ROKPA Times March 2015: 35 years of putting people first
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Transcript of ROKPA Times March 2015: 35 years of putting people first
No. 1 / March 2015 / Volume 35
ROKPA TIMES
35 years of putting people first
Dear ROKPA friends, Sir and Madam,
Though our beginnings were fraught with difficulties, today we work from
a stable and secure foundation. Over the decades plenty of know-how has
been accumulated. We are proud of all that has been achieved, and are
committed to continuing to make this world a little better – every day –
together with you.
ROKPA travels to the most remote corners of the Tibetan plateau and to
Nepal, in order to help those who often have lost all hope. Yes, we do the
work but we know how much we owe to you, our donors and partners. Only
through your generosity have these 35 years of increasing success been
possible. For that we wish to offer our thanks and the overwhelming
gratitude of the many who have regained hope because of your gift.
As ROKPA has grown its aims remain unchanged – not to grow further,
larger, faster in an uncontrolled way. Rather to always seek to create and
sustain a secure basis for a long time for many people, so that these who
benefit from ROKPA’s help over time grow to become helpers of others in
need.
What does that mean? ROKPA children for example, as they grow up often
become the helpers of young children facing the very difficulties they
themselves once faced. They become doctors, nurses, teachers, open their
own charities or continue ROKPA projects (see reports illustrating this later
in this brochure). Having experienced poverty themselves, and received vital
help when help was needed, these children are particularly sensitive to the
needs of others. They have a particular affinity towards socially disadvan-
taged people on the edge of society and wish to assist them as adults. In
this natural organic way the ROKPA-system continues to grow, deepen and
develop.
So many have been helped over these 35 years. I want to thank each and
every one of you for continuing to invest in these wonderful young people
and in ROKPA's work.
Yours,
Lea Wyler Founder and Vice President of ROKPA
Editorial
35 years of ROKPA – 35 of years giving sustainable help for people in need!
A charity without fundraising appeal is like a mill
without water!
This special addition of ROKPA Times for the
35th anniversary puts the emphasis on what has
already been achieved and what is planned for
the near future. In order to maintain the flow
between the different reports, in most cases we
have refrained from adding a specific call for
donations. You know that ROKPA needs you! We
need your donation we need your help and your
connectedness. This is the birthday present we
would like from you! Thank you!
CONTENTS
Editorial 2
The Art of Giving 3
Milestones 4 – 5
Anniversary Conversation 6 – 8
Our Success 9
Lifelines 10 – 11
ROKPA Switzerland 12
Worldwide Engagement 13
Your Donation at work 14 – 15
Masthead
Editor: ROKPA Communications All photographs and texts: © ROKPA INTERNATIONAL Print run: 9,000 copies
ROKPA INTERNATIONAL has been ZEWO certified since 2004.
The Art of Giving
What sparked the inspiration for
founding ROKPA? How during a
pilgrimage, the mental foundations of
our charity were laid:
“Together with like-minded people and
under the guidance of Dr. Akong Tulku
Rinpoche, I embarked on a pilgrimage to
India and Nepal. Those who participated
had been asked to double the amount of
money required for the whole journey
before setting out – this part was meant
for the needy crossing our path. Thus
from the beginning, a feeling of giving
accompanied us.
When we arrived in Bodh Gaya in India,
I was overwhelmed by the amount of
beggars. They crowded around us and
extended their hands towards us. Where-
ver we went – everywhere we encoun-
tered deep poverty and desperate
deprivation. “What am I doing here,
meditating, while people are starving in
Lea Wyler about the beginnings of ROKPA
front of my eyes? I asked myself. More
and more I felt drawn towards those
needy people in front of my eyes.
One day we visited Bodh Gaya, where
the Buddha is supposed to have found
his enlightenment. It is a tourist attrac-
tion, which attracts millions of travellers
a year. And where tourists gather,
beggars are not far. In Bodh Gaya this
meant that an inconceivable amount of
beggars filled the main streets – they
were sitting crowded closely together for
miles. At night they slept in exactly the
same place where they were begging
during the day, so that nobody could
take their place away.
