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Community Service Projects
Emergency Fund
Since 1996, we have raised money to offer financial assistance for Tibetan refugees, and more recently, for children and families in the US, who find themselves in extreme need situations. At times, we've collaborated with other organizations and individuals on such fundraisers and events. Most often, funds are given in cases of medical emergency, such as to pay for TB and other medicines; medical bills; school fees, food, rent & other basic survival needs.
The following are just a few of the Tibetan individuals and families in need who we've helped:
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We have supported Ama-la Tsechyi's family by purchasing the Tibetan Freedom bracelets she makes, and through donations. When her baby died, we gave her funds to help pay for the traditional prayer ceremonies.
Her oldest daughter, Sonam Dolma suffered from Rheumatic heart disease. In 1997, we helped raise money towards her medical tests at the Heart Clinic in Chandigarh, India, and gave her money so she could afford Tibetan medicine for her condition. In 2003, when she finally needed triple valve replacement surgery, we collaborated with the Department of Health (CTA) and the Dharamshala Earthville Institute to raise the needed funds and find the best medical services available.
We are happy to report that she has been steadily recovering since then. Still, she needs financial support for her expensive check-up visits in Delhi 3-4 times a year, and heart medicines. Funds to help her are still always welcome!
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 Ama-lak Khanning Lobsang Deckyi |
We have also raised support for Ama-la Lobsang Deckyi Khanning and her daughters to help pay for diagnostic medical testing and for medicines. Ama-la had run a small shop, but then suffered from a serious intestinal illness which made it impossible for her to work. As well, one of her daughters suffered from a chronic ulcer. We paid for her endoscopy tests and medicines.
Ama-la is an ex-political prisoner and was the daughter of a noble family from the Lhasa area. We contributed funds and coordinated volunteers to help publish a short book about her life story. It was published by the Ex-Political Prisoner's Association in Dharamshala, India. We have copies available upon request, for a donation. Please contact: info@solutionsinaction.com if you are interested in ordering a copy.
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Tsering Lhamo, age 30. She makes less than $30 per month. Her husband is an artist whose income is sporadic. They have a small child. To cover their living expenses, they are working hard to get orders for the cards and paintings he makes. We have been able to offer them help due to the kindness and generosity of Jamtse Tsokpa Organization, allowing us to purchase some of his work for a fair price and to offer a donation.
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Sonam Dolma, age 18, lives in the Tibetan settlement of Mundgod, South India. She suffers from a neurological disease which is treatable with medicines. Her family cannot afford the costs of medicines. Though we are pursuing help from the Health Department for her, we are also working to raise funds to help her.
Upon request, we still raise funds for those mentioned above and new Tibetan refugees in extreme need situations, as they are brought to our attention. Most recently, we have decided to also reach out to individuals and families in the US who are struggling and are clearly in an 'extreme need situation' and without access to local medical or other resources to help them.
INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES IN NEED IN THE US:
 ISAIAH: Isaiah is a twelve-year-old boy from California who was born with autism, albinism, and a severe gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. Raised by a single mother with little income, medical treatment for his gastrointestinal disorder has been incredibly difficult. This disorder makes eating and digesting a daily challenge. We are working with concerned local citizens of Santa Cruz to help raise funds towards Isaiah's GI treatments and medical visits.
Educational Service Projects
In addition to our Emergency Fund, we have also offered our support for Tibetans in exile through Educational Service Projects, each developed upon request of departments of the Tibetan Government in Exile, schools and local non-governmental organizations.
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Since 1996, Solutions in Action has provided requested services for various departments of the Tibetan government in exile (CTA: Central Tibetan Administration), schools and non-governmental organizations.
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Upon request of the Department of Education, we researched, wrote and helped coordinate publication of a short book called, "Education in Exile: An Informative Guide to the Department of Education." It continues to help raise financial support for schools, educational and vocational training programs for Tibetans in 85 Settlements.
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From 1996-1999 we also offered resources, curriculum and education specialists for the Environment & Development Desk's (DIIR) Teacher Training and Sustainable Agriculture programs.
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From 1995-1998, upon request of the Tibetan Welfare Office, we developed educational materials, organized educational events, provided workshops for TCV's Youth Education Center, Indian Schools and coordinated volunteer placement.
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From 1999-2007, we provided & developed educational materials with the Health Department (DoH), and have offered trainings, conferences and courses to train Health Department Staff, Educators & Community leaders in 'Preventative Environmental Health' and 'Toxic Exposure Prevention'. We continue to consult with them on project follow-up, assessment and to potentially offer Environmental Health conferences and trainings in the future.
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In 1999, we were requested by the Tibetan Minister of Health (Kashag) to train Health Care staff from settlements throughout India. In early 2000, we spent seven weeks in the Mundgod Settlement doing environmental health assessment, consultation, and educational programs culminating in a five day workshop for community leaders representing various stakeholders in the local settlement.
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In 2005, organized upon request of the Tibetan Department of Health (DoH), we offered the 'Toxic Exposure Prevention Training Conference' including workshops, environmental health education planning sessions & educational resource materials for heads of Health Departments and Health Educators from some of the largest settlements in India. This training was part of our ongoing, "Toxic Exposure Prevention Project." Click here for the Toxic Exposure Prevention Project (TEPP) summary.
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In 2007, in cooperation with former Health Minister, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche & the DoH, we offered the 'Preventive Environmental Health Conference' held for heads of various Tibetan government departments and NGO's with the aim of creating a long term plan for environmental health for Tibetan settlements.
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For both Tibetan non-profit organization, Tibetan Environmental Awareness Movement (TEAM), as well as for the Tibetan Government Departments of Health, Environment & Agriculture, we disseminated curriculum developed by the Hesperian Foundation, on topics such as 'Safer Alternatives to Pesticides' and 'Toxic Exposure Prevention.' We also provided similar curriculum that we have developed.
Although these efforts are not all ongoing, we will continue to offer our services upon request. We also know that Tibetans in exiled settlements all over India continue to benefit from the education and curriculum that many of their leaders and teachers received through our courses and programs.
As a result of our educational programs, Tibetans have become more aware of the dangers that toxic materials present in their communities, while learning how to prevent and avoid toxic exposure. In that way, we continue to work towards a healthier generation of Tibetan refugees learning to survive in exile.
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