Tibet Foundation - Tibetans in Exile - Projects

Tibetans in Exile works with the Tibetan community in South Asia to provide long-term and stable support to the most needy people within the community.

We give special emphasis to supporting children's education at all levels. This ranges from primary children to young adults who have left all their family and crossed the Himalayas in search of a better education.

Primary Education

Tibetans in Exile's partners in primary education are:

• The Department of Education (CTE) in Dharamsala.
• The Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) in Dharamsala.
• The Tibetan Homes Foundation (THF) in Mussoorie.

To sponsor a child at a CTE school costs £12 monthly.

To sponsor a child at a TCV school costs £14.50 monthly.

To sponsor a child through the THF costs £20 monthly.

Secondary Education

Tibetans in Exile also to support higher education among the Tibetan Diaspora, meeting the community's desperate need for professional skills. Courses last for three years, and sponsorship costs from £18.75 monthly.

Young Adults

One of the neediest sections of the community are the new arrivals from Tibet. Young adults frequently leave their homes in Tibet, crossing the Himalayas on foot in search of a better education. Few have any relatives in South Asia to help them to get established.

The Tibetan Administration in India has established a new Tibetan school at Bir, under the administration of the Tibetan Children's Village. In spite of poor facilities and severe overcrowding, students here can receive an intensive yet basic education.

Sponsoring a new arrival student costs £15 monthly.

Supporting the Elderly

Much of t he population that left Tibet in 1959 is now beyond retirement age. Many became separated from their family, and now lack any means to support themselves. Our support can meet an elderly Tibetan's basic food, clothing, accommodation and health care costs.

Sponsoring an elderly person costs £10 monthly.

Nuns and Monks

Monasteries are the cornerstone of Tibetan culture, in exile as well as in Tibet. On coming into exile, monasteries were re-established across India, and today there are nearly 20,000 nuns and monks in India - approximately 15% of the total exiled population. Some of these were born in exile, but many have crossed the Himalayas to be able to study in freedom.

Many monasteries are severely overcrowded, and monks and nuns that have crossed from Tibet suffer the same economic and family problems as their lay counterparts.

Tibetans in Exile raises funds to cover the basic living and educational costs of monks and nuns.

To sponsor a monk or nun costs £10 monthly.

Tibetan Medicine

The practice of Tibetan medicine is a core part of Tibetan culture, practiced over 2500 years. Its approach is holistic and its effectiveness has been demonstrated in simple treatments for diseases as complex as epilepsy, diabetes, jaundice and cancer.

The Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (TMAI) is the principle training centre for doctors in Exile. Training takes six years. The TMAI also undertakes research, produces over 1000 different Tibetan medicines, and publishes books and articles. Doctors from TMAI regularly visit Tibet Foundation in London to provide consultations.

Tibetans in Exile run two sponsorship programmes promoting the practice of Tibetan Medicine. Some sponsors support a student through all six years of study. Others choose to become a Friend of TMAI, supporting all aspects of TMAI's work.

To become a Friend of TMAI costs from £5 monthly.

To sponsor a student costs £40 monthly.

The Performing Arts

Gangjong Doeghar Tibetan Performing Arts was established in 1994 in Kalimpong at the initiative of Tibet Foundation. THe company provides training in Tibetan dance, music and songs for Tibetans and others who wish to learn these arts. The company also undertakes national and international tours to create greater awareness of Tibetan artistic culture.

To become a Friend of Gangjong Doeghar costs from £60 a year.

The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) was established in 1959 to preserve the Tibetan traditions of music, dance, opera and drama. It is the only residential academic institute of its kind offering professional training in exile. Tibetans in Exile supports TIPA through its Friends of TIPA scheme.

To become a Friend of TIPA costs from £60 a year.

Tibetans in Exile's Community Fund

The Community Fund allows supporters to help the refugee community without committing themselves to a particular sponsorship scheme. We direct funds to where they are most needed, and try to respond to emergency appeals.

To support the Community Fund costs from £5 monthly. Donations welcome.

Tibetans in Exile - Health Initiative

The Health Initiative is designed to help refugees who are least able to support themselves and suffer health problems. We aim to reduce disease in the community by training health care workers, promoting health education, confronting the TB crisis, encouraging self-help methods, and supporting those who are bedridden and destitute.

To support the Health Initiative costs from £5 monthly. Donations welcome.