India-Tibetan Social Work

Tashi Delek and Hello.

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The Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day on March 12th showed the amazing strengths,  empowerment and professionalism of Tibetan Women. The day was filled with events to mark the 50th anniversary from the first women’s uprising in Tibet on March 12, 1959.  On the day of the uprising in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, thousands of Tibetan women joined together in a peaceful manner outside the Portola Palace, a much regarded place for it was once the home of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.  They gathered to non-violently protest the illegal occupation of Tibet by Communist China. The women joined in a peaceful force to try to save their homes, customs, culture, lands and most of all their loved ones. Many of the women suffered greatly due to brutal force used against them during their non-violent social action. They were imprisoned, beaten, and tortured. This is a remarkable history in the Tibetan culture because  women took a strong stance during a time in history when women were still very subdued.

Imagine this was even pre-women’s liberation in the United States, this was 1959.

The events held on March 12, 2009 paid homage to the thousands of women who gave their lives to empower women of their culture from 1959 forward.  The events took place at the Main Temple in Dharamsala which is located adjacent to the Dalai Lama’s home and Namgyal Monastery. There were several guests of honors but two I would like to speak about are women who lived the experience of the first uprising in Tibet and played a critical roll in the history of Tibetan Women.

The first woman I would like to mention is Shigatse Noryon Dewang. She is in her 80’s and has written a book. The book is titled In Memory of the Martyrs. Tibetan Women’s Association had gotten their hands on her life story several years back at which time they became dedicated to the translation and publication of her life story. I have yet to read it but from my understanding it is very moving and empowering for women. I had a much regarded conversation with the President of TWA and she explained to me the history of this book and how it came to fruition, as well as how honored and moved Shigatse Noryon Dewang was to participate in the events on March 12th. From my perspective it must be an amazing experience to see the suffering you endured and the hard work you devoted yourself to, still alive and empowering women fifty years later. Most Tibetans are extremely humble, which comes from their Buddhist nature, so to be honored in this way is something one does not strive for in their culture for vanity has little place in the Tibetan culture.  You will find a picture of her sitting on the stage and she is the small elderly woman. I hope to bring some of the books home to share her life story with others.

There was another  woman named Ama Adhe la who is recognized and honored as a strong Tibetan women who has endured much suffering. She is an ex-political prisoner who was held captive in the internment camps under Chinese control.  She experienced rape, was thrown into a pile of dead bodies during a time of unconsciousness then woke up, as well as she experienced extreme hunger.  During her times of suffering and torture she remained compassionate to her fellow Tibetan inmates and gave of herself in many ways. She is featured in the movie trailer provided below and is the first women to speak following the Dalai Lama’s comments of heros/heroines. I must take language classes on my next trip here which will provide me more opportunity to gain cultural competence as well I could have understood a great deal more of the guest speakers since they spoke in their first language of Tibetan. I managed to obtained some information from talking with other women.

There was a wonderful movie shown that evening in the courtyard of the temple that featured both women and it is titled ” Women of Tibet: A Quiet Revolution”.  The link is provided below and I ask that you please take a moment to watch this very important three minute message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY8PEghB_Ng

Also the film will be made available for purchase starting March 30th. It is available to be shipped from Albany, CA and is a very good documentary.

http://www.womenoftibet.org/

It raises some issues and I must comment on the feedback of one young Tibetan woman I spoke with in the following days. She said she saw me taking photos at the event and asked me for copies from the candle light vigil to post on her facebook account. We began talking and she told me how in the past she has lacked confidence as a woman but after seeing the film she felt more confident to be a Tibetan woman. I summarize this as a moment of empowerment. Thanks to the efforts of TWA, Tibetan women continue to gain confidence and strength to speak out as women in today’s world.

I would also like to thank TWA for the empowerment I felt from the experience. Because of their willingness to accommodate me for an internship last summer I was able to contribute efforts for a publication that reveals the stories of the two ex-political prisoners I interviewed and their fellow nuns known as the Drapchi Fourteen. These women endured brutal torture by the Chinese Communist while detained for many years in the Drapchi prison.

Stay tuned for more details as to how Pennies for Partnerships is acknowledged in the publication for their contributions to the book. As well find out where the two women are today who so desire to tell the world their story.

Thanks for reading and remember all new photos are posted online and there are many from the Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day. As well there were many more events not discussed like a photo exhibit and an art contest…see photos at:

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/lhdawg/

There is a list of photo albums on the left side of the photobucket page and the newest photos are numbered as they have been experienced in the weeks in India.

Also please share this blog with anyone in your address book that you think might be interested in the Tibetan issues or social work. This work is all about advocacy and social action. Please help spread the word.

Thanks and I will blog again hopefully within the week. Currently my work at Lha has been offering me great experience with grant writing and I am learning a great deal that will assist me in my future as a social worker. The first set of markers for the “Make Your  Mark on Tibetan Education Campaign” has arrived. Thanks to Jerrmy for his time and efforts in mailing them we now know they will arrive. Also big thanks to Claire for her contribution so we could see how the paypal option worked. All the efforts and gifts even of the smallest amount adds up to a lot in the Tibetan Community. If you choose to do paypal remember your money goes very far so even a dollar donation makes a big Mark on the education for Tibetan refugees.

Also not to be forgotten are those who contributed from the very beginning and allowed me to bring some contributions…as in the clothing drive and also the “Make your Mark” campaign. Those who participated are mentioned below in a previous blog. Details are provided for those who are interested in making a contribution of any size. Also see the projects listing under the participate link on the Lha website and get an idea of the newest programs we are grant writing and fund raising for.

http://www.lhasocialwork.org/

Lha office
Temple Road
McLeod Ganj
Upper Dharamsala-176219
Distt. Kangra
Himachal Pradesh
INDIA

More details to come about Lha social work  and research on Non-violence.

Thanks,

Leann