Gradually I began examining the begging
people closely. I saw little girls with
babies in their arms, the hand of the
baby opened to ask for alms. I saw
leprosy and other sick people, I saw
blind, beaten up, crippled and drunk
people, I saw old women and men. And
all were crying “help me, help me!”
Never before had I encountered such
poverty and deprivation – I was deeply
shocked.
One day I decided to give the beggars a
few rupees. I threw the coins hastily into
the begging crowd and disappeared as
quickly as possible afterwards. Giving
this way was embarrassing for me, but I
did not know how to do it better.
The next day, early in the morning, we
met with Akong Rinpoche for meditation
exercises under the bodhi tree. Suddenly
he began to speak, without looking at
me directly. “If you are giving to people
in need, give in such a way as if they
were Buddha or divine. You do not know
who is Buddha and in what form he or
she will appear. If you throw money, this
always indicates a lack of respect. Make
your offering by kneeling down, looking
into the face of the person in front of
you and giving with both hands! This is
the correct way of giving.”
This experience left me embarrassed but
also deeply impressed. I have never
forgotten it. Rinpoche’s philosophy of
respectful giving at eye level has guided
me throughout all those years. “
Lea Wyler has worked tirelessly and wholeheartedly,
changing the lives of thousands of children. ROKPA’s and Lea’s work are unique and thoroughly
deserving of our support.
Philipp Keel,
Publisher, Artist & Author
3
35 YEARS OF ROKPA
Milestones
1990 The soup kitchen in Nepal sets up its tent for the first time.
For the past 25 years cooks and volunteers from all over the world have
distributed meals to street children and homeless people. In the nearby
medical tent volunteers treat about 600 patients every winter.
1996 Inauguration of the first Children’s Home in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Traumatized street children find a home there and experience
a feeling of security for the first time in their lives. About 55 children and
young people have since become one big family.
1980 The foundations of ROKPA are created in Zurich: Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche,
Veit Wyler and Lea Wyler establish the humanitarian aid organization.
In 1985 the first ROKPA country office is opened in Great Britain. Today
ROKPA can be found in 17 countries throughout the world.
1993 Construction and inauguration of the first school for orphans on
the Tibetan Plateau. Thousands of orphans and children with only one
parent are educated, and ROKPA becomes their substitute family.
1998 Launch of projects to preserve and reprint old Tibetan medical texts.
The woodblock printing technique enables the preservation of ancient
knowledge and heritage.
4
35 YEARS OF ROKPA
2005 First dance tour to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We are a great success at
the Edinburgh Festival and other locations, as we tour Europe with ten of
the most talented kids from the ROKPA Children’s Home in Kathmandu. Our
play draws attention to the plight of Nepalese street children.
1999 First project trip to the Tibetan regions in China.
Every year Lea Wyler and her team – under the direction of Dr. Akong Tulku
Rinpoche up to 2012 – travel across these regions for several months
visiting and evaluating the current ROKPA projects.
2010 ROKPA provides emergency aid when Yushu (Tibetan Plateau) is hit by a devastating
earthquake. Thanks to generous donations from all over the world and from the
DEZA, ROKPA is able to supply more than 100 tents for Tibetans who suddenly find
themselves without a roof over their heads. The victims of the earthquake survive
the icy winter conditions thanks to these heated tents.
2000 Construction of the first clinic and inauguration of a medical surgery in the
Tibetan nunnery Kepcha.
The doctor treats the nuns as well as many Tibetan nomads from the
surrounding areas.
2008 Launch of the project “Preservation of Tibetan Medicine” in Nangchen on
the Tibetan Plateau. Its aim is to preserve the tradition of Tibetan medicine
and replant the medicinal plants which it uses, many of which are in danger
of extinction.
2012 In Kathmandu ROKPA acquires a building site between the Children’s Home
and the Guest House for the construction of a new multifunctional building.
