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40 Years of ROKPA Come and join us! No. 1 / March 2020 / Volume 40

40 Years of ROKPA

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Page 1: 40 Years of ROKPA

40 Years of ROKPA

Come and join us!

No. 1 / March 2020 / Volume 40

Page 2: 40 Years of ROKPA

CONTENTS

EDITORIAL 2

LOOKING BACK 3

THE FOUNDERS 4 – 5

ABOUT ROKPA 6 – 7

EDUCATION 8

PROJECTS 9 – 12

DO YOU REMEMBER? 13

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES 14

LOOKING AHEAD 15

BACK COVER 16

ROKPA INTERNATIONAL Executive Board

Lea Wyler (Co-Founder and President) / Peter Fanconi (Vice President) / Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche / Dorje Tarap / Gelong Thubten / Andreas Vollenweider

Imprint

Editorial team: Andrea Hefti / Corinna Biasiutti / Evelyne Plüss / Lea Wyler Graphic design: Renée Reust / Staša Lampret Copy editing: Claire Twigger Cover picture: © Lea Wyler Print run: 7,300 copies (German edition)

Dear ROKPA friends,

I was once an actress with little more than a wish to help this

one child. Today, 40 years later, I look around me, and besides

thousands of people who have a better life thanks to ROKPA, I

see offices, computers, photos, videos, project reports, the

ROKPA Times, the ROKPA Facebook page and so many other

things which I could not have even imagined back then. Above all

else, however, I see people who commit to ROKPA and who all

share the same wish: to help that one child. And for this I am

simply grateful.

Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche, my father and I laid the foundations

for the ROKPA path on March 27, 1980, the date on which

ROKPA was officially founded in Zürich. Since then, countless

people from all over the world have joined us: benefactors,

employees, volunteers, board members, friends and ambassa-

dors. Hundreds of our supporters made a commitment to

ROKPA in the past, or continue to do so today. In the mean-

time, they have become friends who carry and pass on the

ROKPA values.

ROKPA's story cannot be summarized in a single ROKPA Times

or even in ten editions, because it is shaped by a collection of

large and small, happy and sad stories and moments, as well as

deeply-felt emotions. What you hold in your hand is a small but

important part of the whole.

Both I and the entire ROKPA team would like to sincerely thank

you for your donations, your loyalty and your solidarity. I can’t

imagine what we would be without YOU! We would be de-

lighted if you continue on this path with us. Come with us and

let’s write the story of the next decade together!

Enjoy the read.

Yours,

Lea Wyler

Co-Founder and President of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL

Invitation to the Anniversary-Event on the 25th June, 2020

We would be delighted to celebrate ROKPA's 40th Birthday with

you. Would you like to join? Details can be found in the

accompanying letter.

Editorial

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Printed on recycled paper manufactured in accordance with the rules of “The Blue Angel”.

ahefti
Textfeld
CANCELED
Page 3: 40 Years of ROKPA

In action on site.

Kathmandu, Nepal (around 1990)

A bed can be found in times of need.

Kathmandu, Nepal (1990)

Lending a helping hand: the first ROKPA children.

Kathmandu, Nepal (around 1990)

On the ground, without infrastructure:

food distribution in the early days before

the soup kitchen. Nepal (around 1990)

Inside a classroom.

Yushu, Tibet (1994)

A Tibetan nomadic family.

(1996)

Boxes used as wardrobes: a dormitory

in an orphanage. Tibet (around 1990)

Dr. Akong Rinpoche in Tibet.

(2005)

Grinding barley.

Tibet (around 1990)

Beginnings

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LOOKING BACK

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IN LOVING MEMORY Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche

The ROKPA Co-founder and President (1939 - 2013) dedicated

his whole life to those suffering from poverty and illness. Due to

the Tibetan uprising in China, he was forced to flee to India with a

group of 300 or so other Tibetans in 1959. Their escape lasted

ten months and was shaped by hunger, great hardship and mortal

danger. The group soon had nothing to eat and in their plight

resorted to cooking the leather of their shoes to at least find some

nourishment. Out of the group of 300 people, there were only 13

survivors. Touched by these terrible events, Akong Rinpoche

decided to help people suffering from poverty, illness, fear and

emotional distress. In 1967 together with Chögyam Trungpa

Rinpoche, he founded the first Tibetan Buddhist center in

Scotland.

He was involved in ROKPA projects for more than 30 years –

especially in the Tibetan areas of China, but also in Nepal and

Africa.

