November 2013 trip to Mysore
TINSO update Feb 2014
By Sandup Tsering
I went to Bylakuppe in mid-December 2013 to visit my family and attend His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s 10 days Lamrim Teaching. During my time in Bylakuppe I had a number of interactions with the Tinso’s Committee members and Community. First thing that they all expressed to me was their gratitude for all the Tinso donors and supporters for how much benefits they get out of the Tinso programs. May I thank you all for your kind support and generosity and wish you a very Happy and prosperous 2014.
Since its inception in 2011, Tinso has been running a fortnightly program of an outdoor excursion and indoor social gathering alternatively and in addition any special gathering or outing as its members decide. Indoor gatherings now take place in Tinso own new hall which was completed in 2012. The hall is small but just sufficient and furnished with a beautiful altar, TV, DVD player, floor & seating mats and benches. Upon my suggestion, the Tinso Community hosted a day-long celebration of the Ngari (Western Tibet) Tibetan New year which falls in 11th month of Tibetan calendar and invited the whole villagers to join in for a day of feasts and entertainments. At the function the senior members of Tinso sang a number of old traditional Tibetan songs and performed dances of Purang Tibet (which unfortunately are in the verge of dying). I took an opportunity to thank the camp leader and whole villagers for their support to Tinso and reminded younger one that after a few years Tinso belongs to them. Then, on a different day at the meeting of Tinso group, the leader Mr Dorje Gonpo and treasurer Mr Kunchok Gelek tabled a comprehensive budgetary and program report for 2013 and expressed a wish of the group of having their own kitchen and western style toilet facility as an extension of existing Tinso Hall. The leader and also all the members mentioned that their November 2013 trip to Mysore city was a great fun – I couldn’t believe that for some members this was their first ever trip to Mysore. As part of my brief at the meeting, I promised that I will do everything I can to fund the construction of a kitchen and toilet facility and requested them to send me a draft extension plan and estimated budget. The good news is that the Camp leader had approved to go ahead with the proposed extension of the Tinso Hall with kitchen and toilet fasciitis on the common land of the camp. On a different note, on behalf of TINSO, I made donation of Rs 10,000 to the Home for the Aged and Disabled Centre located at the old camp 2 under the management of the Tibetan Exiled government’s Home department..
Tinso Report 2013
By Lisa Sander from Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre & Vet Beyond Border
In September 2013 my family and I had the privilege of visiting the Tinso Foundation Project in Purang camp, Bylakuppe. (we had previously visited in 2011). ....... I was thrilled to hear one man say that Tinso has made them feel “ like teenagers again” due to the ability to gather and socialise and re-establish friendships on a regular basis. Reducing community and individual isolation and providing social support via the donations to Tinso are just as important as providing assistance for medical needs............Sandup Tsering, the founder of the Tinso project continues to do a magnificent job in maintaining the project and he will be visiting Purang in the new year. The project cannot continue to thrive without you continued support. Visiting Purang camp again has reiterated to me what a worthwhile project Tinso is and one I am most keen to continue supporting in the future. PLEASE READ FULL REPORT as attached below.
By Sandup Tsering
I went to Bylakuppe in mid-December 2013 to visit my family and attend His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s 10 days Lamrim Teaching. During my time in Bylakuppe I had a number of interactions with the Tinso’s Committee members and Community. First thing that they all expressed to me was their gratitude for all the Tinso donors and supporters for how much benefits they get out of the Tinso programs. May I thank you all for your kind support and generosity and wish you a very Happy and prosperous 2014.
