In 1959, Tibet was brutally invaded by China and more than 1.2 million Tibetans were killed. Six thousand ancient monasteries were looted and destroyed, the priceless artwork which they contained either stolen or smashed. This cultural obliteration is still on-going and the unlawful Chinese occupation of Tibet continues.
The Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) is a community in exile situated in Dharamsala, North India. It is home to hundreds of orphans, destitutes and children who have escaped from Tibet. Children are offered foster homes and an education, and adults are offered homes and a chance to find employment. TCV is a registered charity and has many branches spread across India.
The Handicraft and Vocational Centres within TCV both preserve and promote Tibetan arts and crafts. Children and adults, as part of their education at TCV, learn skills and trades that allow them to find work in a limited job market.
The Handicraft Centres were first established in Dharamsala in 1974, and in 1983 in Ladakh. Hundreds of students have been trained there and the money earned by the sale of the products allows the Centre to be self sufficient financially, and to support the schools and other facilities run by the charity.
By purchasing a product produced by the TCV Handicraft Centres, you are supporting Tibetan refugees in India and helping to preserve the Tibetan heritage.
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The situation in Tibet is not improving. I recently visited the Tibetan refugee community in Dharamsala, North India, and was lucky enough to meet the monk Bagdro, who campaigns tirelessly for Tibetan freedom. He says:-
Under the Chinese government rule in Tibet there is no freedom and only suffering for the Tibetan people. It is worse now than in the last 50 years; it's the 21st century and people are starving and have no religious freedom. Monks are committing suicide.
In 2007 the Chinese government continued the destruction of Buddha and Guru Rinpoche (founder of Tibetan Buddhism) statues. Nothing has changed.
In 2008 there were peaceful protests by the Tibetan people, but the Chinese government stopped them by violent means, using guns. Protests spread, with the governor saying 'the protests are good as target practice for the army'. A friend rang me from his mobile during the protest; I could hear the shooting then the line went dead and I haven't heard from him since. 200 Tibetans are dead with 1,000 missing and 6,000 are in jail and quite possibly being tortured as many have been before them, including myself. Both monks and lay people are incarcerated, suffering awful things like poison injection that leaves them handicapped, rape of the nuns and other awful tortures. Even children are treated this way, and that's why so many commit suicide. Tibet looks like a military camp, with police, spies and cameras everywhere.
I heard this harrowing tale, from just last year, live from Ven Bagdro. He has written a short book detailing the protest last year, and is calling for awareness and help from around the globe.
I am selling the book 'Tibet: A prison of China' for £5, all of which will go direct to Bagdro to help him continue his work for Tibetan freedom. Please email me if you would like a copy. He is calling on anyone who wishes to practise compassion to support Tibet. If you wish to contact him direct in Dharamsala, his email is bagdro_earth@hotmail.com.