There are plans to extend the women’s workshop, to set up a training program
in hotel management and to build additional rooms for the Guest House.
Construction work is due to begin in 2015.
5
35 YEARS OF ROKPA
“I believe in the power and magic of ROKPA”ANDREAS VOLLENWEIDER (AVO):
Lea, when you look back on the 35 years
of ROKPA, what are your thoughts?
LEA WYLER (LW): I usually never think
of past achievements, but rather of the
challenges that lie ahead. Yet when I look
back now and see what we have achieved
in 35 years, it takes my breath away and
I can hardly believe it! But of course there
is an enormous amount of work involved.
One must keep focused on the task day
and night, keep working, inspire people
and find good people, who in turn inspire
you. Fortunately we have succeeded:
we have really good staff and volunteers,
who support us and have become fully
involved. You are one of these people.
For ten years you have been committed
to ROKPA with heart and soul. What
motivates you?
35 years of ROKPA –
Andreas Vollenweider, world-famous
musician and ROKPA ambassador,
talks to ROKPA Co-founder Lea Wyler
on the 35th anniversary of ROKPA.
AVO: The time which I devote to ROKPA
has always been very exciting and
instructive. I was often up in the clouds,
but my experience with ROKPA has
brought me down to earth. Of course my
music fulfills me one hundred percent.
But music is ephemeral, mental, emo-
tional, whereas ROKPA has a concrete,
tangible impact. It is long-lasting and
reaches people very closely in a diffe-
rent way. Helping to make this relief
organization more widely known has
inspired me.
LW: Had you already experienced the
hardships which exist in developing
countries before we met for the first time?
AVO: I have seen much misery in the
course of my professional trips, but
always only as an observer. The time
came when that wasn’t enough anymore.
That’s why I was glad to have the
opportunity to work with ROKPA.
Over the course of time I got to know the
people behind the organization better
and could soon vouch for ROPA whole-
heartedly.
LW: Unfortunately we will never be able
to end suffering in this world. Again and
again people ask me, “Do you want to
help the whole world? You just can’t do
that!” But why not? One must at least try.
With nothing but this strong intention
coming from the bottom of one’s heart,
one can bring about some change.
AVO: It’s a major undertaking to combat
this ingrained skepticism we feel and to
recognize and mobilize a great power in
ourselves. We must liberate ourselves
from this idea that “what I do makes no
difference anyway”. If an organization
offers you the chance to activate and
realize your capabilities, you should jump
at the chance and get together with
others. This is the way to create a
different world. It doesn’t only sound
true, it is true. And this is ROKPA!
LW: We know who we are and where we
are heading. 35 years is not that old. But
today, we are in a far better situation than
6
35 YEARS OF ROKPA
we were in the first years. At that time, I
used to tell people: "Give me 100 Francs
– and I can change a life". The donors had
to trust me. Today, we are able to prove
the efficiency of the donations a thousand
times over.
Money is a prerequisite in this – without
the money, we cannot do anything. And it
is thanks to our donors and their trust in
us, that we can allocate their money
properly and efficiently. This is not
self-evident. Every donor is a hero to me.
They do what people usually like to do
least, i. e. give from their own money.
However, it is only with their money that
we can do our work. Our task is also to
nourish and strengthen the souls who
need more than rice and lentils.
AVO: As a donor, one thinks that one
gives away something. But in the end,
every donor gets something in return,
something money can't buy: the precious
feeling of being embedded into a greater
purpose.
LW: I want to move away from the
attitude that we only collect money. I
much rather see our donors and us as
partners, looking in the same direction,
and together we support a person or a
project. Partners may also assist us with
their technical expertise and with many
more things.
AVO: An organization such as ROKPA,
with their accumulated knowledge, does
that part of the job that donors or part-
ners cannot. It is hard to imagine how a
donor should help a deprived person on
site. ROKPA takes care of the donation
and carries out its purpose as wished by
the donor by passing it on to the right
place. That closes the circle and this is
the much mentioned sustainability.