Since its inception in 2011, Tinso has been running a fortnightly program of an outdoor excursion and indoor social gathering alternatively and in addition any special gathering or outing as its members decide. Indoor gatherings now take place in Tinso own new hall which was completed in 2012. The hall is small but just sufficient and furnished with a beautiful altar, TV, DVD player, floor & seating mats and benches. Upon my suggestion, the Tinso Community hosted a day-long celebration of the Ngari (Western Tibet) Tibetan New year which falls in 11th month of Tibetan calendar and invited the whole villagers to join in for a day of feasts and entertainments. At the function the senior members of Tinso sang a number of old traditional Tibetan songs and performed dances of Purang Tibet (which unfortunately are in the verge of dying). I took an opportunity to thank the camp leader and whole villagers for their support to Tinso and reminded younger one that after a few years Tinso belongs to them. Then, on a different day at the meeting of Tinso group, the leader Mr Dorje Gonpo and treasurer Mr Kunchok Gelek tabled a comprehensive budgetary and program report for 2013 and expressed a wish of the group of having their own kitchen and western style toilet facility as an extension of existing Tinso Hall. The leader and also all the members mentioned that their November 2013 trip to Mysore city was a great fun – I couldn’t believe that for some members this was their first ever trip to Mysore. As part of my brief at the meeting, I promised that I will do everything I can to fund the construction of a kitchen and toilet facility and requested them to send me a draft extension plan and estimated budget. The good news is that the Camp leader had approved to go ahead with the proposed extension of the Tinso Hall with kitchen and toilet fasciitis on the common land of the camp. On a different note, on behalf of TINSO, I made donation of Rs 10,000 to the Home for the Aged and Disabled Centre located at the old camp 2 under the management of the Tibetan Exiled government’s Home department..
Tinso Report 2013
By Lisa Sander from Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre & Vet Beyond Border
In September 2013 my family and I had the privilege of visiting the Tinso Foundation Project in Purang camp, Bylakuppe. (we had previously visited in 2011). ....... I was thrilled to hear one man say that Tinso has made them feel “ like teenagers again” due to the ability to gather and socialise and re-establish friendships on a regular basis. Reducing community and individual isolation and providing social support via the donations to Tinso are just as important as providing assistance for medical needs............Sandup Tsering, the founder of the Tinso project continues to do a magnificent job in maintaining the project and he will be visiting Purang in the new year. The project cannot continue to thrive without you continued support. Visiting Purang camp again has reiterated to me what a worthwhile project Tinso is and one I am most keen to continue supporting in the future. PLEASE READ FULL REPORT as attached below.
| tinso__report_2013.pdf |
From Sandup, 5th Feb 2012
During my most recent trip to India to visit my families there and to attend the 32th Kalachakra Initiation by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, I also had a wonderful opportunity to meet the Purang Camp Senior Citizens Social Group (PCSCSG) which is being supported by the Tinso Fund. Coincide with the Group’s monthly gathering, a meeting was organised on 19th December 2011.
Present at the meeting were 26 members of PCSCSG, myself, Michael Heath and Lisa Sander from the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre. I gave a brief speech high lighting the aims and objectives of Tinso Fund and acknowledging the generosity of all the Tinso donors and supporters particularly the support of the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre and the Sydney Australian Tibet House. As clearly exemplified in the below report by the Leader of PCSCSG, I am absolutely impressed by the Group’s management of fund. A number of old men and women personally came to me to thank and express their heartfelt gratitude to all the donors and supporters of Tinso. It was quite touching to hear them saying that we pray and light butter lamp for the well beings of our donors. Please read the below report from Lisa Sander of her families experience and meeting with the Purang Camp Seniors.
At the end of the meeting the PCSCSG performed two pieces of dances for all the supporters of TINSO. I have loaded them in youtube for you to view, please just click here & ejoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6tTskVgJ2Q&feature=bf_prev&list=HL1328357318&lf=mh_lolz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrL_EiYnpiM&list=HL1328357318&feature=mh_lolz
Present at the meeting were 26 members of PCSCSG, myself, Michael Heath and Lisa Sander from the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre. I gave a brief speech high lighting the aims and objectives of Tinso Fund and acknowledging the generosity of all the Tinso donors and supporters particularly the support of the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre and the Sydney Australian Tibet House. As clearly exemplified in the below report by the Leader of PCSCSG, I am absolutely impressed by the Group’s management of fund. A number of old men and women personally came to me to thank and express their heartfelt gratitude to all the donors and supporters of Tinso. It was quite touching to hear them saying that we pray and light butter lamp for the well beings of our donors. Please read the below report from Lisa Sander of her families experience and meeting with the Purang Camp Seniors.
