Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center, Darjeeling

A somewhat sad anniversary of sorts passed by recently with the 50th year of the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center being marked, ironically, on October 1st. In 1959, months after the 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet for what has become a life in exile, the Refugee Self Help Center was started. At the time, thousands of Tibetans had followed the Dalai Lama into exile, seeking the ability to live lives as free human beings, something that wasn’t possible in Chinese controlled Tibet.

Following the notion that “without self-help there can be no rehabilitation, be it economic, social, psychological, cultural or spiritual”, a 10 member committee was formed in Darjeeling, India in order to establish a refugee self help center. The initial funds for the center came from subscriptions, donations, charity shows and an exhibition football match with later funding being received from CARE, Catholic Relief Services, National Christian Council, The Red Cross, World Veterans Federation, American Friends Committee, Church World Service all of which was organized via the Central Relief Committee (India).

The chosen site on a hill side near the town of Darjeeling had special meaning for the Tibetans. It was at this location that the 13th Dalai Lama had spent his time in exile between 1910 and 1912 when the Chinese had also invaded Tibet. By the late 1950s, the site was small estate comprising almost four acres that was able to be leased and eventually bought from St. Joseph’s College.

The center started off with just 4 workers but today has become home to well over 700. Over the course of the fifty years it has been open, close to 2000 people have called it home and been trained in various crafts, with well over half of them going on to establish their own small businesses. Also, the centre provides free housing, food, medical care, pocket money for children, clothes, uniform and stationary. This program consists of the bulk of the expenses since its inception.

Over the fifty years the center has been opened, more than 400 orphans have passed through its doors. Most of them have been fortunate enough to receive sponsorship enabling them to go to various schools throughout India and in some cases, abroad. As well, primary education is offered onsite, with a small school consisting of 14 teachers. Great stress is also laid on adult education. Classes are held every morning to teach the workers at least the rudiments of reading and writing. As a result there is 60% literacy, whereas previously only a dozen or so refugees could read or write when they joined. The refugees are also taught some Hindi and English in the morning classes.

As well as education and work training, the refugee self help center also has a medical program. Established with the assistance of American Relief Services n 1961, the hospital benefits not only the center residents but also the surrounding townsfolk. The hospital has 20 beds, an experienced doctor, two nurses and other assistants. It is equipped with facilities for TB screening, vaccinations, pre and post natal care as well as a separate pathological lab, X-ray center and dental clinic.

If you’re interested in helping, visiting or finding out more, the center’s contact details are

Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center
65 Gandhi Road
Darjeeling
West Bengal 734101
India

President: Khedroob Thondup

General Secretary: Chime Rinchen
Manager: Dorje Tsetan

Tel:91-354-2255938

Fax:91-354-2254237

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 06:00. It is filed under Documentary, Travel and tagged with India, Tibet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.