is just one case in point. Although he was born deaf and dumb, he has never had anyone to look after him. He fled to India in the 1970s from Bhutan and settled at Bomdilla working as domestic servant. Two years later he joined the Tenzingang Tibetan Settlement. Since he had no home of his own, he was given one by his sister when she left. Though he had a place of his own for the first time in his life, his happiness was short lived; his sister’s son claimed the house for himself and forced him to leave. Instead of staying there, the disturbed son burned down the house making it impossible for anyone to live in. When Tibet Charity proposed to reconstruct the house he refused the offer as he was too scared to live there alone. The Charity gave him some money to tide him over until the Tibetan Government finally found him a sponsor. Presently he is staying in someone else’s house and looks after his field in return. |
 Mr. Damchoe in his new home |