At the end of the meeting the PCSCSG performed two pieces of dances for all the supporters of TINSO. I have loaded them in youtube for you to view, please just click here & ejoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6tTskVgJ2Q&feature=bf_prev&list=HL1328357318&lf=mh_lolz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrL_EiYnpiM&list=HL1328357318&feature=mh_lolz
Michael Heath's report on his visit to Purang Camp on the behalf of Tinso Foundation
I visited the Bylakuppe area late August 2012. My main duties were to the Vets Beyond Borders project also located in Bylakuppe. I was very fortunate to be staying with the extended family of Mr Sandup Tsering , founder of Tinso, who were extraordinarily generous hosts. I can not thank then enough for their kindness. I could , however, desex the female stray dog that they had adopted, and so did this in their courtyard !
My day off was scheduled to coincide with the Tinso meeting for the month. It was held in the meeting hall constructed by Tinso and the accounts were scrutinised , every rupee had been accounted for. Excellent money management had meant that the hall had been completed, with walls and carpet , under budget. The residual is intended to modernise the old community kitchen and construct a western style toilet for the hips of this older community.
A new pusher donated by Julia Clements was handed over.
Every fortnight the Tinso memebers say Dolmas or prayers for all the supporters of Tinso. They are not in a position to give gifts of value in appreciation. I am sure that I speak for everyone who contributes that knowing dolmas are being said in our names by the the population of Purang is a wonderfully sincere gesture.
They would especially like to thank Libby Smith for her fundraising efforts, Julia Clements for equipment and donations. Also to the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre members.
The hall is located in the beautiful community courtyard area with an adjoining soccer pitch and kindergarten . After the meeting ( translated by Kelsang, Sandups sister) the kids joined us for an enormous lunch.
There is a reciprocal support system here. The committee members of Tinso are emphatic that if VBB volunteers need help all they need do is ask. They saved my days work one morning by coming up with the gas I needed to sterilise the day surgical instruments.
Hopefully my next visit will again be with Lisa, Fin and Archie and I will not be so exhausted and so be able to help out a bit more around the farms.
I visited the Bylakuppe area late August 2012. My main duties were to the Vets Beyond Borders project also located in Bylakuppe. I was very fortunate to be staying with the extended family of Mr Sandup Tsering , founder of Tinso, who were extraordinarily generous hosts. I can not thank then enough for their kindness. I could , however, desex the female stray dog that they had adopted, and so did this in their courtyard !
My day off was scheduled to coincide with the Tinso meeting for the month. It was held in the meeting hall constructed by Tinso and the accounts were scrutinised , every rupee had been accounted for. Excellent money management had meant that the hall had been completed, with walls and carpet , under budget. The residual is intended to modernise the old community kitchen and construct a western style toilet for the hips of this older community.
A new pusher donated by Julia Clements was handed over.
Every fortnight the Tinso memebers say Dolmas or prayers for all the supporters of Tinso. They are not in a position to give gifts of value in appreciation. I am sure that I speak for everyone who contributes that knowing dolmas are being said in our names by the the population of Purang is a wonderfully sincere gesture.
They would especially like to thank Libby Smith for her fundraising efforts, Julia Clements for equipment and donations. Also to the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre members.
The hall is located in the beautiful community courtyard area with an adjoining soccer pitch and kindergarten . After the meeting ( translated by Kelsang, Sandups sister) the kids joined us for an enormous lunch.
There is a reciprocal support system here. The committee members of Tinso are emphatic that if VBB volunteers need help all they need do is ask. They saved my days work one morning by coming up with the gas I needed to sterilise the day surgical instruments.
