Voice for the Voiceless
Hello, Tashi Delek, my name is Jurme Wangda. I am the president of Ottawa Friends of
Tibet. I feel strongly that it is time to set up a common ground where we can share our
ideas, dreams, and concerns and also, where I can respond to your questions directly.
I hope to continue this, in order to keep our friendship growing, and also to ensure, that
our dream of benefiting others may bring results.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Jurme Wangda. Photo courtesy of Chris Kralik and the Canada Tibet Committee
At this time, our primary project is to build a residence for single, destitute and old
Tibetan refugees in Kalimpong, in Northeast India. I say this in the opening because I
have been asked, why am I so much interested in helping the elderly, in what is normally
perceived to be a remote part of India.
There are several reasons why I think it is important for our organization to do this. First
of all, these people did nothing wrong. These Tibetans are more than just refugees. For
these Tibetans living in exile, their only crime was a belief in freedom and wanting to live
in peace with compassion. For that, they left the land they loved. Their journey was
hard. I myself have endured a similar experience early in my life. I believe it is time for
us to help these peaceful and compassionate people, as they grow old, to have a home, a place that allows them to live in peace and dignity, as they approach the end of their
life’s journey.
Perhaps you may wonder where does His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan
Government in exile fit in? From the beginning in 1959, up until this day, the emphasis
of His Holiness and the bureaucracy has been the welfare and education of the young.
For instance, children in orphanages receive free boarding and education. Relatively
destitute children are well looked after. Suddenly, the older generations began to
emerge after 47 years in exile. This has resulted in a situation that demands urgent
action, in order to help those who have no one to turn to.
One good thing is that the Tibetan government in exile has adopted a policy that
encourages Tibetans to keep their elderly within the family. This has two benefits: first, it
helps to maintain our traditional culture and values, and second, it discourages keeping
elderly in an institutional setting. Yet, we still have many single old people who have no
one to turn to. For this particular reason, a seniors home will be a much-needed
blessing.
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There is another problem. There are more Tibetan refugees living in south India than in
the north. For instance, in Mysore, Bylakuppe, in one settlement there are more than
16,000 Tibetans, perhaps a couple of more thousand students. In Kalimpong, where we
are going to build the senior's home, there are about 1,500 refugees. Such a difference means that
building a proper infrastructure is easier where there are more people. In the north the
settlements are much smaller in population and people are scattered rather than
systematically allocated. This makes it hard for everyone to look after single and destitute
older Tibetans. We also find that the elderly, who need help in south India, prefer to
come to northern India, where climate is cooler and it is closer to their homeland.
All the above reasons make our project necessary and viable.
The good news is that we are ready to build. What I mean by this is that we already
have the site and the site permit. We are ready with needed experts such as architect,
engineer and people to take up this task in Kalimpong. Now the ball is in our court and
we have to ensure that funds from Canada get there on time.
The plans for the building can be adapted quickly for structures anywhere where there
are Tibetan elders. This plan is being designed free of cost and it will be available for
viewing at our tenth anniversary dinner events.
I feel that I share with you a problem. When the program began, few of us in the Ottawa
Friends of Tibet thought we would still not have begun the construction. We have
encountered a number of difficulties that are a part of doing things in India. We must
practice patience when dealing with the Kalimpong Local Authority. They have not issued
the building permit as yet. The Home Affairs in Dharamsala has not given us detailed
cost estimation. Needless to say, we are learning much from this project. I take it that
facing difficulties means learning to be a success.
I hope this answers a few of the questions that you may have. If not, please ask me.
We have much to do. The elder Tibetans are not asking for anything more than what
they deserve. It is within our ability to do something. Please let us work together to
make it happen.
Finally, I would like to convey my sincere thanks to all of you for your kind heart and
generous help in the past. I would like to give you the opportunity to help us fulfill our
collective dream of seeing this building completed in a timely manner. Please give
generously. I look forward to seeing you at our annual dinner on October 26th, 2007.
Sincerely Yours,
Jurme Wangda
President
Ottawa Friends of Tibet
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