Energy Efficiency for our Tibetan Refugee Friends
Tax deductible
Family, friends, colleagues, and Louisiana Himalaya Association (LHA) supporters and volunteers,
We have once again teamed up with LHA for another Green Energy Project to help out our Tibetan refugee friends in Dharamsala, India. This time it's Energy Efficient Windows for their Social Service Building.
As many of our friends and family know, we have been very fortunate to volunteer twice with the Tibetan Refugee community in Northern India, and it has been one of the most influential experiences of our lives. The first time was with our Tulane student group then we returned solo to work on the Solar Project. In exchange for our volunteer service, we've learned so much from our Tibetan friends about the importance of compassion, the power of resiliency, and the value of relationship.
The first and successful project we accomplished with LHA was raising funds and installing Solar Panels on Ahimsa House (the Social Service building in Dharamsala, India which was purchased by LHA and donated to its Tibetan run sister organization, Lha Charitable Trust). LHA is a New Orleans based organization that has provided Social Services with the Tibetan refugee community since 1997. It was co-founded by our former Tulane professor, Neil Guidry and his Tibetan friend Jampa Tsering. LHA and Lha Charitbable Trust now host a variety of programs to support Tibetan refugees and Himalayan communities of Northern India.
The panels from our first project now provide a constant efficient energy source which is vital for this location where power outages occur daily. The solar power also saves on energy costs, helping the organization to be more self-sufficient. Since the panels were installed, the Tibetan staff have followed our lead and have now set up water catchment to further their efficiency. Besides all this, the building now serves as a green model that other organizations and businesses in the area are following. Thanks to the momentum created by our Solar Project, LHA has become a true clean energy leader in the Himalayan community.
Ahimsa House was built about forty years back. It's a strong and sturdy four-story building with classrooms, offices and volunteer accommodation on the upper floors. The ground floor houses a cafe which helps to support the organization. When it was built energy efficient windows were not available or even heard of in the area. As seen in the photos here, the old windows have greatly deteriorated and are in desperate need of replacement.
These new windows will help to keep the heat inside during the cold Himalayan Winters while saving energy and reducing energy bills to the organization.
More energy saved means more funds to sustain LHA's social service projects, including:
- Language and Computer Classes
- Water Filtration Systems - Providing clean drinking water to over 10,000 people daily
- Environmental Projects
- Elder Assistance
- Medical, Dental, and Eye Care Programs
- Student Trips (Tulane, Loyola, and More)
We invite you to join us in this effort
LHA is unique in that 100% of your donation goes directly to those in need. LHA has no overhead expenses; even the office space and properties used in New Orleans are all donated by the LHA Board and/or Team. LHA is totally volunteer staffed and none of the volunteers have any type of expense account; everyone donates their own time, travel expenses, meals, etc. LHA is a 501-c3 non-profit organization which means all donations are tax deductible and will generate maximum Good Karma!
History and Current Situation in Tibet
Some background - Tibet was invaded by China in 1950. By 1959, over a million innocent Tibetans had been killed by Chinese troops while thousands were forced into labor/torture camps. The fifteen year old Dalai Lama, followed by thousands of Tibetans, were forced to flee to save their lives. Those left behind have been faced by harsh punitive measures and bans on Tibetan culture and language in an act of cultural genocide.
This exodus from Tibet has been ongoing since that time. Oppression and extreme human rights violations in Tibet have continued up until today. There was a sharp deterioration due to the global attention that China received for hosting the 2008 Olympics and the subsequent uprising in Tibet. Now whole families are prosecuted if a member tries to flee. Also border security has tightened, resulting in a steep decline in successful escapes. The resulting situation is so hopeless that certain Tibetan activists have turned to self immolation in a desperate attempt to draw Western attention and aid to their cause.
We are very passionate about helping this wonderful group of humans who have suffered deep injustices throughout their lives. We ask that you contribute whatever you are able, as well as to share this go fund me. Please also share what is going on in Tibet to those who are unaware.
BIG THANKS for taking the time to read this, please pass it on with your social media and to anyone you feel may be interested !
Sincerely,
Noah, Nick, and the rest of LHA
If you have any questions about this project please feel free to contact us anytime.
Below are some resources if you wish to know more about LHA and/or Tibet.
LHA’s website - Volunteer Info and more ...
More in-depth information on the occupation of Tibet
A documentary made by climbers of Chinese authorities killing Tibetan refugees while they were crossing the Himalayas
More on the ramifications of the 2008 Olympics
Fundraising team (2)
Nick Perls
Organizer
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana Himalayan association
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
Noah Siegel
Team member