Hopefully my next visit will again be with Lisa, Fin and Archie and I will not be so exhausted and so be able to help out a bit more around the farms.
Report Speech by Mr Dorje Gonpo, the Leader of Purang Camp, 19th December 2011
In total here in Purang Camp we have 32 aged Tibetans but 6 of them could not attend today. We have three elected members to manage our account and program of the Group: President Mr Gyatso, Secretary/Accountant Mr Kunchok Gelek and Treasurer Mrs Tsering Yudon.
First of all, on behalf of the Purang Camp and its Senior Citizens Social Group, from the depth of my heart, I would like to welcome and say Tashi Delek to Sandup, Michael, Lisa, Archie and Finn. Due to kind support of Sandup and all the Tinso donors and supporters, we have been now able to run monthly activities which greatly benefit all the aged members of the Purang Camp. We thank Tinso and can not express our gratitude enough to all the Tinso supporters and donors. Every month on auspicious spiritual dates of the Tibetan lunar calendar - such as 15th and 30th we run a group temple tour and on 25th and 10th we meet at our Community Centre for socioreligious functions.
With the temple tour we visit the local Sera Monastery and Namdrol Nyingma Monastery, devoting the whole day for spiritual practices. So, this is very special that we all very much look forward every month. The monthly gatherings at the Camp Community Centre provides us an opportunity to do a group meditation, prayers as well as a relaxed social interaction. Since most of us are known from Tibet, there are much shared life experiences to refresh our memories. This is also something very much appreciated by us. In the vicinity of other local Tibetan settlements there are places of public interests however, here we do not have anything like that. So, having a regular get together at the Community Centre allows us to leave our home and meet others and in this way greatly benefit us in maximising happiness and minimising miseries in life.
The cost related to these activities such as the transportation and meals services is fully funded by Tinso. Since our camp is located far away from all the main Tibetan settlements and the road condition is very poor, without the initiative from Sandup and Tinso support we would not be in a position to run these group activities which has brought a tremendous sense of freedom and happiness to all the aged people here in the Purang Camp. The aged group has been extremely thankful to Tinso.
As far as the briefing on finance goes in whole 2011 we have received the total amount in Indian Rupees 200, 587.61(AUS$4300) in five instalment from Tinso as follows;
A separate Assembly Hall for us is necessary so that we do not exhaust the Camp Community facilities and also we can run our program independently from the Camp Community activities. The Assembly construction is nearly completed except to lay the stone slap floor and put a door and wired wall.
Currently, our bank balance is Rs 47,447.36
Total expenses 2011 is Rs 153,140.25 of which over 50% have gone into building the Assembly Hall and initial setting up cost. We estimate the monthly cost running our program to not exceed Rs 12,000 ($250)
Things to do include:
Finally, I would like to thank you and all Tinso supporters again for your kindness and generosity. As a gesture of our repayment to your kindness when we get together for prayers we specially remember all the Tinso supporters in our prayer and light butter lamps for them. This is all we can do to repay you all.
As requested by Sandup, we will perform two traditional circle dances as a gift to our donors, hope they like it.
Thank You
Dorjee Gonpo, the Leader of Purang Camp
First of all, on behalf of the Purang Camp and its Senior Citizens Social Group, from the depth of my heart, I would like to welcome and say Tashi Delek to Sandup, Michael, Lisa, Archie and Finn. Due to kind support of Sandup and all the Tinso donors and supporters, we have been now able to run monthly activities which greatly benefit all the aged members of the Purang Camp. We thank Tinso and can not express our gratitude enough to all the Tinso supporters and donors. Every month on auspicious spiritual dates of the Tibetan lunar calendar - such as 15th and 30th we run a group temple tour and on 25th and 10th we meet at our Community Centre for socioreligious functions.
