-Lobsang Tsering for TCV AA Minnesota

Jetsun Pema, sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and award-winning child advocate, had to cancel her North American tour to see former TCV students due to family emergency.

Thousands of Tibetans affectionately call her “Ama-la”. She is their mentor and surrogate parent. From humble beginning in 1960 with only fifty children, the nine TCV schools all over India now takes care of around 17,000 children. Besides, it has built vocational studies and old people homes to cater the needs of whole gamut of Tibetan population.

For the last 47 years, TCV has spearheaded massive campaigns that has changed the whole landscape of the Tibetan diasporas in providing modern education and preserving the Tibetan cultural heritage among the Tibetan youths.

Recipient of The World's Children's Honorary Award in 2006 for her 45-year struggle for the Tibetan refugee children in India, Jetsun Pema is a source of inspiration to Tibetans worldwide. Her tireless work has saved lives and given tens of thousands of refugee children a home, a family, education and hope for the future. She was the first ever woman to be elected to the post of Kalon (cabinet minister) in 1990 in the Tibetan exile government. Despite tremendous losses in her family life she has withstood against all odds to serve the Tibetans at large. Though officially retired after 44 years from the post of President of the TCV Schools, she is currently devoted whole heartedly to the building of a new Tibetan College in Bangalore, India which in future will provide vital Tibetan Language and Cultural education to the college-going Tibetan students.

On a lighter side, she displayed her hidden talent in playing the role of the Dalai Lama's mother in the Hollywood film, “Seven Years in Tibet”. Her autobiography, “Tibet: My Story”, describes many twists and turns of her life.

Venue: Tibetan Community Center, St. Paul, MN

Date: Saturday, November 11, 2006

Time: 5pm

For questions, Contact: 612-229-6094, 763-439-6933.  

“A great opportunity to get to know each other and share some nostalgic memories”

TCVAA Meet

Report by Lobsang Tsering Namru

TCV Alumni Executive members met for the fourth time on October 22, 2006 in less than two months. This meeting realized some concrete plans to raise funds through various occassions. Some suggested the need to sell refreshment during the cultural and social events organized by the Tibetan Association, RTYC and RTWA. Seizing the opportunity was what the meeting called for. We also laid some tentative arrangements during Ama Jetsun Pema la's visit to the Twin Cities next year. Most importantly, we managed to distribute portfolios among the executive members to make each of us accountable.

In short, this was one of our best meetings with all its multiple facets; criticisms, disagreements, noise, and ideas juggling back and forth. Finally, when it was time to say good bye, we shook hands and said to eachother, "till our next meeting, take care."

On Oct. 7 2006, ex-TCVians in the twin cities came together to form the first ever TCV Alumni Association, Minnesotta. Nine executive members were unanimously approved. Donations from everyone created an initial fund of US$840 as seed money to kick start the Association.

The main objectives of the association are agreed thus: