Projects

On the map above you can find Dharamsala to the left of centre. The village Bir (also known as Suja) is below the centre, while TCV Chauntra is located just 10 minutes south of Bir. Medical Projects 1. Medication for children from the TCV's who have been diagnosed with 3rd degree Tuberculosis 2. Vaccination Programmes of the Health Centre of the TCV's 3. Supporting of disabled children in the TCV's and providing them with suitable learning materials 4. Supporting the Ngoengaschool for disabled children (Dehra Dun) 5. Sponsoring grant-maintained students at the Tibetan Medical Institute 6. Projects of the Delek Hospital in Dharamsala, such as training for health workers, vaccinations etc. Learning Materials 1. Bicycle Project 2.Computer Project 3.Sewing Machines Project 4.Educational Learning Materials, such as books, furniture for the Library, Black Boards Building Projects 1. Creation of 3 workshop areas for vocational training 2. Building of a new TCV in Chauntra.

Further information regarding projects Medication for patients of the Health Centre TCV Dharamsala, who have been diagnosed with 3rd degree Tuberculosis. Some children do not seem to recover from Tuberculosis. When 3rd degree Tuberculosis is diagnosed and they have become resistant to standard medication, they are administered MDR, a multidrug regime, for a period of 18 months. If complications occur they will be operated on, a scan or an ultrasound is made. These procedures are very expensive. With help and support from many sponsors the Foundation has been able to pay for the treatment of 6 patients. We have received photographs and letters from them, expressing their emotions and feelings of gratitude. One of them referred to the medication as the “holy nectar” which saved his life. That may sound like an exaggeration, but imagine being a 15-year old and having to live in isolation for several years, transferred from hospital to hospital and changing from one type of medication to another. It is easy to understand what a relief it must be when the disease is finally halted, particularly knowing that this medication is so expensive that it is almost unaffordable. Bicycle Project in TCV Patli Kuhl and TCV Dharamsala No less than 60 new bicycles were bought, with your support! 647 Children live in Patli Kuhl but there were only 8 bicycles, 4 of which in a bad state of repair. During playtime the bicycles are used per class, and all the children are allowed to ride around the playground once. More bicycles were urgently required. It is important that the children learn to ride a bicycle so that they learn to go outside the Children’s Village, to deal with traffic and get some shopping. It is much more than learning to ride a bike! A reasonable bicycle will cost between € 45 - € 70. Based on a need of 1 bicycle per 10 children it means that a total of 65 bicycles are required, at a cost of € 3250. To date the Foundation’s sponsors have raised enough funds for 60 bicycles. This project will continue until we have 65 bicycles for Patli Kuhl and at least 40 bicycles for TCV Dharamsala! Computer Project in TCV Bir and TCV Dharamsala Like everywhere in the world these days, there is a need for children to be computer literate and this is no different for the children in TCV. Especially in Indian society computer literacy is essential. TCV Bir is in need of 5 computers, at a cost of € 700 each, excluding a printer. One printer for 5 computers is sufficient. All this will be bought locally, into account needs for service and maintenance. Sponsors have raised sufficient finances for the project in Bir and we will continue to raise funds for the same project in Dharamsala. Sewing Machine Project in TCV Bir Most children who live in TCV Bir fled Tibet at an older age (from the age of 10, most children are 15-16 years old). As a result of this their education has suffered considerably. After several years in the Children’s Village and additional education many do choose to return to Tibet. In TCV Bir children are educated in English and receive vocational training, in particular sewing, tailoring and computer classes, so that upon their return to Tibet they will have the necessary skills to provide for themselves. For the sewing and tailoring classes there is a great need for materials for both boys and girls. We need a total of 50 sewing machines, including accessories, at a cost of € 90 per machine. The total cost of this project is € 4,500. Several sponsors, including students at the Dorenweerd College, have supported this project and raised sufficient funds. Learning Materials All schools in the TCVs need learning materials, such as books for the library, furniture, blackboards, schoolbags, pens/pencils, contributions for school trips (usually a trip to a local mountain lake with a picnic). Creation of 3 additional teaching rooms in TCV Bir. The teaching of sewing/tailoring and computer literacy requires not only materials but also space. The daily influx of more children from Tibet means that there is a need for more teaching space. Currently a new wing is under construction that will house 3 new teaching rooms. To date, with help from sponsors, the Foundation has been able to finance one of the three rooms. Building of a new TCV in Chauntra It took nine years of applying for permits, building, delays en catching up with delays, but after a long time and much effort the new Tibetan Children’s Village in Chauntra is now ready. H.H. the Dalai Lama inaugurated the new village on 21 November 2004. It was a happy occasion with lots of singing and dancing. On a guided tour of the new facilities, we also visited the new library. SHAT supported the building and furnishing of the library with donations up to € 30.000. SHAT also offered 750 tulip bulbs on the occasion of the opening of the new village. A typical Dutch present for which thanks goes to the “Keukenhof” who provided the bulbs.

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