With the temple tour we visit the local Sera Monastery and Namdrol Nyingma Monastery, devoting the whole day for spiritual practices. So, this is very special that we all very much look forward every month. The monthly gatherings at the Camp Community Centre provides us an opportunity to do a group meditation, prayers as well as a relaxed social interaction. Since most of us are known from Tibet, there are much shared life experiences to refresh our memories. This is also something very much appreciated by us. In the vicinity of other local Tibetan settlements there are places of public interests however, here we do not have anything like that. So, having a regular get together at the Community Centre allows us to leave our home and meet others and in this way greatly benefit us in maximising happiness and minimising miseries in life.
The cost related to these activities such as the transportation and meals services is fully funded by Tinso. Since our camp is located far away from all the main Tibetan settlements and the road condition is very poor, without the initiative from Sandup and Tinso support we would not be in a position to run these group activities which has brought a tremendous sense of freedom and happiness to all the aged people here in the Purang Camp. The aged group has been extremely thankful to Tinso.
As far as the briefing on finance goes in whole 2011 we have received the total amount in Indian Rupees 200, 587.61(AUS$4300) in five instalment from Tinso as follows;
- Rs 15, 664.11 in February 2011 ($350)
- Rs 43, 416.76 in March 2011($1000)
- Rs 61, 200.23 in May 2011($1300)
- Rs 30, 169.15 in Aug 2011($650)
- Rs 50,137.36 in Nov ($1000)
- 10 large soft mattresses
- a complete set of kitchen wares including plates, spoons etc
- a new gas stove and tank
A separate Assembly Hall for us is necessary so that we do not exhaust the Camp Community facilities and also we can run our program independently from the Camp Community activities. The Assembly construction is nearly completed except to lay the stone slap floor and put a door and wired wall.
Currently, our bank balance is Rs 47,447.36
Total expenses 2011 is Rs 153,140.25 of which over 50% have gone into building the Assembly Hall and initial setting up cost. We estimate the monthly cost running our program to not exceed Rs 12,000 ($250)
Things to do include:
- complete the Assembly Hall
- Renovating the Mani Wheel next to our Hall
- Replaicing our kitchen roof which is leaking and made of asbestos
Finally, I would like to thank you and all Tinso supporters again for your kindness and generosity. As a gesture of our repayment to your kindness when we get together for prayers we specially remember all the Tinso supporters in our prayer and light butter lamps for them. This is all we can do to repay you all.
As requested by Sandup, we will perform two traditional circle dances as a gift to our donors, hope they like it.
Thank You
Dorjee Gonpo, the Leader of Purang Camp
Lisa Sander's families share their experience of meeting Purang Camp seniors
In recent trip to India to volunteer for Vets Beyond Borders (VBB), Lisa Sander, Michael Heath and their two sons Finn and Archie visited the Tinso Foundation project at Purang Camp, Bylakuppe.
As a member of the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre, Michael and Lisa have made a great contribution to the Tinso. They have acted as the “go between” me and BBMC on supporting the Tinso. They privately make the donation as well as promote the Tinso to their Blackrock and Bentleigh Vetinerary clinics clients, and also to their friends and family members. Not only they managed to outsource a free wheel chair for Tinso, but kindly took it with them on their trip to India. I would like to extend a special thank you to Michael and Lisa and family. Thank you also for sharing their experience of meeting the Tinso Community in Purang Camp.
Sandup, MD, Tinso Fund
Lisa Sandler wrote:
On the 19th December 2011 (also Archie's 6th birthday) we met with the beautiful elderly people of Purang Camp to accept their invitation to attend one of their fortnightly committee meetings for the Tinso Foundation.
Getting to Purang camp was not without it's complications. You must preorder an Autorichshaw for the trip. Due to Purang's relative isolation from the other camps ( villages) that make up Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement area, there are no passing Auto's that go by Purang camp and not all Auto drivers are willing to travel the distance on the very bumpy road to Purang. Then you must pay double the fee as the Auto driver knows he will not be able to pick up a passing passengers on his trip back. The road to Purang is simply atrocious. I was taking along Archie's birthday cake to share with both the elderly Tinso members and with the children of the Kindergarten in Purang village and I did not think it would make the trip in one piece!.
