Our first workcamp of 2017 was held in McLeod Ganj rural area: a group of 10 persons has shared learning moment, cultural exchange and volunteering with the local community.
Between 5th and 17th of June Ruchi’s workcamp “Tibetan and Indian culture” (RC 08/17) has carried on. The group has met in Dharamkot during Monday 5th June: 9 people and one team-leader of Ruchi NGO has taken part. The group was a mix of Asian and European participants from different countries: Hong Kong, France, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Italy and India.
The aim of the Tibetan Culture workcamp was to bring knowledge about the traditions and the current situation of Tibet and Tibetans’ forced exile around the world. Indian government has provided a shelter and has offered basic living conditions to the Tibetan government in exile. Lots of Tibetans are still fleeing from their country to India. A major goal for local NGO’s and institution is to prevent the disappearing of Tibetan long-life culture.
Ruchi’s workcamp provide a mix of experience on Tibetan and Indian Culture. A week is dedicated to visits and cultural activities, mainly focused on Tibetan culture and local environment, and the other week is focused on volunteering, dedicated mostly to Indian culture. During this Tibetan Culture workcamp some of the volunteers had the opportunity to attend the public speech of XIV Dalai Lama at the Tsuglag Khang Temple. Among the other activities they have visited Bhagsu Nag Temple and water fall, TIPA Museum (Tibetan Institute for Performing Arts), Tibetan Children Village and Norbulingka Institute.
At TIPA museum and at Norbulingka Institute a guided tour was offered to the participants. They got in contact with Tibetan performing arts (dance, singing, opera) and handcraft, such as wood carving and Thangka painting. Both these institutions aim to help people who are forced to live in permanent exile or under the Chinese government’s rules in being in touch with their traditions. The Tibetan Children Village offers free education and accommodation for Tibetan children, who are living outside their families since childhood to get a better future.
Volunteering in Tibetan Culture Workcamp
According to the interest of some participants into waste management issues, Ruchi organized a meeting with a local NGO called Waste Warriors, which put lots of effort into trash collection and education. Following the first meeting, the participants expressed their will to take part in some waste collection campaigns and upcycling. The volunteering week was divided into time spent with Waste Warriors (Dharamkot trash collection and upcycling oil cans into trash bins) and renovation work at Dharamkot Primary School.
The work at Dharamkot Primary school involved some time spent with students and renovation and painting in the school buildings. The volunteers have cooperated to paint a sanitation-educational draw on toilet wall, with a tree which combines centimetres and feet measurements, and an inspiring sentence on the beam of the main school building.
Next opportunities to take part into Tibetan Culture Workcamp will be in July, August, September and October. Check our info-kit to find out more information and choose the perfect workcamp for you!