Who and what Akong Rinpoche was like can be best described by his own words:

Don’t think: I am “helping” people.

Think: I am "serving" people.

Above all learn to be compassionate because

knowledge is useless without compassion!

You are not helpless if you help others.

The best way to help yourself is lose yourself in the help for others.

Education is the key to inner freedom.

Serve your family, serve your enemies -

simply serve everyone. Don't care what others think of you. Just think

of one thing: to help, to serve and don't expect anything from

the other!

4

THE FOUNDERS

Page 5: 40 Years of ROKPA

IN LOVING MEMORY Dr. Veit Wyler

Dr. Veit Wyler (1908 - 2002) was one of

the three Co-founders of ROKPA and one

of the most famous Jewish personalities

in Switzerland. Thanks to his pro-

nounced sense of justice, coupled with

his profession as a lawyer, he repeatedly

rescued and helped Jewish refugees

during the Second World War. He

worked hard for the inclusion and

acceptance of persecuted people. To his

daughter Lea, he said: "In a place where

no one is human, you try to be human."

After his death, his daughter and Akong

Rinpoche opened the "Veit Wyler

Education Fund", which still exists today.

Lea Wyler wrote at the time:

My father held education and learning in

very high regard throughout his life. For

as long as he had influence over his

daughters, he urged us not to spend a

day without learning, learning new

things, not stagnating – keeping the

mind active. "Stand on your own two

feet" was one of his mottos. When I

founded ROKPA with Dr. Akong Tulku

Rinpoche and my father in March 1980,

he was initially sceptical. (True to form

though, it didn’t stop him helping us!)

Over the years, that scepticism faded

away and his eyes would light up when I

told him about the establishment of a

new ROKPA school and the basic

education of orphans supported by

ROKPA or of children from the poorest

families. And at the age of 94 – when he

wasn’t interested in much else – the old

fire of learning glowed in him when he

heard that the first Tibetan school class

we had founded was now ready for

university. "How will you finance this?",

he asked me. And then – without telling

me – he ordered a larger amount to be

transferred from his account to ROKPA.

He was ROKPA’s greatest benefactor

– and still is, since I have never had to

draw a wage over the years (except for

expenses).

Now he is no longer here and I have to

stand on my own two feet with all the

ROKPA children. So it stands to reason

that I am establishing this fund in his

honor today.

AN INTERVIEW Lea Wyler

Lea Wyler founded ROKPA 40 years

ago, together with Dr. Akong Tulku

Rinpoche and her father.

What has driven you during the past 40

years?

The will to help as many people in the

world as possible. Because if you were

lucky enough to have been born in safe

Switzerland and also to have had wonder-

ful parents and enough to eat, then it is

not only your duty to help, but also an

honor to do something for others.

Do you have a hidden “superpower” that

helped you?

No, definitely no superpower! But I had

and continue to have exceptional role

models: Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche, who

provided help to anyone who asked him

and whose life was determined by the

well-being of others. And then my parents,

who taught me by example that I was not

in the world only for myself. On every birth-

day, from the age of three, we children had

to forgo a gift. The money was donated to

an aid organization (at that time, it was

30-50 % of all gifts). We thought that was

normal and the fact that I never behaved

by the book myself also arguably strengthe-

ned me.

How were you different?

Firstly, my mother was 42 when I was

born. Her life experience, love and wisdom

have enriched me enormously and taught

me a lot. Secondly, I was the only Jew in

my class. Other schoolchildren persecuted

and insulted me because of this, passed

me by on the way home from school and

threw stones at me. Thirdly, I am an

actress. Not the norm either. And so I was

actually a lifelong outsider and have always

been swimming against the current. I

always thought that was good because it

gave me a lot of surprises. And all these

events and experiences have made me

stronger.

Have you ever thought of going back to

acting?

Never. The moment I was first involved

in really helping someone was a defining

moment for me. Doing this is not a

profession for me, but a calling. The

children need a mother and so I became

one.

THE FOUNDERS

5

Page 6: 40 Years of ROKPA

ROKPA’s vision

In the beginning, it was not about founding an aid organization, it was simply a desire to help

people. Forty years ago, Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche, Lea Wyler and Dr. Veit Wyler laid the

foundations for ROKPA. Everyone who has accompanied us on this path since then carries this

motivation and the values of ROKPA within them, as well as the conviction that greatness can

come out of small things. We believe that everyone can help someone, and that this is the way

out of poverty.