Once there we met with Sandup ( the founder of the Tinso Foundation) and walked to the main village meeting hall ( they are currently using this hall for their meetings, but the hall is too hot in the warmer months). Tinso is building a more appropriate open sided building ( with mosquito net blinds) for the Tinso Foundation next to the existing hall. We were able to inspect the new hall and see that it is being well built and is almost completed. Archie accidently?! left his footprint in the wet cement of the entrance ramp. The kitchen Tinso has fitted out for the elderly is also next to the hall, as is a beautiful large prayer wheel and small kindergarten.
Firstly we were introduced to the elderly of Purang village who benefit from Tinso. There were 26 people in attendance that day with ages ranging from 63 to 94 years old. We handed over the wheelchair my family had brought over to donate and a walker Sandup had brought with him. There was a great flurry of excitement over these items! Sandup then ran off to collect the recipients of these. The lady who was given the wheel chair is 93 years old and had until now been unable to attend the Tinso meeting as she was completely house bound. She was delighted to be able to meet with her friends of the village and share in the days activities and attend the Tinso meeting for the first time.
Sandup and my family being given pride of place on chairs and the elderly sat on lovely mats donated by Tinso as the meeting proceeded. Many speeches were made. The Leader of the Camp on the Tinso project gave a very detailed account of how every Rupee donated to Tinso had been spent and accounted for and explained on behalf of all the benificiares of Tinso how much they really appreciate the project. He told of how the project gives them not only a place and opportunity to socialise with each other , but also to visit the other villages in the Bylakuppe area and attend the temples they otherwise are unable to visit. This to them is a most important aspect of their lives.
The project has made such a positive impact on the them and they truly appreciate the kindness, thought and efforts made by people they have never met on the other side of the world . They told me how when they attend meeting or have trips to the temple they give prayers for all those who have supported them through Tinso.
Several of the ladies came up to me individually, and through Sandup's interpretation let me know how deeply touched they are by all the Tinso project has done for them and what a huge difference it has made in their lives. There was much tearing up on both sides!
Sandup and I then made speeches too. I told them a little about our centre at BBMC and presented them with a photo of our group ( from the last retreat) which was handed around with great interest and then placed on the alter.
After speeches we had a magnificent lunch - cooked by the elderly in the kitchen Tinso has fitted out. The food was delicious, with my boys declaring the Momo's were the best they had ever eaten, and the fresh home made yoghurt was certainly beyond anything I had ever tasted. We then lit the candles on Archie's birthday cake and the children of the kindergarten next door came to help us sing happy birthday to Archie. The cake ( which did survive the trip to Purang!) was then shared.
The elderly then surprised us with giving a moving performance of traditional dance and song which describes the circumambulation of the kora of Mount Kailash and is unique to the area of Tibet ( in the west of tibet) that most of them have come from. How special to experience such a heartfelt offering from some of the last nomads of Tibet..
As Archie said , "it was the best 6th birthday ever".
I can truly report that after having seen the projects that have so far been undertaken by Tinso and the appreciation by and benefit to the elderly of Purang camp it is a very worthwhile project and one that I am most keen to continue supporting in the future.
Lisa Sander.
As a member of the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre, Michael and Lisa have made a great contribution to the Tinso. They have acted as the “go between” me and BBMC on supporting the Tinso. They privately make the donation as well as promote the Tinso to their Blackrock and Bentleigh Vetinerary clinics clients, and also to their friends and family members. Not only they managed to outsource a free wheel chair for Tinso, but kindly took it with them on their trip to India. I would like to extend a special thank you to Michael and Lisa and family. Thank you also for sharing their experience of meeting the Tinso Community in Purang Camp.
