History

1991
The Tibet Project (TP) of Cultural Survival was initiated when Chris Walter traveled to Nepal with the idea to transfer the successful model of work initiated with the Ersari vegetable dye project in Pakistan. The traditional but rapidly disappearing techniques of producing vegetable dyes (with madder root and indigo) were applied within the Tibetan refugee population in Nepal. The dye production project led to carpet weaving, also started in 1991.

1992
Initial profits generated by the rug weaving were allocated to various local projects benefiting Tibetans in Nepal. After the first phase adjusting to the buying market, the production of rugs increased.

1993
Approximately 25-30 students from the Srongtsen School for Tibetan refugees in Nepal are sponsored. The number of students brought into the program increased annually and was capped in 1998. At present, there are a few hundred sponsored students at this particular school.

1994
Additional partnership projects were begun with other nonprofits that aimed to benefit Srongtsen School. For example, TP collaborated with Sabre Foundation, which specializes in donating books, sponsored the shipment and distribution of a container of textbooks to Srongtsen School and others in Nepal. The collaboration was facilitated by the Snowlion Foundation.

1995
Computers were purchased computers for Srongtsen School in Nepal.

1996
Scope of the work is expanded to the Tibetan refugee community in India. For example, approximately $37,000 is spent in rebuilding a school with ten classrooms in Puruwalla, a refugee settlement in Dehra Dhun in northern India.

1997
Another Central Tibetan Schools (CTS) branch in Pokribong was granted approximately $40 000 for building renovations and as well the students’ food supplement program was begun. As well, funds were disbursed for another shipment of textbooks and distributed within the CTS system.

1998
Chris Walter traveled to Zurich, met with Taksham Rinpoche who worked with TP as a volunteer to start work inside Tibet with a seedling and reforestation project in Potamo. Previously, Taksham Rinpoche also initiated other projects inside Tibet.

1999
Currently, most projects in the Nepal and India diaspora centre on maintaining past projects that focus on student sponsorship and food supplement programs.

2000
Chris Walter met Tashi and Losang Rabgey who had previously initiated the Chungba School project in eastern Tibet. Initial funding provided for construction.

Current Projects

2001
TP began collaborative work with the Rabgeys who, as volunteers and along with Taksham Rinpoche, assisted in further expanding work inside Tibet by identifying new projects. Several new projects in Tibet are added to the roster, as follows:

1. continued support of the Potamo Reforestation Project at approximately $26 000 annually for materials and operational expenses.
2. continued support of the construction of the Chungba Primary School (CPS), totaling approximately $126 000.

While projects in Tibet entail heightened attention to political sensitivities, the impact on the Tibetan community is clearly different from working solely in diaspora.

2002
All major projects previously initiated in diaspora and Tibet received continued support. In addition, a project to sponsor six monks from Nyarong to study Tibetan medicine in Peyul, Derge, over five years was begun.

The first official monitoring trip to eastern Tibet was made by Chris Walter and the Rabgey family. The CPS’s doors opened on 5 September 2002 with 210 boarding students. The CPS received $35 000 annual funding for cost of food, teacher salary supplements, etc.

2003
Funding of $26 000 provided to purchase a building in Rebkong, Qinghai, for the Rebkong Library and Learning Centre (RLLC), a trilingual community library. Funding of approximately $40 000 received from TP for the renovations and operating expenses of the RLLC.

The RLLC launched a publication program for unique works in Tibetan language and the first volume was published.

The children of the CPS unexpectedly placed first among 52 schools in Lithang County, despite its rural locale and first year of operation. The CPS drew the attention of the County’s Education Bureau.

2004
The Women’s Education Program, a fund supporting low-income women’s high school and university education, was added to TP’s roster.

Two new books are published via the Library. Another book is currently in press and due for release in December 2004. The RCC is officially opened on 17 June and is attended by community leaders and a large number of local and regional dignitaries, both secular and spiritual.

The second monitoring trip to Tibet covered the following projects:
Rebkong Cultural Centre
Women’s Education Program
Ruth Walter Chungba Primary School
Nunnery School for Adult Literacy