Events in Tibet

The non-violent approach of Tibetans Tibet is often called the rooftop of the world. A country with a centuries-old culture, a phenomenal landscape and peaceful people. Despite this, it has been the scene of oppression and destruction for more than 50 years. In 1950 the Chinese army forcefully occupied this country. Tibetans are not the type of people who fight force with force. However, after years of bloody repression they took to arms in 1959. It was an unequal battle during which many Tibetans lost their lives. More than 100.000 Tibetans fled to neighbouring India, among them the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and worldly leader of the Tibetans. Those who remained saw their country destroyed bit by bit. More than 6000 abbeys were destroyed, literature was burned and much of the landscape ruined forever. But much worse is the fact that a human life – even today – has hardly any value. More than 1 million people rose up in resistance. Those who were lucky escaped to India. Tibetans in exile build towards a better future In the Northern Indian town of Dharamsala, a community of exiles formed itself. A close-knit community that accepts more refugees day by day. And a community that under the spiritual leadership of the Dalai Lama keeps its culture and religion alive, passing it on from generation to generation. This means passing it from adults to children. Children, many of whom have lost their parents as a result of the political struggle or who were sent by their parents to India to gain a Tibetan upbringing and education and a chance for a better future. These Tibetan children are raised in the Children’s Villages such as Dharamsala, Gopalpur, Bir, Chauntra and Patli Kuhl. The children live quite literally on the borders of two very different worlds. On the one hand there is the Tibetan culture, religion and identity. On the other hand they need to find their place in Indian society and work towards establishing their own existence in it. Education and support are therefore essential and the Tibetan community needs your help with this.

Address

Dutch Aid to Tibetans Stichting Hulp aan Tibetanen (SHAT) Jan Toebacklaan 13, 1412 JZ Naarden The Netherlands Tel + 31-(0)35-6970535 C.o.C. 41149073 te Den Haag E-mail: SHAT-Tibet@freeler.nl Postgiro 5327006