LW: That's right. In Nepal, for instance, we
are currently building a training and
education center. This center will provide
many adolescents with an opportunity in
life and give them the possibility to learn a
profession. We have the vision, we've got
the plans, but we need money and
partners to implement it in a sustainable
way.
AVO: What I like a lot, Lea, is the
encouragement of empowerment, to
enable people to take responsibility as
soon as they can. There are certainly
circumstances in which somebody is not
able to become active, because of illness
or weakness. What I like is the fact that
ROKPA provides assistance until people
can take care of themselves again. This is
a way of respecting their dignity.
LW: Yes, it is a matter of empowerment,
which enables people to take care of
themselves again. First, however, the
most basic needs have to be satisfied,
i. e. food, a home, clothing, training/
education. That is what we have to start
with. Then follow love, dignity and
respect. In the ROKPA Children's Home,
for instance, every small child has an
older "brother" or "sister" to look after
them. There comes a time when the
roles change and the formerly small
child becomes an older brother or sister
themselves, empowered to take care of
the small ones. To observe this role
change, and to see how the child is
slowly growing up and proudly and
joyfully takes over responsibility, that is
just wonderful! That gives these children
a strong relationship to each other,
which remains during their adulthood
and even though they might have a
family of their own. They would not have
this relationship were it not for ROKPA.
Even though they are orphans or half-
orphans, they will never be alone as
adults.
I am proud of these children! They
represent the many children that we have
supported. They did not have anything as
children, but have achieved something as
adults. They have grown to be wonderful
people with compassion, for whom it is
natural to help others. And there it is
again, the sustainability we strive for!
Continued on page 8 >
In the ROKPA Children's Home,
every small child is looked after by
an older sister or an older brother.
7
35 YEARS OF ROKPA
AVO: They have learnt the importance of
having a network and taking care of it as
adults. That helps them get out of
dependencies. It is impressive to see
ROKPA kids developing into adults and
living their own life.
Lea, maybe a somewhat provocative
question: what would you miss if some-
body took ROKPA away from you?
LW: For you, ROKPA spurs you on, but to
me, ROKPA is my life. If somebody were
to say to me: "Ms. Wyler, it was nice that
you have founded ROKPA and put so
much effort into it over the years, but it is
enough now, please go", then I think I
would simply start again in some other
place. I think this is what we have to do
as humans, start over and over again.
AVO: Even though you seem impres-
sively energetic to me and young, you
are no longer 20 years old. What is
going to happen, when you will no
longer be able to do this intensive work?
LW: Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche was
murdered on October 8, 2013. In this state
of shock, desperation and mourning we all
thought the world was going to end. But
we are here and we continue our work! As
he had predicted! I have worked together
with him for 33 years, side by side. We
have built every project together, we have
built everything together, we have gone our
way together. And I am still here, and I will
continue! And if something happens to me,
somebody else, or two people or five
people will be here and continue our work.
I believe from the bottom of my heart in
the system and the development of
ROKPA. What we have built up has a force
of its own. Everybody who has ever got into
closer contact with ROKPA, can feel
Rinpoche's and ROKPA's special spirit
which inspires them, like it inspires you
and me. I believe in this spirit and in the
magic of ROKPA and I have a deep sense
of trust in our work.
AVO: That's how I see it too.
To conclude … when you think of the
coming 35 years … what is to last when
the two of us will be gone?
LW: The typical ROKPA spirit – an
attitude of generousness and compassion.
There is an important difference between
compassion and pity. The compassion
that comes from the bottom of the heart,
causes us to act. And that has to be
connected with wisdom, so that
everybody understands that the hard fate
of these people at the other end of the
world might as well be their fate. We are
all connected. Therefore I feel privileged
that I am able to help where help is
needed.
For 33 years,
Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche and
Lea Wyler have worked together
side by side.
We are fascinated by the way ROKPA is able to accompany children from dire poverty
until they have completed their vocational training or their academic studies.
Emil and Niccel Steinberger, Comedian and authors
8
35 YEARS OF ROKPA
Education Every year, around 10,000 children and young people are
able to go to school or university thanks to the support
provided by ROKPA.