Sandup, MD, Tinso Fund
Lisa Sandler wrote:
On the 19th December 2011 (also Archie's 6th birthday) we met with the beautiful elderly people of Purang Camp to accept their invitation to attend one of their fortnightly committee meetings for the Tinso Foundation.
Getting to Purang camp was not without it's complications. You must preorder an Autorichshaw for the trip. Due to Purang's relative isolation from the other camps ( villages) that make up Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement area, there are no passing Auto's that go by Purang camp and not all Auto drivers are willing to travel the distance on the very bumpy road to Purang. Then you must pay double the fee as the Auto driver knows he will not be able to pick up a passing passengers on his trip back. The road to Purang is simply atrocious. I was taking along Archie's birthday cake to share with both the elderly Tinso members and with the children of the Kindergarten in Purang village and I did not think it would make the trip in one piece!.
Once there we met with Sandup ( the founder of the Tinso Foundation) and walked to the main village meeting hall ( they are currently using this hall for their meetings, but the hall is too hot in the warmer months). Tinso is building a more appropriate open sided building ( with mosquito net blinds) for the Tinso Foundation next to the existing hall. We were able to inspect the new hall and see that it is being well built and is almost completed. Archie accidently?! left his footprint in the wet cement of the entrance ramp. The kitchen Tinso has fitted out for the elderly is also next to the hall, as is a beautiful large prayer wheel and small kindergarten.
Firstly we were introduced to the elderly of Purang village who benefit from Tinso. There were 26 people in attendance that day with ages ranging from 63 to 94 years old. We handed over the wheelchair my family had brought over to donate and a walker Sandup had brought with him. There was a great flurry of excitement over these items! Sandup then ran off to collect the recipients of these. The lady who was given the wheel chair is 93 years old and had until now been unable to attend the Tinso meeting as she was completely house bound. She was delighted to be able to meet with her friends of the village and share in the days activities and attend the Tinso meeting for the first time.
Sandup and my family being given pride of place on chairs and the elderly sat on lovely mats donated by Tinso as the meeting proceeded. Many speeches were made. The Leader of the Camp on the Tinso project gave a very detailed account of how every Rupee donated to Tinso had been spent and accounted for and explained on behalf of all the benificiares of Tinso how much they really appreciate the project. He told of how the project gives them not only a place and opportunity to socialise with each other , but also to visit the other villages in the Bylakuppe area and attend the temples they otherwise are unable to visit. This to them is a most important aspect of their lives.
The project has made such a positive impact on the them and they truly appreciate the kindness, thought and efforts made by people they have never met on the other side of the world . They told me how when they attend meeting or have trips to the temple they give prayers for all those who have supported them through Tinso.
Several of the ladies came up to me individually, and through Sandup's interpretation let me know how deeply touched they are by all the Tinso project has done for them and what a huge difference it has made in their lives. There was much tearing up on both sides!
Sandup and I then made speeches too. I told them a little about our centre at BBMC and presented them with a photo of our group ( from the last retreat) which was handed around with great interest and then placed on the alter.
After speeches we had a magnificent lunch - cooked by the elderly in the kitchen Tinso has fitted out. The food was delicious, with my boys declaring the Momo's were the best they had ever eaten, and the fresh home made yoghurt was certainly beyond anything I had ever tasted. We then lit the candles on Archie's birthday cake and the children of the kindergarten next door came to help us sing happy birthday to Archie. The cake ( which did survive the trip to Purang!) was then shared.
The elderly then surprised us with giving a moving performance of traditional dance and song which describes the circumambulation of the kora of Mount Kailash and is unique to the area of Tibet ( in the west of tibet) that most of them have come from. How special to experience such a heartfelt offering from some of the last nomads of Tibet..
As Archie said , "it was the best 6th birthday ever".
I can truly report that after having seen the projects that have so far been undertaken by Tinso and the appreciation by and benefit to the elderly of Purang camp it is a very worthwhile project and one that I am most keen to continue supporting in the future.
Lisa Sander.