We care about helping

Our values

Respect for all

ROKPA helps people where help is needed. For us, all people are

the same, whether rich or poor, and regardless of religion, origin,

race and culture. When it comes to giving or receiving help,

nobody is more or less important.

Valuing indigenous knowledge

We have great respect for the way of life and knowledge of

local populations and our local partners. We respect people's

ability to survive in the most difficult of circumstances, and

bring modern knowledge to complement what is already there.

It is people themselves who can decisively improve their living

situation through the projects.

Helping people help themselves – Empowerment

The initiative for ROKPA projects always comes from the local

population: in this way, we can be sure that each project

addresses a specific need for aid. Those affected determine the

way in which the help is provided. Through this initiative, they

gain strength and belief in their ability to change their lives for

the better, both as an individual and as a group.

Education for heart and mind

For ROKPA, education is a holistic concept: in addition to

general knowledge, we attach particular importance to human

development and the promotion of social skills. We accompany

"our" students through their training and prepare them for an

independent and self-determined life. We also make sure that

girls and young women in particular are protected and sup-

ported.

You and we are a team

We do not see ourselves as a relief organization which simply

collects money. Your donations enable us to do our work and our

work in turn enables you to use your money wisely and

sustainably. Together, we create a cycle informed by a common

vision: to allow people in the world to live a little better.

Together, we make the impossible possible.

6

ABOUT ROKPA

Page 7: 40 Years of ROKPA

FOUNDING UNTIL 1980

DEVELOPMENT 1980 – 1990

READY AND HELPING 1990 – 2000

STRENGTHS 2000 – 2010

NEW PATHS 2010 – 2020

Support, sustenance and nutrition for

people affected by poverty

Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche's first

visit to Tibet after his escape

Individual sponsorships for the

destitute in Nepal and India

Founding of ROKPA 27 March 1980

Openness, solidarity and tolerance

as cornerstones in the Wyler

family

Lea Wyler’s pilgrimage to Sikkim

(India) with

Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche

A deep connection to

Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche

develops

Sad loss of

Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche

Construction and

opening of the Akong

Rinpoche Memorial

Center in Nepal

Opening of the ROKPA

Hospitality School in Nepal

Earthquake in Nepal:

emergency aid and

reconstruction – ROKPA

helps

Inevitable withdrawal

from the Tibetan areas of

China

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

The groundwork is laid for the next 40 years.

We need you!

Expansion of medical and

educational projects in

Zimbabwe

Construction of a school for craft

and agricultural professions in

Nepal

Development of

permaculture facilities in

South Africa

The journey continues – Come with us!

Development of

the first educational

projects in Tibet

First projects in

the cultural and

medical fields in

Tibet

Opening of the

ROKPA Soup

Kitchen in

Nepal

Admission of

the first 7 street

children in

Nepal

Opening of the

Yushu Orphanage

and Medical

School in Tibet

Opening of the

ROKPA

Children's Home

in Nepal for rent

The first social

business begins: a

women's workshop

in Nepal

Earthquake in

Yushu in Tibet –

ROKPA helps

Opening of the ROKPA

Guest House in Nepal

Construction of our

own Children's Home

in Nepal

Opening of clinics

and medical

practices in Tibet

Development of the first

projects in reforestation

and environmental

protection in Tibet

Start of the first

projects in Africa

HELPING WHERE HELP IS NEEDED

VALUING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

RESPECT FOR ALL

EDUCATION IS KEY

YOU AND WE ARE A TEAM

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THE WAY OUT OF POVERTY Education

Food, shelter, belonging – the basic needs

A child has to be healthy to learn. Children need basic medical

care, food, a roof over their heads, human warmth and the

sense of belonging to a "family". They should have the chance to

build their own life independently and thus find a place in

society. This is a difficult path, especially for the street children

in Nepal and Africa, who are stigmatized and rejected.

A holistic approach to education

As well as a traditional school education, it is important to us

to offer children an environment in which they feel safe and

comfortable. In this way, they learn to work through and

overcome traumatic experiences. We work almost exclusively

with local project employees who are close to those affected,

who know the culture and way of life, and who can therefore

provide children with the support they need.

Free basic education – not a given

In the 1990s, ROKPA began its first educational projects in the

Tibetan areas of China. While basic education was fee-paying at

the time, the state had been paying part of the school fees for

grades 1 to 9 for a few years. However, those who lived in

remote areas and could not afford transportation, accommodati-

on and school supplies were still excluded from primary school.