■ A donation of 250 francs will allow a Tibetan orphan to
attend primary school for a whole year.
That covers food, accommodation, medical care and
transport.
Food ROKPA distributes around 50,000 meals a year to hungry
people at its Soup Kitchens in Nepal and South Africa.
■ A donation of 150 francs will provide around
one hundred meals for one day at our Soup Kitchen
in Johannesburg.
Medical care ROKPA sets up and provides ongoing financial support for small
clinics in the Tibetan highlands that offer basic medical care to
around 20,000 people.
■ A donation of 215 francs will cover the weekly running
costs for a Tibetan clinic.
Orphans and street children The ROKPA Children’s Home in Nepal has taken in 102 former
street children since it was set up in 1996. Over the same
period, outside the home, our support has allowed hundreds of
other children to attend school.
■ A donation of 210 francs will cover the monthly costs of
looking after a child at our Children’s Home, including school
fees, food and medical care.
■ We could not provide
all this support without
your generous donations.
Thank you. Please
continue to give what
you can afford.
Donate online:www.rokpa.org
ROKPA’s success story – putting people first for 35 years
Preserving Tibetan cultureFor decades, ROKPA has helped to preserve Tibetan culture
by:
• supporting schools that teach the Tibetan language
• sponsoring students who follow courses in Tibetan
and Tibetan medicine
• helping with food costs at Tibetan monasteries.
■ A donation of 390 francs will support a student from a
poor nomadic family in Tibet for a year.
9
35 YEARS OF ROKPA
Many of the street children and orphans that ROKPA has
helped over the years have now grown up.
We would like to tell you about six of them to show you
what can be achieved thanks to your support.
Six lives
Bijay
After Bijay’s mother died when he was just five or six years
old, his grandfather threw him out of the house with the
words: “Go and beg your own food on the streets instead of
expecting me to feed you.” When Lea Wyler found him, he was
holding a stub of a pencil and a scruffy notebook that he
steadfastly used to write down letters and numbers. His most
fervent wish – to go to school – was about to come true. Bijay
was overjoyed. He went on to study business management and
found a job as a bookkeeper. Today, he is in charge of all
ROKPA’s projects in Nepal. He also manages the Children’s
Home, where he fulfils the role of ‘father’ and older brother
with great kindness. After all, he knows what it’s like to come
in from the streets.
Ram Hari
Ram Hari ran away from home to escape the frequent violent
beatings meted out by his father. One day, out on the streets, he
approached Lea Wyler to beg for help. Although he was actually
too old for a place at the Children’s Home, he was desperate to
be taken in. Could it work? After all, he was twelve years old and
had never been to school. Nevertheless, Ram Hari soon dispelled
any reservations. He overcame his initial learning difficulties to
come top in his SLC exams and went on to complete an appren-
ticeship at a guest house in Boudha. After that, he ran the
ROKPA Children’s Home for several years before setting up his
own aid organisation. He now looks after fifty former street
children.
Yangzom
When Yangzom’s mother died, her father could no longer feed
Yangzom and her brother. They were taken in by an uncle until
they were given a place in class one at the ROKPA school for
orphans in Yushu. As a child, Yangzom appeared wise beyond
her years. She was the first pupil to greet Dr Akong Tulku
Rinpoche in English when he visited the school in 1995. Along
with her 47 classmates, all supported by ROKPA, Yangzom
went on to study Tibetan medicine and now works as a doctor
at a health centre in Surmang. “When poor patients come to
see me at the clinic, I pay for the medicine they need,” says
Yangzom. “ROKPA taught me how to help others, so now I do
that whenever I can.”
10
35 YEARS OF ROKPA
35 Jahre ROKPA - Wir sind stolz auf alle Helfer und Mitarbeiter, die schon so viel bewegt haben und
noch so viel bewegen werden.
