During the last week of my trip, I met with Tibetan Healing Fund’s (THF) founder Dr. Kunchok Gyaltsen, USA Director Jessica Ravetz, Donor of the Year Chris Moore, and Amdo In-Country Field Director Norbu Gesang for a 4-day tour of THF project sites. My goals for this tour were to see firsthand how donations were put to work and to meet in person with those working on “the frontlines”.

Once crossing into Trikha County, we received an official welcome of khatas (white scarves) and smiles by the regional director of education, Mr. Rinchen Dhundrop. He accompanied us on tour and explained each school’s situation. In Gazhar Township, one small elementary school could not provide boarding. Unfortunately, students missed many school days each year because of road closures or footbridges collapsing due to constant flooding.

After visiting with numerous schools, we came upon a surprise party at the end of the day! The students and faculty of Sharlung (Ch. Dong Gou) Township Central Tibetan School organized a reception in appreciation of THF’s support. The school’s nearly 100 students performed traditional dances for us and recited a thank you speech. This school boasts some of the highest scoring students in all of Qinghai Province on the national exams. Tibetan teachers here volunteered countless hours translating textbooks from Chinese into Tibetan because they felt it very important to enable a new generation of young Tibetan students to learn subjects in their native tongue. Tibetan Healing Fund will assist with the publication and printing of these Tibetan language texts.

The next day, I met Kabsang Dolma, a graduate of Tibetan Healing Fund’s 2002 community midwifery training program. She feels the program was very beneficial in that it prepared her for the birth of her own 50 days old healthy baby girl. Kabsang Dolma expressed a desire to attend more training programs so she can improve the outcome of pregnancies in her village and promote women’s health education.

After returning from our tour of THF projects in Trikha County, we met THF’s in-country advisory board. Our advisors are some of the most knowledgeable experts in the fields of education and health from this region. They volunteer their time in sharing knowledge and skills with THF on a regular basis.

Meeting face-to-face with the teachers and students made me realize that THF puts donations into actions with substantial results. I have a better sense of who is at the receiving end when we donate. I feel more confident now in telling you that our donors and volunteers in the US are making a positive long-term contribution in the lives of the many students and teachers of Tibet. The knowledge they receive from these trainings will stay with them indefinitely.

Please continue supporting the Tibetan Healing Fund. I’m happy to share with you more stories from my trip and about THF projects at a future event.