These costs were borne by ROKPA. In Nepal as well as in our

locations in Africa, state primary and secondary schools are

always fee-paying. Many families cannot afford these fees, which

is why ROKPA supports the education of children – from primary

school to vocational training. And after primary school, our work

is not yet done: wherever possible, we accompany the children

on their way to an independent professional life.

From basic education to vocational training

Vocational training has been an important issue for ROKPA

from the very beginning. For example, we promoted Thangka

painting and traditional carving in Tibet and later set up our

own vocational training courses in the hospitality and textile

sector in Nepal. We are currently in the process of building a

training center in Nepal for various craft and agricultural

professions. Vocational training remains our focus because we

are convinced that it is the way out of poverty.

8

EDUCATION

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HELPING WHERE HELP IS NEEDED Helping in the beginning

Tibetan areas of ChinaBetween 1990 and 2016, ROKPA carried

out projects in the fields of education,

medicine, the environment, food aid and

the preservation of Tibetan culture in four

provinces of this region. The work has

become increasingly difficult since the

loss of former President and Co-founder

Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche in 2013, so

that only a few projects in this region can

currently continue.

Total projects: around 460

It all started on the pilgrimage to Sikkim (India) in 1979/80: there, Lea Wyler met

countless people in need. Back in Switzerland, ROKPA was founded and then all

efforts were devoted to finding the first donors for the needy. The first sponsor-

ships in Nepal and India, and later in the Tibetan areas of China, came into being.

NepalDonations for individual beneficiaries are

not enough, more is needed: Akong

Rinpoche and Lea Wyler came to this

conclusion in the early 1990s. Around

that time, they met countless people in

need around the Stupa in Boudha,

Kathmandu. Starving, medically under-

served and scantily clad, they sat on the

cold floor. Lea Wyler wanted to do more,

help more – especially children who

need special protection, care and

education. This gave rise to the idea of

providing holistic support for street

children in the ROKPA Children's Home.

Total projects: around 30

AfricaAkong Tulku Rinpoche founded the first

Tibetan Buddhist center Samye Ling in

Scotland together with Chögyam Trungpa

Rinpoche in the 1960s. The ideas and

motivation to help people were deeply

rooted in many of the center's African

students and provided the impetus for

ROKPA's first projects in Africa.

Total projects: around 30

Before digitization: everything had to

be handwritten or typed with a

typewriter.

ROKPA has supported around 1,900 people

through individual sponsorships

in the past.

PROJECTS

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TIBETAN AREAS OF CHINA Yushu Orphanage

Kepcha Monastery for women

The orphanage in Qinghai Province,

China (Eastern Tibet) was founded in

1993 by Akong Tulku Rinpoche and built

by ROKPA. Here, children from the

poorest families were admitted and

trained in Tibetan medicine in addition

to schooling. A large number of people in

this region are poor, which is why they

often die from the consequences of work

accidents or illnesses without medical

care – hence the high number of

orphans. The students subsequently

trained at a university as doctors of

Tibetan medicine and today work in

remote areas which, without them,

would often have no doctors at all. After

the 2010 earthquake, the school was

taken over and continues to be run by

the Chinese government.

Monasteries in the Tibetan areas of

China are more than religious and

cultural centers: today they are probably

the only places where the precious

knowledge and language of the Tibetans

is preserved. They are also a social

safety net and often the only way to

learn to read and write. Kepcha is a very

special monastery for women, in a very

remote location at about 4,000m above

sea level and therefore without outside

influence. A unique meditation practice

has been preserved here and now

Kepcha is the only place in the world

where it can be found. The women come

from extremely poor families and stay

here under harsh living conditions. It is

difficult for them to meet their basic

needs. For years, ROKPA has been

supporting the preservation of this

ancient and wholesome culture and way

of life.

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PROJECTS

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NEPAL Soup Kitchen

Children’s Home

Thirty years ago, the first soup kitchen

was created in Boudha, and with it the

first project in Nepal – right next to the

Stupa, Nepal’s famous landmark. It all

started here with the distribution of

food to beggars and people with

disabilities – without any infrastructure.

Today, local employees, volunteers and

local chefs give out around 600 hot

meals as well as clothes every day from

December to March. Basic medical care

is also offered in our outpatient clinic.

This is especially valuable for people

living in extreme poverty and unable to

afford such treatment. In an emergency,

patients are brought to hospitals. The

costs are covered by ROKPA.

