Proposals for Small Scale Aid-Projects

1. Construction of a Community Hall at Tashi Gaang Tibetan Settlement,
Hyengia, Nepal. Total grant: 4211.oo
A well costed, good value for money project, to build a village hall for a small refugee community to meet to celebrate their festivals, performing arts, cultural shows and communal activities as it is important for the community spirit of Tibetans in exile to conserve their culture. The hall will be constructed, within this budget above, to also include three toilets adjoining the building to improve the camps sanitation needs. Plans are available, as are a financial breakdown of costs of materials, a proposal letter and printed description of the construction provided by the camp Settlement Officer, Tsering Siten. Cost: 4211.oo

2. Construction of a community kitchen at Tashi Gaang refugee settlement,
Hyengia, Nepal. Total grant: 762.oo
Trek Aid has built community kitchens in four west Nepal Tibetan refugee camps in the past. Photo evidence is available. This very good value construction grant allows communal meals to be prepared for events, festivals, religious days, meetings and cultural shows as well as feeding the elderly residents. Includes the purchase of cooking utensils. Photo evidence is available.
Cost: 762.oo

3. Equipping costs for new Community Hall, Tashi Gaang refugee camp. 480.oo
These funds will allow for the purchase of cooling fans, chairs, tables and a microphone / loud speaker system, to the new hall. Plans available, Cost: 480.oo

4. Cultural conservation. Funding the making of traditional regional Tibetan dance costumes with five culture & heritage groups, from two refugee camps. These five separate cultural conservation proposals for Pokhara refugee communities amount to 5853.oo, as follows:

(a) Paljorling Refugee Settlement, Pokhara – senior cultural organisation or ‘Shabdo Tsokpa’ . This organisation was formed in 1989 and has performed many original Tibetan cultural shows in the different styles of the three Tibetan provinces, giving their younger generation awareness, as they say “it is our cherished dream to preserve our rich culture” living as refugees in Hindu Nepal. Tibetan ‘Shabdo Tsokpa’ heritage groups proposal letter in English is available along with a cost estimate of 1944.oo for up to 35 sets of costumes for women plus 10 for men.

(b) Paljorling Refugee Settlement, Pokhara – Opera Troupe. Performing arts are well developed in Tibet. This refugee camp opera troupe was formed on the day His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Initially some elderly people started this troupe who had been part of a famous opera company in Tibet. They now have 70 members including most of the camp’s young people. The committee writes that “The main objective of this troupe is to preserve the old Tibetan culture.” Lhamo, or opera “unlike the performance of folk dances, performs on a complete story based on historical epic.” This requires a lot of costumes and ‘props’ such as drums and a specially designed Tibetan tent costing 500.oo. All costume and equipment needs are included in their financial proposal in English for 1838.oo

