Gaden Relief Projects

Voluntering to help Tibetans

Gaden Relief Projects is looking for volunteers in the Toronto area to assist with all aspects of operating a small registered charity. Currently, we need help with handling mail and bank deposits, writing and production of a newsletter, and fundraising and promotion. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us.

Gaden Relief Projects does not presently have overseas volunteer or work positions available. Our overseas projects are serviced by local partner organizations that draw their workers and volunteers from their local areas.

Occasionally, we have a need for highly specialized skills such those in the medical field. If you have skills and qualifications in a specialized area, please contact us.

There are several other organizations that accept volunteers for overseas postings in India and Nepal. These are listed below. We will add to this list as we learn about more organizations.

PLEASE NOTE: Gaden Relief Projects does not have direct contact or experience with these organizations; they were recommended to us by people known to the worldwide Tibet support community, but we cannot vouch for them ourselves. You accept positions with them at your risk.

VOLUNTEERS FOR DHARAMSALA

Area served: Dharamsala, India; intends to expand to other Tibetan settlements in India.
Contact: Dory Beatrice, Volunteers for Dharamsala Coordinator
Email: dorykb@cox.net
Website: www.freeyellow.com/members/askusa/

This project of San Diego Friends of Tibet works closely with the Tibetan Government-in-exile which is located in Dharamsala, in the northern Indian state of Himalchal Pradesh. Most postings have been to the Tibetan Childrens Village school in Dharamsala, but the program is being expanded to include other schools and other Tibetan government institutions. Postings are for 3-12 months.

VOLUNTEERTIBET.ORG

Area served: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet.
Contact: Brick Thorton, Co-Founder and President
Email: brick@volunteertibet.org
Website: www.volunteertibet.org

VolunteerTibet is a volunteer referral service that quickly and efficiently connects organisations of the Tibetan community with skilled volunteers for short and long term opportunities. Currently working with non-profit and government Tibetan organisations in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, VolunteerTibet officially launched its service on December 10th, 2002, commemorating the date His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize.

TIBET EMPOWERMENT CIRCLE

Area served: Dharamsala, Himalchal Pradesh, India
Contact: Mark Moore
Website: www.tibetweb.org
Email: volunteers4tibet@tibetweb.org

TEC places volunteers who show up in person at Mark Moore's Khana Nirvana cafe in Dharamsala. It is also possible to arrange postings prior to arriving in Dharamsala. It is our understanding that Mark places volunteers on an as needed basis, depending on what positions are available at the time when prospective volunteers arrive at his cafe or contact him.

AMERICA NEPAL MEDICAL FOUNDATION

Area served: Nepal
Contact: Fred Shepardson
Email: anmf@amnf.net
Website: www.anmf.net

Health care workers with qualifications only. ANMF does not work with Tibetans exclusively; it services communities throughout Nepal, in communities of all ethnic origin, including Tibetan communities and settlements in Nepal.

WORKING VACATIONS IN THE SOUTH INDIAN TIBETAN SETTLEMENTS

Area served: South India Tibetan settlements
Contact: Marguerite Tingkhye
Email: tashidelek@igc.org

Marguerite Tingkhye organizes working vacations in the Tibetan settlements of southern India. These settlements are far off the beaten track, but they are where the largest concentration of Tibetan refugees are located, and where the largest monasteries are located, such as Drepung and Sera.

Area served: Kalimpong, India
Contact: Barbara Gerke
Email: www.ittm.org/contact/
Website: www.ittm.org

The Trust, based in Kalimpong, north-eastern Himalayas, India, was founded in 1995 by a small group of dedicated researchers of Indian, Mongolian and German origin with the objective to promote study and research on indo-tibetan medicine and allied medical cultures of this Himalayan region. Among other projects, ITTM pursues biodynamic trial cultivation of medicinal plants of the Eastern Himalayan region used in Tibetan and Ayurvedic medicine. In a small LAB essential oils from indigenous medicinal plants are prepared. Methods of chromatography are used for quality testing. The medicinal plant garden provides opportunities for landscaping, applying biodynamic methods for medicinal plant cultivation and documentation of their medicinal uses. If you are looking for an unusually unique kind of holiday with new experiences in a completely different ethnical cultural setting, in the abundantly virgin vegetation of the lower Himalayas (range 500-2500 meters), you are welcome to volunteer at ITTM. A guesthouse and library also offer opportunities for long-term scholars and students. ITTM gives guidance to students during field research in anthropology, traditional medicine, ethno-botany, Himalayan social, religious & cultural studies, etc. Students with knowledge of Sanskrit and Tibetan languages are welcome to collaborate in preparing a medical glossary database of Ayurvedic and Tibetan medical terms. Computer skills are always welcome for assistance in the various database and publication projects at ITTM.

OTHER WEBSITES TO CHECK
www.volunteerinternational.org
members.aol.com/jacusa/