Lha Charitable Trust: Difference between revisions

| founder(s)founders = Jampa Tsering and Neil Guidry

Since the [[annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China]], Tibetans living in Tibet have been subject to the policies of the [[People's Republic of China]], and the [[Chinese Communist Party]]. Under this regime, the Tibetan people's freedom of expression and political action has been suppressed. Consequently, over the past fifty years, thousands of [[Tibetan people|Tibetans]] have chosen to leave their homeland in pursuit of the human rights that have been denied under Chinese rule. Every year, new [[Refugee|refugees]] arrive in [[India]] after an arduous journey through the [[Himalayas]], and countless refugees arrive with little or no education, speak only Tibetan, and possess no viable job skills to support themselves and their families. Furthermore, it is difficult for adult and elderly refugees to receive an adequate education in India due to the strict school system requirements, as educational policy prevents adults over the age of eighteen years from enrolling in school. Under such conditions, Lha plays a crucial role in facilitating the transition of Tibetan refugees from their homeland to the Indian community by providing long-term rehabilitation and educational resources for Tibetan adults.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ravi |first=Rupashree |date=2022-01-17 |title=Our initial aim was to help Tibetan refugees from Tibet: Lha Charitable Trust |url=https://www.thetibetpost.com/features/34-education-and-society/7205-our-initial-aim-was-to-help-tibetan-refugees-from-tibet-lha-charitable-trust |access-date=2024-07-27 |work=The Tibet Post}}</ref>

Lha charitableCharitable trustTrust aims to be a resource of education and knowledge that provides meaningful, multi-level social and educational services for the benefit of others. The organization seeks to generate an atmosphere of harmony and cooperation within the community by addressing the needs of the impoverished and underprivileged. A key focus of Lha is to assist Tibetan refugees in adapting and thriving in their new home, while also preserving the unique Tibetan culture. Approximately 60 percent of Lha graduates work in the local community, 30 percent work abroad, and 10 percent return to Tibet. The Trust partners with several local and international organizations, such as the Tibetan Parent's Association, the [[Tibetan Women's Association]], and the Leprosy Assistance Project—all of which regularly collaborate with the Trust to better meet the needs of the exiled community. The Trust's Outreach Program provides aid toaids the wider Indian community through self-sustaining clean water projects, environmental initiatives, and donations of medicine, books, and clothing.

Lha provides a variety of programs for Tibetan refugees, and the local Himalayan community, such as language classes, cultural exchange programs, [[Information technology|information technology (IT)]] classes, [[Vocational education|vocational training]], health and environment education, clothes and medicine distribution, and a community kitchen. Lha serves an average of 250 people daily, hosts between fifteen and twenty-five volunteers, and provides up to nineteen programs and services.

In 2014 a new Lha English curriculum book was introduced for the Elementary, Beginner, and Intermediate level English classes based on the Standard English curriculum of the [[Common European Framework of Reference for Languages|Common European Framework for Reference (CEFR)]]. 2,678 students attended language classes in 2014, including 796 new enrolments. Most students attend classes for two to six months, and approximately 40 percent continue their studies for between one and three (or more) years. To date, over 10,317 students have benefited from our language classes,<ref name="Annual">{{cite web|title=Lha's Annual Report for 2011|url=http://lhasocialwork.org/images/stories/traveler_resources/Lha_Annual_Report_2011.pdf|publisher=Lha Charitable Trust|accessdate=16 March 2013|year=2011}}</ref> developing skills to help in obtaining employment and increasing self-confidence. In the future, Lha plans to add more intensive courses and provide students with certificates of completion.

The filter unit is an RO+UV+ UF and TTS, which provides high -quality water filtration and more than 100 liters of clean and safe drinking water per hour to students, their teachers, and staff members, while the stainless steel tank is capable of storing 500 liters of water.

To make the writings, speeches and teachings of His Eminence Professor Samdong Rinpoche freely available to the general public, Lha launched thea bilingual website (Tibetan and English). The website contains many researched articles, audio and video clips on Buddhist teachings, Tibetan culture and language, democracy, non-violence, and the situation of Tibet, and receives over 11,000 viewers per month. Lha launched this website as an initiative towards preserving Tibet's culture, language and heritage, and to help it to flourish. Professor Samdong Rinpoche, an eminent and distinguished scholar, teacher and philosopher, is a lifelong campaigner of Gandhian principles, and works closely with the Dalai Lama. Rinpoche was the first elected Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan Central Administration, and a former Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile. His services are valued at the highest level in many institutions, including former Principal/Director, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Chancellor of [[Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies]], member of the Expert Advisory Committee, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and President of the International Buddhist Congregation.[http://samdhongrinpoche.com/en/]