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Kelsang
Kelsang comes from a poor family in a very remote village in
Mustang where there are no opportunities for children to go to
school. Her sister took her by the hand, and together they
walked for fourteen days all the way to Kathmandu, where they
came across ROKPA. Lea Wyler took Kelsang into the Children’s
Home, making her the first member of the family ever to attend
school. She went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in hotel
management. After an internship in in Malaysia, she now works
at the ROKPA Guest House and is able to support her family.
With ROKPA’s help, Kelsang was able to fulfil her childhood
dream.
Droni
Droni means ‘guiding light’. She was just two years old when her
mother died while holding Droni in her arms. With five children,
the poor family of agricultural workers was torn apart by the
financial pressure that followed her mother’s death. She was
taken in by various relatives and later had to work very hard for
her keep. Droni didn’t even know what a school was until her
father took her to the ROKPA school for orphans in Yushu. She
was a very self-disciplined child and knew from an early age that
she wanted to help others when she grew up. She now works as
a doctor at the Tibetan Medical Hospital in Nangchen, where she
often has to make decisions on whether the hospital can offer
free treatment to poor patients. As well as training medical staff,
she is part of the team that manages ROKPA’s ‘Preserving
Tibetan Medicine’ project and works as a translator for ROKPA.
Palden
Palden was born in a tent. His mother died a month later.
Shortly after that, Palden’s father deserted his children. “When I
came to the ROKPA school for orphans, I realised that school
was better than our home,” he wrote in an essay. Palden studied
at the University of Medicine in Lhasa and now, as a doctor,
helps those afflicted by poverty. He is also part of the team in
Nangchen that manages ROKPA’s ‘Preserving Tibetan Medicine’
project.
1111
35 YEARS OF ROKPA
Important infor-mation for our donors
Thanks to your tremendous
support we have helped many,
many people over recent years.
Some of the projects/people can
now stand on their own or are
able to fund themselves. As
such, they no longer need our
direct assistance. These projects
are listed below:
1313, 5001, 5053, 7022, 7285,
7290, 7339, 7341, 7353, 7382,
7401, 7456, 7465, 7466, 7684,
7900, 7912, 8003, 8460, 9074,
9200, 9370, 9633, 9804, 9807,
9996.
The sponsorship and project
accounts still contain residual
funds that we would like to use for
ongoing projects and other needy
people. If we do not hear from you
to indicate otherwise by 30 April
2015, we will assume that you are
happy for us to do so (tacit
consent).
If you do not wish us to use the
remaining funds in this way, please
contact our head office in Zurich
(+41 (0)44 262 68 88 or
Thank you again for your generous
support – both in the past and
hopefully in the future.
The new ROKPA Switzerland board was elected on 13th January
2015. We said goodbye to Gerry Leumann, who served our
organisation as President with a great deal of commitment for over
10 years. He was always there for us. He shaped ROKPA's
development with his clear, analytical thinking. The generosity and
humour with which he led the ROKPA board throughout the years will be greatly missed.
We thank Gerry from the bottom of our hearts for his long involvement and wish him all
the best.
The new President of ROKPA Switzerland is Peter Fanconi. As
a lawyer and CEO of an asset management company speciali-
sing in microfinance in developing and emerging countries, he
knows his way around sustainable development aid.
Andreas Graf has also been newly elected to the board. The
trained agronomist is an expert in project management and has
worked in the field for various aid organisations. Since 2011, he
has been a freelance consultant in project management and
evaluation.
We welcome our two new board members warmly and look forward to working produc-
tively together.
Around 20 people, most of whom are
volunteers, work regularly for ROKPA at
our head office in Zurich. In addition to
co-founder Lea Wyler, the small team of
permanent staff includes:
Corinna Biasiutti (Managing Director),
Romano Renner (Finance),
Caterina Meier-Pfister (Donor Relations),
Jeannette Alison (Personal Assistant to
Lea Wyler & Communications),
Daniela Fadel (Secretariat) and
Thomas Stettler (Project Assistant
and Communications).
Change in Management at ROKPA Switzerland
Behind the Scenes...