It was in 1990 when Lea Wyler took in

the first seven Nepalese street children,

became their “mother” and placed them in

home schools. Six years later, a house

was rented in Boudha (Kathmandu) and

the ROKPA Children's Home opened with

space for 35 children. Finally, in 2005,

ROKPA’s own Children's Home opened its

doors. The Children’s Home provides a

safe space for around 65 children, where

they are lovingly cared for and receive an

education in humanity as well as know-

ledge. Here they grow up to be confident

people who never have to beg again. The

Home is run by former ROKPA children

who grew up there themselves and know

exactly what these children need.

PROJECTS

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AFRICA Chitungwiza ROKPA Centre | Zimbabwe

Circle of Nourishment | South Africa

In this community centre in a suburb of

Harare, Zimbabwe, extremely poor

families are supported by various

initiatives, including a crèche for physi-

cally or mentally impaired children,

where the children are not only cared for

but also receive treatment. The parents

and caregivers often barely live above

subsistence level, since care of the

children means there is hardly any time

for work and the health costs are very

high. The centre also offers courses in

permaculture, where people learn how to

take care of themselves. In addition to

meditation and relaxation courses, there

has also been a medical contact point

since 2018 which offers free medical

advice and treatment.

This project supports destitute mothers

and their newborn babies at the Mow-

bray maternity hospital in Cape Town,

South Africa. This hospital is primarily

geared towards Cape Town’s poorer

population. In addition to poverty, many

of the expectant mothers suffer from

violence and misery and are undernou-

rished or malnourished, thereby endan-

gering not only themselves, but also

their unborn child. In the hospital, they

receive a “stork bundle” with food and

everything they need for after the birth:

wraps, diapers, clothes and hygiene

articles. ROKPA also pays for their

journey home using public transport, so

that mothers do not have to walk the

often long distance home. In addition to

food and hygiene articles, women also

receive moral support and care during

this demanding time.P

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PROJECTS

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INTERVIEW WITH THE FIRST DONOR: ERNST OSTERTAG „This could be something personal“

ROKPA'S FIRST EMPLOYEE REMEMBERS Andrea Widmer

Mr. Ostertag, how did you hear about

ROKPA back then?

As a child, I was interested in Asian

culture – especially the philosophy and

religions of India. Then, at the age of 50,

I was in a Buddhist center because I had

had a deep interest in Buddhism for a

long time. One day I heard: "A lady is

coming who has founded an aid organiza-

tion for Tibetan refugees". At that

moment I knew that this could be

something personal. I was touched by the

personal component that Lea brought

– with the support of her father and Dr.

Akong Tulku Rinpoche: she was doing

everything on her own and she helped on

the ground – exactly where help was

I started at ROKPA in 1991. Almost every

Sunday I commuted to Benglen, where

Lea Wyler was living at the time. Lea

dictated letters that I typed on an old

typewriter at home. For almost two years

I worked as a volunteer for ROKPA, in

addition to my 80 % job. Sponsors were

soon sought for the first street children in

Nepal. In May 1993, I became the first

paid secretary at ROKPA. We then moved

to the office on Neptunstrasse, where I

worked with Lea Wyler and a few

volunteers. I remember not wanting to

travel to Nepal – I found that I could do a

lot more in the office than I could on site.

Röbi Rapp, who was a volunteer, and also

Lea Wyler's father, were and are very

special to me. Since Lea was frequently

abroad, we were often on our own. I

could get advice from Veit Wyler – he was

always ready to listen.

needed. Finally, on February 4, 1990, I

took on the sponsorship of ROKPA's

second sponsored child: a ten-year-old

boy whose uncle was a Lama and who

wanted to become a Lama himself.

Why ROKPA and not another charity?

ROKPA is there on the ground and tackles

problems pedagogically by teaching people

a skill or a new technique so that they

themselves are able to improve their

situation. I was also attracted by the

opportunities for personal contact with the

donation recipients.

In your opinion, what is the most impor-

tant thing if you want to help someone?

To build up trust. One shouldn't force

Western thinking and actions on people

there. You have to start at the bottom, sit

in the dirt with them. The children have no

parents, no home – maybe their only

possession is a box. They have lost all

trust. And then you have to recognize that

behind this stone – in this horrible dirty,

messy, lousy street environment – there is

a human being.

Ernst Ostertag (90) and his partner Röbi Rapp (deceased in 2018) were ROKPA’s

first benefactors. We interviewed Mr. Ostertag and talked to him about that time.

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erDO YOU REMEMBER?

