Lha Charitable Trust
The Lha Charitable Trust is an Indian nonprofit organization primarily focused on Tibetian social work. It was founded in 1997 in Dharamshala, India by Jampa Tsering and Niel Guidry.
Background
Since the annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China, Tibetans 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 Tibetans have chosen to leave their homeland in pursuit of the human rights that have been denied under Chinese rule. Every year, new 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.Mission and objectives
Lha Charitable Trust 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 aids the wider Indian community through self-sustaining clean water projects, environmental initiatives, and donations of medicine, books, and clothing.The Trust aims to "build a social service bridge for the Tibetan refugee community in northern India." Its primary objectives include:
- Providing social services to Tibetan refugees and the local Himalayan population.
- Offering Tibetan refugees education and health services, as well as the skills and assistance needed to build a new life in exile.
- Facilitating mutual learning and cultural exchange experiences between Tibetans, volunteers, and other visitors.
- Creating awareness of the Tibetan refugee situation and preserving the endangered Tibetan culture.
Partnerships
Programs
Lha provides a variety of programs for Tibetan refugees, and the local Himalayan community, such as language classes, cultural exchange programs, information technology classes, 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.Language classes
Language classes have taken place at Lha since 1999. Currently, 100 to 120 students participate in the language classes at Lha every month. Lha offers classes in English, French, Chinese, German and Tibetan daily, all at varying ability levels. In addition to traditional classroom sessions, Lha offers a daily English conversation class, for additional practice, with native English speakers; a tutoring program is also offered as a supplement for each language class. All courses are staffed by volunteer teachers and are open to the public.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 for Reference. 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 years. To date, over 10,317 students have benefited from our language classes, 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.
Computer skills classes
Lha computer training program aims to provide students with viable job skills and consists of two levels of computer training: Beginner and Intermediate. The types of expertise that are taught include typing, internet proficiency, web design, graphic design, and fluency in technology/programs such as email, MS Word, MS Excel, and Adobe Photoshop.The computer classes attract from twenty to thirty students each month. Lha offers select students full scholarships each month—especially to those refugees who are associated with other local NGOs, such as the Tibetan Women's Association, the Tibetan Youth Congress, and the Kunphen Center. Since 2003, over 2,000 students have benefited from computer skills classes and workshops.
Vocational training
Lha provides vocational training, including professionally taught IT classes, photography courses and massage therapy courses. Lha plans to provide other types of vocational skills in the future, such as chef courses.When a qualified IT teacher is available, Lha offers an IT program focusing on web design and development, graphic design as well as business skills.
Basic photography courses taught by professionals, when available, are open to all interested persons. At the course completion, students display their work in the ‘LHA Photography Exhibition.’ Lha also partners with Chung Yuan Christian University to provide a semi-annual IT workshop that is focused on multimedia programs, the Internet and word processing.
Cooking and baking classes are available to those wishing to pursue careers in the food industry.
Community soup kitchen
To address the problem of limited access to both clean water and nutritious food in the local community, Lha initiated the Community Soup Kitchen Project in 2009. On 6 July 2011, Lha officially opened its soup kitchen in the Ahimsa House venue—it was the first soup kitchen in Dharamsala and provides low-cost, nutritious meals, and clean water to Tibetan refugees. In order to fund the monthly cost of the soup kitchen, Lha has partnered with St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States. In 2011, the church received pledges that amounted to US$1,200 per month and the subsequent goal was to increase this amount to US$2,000 to completely cover the monthly cost of the soup kitchen.Clean Water Project
Starting in 2010, the Lha Clean Water project continues to provide clean filtered water to Tibetan communities. The purpose of installing these clean water systems is to ensure that people can access free, filtered water, thus helping to keep the community healthy into the future.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.
The water is used not only for drinking but also for cooking, thereby improving the quality of food served at the schools. Additionally, a water cooler providing instant hot and cold filtered water was installed with funds provided directly by Lha. These improvements will help alleviate some of the water-borne illnesses children commonly suffer from in this region, especially during the monsoon season, and will contribute to maintaining a high level of general health among students.
Free Community Magazine
Contact Magazine is a recognised and registered publication under the Registrar Office of the Newspaper, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Government of India. The registration number is HPENG/2013/51798. Recognised by Lonely Planet and other international travel resources. Contact has been a popular source of news and information on Tibetan issues, and the Dharamsala community, for over 18 years.700 – 1,000 copies are printed each month and distributed in the greater Dharamshala area and Delhi, and various diplomatic missions to India. Copies are also sent to various Tibetan schools, settlements, offices and NGOs in India as well as abroad. Contact keeps readers up-to-date on current issues and events, and provides networking, education and volunteer opportunities, as well as social services information.