No.2 / October 2012 / Issue 32

ROKPA TIMES

Our new plot of land in Kathmandu

lea Wyler

CONTENTS

lea Wyler 2

NEPAL

Our new land in Kathmandu 3

NEPAL | ROKPA SWiTZERLAND

Bijay – from street kid to manager 6

enthusiasm for our ROKpa Kids 6

i Am ROKPA

ROKpa KID / Commitment /

Co-workers 7

Cover and Back illustration: Santesh and

his sister were admitted to the Children's

Home at the same time. Before they had

been beaten and abused, today they are

well fed, happy and going to school.

Impressum

Text editor: ROKPA Communications

Image editors: Corinna Biasutti /Thomas Stettler

All photographs and texts: © ROKPA INTERNATIONAL

Print run: 8.500 copies

Printed on FSC paper

ROKPA INTERNATIONAL has beenZEWO certified since 2004.

Dear Friends of ROKPA, Ladies and Gentlemen,

When you read these lines I will be travelling in Tibet – as I do

for several months each year. Here I met up with our ROKpa

co-founder and president, Dr. akong Tulku Rinpoche. as we do

every year, we will be visiting our aid projects to make sure that

your donations are being put to best use and used in a sustaina-

ble way. although our staff is irreproachable, it is useful and

necessary to check up on things personally. This enables us to

communicate directly with the beneficiaries, motivate our helpers

even more, and adjust the support provided by ROKpa if and

where needed.

after my visit to Tibet I am planning a detour to Kathmandu,

where I hope to initiate the project ‘extension of the ROKpa

Children’s Home and Guest House’.

For this reason, our new plot of land in Kathmandu is the main

topic of issue 2/2012 of the ROKpa Times. You will learn about

the importance of this piece of land to ROKpa's development. It

connects the Children’s Home with the Guest House. We are

about to take a big step forward and we need your support if we

want to stay on firm ground. We have finally purchased the land

– we have been waiting 10 years for this opportunity. almost no

land is left for sale in Boudha, even less land is available close to

our Children's Home, and a plot that directly connects the

Children’s Home to the Guest House is more than we could have

hoped for! This was a unique opportunity which we could not let

pass. But now is the time to raise the money to finance this

stroke of good luck and for this we need your generous help.

You might be getting tired of me always asking for donations!

Will it never end? and of course the answer to that question is

no. as long as a single person, a single child, is still suffering on

this earth, does not have enough to eat and has no opportunity

for education, I and you will continue as partners - working to

make this world just a little better.

as a great Tibetan master once said ‘The reason for having is

being able to give.’

and we also have about another request for you. I also am

enclosing a letter containing a survey on ROKpa. We would like

to know what you expect from us. We would like to know in

which form you would like to continue receiving the ROKpa

Times.

We are asking you for your email address, as this will enable

us to communicate with you much more economically in future.

Thank you so much for your valuable contribution.

Vice President of ROKPA INTERNATIONALVice President of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL

3

Nepal

Our new land in Kathmandu ROKPA was able to buy 660 square

meters of land in the Boudha district.

This enables us to combine the

Children’s Home with the Guest House,

and to improve the infrastructure

considerably.

lea Wyler about the new land: “We have

been lucky to have been offered the land

in Boudha. Here it has become increasin-

gly difficult to acquire property in a

central location, let alone one that would

combine our two most pivotal projects.

But this acquisition was a chance that we

could not let pass. The previous owner

needed money quickly, in order to buy a

larger piece of land elsewhere. He sold us

the property at a price which was

considerably lower than is customary in

this area. We are very happy, because

now we can optimize our ROKpa infra-

structure, just as we have always wished

for. However, if we do not manage to

refinance this land quickly with donations,

we might have to sell it again, as sad as

this would be for myself and everybody

involved. With the new land we are

enlarging our most important projects in

Nepal and safeguarding them for the

future.

We will be able to help more people,

many more children in a much better way.

and last but not least we will generate

additional means for our charity.

ROKPA's main aim: Education

The education and professional preparation of children is one of the main aims of the

ROKpa charity. according to the principle "helping people help themselves" the children

are prepared for an independent and self-reliant future. Both the ROKpa Children’s

Home and the Guest House play a major role in this fundamental concept.

The acquisition of land and the resulting possibilities for the extension of the two

houses are of utmost importance for ROKpa.

As soon as the land had been bought,

the ROKPA children and adolescents began

to tidy up the area with great enthusiasm.

Now it is ready for construction.

The Swiss ambassador Thomas Gass

visited ROKPA, the children gave him

a heartfelt welcome.

Our plans for the new landCafé-Restaurant

We are planning to expand the Café

into a proper restaurant. It is situated in

immediate proximity to the famous

Boudha Stupa, the visit of which is a

must for a Kathmandu tourist. The visitors

will feel wonderfully comfortable in our

green oasis. For us there is a double

benefit: We will increase our revenues,

which will flow back into our projects and

also will be able to start a training

programme in gastronomy for our students,

including cooking, service, buffet and

back-office.

This benefits: ROKPA guests, trainees

and tourists.