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BIDUR

I want to help others, like ROKPA helped me.

DRONI

I can make diagnoses – without a machine.

Bidur, what has happened to you since

ROKPA?

I worked as an electrician and as a golf

caddy. From 2014 I worked as a security

Bidur was the first

child ROKPA

admitted to the

Children's Home in

1990. It was the

greatest moment

in his life, he says.

Droni grew up in

a small remote

village in Eastern

Tibet. After her

parents died very

early, she spent

part of her

childhood with her relatives. Instead of

going to school, she had to work from

early in the morning until late at night:

looking after yaks, sheep and goats;

milking and cleaning the yard. Until she

was admitted to the Yushu Orphanage,

she did not know what a school was.

Droni, what is your situation today?

I studied medicine and work in a clinic for

Tibetan medicine. I am married and have

two sons. We live in Eastern Tibet.

What do you like most about your job as a

Tibetan doctor?

I can make diagnoses without the need

for a machine.

What are your memorable moments from

your ROKPA time?

Firstly, I was able to go to school in the

Yushu Orphanage thanks to ROKPA. And

I had the opportunity to continue my

education in the West and to find paid

work back home. As a poor nomadic

child, one cannot even dare to dream

about such things – I am very happy that

ROKPA gave me such a great

opportunity. I deeply appreciate this

support.

If you could change one thing in the world,

what would it be?

I wish Akong Rinpoche had had a longer

life. And that poor people would become

rich and get an education.

What has been your biggest lesson so

far?

If you have a good heart, it is not only

good for others, but also for yourself.

And that I became a Tibetan doctor:

People are getting wealthier these days,

but health is going downhill. Many

people suffer from diseases – and I can

help them. Ultimately, I am also grateful

that I've learned three languages:

Tibetan, Chinese and English.

worker in Malaysia for two years. I

returned to Kathmandu in 2016 because

I was treated poorly in Malaysia. I have

been working as a caddy in a golf club

since then. I married my girlfriend and

we have a two-year old son.

What are your memorable moments

from your ROKPA time?

There were many special moments.

When Mummy Lea picked me up from

the streets of Boudha and I went to

school, that was surely one of them.

What stood out to me was also that I

was suddenly surrounded by many

brothers and sisters. And that I got food

and could go to school.

If you could change one thing in the

world, what would it be?

I would like to help others, the way ROKPA

helped me.

What do you wish for your son?

I would like my son to get an education,

to help others and to be a good person.

We accompany many of the ROKPA children and adolescents throughout their lives. Two former ROKPA children talk about how the

journey continued for them. They are representative of all the children we have supported in the past and continue to support today.

Pho

tos:

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, R

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14

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Page 15: 40 Years of ROKPA

A tire and a ball – everything you need to play.

Nursery school in Tirisano, South Africa.

An employee of the Women's Workshop in

Kathmandu, Nepal, is making a Togetherband. The

Togetherband is the symbol of the 17 Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs).

Games and fun are also part of the lessons.

Pre-school in Chikukwa, Zimbabwe.

In addition to the cultivation of rice, this area in Kathmandu,

Nepal, will soon be used for the construction of a training center

for various craft and agricultural professions.

Looking ahead to the future with confidence –

even if living conditions hardly allow it.

Home visit to Chikukwa, Zimbabwe.

Teamwork in the kitchen of the Hospitality School in

Kathmandu, Nepal. Here, we offer one-year training

courses in the hospitality industry.

The Future

15

LOOKING AHEAD

Page 16: 40 Years of ROKPA

„Only the impossible is worth doing.“

Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche

Pho

to:

© L

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yler

How you can donate:

Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG:

IBAN:

CH73 0483 5045 5090 1100 1

BIC/SWIFT: CRESCHZZ80A

Postkonto: 80-19029-5

Or find the account information for

your country on www.rokpa.org

Project No. 8100:

For education

Project No. 8750:

For food/living costs

Project No. 8150:

For medical care

Project No. 8000:

For urgent ROKPA Projects

We are deeply grateful for your

generous support.

In Switzerland all donations to ROKPA are tax-free.

SMS donations:

GO ROKPA + amount

(up to CHF 99) to number

488.

(Eg: GO ROKPA 30)

ROKPA INTERNATIONAL | Böcklinstrasse 27 | 8032 Zurich | Switzerland | Telephone +41 44 262 68 88

[email protected] | www.rokpa.org | facebook.com/ROKPA.org | instagram.com/rokpa_international