(c) Tashiling Refugee Settlement, Pokhara - The Tibetan Women’s Association. Their proposal for cultural dance costumes includes a commitment by them to raise 25% of the projects funds as part of their active welfare fundraising. The Tibetan Women’s Association, originally founded in Tibet in 1959 by the women of Lhasa ‘to voice their opposition’ to the Chinese invaders, during the uprising of that year, was set up again in exile to channel the energy of Tibetan women ‘towards the preservation and promotion of our religion and culture’. As their publication states, their aims include ‘the preservation of our distinct identity, the social upliftment of our community and to create an awareness of our existence to the world at large.’ Cultural conservation is seen as very important. The TWA says that ‘having occupied our country, the Chinese worked towards the destruction of our religious and cultural institutions and also tried annihilating our very identity.’ It can therefore be seen how important it is to Tibetan women to ‘promote our unique cultural traditions…our various branches have organised cultural shows in which folk and traditional dances from all parts of Tibet’ are performed. The cultural shows have another function for the TWA acting as a potential fundraiser for their activities. It also enables foreign travellers and tourists to Nepal to witness traditional Tibetan culture first hand and raise awareness of Tibet’s spectacular heritage of performing arts. The President and the Secretary of the Tashiling branch of TWA jointly write to Trek Aid with an appeal to make 48 sets of costumes, from three Tibetan regions, chubas, dresses, headgear, boots with a total budget of 1500.oo. As they are undertaking to fundraise actively for 25% of this total they request Trek Aid to find 75% or 1125.oo making it a good value proposal. At the present time they say “when ever we get the chance to show our cultural dance, we have to go to other Tibetan [refugee] camps and schools to borrow the dresses, which is very inconvenient and sometimes we unfortunately had to cancel the performance. We always appreciate your continued support in different ways to the Tibetan community”. We feel that this is a highly valuable project in many ways. Its supports and helps conserve Tibetan traditions and performing arts and its wider appreciation by both western and Tibetan audiences. The costumes will also provide an ‘asset’, a fundraising ‘tool’, to this Association to assist their other programme's, which we also propose to support, such as pre-school day-care for young children, at home care for elderly Tibetans and after hospital care for disadvantaged families. 75% Grant for 48 costume sets is 1350.oo. Tashiling TWA President’s proposal letter available in English plus photocopies of TWA literature.

(d) Tashiling Refugee Settlement, Pokhara – Youth Committee or “Sane Shonu”. This youth committee’s proposal stresses the need to conserve the cultural traditions of all Tibet’s different provinces. They say “the culture and performing arts is important because it proves Tibet was a sovereign country, by showing our own culture, tradition, religion and language. On the other hand it is also important, as His Holiness always advises us, to preserve culture and tradition.” They view it as their responsibility to “ keep culture and tradition in reality by performing arts in every Tibetan community and abroad.” They have proposed 18 sets of costumes for girls and 18 sets for boys, 6 in each of three provinces styles. Proposal letter available in English. Grant requested for 36 costumes: 1260.oo.

(e). Paljorling Settlement, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress branch. Some years ago Trek Aid provided this youth group cultural costumes which are now worn out. Their new proposal is to get six male and six female Kham region dress sets and six male & female sets of Utsang province dress plus repair of the existing costume collection. The project is costed in detail by their Executive Committee at 630.oo. Letter proposal from RTYC President is available. 630.oo



5. Elderly People's Nutrition at Paljorling settlement. This refugee camp has no residential elderly peoples home, so our strategy has been to use the Trek-Aid built community kitchen the camp in partnership with the 'Mani Sokpa' elderly peoples association to provide the elderly people, who live at home, with nutritious communally cooked lunches in their community hall where they gather regularly. This helps about 70 elderly residents of Paljorling. Their own committee then shops for the food supplies and keep annual accounts and receipts for us. We provide the new grant once they have published their last years accounts and receipts to us. Past years reports and accounts are available. Renewal Grant needed: 900.oo

6.Mathematics, Science, English & Accounting Tuition for School students at Paljorling Settlement. This is a project devised by the Settlement Youth Committee to provide 35 school children in classes 5 to 10 extra tuition, one month per semester for three semesters in their weak school subjects. Three teachers will be employed in school holidays at 45.oo per teacher per month salary. This will improve the students chances of passing annual exams. Letter proposal from RTYC President is available. Grant requested: 405.oo.

7. Environment Clean Up at Paljorling community. 175.oo for one year programme. Some years ago Trek Aid responded to His Holiness The Dalai Lama's request for environment cleaning initiatives by first employing Greenworker's in several refugee communities in Nepal as well as in Dharamsala, N India, which included re-cycling programme's. In Paljorling community we have already provided purpose built metal litter bins and partnered the youth committee in many environmental cleaning activities, to keep the refugee camp clean and disease free. We also provide cleaning materials for community clean ups by their own volunteers, with garbage sacks, brooms, and chemical cleaners for the toilet blocks. Grant 175.oo. Proposal letter available for President, Sane Shonu (youth committee).

