The summer has been a good time for collecting. Following-on from the record number of entrants to the Tibet Walk, we've had enthusiastic sposorship for Dave and Liz Lindsey's 1000-mile Cycle for Tibet ride. Street-collections in Aberdeen, Stonehaven and Banchory have also proved very lucrative.
Cycle for Tibet raised £1800, plus gift-aid of £336.
The Walk has raised £986 in total, making this a near-record amount.
Banchory and Stonehaven street-collections raised £473 between them, again a very good sum, especially in view of the wet weather for the afternoon session of the Banchory collection.
The 12 July Aberdeen street-collection raised £267.
At our recent business-meeting we discussed the use of this money, and came to the following decisions:
Cycle for Tibet proceeds were split between Free Tibet Campaign, to be used towards political campaigning for the human-rights of Tibetans, the Tibet Relief Fund hand-pump project, and Tibet Foundation yak for life aid-programme.
The Aberdeen street-collection proceeds wil go to ROKPA.
The Stonehaven/Banchory street-collection money will be rounded-up to £500 from TSG funds. £100 of this will go to the Hand Pump Project. The remaining £400 will be allocated to the Tibet Relief Fund schools projects mentioned below.
Half of the Walk sponsorship will go to the Free Tibet Campaign, , and half to Tibet Foundation projects, in particular the Serchul County Health Initiative and Sichuan Tibetan Middle School.
Hand Pump Project (Shungma Xiang, Sakya County, Tibet)
In 2002 the Swiss Red Cross started a health education project, targeting villages in Sakya County. Safe drinking water is critical, as most people rely on water from rivers, often contaminated by animals. Children especially suffer from diarrhoea. This project aims to install one hand pump in each household of the poorest villages in Shunma Xiang. Initially it will install 100 pumps, serving 100 households (benefiting 600 people).
Funds Needed: ongoing
The Tondashun School (Mount Baima, Kham, Tibet)
Originally set up by Lama Lobsang Temba in the Retreat of the Dondupling Monastery, this little school quickly outgrew its premises. The Tondashun villagers offered to help: they cleared some land above their village and provided the wood to build a temporary structure for the children. However, conditions for the hut are basic and cramped. The children have already survived two severe winters here, in spite of bitter winds and temperatures below freezing. They desperately need larger and better facilities for proper study and more pupils wanting to join. Costs are for, clearing the ground and building a retaining wall, building an entry road and supplying water piping. Finally, costs for the building work itself.
Target: £10,000 Funds Needed: £10,000
Schuxiong Tibetan Schools Fund
(North Yunnan & west Sichuan, Tibet-Quinghai plateau., Tibet)Traditionally, the Genye nomads spend winter in their villages and in summer move camp six times. In recent years, many nomads have been persuaded to give up their traditional way of life and move into flats in the nearby town. This has caused them distress; loss of confidence and their culture is on the verge of disappearing. The aim of the school is to provide education for the nomadic children of the area and thus to form a base to preserve the local culture and language. Health education and medical facilities will also feature. Comprised of a main building, dining hall and dormitories, the school will serve 35-40 pupils aged 5-15. The children will board at the school during the summer months while their parents camp in the high pastures. The funding sought is for the building of the school.
Target: £17,250