Tibet Tara

This is a picture of little Tenzin, Yeshi his father and me, Shani, their friend and sponsor. His wife Dawa was the one taking the picture. I first met the family in their little shop in a Tibetan refugee camp in South Inida. Yeshe was asleep behind his sewing machine, he later told me that he would make normally a bag a week for a monk, this has meanwhile changed. Most of the refugees living in the camps are dependent on donations. My aim is not to "give them fish" but to teach them how to fish for themselves. This family live with their uncle who is a monk and who busily helps them with their new work and sees to it that the bags are all blessed, he is the monk in the picture. I have spent many a day listening to their fascinating and sad stories. Dawa the woman of the house fled Tibet through the Mount Everest risking her life, travellling by night and hiding by day to avoid capture. After five weeks she finally reached Dharamsala praying that her husband would soon follow. Months passed without a word, six months later Yeshe turned up, what a meeting this must have been, neither knew whether the other would or had made it. Soon after little Tenzin entered the world with a big smile to melt the heart of everyone that sees him. I tried to find a way to help this lovely family and when i saw the great bags they made I thought i would give it a go. Meanwhile many a Tibetan friend is wearing the bag, and many a monk too. Tenzin has a chance in life that he perhaps wouldn´t have had otherwise. His loving parents will ensure him a good education. When i first arrived at the refugee camp, my heart was sad to see life as a refugee in a third world country and felt I could not make a change, but then i thought if i can only help one family this will make a difference. Meanwhile i am so happy to see it is possible and move on to the next family not forgetting the others, its so wonderful to make a change. The precious time i have spent with the monks and refugees has given my life a purpose and their humour has given me many a big smile. Thank you for your time and please contact me if you want more info or if you have any talents or crafts that you would like to pass on to these special people. Shani

Tibetan Colony;Karnataka
India
email: tibet@sharrongold.com