8. Renovation of an old house in Tarshi Palkhiel refugee community to accommodate a homeless family. £ 1750.oo. The welfare office of the refugee camp has requested Trek Aid to renovate an old house in the refugee settlement owned by the community. Once restored it will house a homeless family or a family paying to rent a Nepali owned house on the margins of the community. Their rent paid to the community office will then be re-cycled to help others. The costed welfare office proposal letter is available. Its total budget request for 1883.oo has been scaled down for a community contribution to the project of labour, free of charge, value 138.oo. Grant: £1750.oo

9. Conversion of a former carpet weaving hall to be a Community Hall at Jampaling. 3993.oo The collapse of the former Tibetan carpet handicraft industry at the rural Jampaling Settlement means their weaving hall near the Settlement office is unused and in need of renovation. This settlement is very widespread and the hall is near the central office. They have no place to gather for festivals or community meetings and so the Settlement office proposes to convert the use to being their Community Hall as it is near the administrative centre. This would increase the cultural activity of the camp, educational and medical preventative talks etc and would be a tremendous community asset to this poor community which is mainly agricultural. They have obtained two separate builders estimates for this work, at Trek Aid request. Grant total: 3993.oo
Grant total: 3993.oo  

10. Medical Grants. 4000.oo A long established scheme for Trek Aid to assist refugee patients to afford medical treatment. Many refugees ignore chronic illnesses because they have no money to pay for hospital assessments, medicines or operations. In Nepal we have an all year round system to respond and help. Medical grants are made after careful scrutiny of patients medical receipts and hospital discharge papers. Cases are proposed by settlements where the patient has collected official medical receipts for their operations, tests or prescriptive medicines. Trek Aid repays the case cost once all details are checked and accounts are agreed. All case sheets and hospital receipts from this programme are kept for the donor agency to review. The approach offers the best value for money to a donor agency in treating direct medical cases where disadvantaged families cannot afford treatment. Sample cases and receipts available, many photos and documentary reports available. Cost 4,000.oo

11. Two nursery school carer's annual salaries in Paljorling refugee settlement. 720.oo The nursery school in Paljorling settlement is a vital service to the communities working mothers. It was forced to close several years ago, because the camp office could no longer afford the salaries of the two female carer’s who look after the children. It is a nicely equipped and resourced small school in which Trek Aid has supported facilities for some years and a UK child development specialist who volunteered time there for Trek Aid felt it was an excellent refugee camp asset. We have trained the nursery school teacher as well. Each year we donate the carer’s salaries which, like most local Nepal and refugee salaries are very small. They have each received 20.oo per month, that is 480.oo per year for the two staff to maintain the nursery school operating for a number of years which we increased in 2008 to 30.oo per month each. Due January 2012. Past receipts available, photos and past narrative reports available. Cost 720.oo

12. Nursery School teachers salary, Paljorling. 600.oo
As above, at Paljorling camp nursery school – a facility which only remains open with Trek Aid help - we also pay the salary of the nursery school teacher there, Chime Dolkar, who has been professionally trained by Trek Aid and as given loyal service for some years. This is a vital service to working camp mothers, allowing them to go out from the refugee camp to work daytime, confident that their children are well cared for. Due September 2011. Photos, past receipts, employment contract and reports available. Cost 600.oo

13. The Nursery school teachers salary at Jampaling. 600.oo
As above project 12 this is to support the nursery school at Jampaling settlement. It is run by Ms Dawa Dolma who received training as a nursery school teacher by Trek Aid. Due October 2011.
Cost: 600.oo. Photos, and project reports are available.

14. Blood Donation Programme. 245.oo. Organised by the youth committee of Paljorling camp in association with the govt hospital who send a medical team to collect blood from the donors. They advertise for donors on local radio programme's before the event and in the street at the local market where they set up. They hire a tent, give refreshments to blood donors, certificates appreciating their donation, food for medical staff attending the event and blood bag deposits. The overall donation of blood means in time of shortage for operations the refugees have a 'credit' of blood units for patients to receive blood quickly. This initiative by the refugees has so far saved 58 lives for those in the emergency wards at the hospital. Grant: 245.oo Proposal letter available from youth committee President.
 