I am impressed by ROKPA's careful selection of beneficiaries according to clear criteria.
Robert Schenker, President of the Patrons' Committee
12
ROKPA SWITZERLAND
Global Support for ROKPA
ROKPA in the Basque Country
Doing Good while Staying Healthy Two or three times a year,
Tibetan doctor Dr Mingji
Cuomo visits ROKPA in the Basque Country in order to treat
ROKPA donors and other interested persons living in the region
with traditional Tibetan medicine. 50% of the treatment costs
go towards the ROKPA project "Preserving Tibetan Medicine" in
Nangchen. ROKPA in the Basque Country specialises in
supporting this project and has been providing an important
part of its financing for years.
ROKPA in the UK
On the Road for ROKPA An incredible expedition for
three young men from
England: In the summer of
2013, Johnny, Bertie and Geordie travelled 15,000 km from
England to Mongolia in a small car. The idea behind it: collecting
donations for ROKPA. All they had to help them were maps and
a compass. The journey took them through some of the most
remote parts of the world, through deserts and high mountain
passes.
They experienced a few hairy situations, but giving up was not
an option. After 40 days, they reached their destination in Ulan
Bator, the capital city of Mongolia, where they had to leave their
car behind too. Their expedition was an adventure, an experience
that they will never forget, an audacious exploit for a good cause
that raised around 16,000 Swiss francs for ROKPA.
ROKPA is represented in 17 countries around the world. The ROKPA country offices are managed by volunteers, and to celebrate
our 35th anniversary, they are sharing with us their most exciting fundraising campaigns. Here are four inspiring stories.
ROKPA in Austria
Climbing Mountains for a Good Cause ROKPA in Austria has conducted
the 7 Summits Tour since 2008.
The participants climb 7 mountains in one day, a total distance of
around 50 kilometres and 4500 metres in height. What started with
7 participants in 2008 has grown into an event renowned in the
mountaineering world. For the anniversary climb on 5th September
2015 (7 Years, 7 Summits), the field of participants is limited to
150 – and is already full!
More information: www.7berge.at
ROKPA in Poland
Dance of Cultures The Brave Festival is a dance
festival that takes place every
year in Wroclaw. Groups from
around the world present their traditional dance forms. The aim is
to bring forgotten and little-known cultural traditions closer to the
public. This promotes an awareness of what unbelievable cultural
and spiritual riches can be lost if traditions are not recognised and
supported.
Parallel to the Festival runs the Brave Kids programme, in which
children from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds exchange and
pass on their knowledge in workshops. The ROKPA children from
Nepal are also regular participants. All the income from the
Festival goes towards various ROKPA projects.
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ROKPA GLOBAL
YOUR DONATION...
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...AT WORK!
THANK YOUfor 35 years of support!
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With CHF 20, you can send a child in the Tibetan plateau or in Nepal to school for one month.
More information at www.rokpa.org
THE WAY TO SCHOOL IS THE WAY OUT OF POVERTY.
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DONATE
NOW BY SMS:
ROKPA and amount
(number up to 99) to 488.
(Example ROKPA 20)
Thanks to ROKPA, many children and young people in Tibet and Nepal – at present nearly 10,000 – receive an education every
year. This is only possible with your help.
With your financial support we can provide effective support to the poorest of the poor. Please help us to give them a better chance of
leading a dignified life.
You can make a donation to this account:
455090-11-1, Credit Suisse, CH-8070 Zurich, Switzerland
IBAN CH73 0483 5045 5090 1100 1, clearing number 4835, BIC CRESCHZZ80A
Thank you!
In Switzerland, donations to ROKPA are exempt from tax. ROKPA has been ZEWO certified since 2004.
Giving a better chance for life
Helping wherehelp is needed:sustainably,for over 35 years. ROKPA
ROKPA INTERNATIONAL | Böcklinstrasse 27 | 8032 Zurich | Switzerland
Phone +41 44 2626888 | [email protected] | www.rokpa.org | facebook.com/ROKPA.org