Tibetan Village Project
Location: Tibet, China
Mission Statement
Tibetan Village Project (TVP) is a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development while preserving the rich cultural heritage of Tibet
Background Information
The organization was founded in 2001 by Tibetans to help themselves using a bottom-up approach. Most of the projects are small-scale initiatives that work directly with Tibetan villagers through project-coordinators chosen from each village who know the local situation, understand the culture, and speak the language. Under the direction of the TVP's board, Tibetan project coordinators in the field and Tamdin oversee all aspects of project implementation, from coordinating village participation in each initiative, to distributing funds and compiling progress reports.
Activities of Organisation
School
TVP's rural educational program focuses on Tibetan language preservation and literacy. About ten schools with 1200 students are being supported through tuition, food, warm blankets and clothing, textbooks, and school supplies.
Healthcare
TVP has assisted in the building of a clinic. And support them by providing medical supplies, equipment and frequent training opportunities for healthcare workers. In addition, TVP sponsor a mobile clinic program that travels to areas that do not have doctors in residence.
Micro-enterprise
Tibetan Artisan Store. In 2005, the Tibetan Village Project trained a few Tibetans in knitting, weaving, and sewing in Lhasa. Upon completion of their training, they opened a small store in Lhasa that serves as a cooperative space where the artisans can work and showcase their crafts. Artisans make several handcrafts including shoulder bags, cushion covers, door curtains, wall hangings, and some Tibetan clothes such as sweaters. The goal of the store is to preserve Tibetan weaving culture while continuing to provide skills training to new artisans, assisting with quality control of village-made products and creating market access since there are no markets in villages.
Melok Trade School
The trade school is located just northeast of Lhasa. A Tibetan tour guide started it in the end of 2004. The school trains about 20 students, 2 teachers and one cook. The student term of study is three years: the first year teaches woodworking and sewing skills, the second year provides on-the-job training and the third year develops business skills. Products students make during their training such as desks, chairs, clothes, and other crafts, are sold or donated to local schools and clinics. The first group of the trainees made remarkable progress by gaining woodworking contracts (jobs that normally go to non-Tibetans) to finish over 40 houses, saving money to build a showcase space for woodwork and working in their own villages. In the last few years, TVP has provided tools, equipment, clothes, and technical support. TVP is committed to helping to improve and expand its programs and making seed money available for those who wish to start their own businesses.Six Motorbike Repair Shops Started: In 2007, a Tibetan scholar from Nagchu proposed and implemented a three-month motorbike repair training program that trained 12 Tibetan nomads in Nagchu. TVP provided a total of $6,570 in loans to ten villagers to start or improve six motorcycle supplies and repair shops in early August 2008. On average, each person received $657. or $1,095. per shop. With 3% annual interest, the payment will be deposited in a local bank every three months, and the loan will be paid back in two years. Dolmaling Nunnery is located in a village near Chamdo in Kham, eastern Tibet.The nunnery currently has approximately 390 nuns ranging in ages 10 to 70 years old. The nunnery received $5,000.00 and managerial support in September 2008 to start a general store. The nuns have fixed an old room in the nunnery and turned that into a store with three primary objectives: cater essential business needs of the nuns, reduce the unnecessary long distance shopping trips, generate income for the nunnery to promote self-sufficiency.
Consensus Community Perspective
Tibet Village Project has successfully set up projects in Tibet, striving to revive indigenous heritage threw Education, skill training, and renovation projects. Their sustainable method of working reflect the core value of Himalayan Consensus, and is an important asset for the local Tibetans.
Contact Information
Address:
Please contact TVP through their website or at info@tibetvillage.org
Website: Visit this community's website