Clothes-depot

We will create a permanent distribution

center for clothes which we collect and

give out to the needy. For this important

task we do not yet have a permanent

address. Now the logistics will become

much simpler.

This benefits: the needy of Kathmandu

Playground for the children

The small courtyard of the Children’s

Home is too small for the 55 ROKpa Kids

and balls flying around are often dan-

gerous to the little ones. In the future we

will provide a playground and sports field

for the children.

This benefits: The ROKPA children

Connection the Children's Home and the Guest House

Up to now a small path across private

ground led from the Children’s Home to

the Guest House. This access can be

denied at any time. In the future, guests

and co-workers can go over our own land

to the Women's Workshop and the Shop.

We hope that through this they will learn

more about ROKpa and our local charita-

ble activities. In addition, revenues should

increase.

This benefits: The ROKPA children,

ROKPA guests, ROKPA workers

Women's workshop and Shop

Both the Women's Workshop and the

Shop will be extended, more women will

be employed and the range of goods

increased.

This benefits: women, ROKPA guests,

tourists

SECHEN MONASTRY

ROKPA Guest House

Offi

ces,

Sho

p &

Wor

ksho

p

NEW LAND

Garden

Courtyard

Courtyard

MainEntrance

MainEntrance

Veranda

Veranda

ROKPA

Children’s Home

Restaurant

4

Nepal

SECHEN MONASTRY

ROKPA Guest House

Offi

ces,

Sho

p &

Wor

ksho

p

NEW LAND

Garden

Courtyard

Courtyard

MainEntrance

MainEntrance

Veranda

Veranda

ROKPA

Children’s Home

Restaurant

Shop

Courtyard

Foot

path

MainEntrance

MainEntrance

ROKPA Children’s Home

CounterStore

Workshop

Shop

StoreKitchen

Dining Area

WC

WC

ROKPA Guest House

problem with financing:

The purchase of the property, a unique

opportunity for ROKpa, has been funded

with donations that are not targeted

towards a specific project. This amount is

now missing in this years budget and if it

cannot be refinanced quickly, ROKpa will

be forced to sell the land again.

For donations please insert Project

Number 5570.

price Increase in Nepal since 2008

Transport school children + 67%

gas + 40%

rice + 64%

Kerosine (for Soup Kitchen) + 47%

sugar + 38%

flour + 44%

milk + 56%

tea + 25%

salt + 70%

soap + 44%

oil + 59%

beef + 57%

chicken + 68%

daal + 36%

bread + 64%

This table shows the rather dramatic price

development in Nepal, which has also

severely affected ROKpa.

The cost explosion is also reflected in the

prices of land, which have increased

dramatically in the densely populated

Kathmandu. Our local experts are of the

opinion that the acquisition of property

happened to comparatively very favour-

able conditions.

5

Bijay – from street child to ROKpa Children’s Home Manager

enthusiasm for our ROKpa Kids

Today, Bijay is 30 years old. He is

proud to be part of the management of

the Children's Home and to still be a

member of the ROKPA family. He is

looking forward to the new children's

playground, made possible through

the purchase of the new land.

ROKPA TimES: Bijay, when did you first

meet Mummy Lea in Kathmandu?

Bijay: In 1990, my mother died. My

father had left us long before that. My

grandfather threw me out of the house. I

was just 8 years old and was living on the

streets. at that time, I saw Mummy for

the first time, in the Soup Kitchen. She

took children in and I heard that they

were able to go to school. That was what

I wanted too, and after two to three

months I was selected. I received 16

years of education from ROKpa. In 2006,

I obtained my Bachelor's degree in

Business administration and found a first

job as a bookkeeper. In 2010, I returned

to ROKpa und started my job in the

Children's Home.

ROKPA TimES: What exactly is your job

in the Children's Home?

Bijay: We are three people to manage

the Children's Home, the Guest House

and the Women's Workshop. We

organize everything that comes up and

mainly work in the office. every one of

us has a main duty. as far as I am

concerned, I am mainly responsible for

the Children's home.

ROKPA TimES: What is the significance

of the new plot of land between the

Children’s Home and the Guest House

for you?

Bijay: The space in front of the Children's

Home is limited for the 55 children. There

is only a small basketball court. There is

not much space to run around, to play, to

do sports. With the new plot of land, this

is much better. This plot of land is

important for our future in Kathmandu.

lea Wyler and "andreas Vollenweider & the ROKpa Kids" went on tour through Switzer-

land performing infront of enthusiastic audiences (premiere in Zurich, then Schaffhausen,

Winterthur, Bern, Stans, Basel, Boswil and Zug). Through a dance theater, the former

street children portrayed their difficult childhood that - before joining ROKpa - they had

spent in courtyards, in the streets or in garbage dumps - and their blossoming develop-

ment now, in view of their secure future. Whoever has experienced this knows why

donating brings happiness and why donations made to ROKpa really go to where they

are most useful.

The Facebook comment on our tour:

„We saw an incredibly moving perfor-

mance, which almost made me cry.

One can hardly imagine that there is so

much suffering hidden behind these

wonderful and laughing faces."

