FOUNDATION TO STRENGTHEN TIBETAN CULTURE IN NEPAL

A STRATEGIC PLAN

DEVELOPED BY: TESSA ANDERSON, MICHELLE GABE, JASON GALLIGER, KARA MOUNTAIN, ANGELA TABB, ASHLEY TALLMAN

THE BUTTERFLY FOUNDATIONThe Butterfly Foundation was created in

2002 and aims to promote education mainly amongst children and young adults who are in conditions of serious economic

and existential hardship. The Butterfly Foundation believes that education is

essential and indispensable for the growth of peoples and the preservation of

endangered cultures.

The Tashi School•Located in the neighborhood of Boudha Tibetan in Milan Tole – Phulbari, Katmandu•Tibetan language is taught•180 children, guaranteed room and board to one hundred pupils•10 classrooms, a kitchen and cafeteria, gymnasium, lavatory services and separate dormitories for boys and girls.

Mission Statement

To strengthen the cultures of Tibetan children refugees in Nepal through a

curriculum fostering the growth of human rights“If the culture survives, then so too does the

nation”

Sponsors- USAIDMission: USAID improves the survival and quality of life of Nepalis through equitable and well-governed health systems.• 41.5 Million for Health and Education programs in Nepal •Works in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Afghanistan / Pakistan, Europe & Eurasia Latin America & the Caribbean, Middle East • Accepts unsolicited applications

  

Sponsors- USAID continuedBudget http://nepal.usaid.gov/about-us/overview/budget.html  

Funding overview: Overall, priority areas for USAID assistance are determined in coordination with the Nepalese Ministry of Finance and are programmed in line with our Country Strategic Plan. They are then implemented by appropriate agencies of the national and local governments, non-governmental organizations, private voluntary organizations, businesses and civic organizations. Funding decisions regarding specific contracts and grants are made through a competitive procurement process to support specific objectives of USAID’s current program activities.

 

Sponsors- The Sidgmore Family 

Mission: It is our desire to use our resources for creative and innovative solutions to ensure the health, education, and general well-being of children, youth, and young adults so that they may achieve their full potential and become responsible, productive members of society. -Fund opportunities both domestic and international. Budget Breakdown: -Higher Achievement After School Program: $20,000-Latino Student Fund After School/Mentor Program: $1,000-Norwood School Teacher Training Institute: $50,000-Educational Technology: $200,000-Teacher and Education: $300,000 

Sponsors- The Sidgmore Family- contd. 

Grant Overview: Awards to organizations that have a clear, replicable plan for success, measured sustainable results, and high approval ratings from charity evaluator organizations, such as Charity Navigator.  Multi-year grants that can sustain a program or project. Accepts unsolicited Grants  

National Endowment for Democracyhttp://www.ned.org/where-we-work/asia/nepal

 Mission: Democracy evolves according to the needs and traditions of diverse political cultures. NED helps strengthen the bond between indigenous democratic movements abroad and the people of the United States – a bond based on a common commitment to representative government and freedom as a way of life

•$15,000-$50,000 on Tibetan grants

•Works in 90 countries

National Endowment for DemocracyAbout Grants:

•Each year NED makes direct grants to hundreds of nongovernmental groups abroad working to ensure human rights, an independent media, the rule of law and to advance other democratic goals •NED is dedicated to fostering the growth of a wide range of democratic institutions abroad, including political parties, trade unions, free markets and business organizations, as well as the many elements of a vibrant civil society that ensure human rights, independent media, and the rule of law. •Funding decisions are made on a quarterly basis by the NED Board of Directors.

History of NED Grants•Bodkyi Translation and Research House $20,000•Consultations Samdup $50,000•International Campaign for Tibet $50,000•International Tibet Network $45,000•Khawa Karpo Tibet Culture Centre $15,000•Students for a Free Tibet, Inc. $25,000•The Foundation Voice of Tibet $36,000•Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy $25,000•Tibetan Literacy Society $35,000•Tibetan Review Trust Society $25,000•Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet $60,000

Success of NED vs. Other American Agencies

Misconception that NED is no longer needed since American government has its own democracy promoting capability through AID and other agencies; NED works as a very different character-Difference stems from NED’s independence, has ability to work in situations that official bodies avoid -Non- bureaucratic character—able to move quickly in rapidly changing situations

History of OppressionAccording to an informal arrangement twenty-two years ago between Nepal and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Kathmandu pledged to allow Tibetans to travel through Nepal en route to India, and to facilitate their transit. However, this established protocol has been ignored with increasing frequency. Nepalese police have been apprehending Tibetans inside Nepal, robbing them, and then returning them to Tibet, where they are typically imprisoned and commonly tortured by the Chinese.

