This is an amazing opportunity for you to help the Tibetan people by supporting the work of the
Tibet Oral History Project. The elders of Tibet would love your support in
documenting their true history, ancient culture and cherished Buddhist beliefs.
The Tibet Oral History Project is a non-profit organization based in the United States, which records the life experiences of Tibetan elders who were forced to flee their homeland following the Chinese invasion.
Very
little time remains to document eyewitness accounts of Tibet’s oldest
generation who once lived in a free, unoccupied Tibet.The elders’ accounts ensure
that the wisdom, culture, and true history of Tibet will not be forgotten, but
will instead be preserved for generations to come.
Interviewee Thupten Chonphel, age 72, told us, “If I had education, I
should put my story in writing. However,
I can neither write nor speak well, so it could not be done. Today you have
given me a great opportunity to tell my life experiences and I am very grateful
to you. I feel I have received a golden
opportunity.”
Please join this
extraordinary undertaking to capture the memories of Tibet’s oldest generation
living in exile in Nepal.
Your contribution of any amount will make this
crucial work possible while there is still time to preserve their stories!
Videotaping the Elders' Life Stories in Nepal
During the past eight years, operating with minimal staffing and an extremely small budget, Tibet Oral History Project (TOHP) videotaped the oral histories of 226 Tibetan elders living in exile in India and in the United States.
We have often been encouraged to document the stories of Tibet’s elders living in the Kathmandu area of Nepal and the chance has finally arrived! TOHP will travel to Nepal in early April and spend two weeks documenting the oral histories of some of the oldest Tibetans living in exile. This mission requires two teams each consisting of an interviewer, interpreter and videographer as well as a local outreach assistant and interview coordinator. The goal for each team will be able to complete approximately 25 interviews.
But such a complex and costly endeavor
of videotaping 50 interviews in Nepal will only be possible with
your support. The total cost for this mission is $26,000. We are trying to raise $13,000 on Indiegogo to fund one interview team and 25 elders' interviews.
Your donations through Indiegogo will fund:
- Travel expenses for three team members
- Room and board in Nepal for team members
- Stipends to partially compensate the team for their time and hard work
- Local transportation and computer/video equipment
- Outreach assistant to locate and pre-interview the elders
- Coordinator to schedule the interviews and organize the elders' transportation
Inspired by the Dalai Lama
During a meeting with His Holiness the
Dalai Lama, Marcella Adamski was urged to interview the elders of Tibet before
their stories were lost forever. Based on His Holiness’ advice, she founded the
Tibet Oral History Project in 2003.
TOHP’s
efforts are endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan
Government-in-Exile along with many other Tibetan organizations. The oral histories include a representative
sample of Tibetan society including nomads, farmers, housewives, traders,
monks, and resistance fighters as well as revered Buddhist teachers and leaders,
such as Venerable Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, former Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
“I have been waiting my whole life to tell what happened in Tibet,”
said a relieved Sonam Gogyal, age 82, after his interview.
Stories are Available Worldwide
This oral history collection is invaluable. At this critical time when Chinese oppression in Tibet is heightening, we feel it is essential to continue documenting Tibet’s unique culture. Because they found refuge close to their beloved Tibet, the seniors in Nepal will be able to describe family traditions, local customs, and spiritual practices undiluted by travel to distant refugee settlements.
All of TOHP’s interviews are made available through the U.S. Library of Congress, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in India, and over twenty Tibetan refugee communities and universities worldwide. Interview transcripts and video clips of previous interviews can be found online at www.TibetOralHistory.org and on YouTube.
Other Ways You Can Help the Elders of Tibet
Spread the word about the Tibet Oral History Project far and
wide!
- Send your friends and family a link to this campaign: http://igg.me/at/tohp
- Post the campaign on your Facebook page
- Tweet about it on Twitter
- Use the Indiegogo share tools on the left side of this page!