High Priority Projects for 2010

Don and Tamdin, along with the TVP project coordinators spent several weeks during the September 2009 trip in Tibet to assess the need and feasibility of projects. After seeing the difference that we have made in the lives of Tibetans, we are motivated to help even more Tibetans in other villages. However, the most pressing and immediate needs that TVP has prioritized are as follows:

Compassion in Action Campaign

A strategic plan to raise $500,000 for a Microfinance Program that empowers Tibetans including those that were affected by Yushu earthquake

Since our humble beginnings, grassroots efforts and individual contributions have formed the core of Tibetan Village Project and brought health care, education, and community development projects to life for Tibetans in Tibet. While TVP will continue to work tirelessly with small groups and individual hearts to meet basic needs in Tibet, especially those of the Yushu’s earthquake communities, we seek to go beyond short-term goals and plan for the future. Our Compassion in Action Campaign supports our bread and butter work and provides a framework to decrease aid dependency while increasing empowerment, sustainability, and cultural preservation.

A business in tent in Yushu

Why establish an income generation program? In the last decade, the Tibetan economic landscape has undergone a traumatic amount of change, one that threatens the survival of the Tibetan people and their precious culture. A new marketplace dominated by commercial interests and capital has replaced subsistence farming and traditional arts. Furthermore, those areas hit the hardest by the Yushu earthquake are predominately inhabited by native Tibetan’s, leaving the culture of traditional communities at increased risk. With strategic assistance through TVP’s microfinance program, Tibetans can gain the proficiency and means to supplement their traditional livelihood with business interests that meet both community needs and the rapidly changing economic paradigm.

What is the background of TVP’S microfinance program? TVP’s Compassion In Action Program embodies the old adage, "give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life.” We provide culturally appropriate skills training, business management education, and small loans to responsibly assist individuals and families create successful businesses. Since 2006, TVP has trained over 30 Tibetans in traditional arts and motorcycle mechanics and provided business management training and micro-loans to 25 businesses (see success stories). Now TVP is ready to improve and expand our program by collaborating with socially conscious groups. These include local NGOs, business associations, herder and farmer’s coops, local governments, vocational training centers, and communities that act as “Village Banks.” TVP plans to accomplish this goal by acting as a catalyst and offering skills training, business education, micro lending, and capacity building workshops.

What is TVP’s microfinance model? TVP’s model has been inspired by Gramen Bank, and has been crafted to explicitly address our unique situation in Tibet. Trained TVP coordinators work regionally with small collections of villages to cultivate partnerships and educate prospective borrowers on the intricacies of our microfinance system. Depending on the type of business and loan size, borrowers form a group and demonstrate a viable business plan. Approximately 2/3 of group members will receive a loan; remaining participants become eligible only after successful repayment of the original loan principle and interest. TVP formed a group in the Nagchu region of Tibet in 2008 as a pilot program with its first six borrowers. This program is successful as all of the businesses were able to sustain themselves; there were no defaults on loans and the group started on second round of loans. Other approaches TVP has utilized have included Intermediaries, or ‘go-between’ organizations operating between the lender and borrower (such as TVP’s local NGO partner) and going straight to the Individuals, the simplest and oldest credit-lending model where small loans are given straight to the borrower.

Fundraising Goal: To cultivate an integrated income-generating program that tackles growing economic marginalization, rampant poverty, and cultural collapse, TVP has plans to raise $500,000 as part of our Compassion in Action Campaign. This fund will allow TVP to increase its loan capacity from about 10 businesses per year (average loan size of $2500) to 30 businesses, provide at least two business management trainings and support few local staff members annually for next three years.

Invitation to Support: TVP invites you to become part of our effort by giving a generous gift today. If you are interested in receiving more information about our program such as past loans, lending procedure and process (Application Package), strategic plan or a specific proposal for a targeted group, please email your request to www.tvpaust.org.au.org. Thank you and Tashi Delek.

Yeshitso School is located in a remote village in Dagyab, Eastern Tibet and currently has approximately 35 students (age 7-14). About three years ago, the teacher of Yeshitso School had to leave to look for a different job; students stopped attending classes and the school building subsequently fell into ruin, as the villagers simply did not have money to keep this school in operation. However, local communities managed to gain support from the local government to rebuild the school, and community members agreed to support one teacher. TVP needs your financial support to fund an additional teacher and provide school supplies for one year. Cost: $4,860 annually or $40 monthly. Please learn more

Tokyishi School is in a small village located in the Minyag region of Kham, near Dartsedo. The teacher of this school also has had to leave to find another job (villagers were not able to pay the monthly stipend of $180). In September 2009, TVP had a benefit dinner in the U.S. which raised $2,160 (among other projects) to support a teacher for one year. Now this village school is back in operation with 18 students and Yeshi Dolma, a 32-year Tibetan woman with 9-years teaching experience, is there as the new teacher. TVP would like to raise $2,700 (to supplement local funding) to continue to support Yeshi in 2010 and to provide additional support and resources, including adequate school supplies.

Tsechen Choeling Nunnery currently has 70 nuns and is located near Gaba village of Minyag, which is part of Kangding County in Ganzi, Tibet Autonomous Prefecture. As has been the tradition, nuns are primarily supported by their family members to study and practice Tibetan Buddhism. Sadly, many of the older teachers either have fled from Tibet or died. As a result, the young abbess of this nunnery is the only teacher and manager and she simply does not have time to teach on a daily basis. The nunnery would like to divide 70 nuns into two classes and needs a second teacher. In September 2009, Tsewang Dolker, a 50-year old Tibetan woman with 20 years teaching experience agreed to teach at the nunnery and TVP agreed to provide her monthly stipend and school supplies. Cost: $250 monthly or $2,940 annually.

Suhurong Clinic: The clinic is run by the local Monastery and the doctor is a Nun called Dr Tsering Drolma. TVPA is in the process of upgrading her facilities and the new building will be finished by around April 2011. Students from a school in the U.S. are installing solar panels in July as a school project at the clinic.

Cheda-Shol Clinic: Doctor Ugyen is the resident doctor and has earned an enviable reputation as not only a very good doctor, but someone who works hard in the community giving food to the poor and free treatment to the elderly. This is one of our main ongoing projects. TVPA support Dr Ugyen and assist him with medical supplies and recently, a Green house to grow and supply vegetables to patients and the elderly who are house bound.

Self-Help Projects: While continuing to support ongoing medical and educational programs, TVP is taking the initiative to reduce donation dependency and promote self-sufficiency by supporting income-generating micro-enterprises.
Our project wish list includes:

1. developing training manuals for village-based enterprises
2. organizing business management training,
3. supporting handcraft apprenticeship and
4. providing small business loans.

If you or someone else you know, (private or foundation) would be interested supporting one of these projects, TVP Australia will be happy to provide detailed project information. Thank You.