ROKpa Kids on DVD

The premiere in Zurich was filmed and the resulting recording donated to us by the

producers. The production of a DVD, however, costs money. Sufficient orders will allow

us to order its production and as soon as this is available, you will receive this special

edition from us. For CHF 25 plus postage we will send you your copy of the DVD:

The DVD would also make for a wonderful Christmas present for those you love!

make sure to place your order for one or several DVD's via the ordering form

enclosed or via E-mail to info@rokpa.org.

Nepal | ROKpa SWITZeRlaND

6

7

Important note This 2/2012 edition of the ROKpa Times

includes a questionnaire. We kindly ask

you to fill it out. Knowing what you expect

from us enables us to work more efficiently

and also more cost-effective. You can also

use this form to order ROKpa articles such

as a calendar or the tour DVD, which we

will start to produce as soon as we have

enough orders. We can also have textile

products made in our Women's Workshop,

for yourself or as a present to give away.

We are looking forward to your ideas and

suggestions! please visit our website www.

rokpa.org and click on ROKpa shop.

Those participating in the questionnaire

or placing an order automatically take

part in a lottery drawing and might win

this textile painting. It will be custom-

made. a wonderful painter of the Nepalese

Matili style, a former lepra patient, and a

friend of lea Wyler, will draw it for you

personally. This picture will bring you good

luck, as he says!

„My parents were alcoholics. One day, I ran away from

home because I could no longer bear their quarrels,

and because they were beating me often.

I was living as a wild child in the streets of Kathman-

du and went begging - at least, I never stole anything.

But early as at the age of seven, I was working as a

dish washer in a hotel. Then I fell seriously ill and

another street child told me to go to the ROKpa Soup

Kitchen. In 1995, I came into contact with ROKpa for

the first time. at that time, Mummy lea took care of

me, and from then on, I lived in the Children's Home

with all the other children in the big, friendly ROKpa

family and went to school.

I had finally found a home, and I never wanted to go

back to the streets. I had reached a wonderful place,

I was given love, food, a roof over my head and an

education. at the age of 15, I started to write poems.

Today, I am 23 years old and I have recently obtained

a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. I have been on the

ROKpa tour four times already, and on this tour now,

I have been Mummy's assistant. Now I want to

become a musician. But I also want to give something

back to ROKpa, and work for ROKpa. after all,

ROKpa is my family now, even though I still have my

parents. I don't see them more than once a year.“

I am a child of the ROKpa family ...

„There was a time, when I did not see much point in

my life, my job, my family and my home. at that

time, lea asked me whether I wanted to take care of

the coordination for a small UK ROKpa organization.

This was a task that quickly arose my interest. at that

time, we had only 80 donors, interested in supporting

Tibetans. When I was still working, I had only little

time for this additional job, but after my retirement, I

had more time. It has always been my wish to do my

best, and this meant to make full use of my abilities

and to learn from others. and it also meant realizing

where my limits are.“

I work for ROKpa...

„In the confirmation classes, we discussed practicing

acts of charity. I wanted to rouse sympathy for

children, who have nothing, and no chance to live in

dignity. The confirmands were to express their

solidarity by an action on their own. The first thing we

did was sell home-made chocolates on a cold and

wet market in December, for the benefit of ROKpa.

Until March, the adolescents collected money by

selling cakes, through sponsored runs, by babysitting

and playing carneval music. at a festive meeting they

were able to hand over a sum of CHF 2500 to

ROKpa! There was great joy and happiness! May

these young people be a role model for more such

acts of charity.“

I work for ROKpa...

sMaila

Victoria Long

Britta Hess

I aM ROKpa

luck, as he says!

7

You can make a donation to this account:

Credit Suisse: IBaN CH73 0483 5045 5090 1100 1, account 455090-11-1

Clearing Nummer 4835

postfinance: IBaN CH54 0900 0000 8001 9029 5, account CHF 80-19029-5

We need your help!

In Switzerland, donations to ROKPA are exempt from tax. ROKPA has been ZEWO certified since 2004.

ROKPA iNTERNATiONAL | Böcklinstrasse 27 | 8032 Zurich | Switzerland

phone +41 44 2626888 | Fax +41 44 2626889 | info@rokpa.org | www.rokpa.org

Helping where help is needed: sustainably, for over 30 years.ROKPA

Every single year, many children and youths in Tibet and Nepal – currently

almost 10,000 – receive an education thanks to ROKPA.

55 children live in the ROKpa Children’s Home in Kathmandu. In the Workshop

we offer vocational training to mothers in need: we prepare them for a life of

independence, without having to rely on others. We have already achieved a lot

with your money and with more donations we will be able to achieve even more.

On your behalf!

The bigger boy is Rajendra. Three years ago he was scared and lost – this year

he is one of the stars of the ROKPA tour through Europe. The smaller boy is called

Santesh, then and today: see cover.

SmS donation

of up to CHF 99.–

ROKPA XX

(amount, numbers only) to

488.

Example for donation of

CHF 20.–:

Rokpa 20 to 488