Tibetans have been beaten, raped, and/or shot by the Nepalese police—abuses confirmed by several refugees with whom I spoke during my recent visit to Nepal.Kathmandu (AsiaNews/Agencies) - About 100 Tibetans living in the Nepali capital have been arrested in the past five days for allegedly taking part in a demonstration against China's crimes in Tibet, despite the fact that no protest action has taken place. In so doing, Nepali authorities continue to deny ethnic Tibetans the right to protest against the Chinese regime, showing once more their staunch support for Beijing's anti-Tibetan policies. Nepal is home to some 22,000 Tibetan exiles. The latest wave of arrests came on the 53rd anniversary of Tibet's uprising against Chinese rule under Mao Zedong, following the People's Liberation Army's takeover of the mountain nation. ------------With a US$ 490 GDP per capita, Nepal is the poorest country in South Asia and the 17th poorest worldwide. Rich in biodiversity, Nepal ranks fourth in the world for climatechange risk due to widespread poverty and significant dependence on natural resources sectors for livelihoods.Over 70 percent of Nepalese work in the agricultural sector. Yet Nepal remains a food deficit country, with 40 to 60 percent of the population unable to meet daily minimum caloric intake requirements. Farmers have limited access to improved seeds, new technologies, and market opportunities. Adverse climate change impacts are expected to exacerbate productivity issues by limiting water availability, worsening seasonal droughts, and increasing the intensity of flooding, forest fires, and other disasters. Nepal’s stagnant economy, high rates of semi-literacy, and significant youth bulge – over half of the population is under age 35 – have resulted in a large unproductive, depressed workforce struggling with subsistence jobs or in search of better opportunities abroad.

Updates•Tibet has been trying to gain independence from Chinese rule since the 1950’s.•China has imposed stronger security in revolting Tibetan regions since 2008•China denies and repression and says it has improved the lives of Tibetans•Over the past year the rate of self-immolations has risen, over 32 people have set themselves ablaze.

Behavior Change ModelParents

Social Norms

Knowledge of Culture*

Beliefs/Traditions

Attitudes of Culture* Perception

of Culture-How you view your culture, value your culture compared to the rest of the world

Preserve the Tibetan Culture/ Cultural Reinforcement-MAIN OUTCOME

Cultural ReinforcementProgram (Inoculation)

Barriers: Time, Money, Implementation Costs Tools, Resources

*=culture refers to our curriculum focus 

Curriculum Focus•Customs and Values•Dance, Art, Drama, Cuisine•Language•Literature•History 

Calendar: Potential Curriculum Example for Kham regionMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESD

AYTHURSDAY FRIDAY

SCHOOL CURRICULUM ADDITION:

ACTIVITY:

Geography of Kham region

Interactive Map

Traditional Cuisine

History of butter, tasting of butter tea

Occupations of Kham people

Introduce farming dance

Education on Litang Horse Festival

Horse racing game

Buddhism lesson

Farming dance

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

Arts and crafts

Kham folk tale presentation

Create garden and perform farming dance

Horse racing championship

Buddhism craft

Calendar: After School Program Focus

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY FRIDAY

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

Arts and crafts

Kham folk tale presentation

Create garden and perform farming dance

Horse racing championship

Buddhism craft

Calendar: Potential Curriculum Example for Dalits PopulationMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESD

AYTHURSDAY FRIDAY

SCHOOL CURRICULUM ADDITION:

ACTIVITY:

Overall explanation of Dalit Population in Nepal

Writing Letters to NDC

Geography of Dalit population

Interactive Map

Occupations of specific people

Leather Bracelet Craft

Guest Speaker From local Nepal Dalit

Traditional Cuisine

Local Dalit community visits Tashi school

Calendar: Potential Curriculum Example for Amdo region

MONDAY TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY FRIDAY

SCHOOL CURRICULUM ADDITION:

ACTIVITY:

Geography of Amdo region

Interactive Map

Traditional Cuisine

Make Thenthuk (pasta/soup dish)

History of Amdo people- Dalai Lama

Arts and Crafts: Dalai Lama Symbol

Education on Horse Festivals

Horse riding techniques

Buddhism/Monastery lesson

Construct Prayer Wheels

"The first and most essential step toward the opening of dosed societies is the encouragement and sustenance of a degree of independent public opinion. Toward this end it is necessary to promote a freer flow of information to and from the people of such countries. This can be done both by making available outside sources of information and ideas and by assisting in the publication and dissemination of independent scholarly or artistic works produced within.”

Measurements: Pre-test •Personal Interview to test the general knowledge of students •Tibetan history, tradition practice, human rights, and current events •After completion: Review and Analyze pretest questionnaire

Measurements: Self Assessment

•Students personal assessment of their level of knowledge

Measurements: Midyear Survey

•Survey students with new questionnaire and analyze results

Measurements: Post-Assessment

• Personal Interview•Share experiences/different traditions •Overall what each individual student gained from Tibetan intervention•Review and Analyze pretest/post-test questionnaire

Measurements: Final Assessment

Likert Survey including:• Assessment of Program • Self-Assessment of student's perceived level of knowledge

“Democracy itself is hard work. It is not achieved through a single election or a particular reform, but consists of institutions, habitats, procedures, and values that evolve over time and according to the needs and traditions of diverse political cultures.”

Conclusion