15. Annual Electricity costs, Paljorling camp. 1000.oo
This inner Pokhara city refugee community of about 400 once had a thriving handicraft industry centred on carpet making; the International market for which has now dried up. The employment situation is very poor, as Nepal’s tourism industry has also reduced due to political crisis. In the past the camp office was able to support the refugee settlers by handicraft centre income which provided their water and electricity charges, school teachers salaries, school stationary, medical grants etc. Now they have laid off their workers, reduced staff, would have closed their nursery school but for Trek Aid paying the carer's salaries so mothers could go out to work. They now pay an average of 18000Rs electricity bill monthly to the govt. electricity office for the whole refugee settlement and collect approx. 10,000Rs of that from the settlers proportion each month. They are desperate to pay 8,000 Rs every month average, which they can no longer afford from the office budgets, and have appealed to Trek Aid. Past project reports and photos are available. Cost 1000.oo.

16. Core Funding: Annual UK transport, communications, stationary, reporting,
photography, printing and administrative costs grant. 1200.oo
Trek Aid has a volunteer unpaid Board of Trustees. Our UK administrative costs are thus kept minimal. To ensure effective fieldwork with refugee communities our trustees make supervision fieldwork visits to our project sites in Nepal, to liaise with Tibetan refugee staff, administer grants, photographing & documenting projects for our donor agencies and producing illustrated reports for them. Photographic, secretarial and office supplies are needed. UK admin, transport, documenting, printing and communications can all be managed on a small non-projects annual budget core funding of 1200.oo.

17. Digital projector for Paljorling camp. 880.oo. As described above (project 20) Paljorling is the administrative hub for three refugee camps all ethnically Khampa people – from the eastern province of Tibet. To keep their unique culture alive while in exile from Tibet, is difficult and they gather regularly in their refugee community hall for culture programme's and traditional festival's, including some film shows via hired equipment. The camps welfare office manages these programme's. The community also has a primary and nursery school , a monastery, Buddhist temple, both western medical and Tibetan herbal clinic's, an old people's association, youth and sports clubs including traditional arts, regional costume dance groups etc. Educational, religious and health awareness programme's are a vital element for mass viewing in the hall. These are often published in CD or DVD format – so an outside projector is hired at a high cost. If there are power cuts causing delays for return there are penalty fees to pay the hire company. The proposal made here by the Settlement Officer of Paljorling is to purchase a digital projector for their own anytime access and use. The settlement office wants to reward the community people for their hard manual work supporting the refugee camp by giving the educational opportunity of documentary educational films, plus entertainment and culture. This will expand the knowledge of the school children and the elderly alike, the proposal letter mentions. The proposal aims to buy a projector, a screen and some educational Tibetan DVDs within this budget. Grant: 880.oo. Proposal letter available from Settlement Officer.

'Specified Project' Grants from Trusts.

We inform trusts and grant givers if a specified selected project is available to fund. If only one project falls within your priority areas for funding please check with Trek Aid if that project has already received funding yet from any other source. If you nominate a choice of projects for your grant amount Trek Aid will inform you which of the chosen projects have been allocated the funds and later will provide a narrative report with photographs from project sites and a financial report with original receipts from refugee camp offices.

Unspecified Donations to the overall Nepal l

If an ‘unspecified’ donation is preferred, our board of trustees will select projects to fund from the above list within the amount given, on a priority basis, depending on the projects urgency and as above, your charity will be informed of the chosen projects. After the fieldwork period Trek Aid will supply a narrative report with photographs and a financial statement with receipts.

Reporting needs.

If your organisation has specific needs for documentary photography to suit your own publications, websites etc please inform these in advance of the fieldwork at the time you make the selection and provide the grant.