DROKPA was awarded a renewal grant by the International Foundation
(USA) to implement a second grassroots alternative energy project
in Dolpo, Nepal. Based on discussions with DROKPA's partners,
this year we will be providing solar light systems, solar cookers,
and greenhouses to primary schools in four valleys of Dolpo. DROKPA
will also be providing amchi (Tibetan medicine doctors) in Dolpo
with solar driers, which they can use to dry collected medicinal
herbs for community health care.
Once again, training was central to implementing
a project based on self-sufficiency. Teachers and committee members
from the four Dolpo schools attended training at Lotus Energy's
facility in Kathmandu.
Last year DROKPA granted the Himalayan Amchi Association $1500,
to help support the organization's efforts at increasing training
opportunities for amchi in Nepal, lobbying for government recognition
and support of amchi practice in Nepal, and organizing the First
International Conference of Amchi in Nepal, which took place from
January 25-29, 2004 in Kathmandu. This historic event brought
together practitioners of Tibetan medicine from Bhutan, Ladakh,
Mongolia, the Tibet Autonomous Region (PRC), and Nepal to discuss
issues such as the present and future status of medical education,
conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants, medicine production,
diagnostic and treatment techniques, and the future of Tibetan
medicine practice in the region.
A portion of DROKPA’s ongoing support for
the HAA is being used for this association to work with the Center
for Technical and Vocational Training in Kathmandu, to help create
curriculums for amchi schools and training programs that will
be recognized and certified by the government of Nepal, as well
as institutions of Tibetan medicine abroad. The aim of this activity
in curriculum development is to aid the four small schools of
Tibetan medicine in Nepal in their efforts to gain governmental
recognition, to improve the quality of amchi education in Nepal,
and to help create sustainable, long-term employment and training
opportunities for practitioners of Tibetan medicine, as well as
access to Tibetan medicine at a local level, now and in the future.
This curriculum development will not only draw on models of standardized
Tibetan medical curriculums used India, Bhutan, Mongolia, and
Tibetan areas of the PRC, but will also draw on, and make room
for, the diversity of local, lineage-based practices that exist
throughout the Nepal Himalaya.
DROKPA is allocating funds for a small grant
for the HAA to be used toward designing and printing an updated
brochure, and to help support the HAA clinic (Kathmandu) operating
expenses for 2004.
For more information on the Himalayan Amchi Association
in general, please go to HAA's website.
Lo Kunphen School and Mentsikhang, Mustang, Nepal
In November 2003, Gyatso Bista visited the United
States, attended and gave presentations at the 3rd International
Conference on Tibetan Medicine in Washington, D.C., and raised
funds for the Lo Kunphen School and Mentsikhang in Mustang. These
fundraisers will help realize the goal of opening two new clinics,
where newly graduated students from the school can learn this
healing practice, as well as care for villagers in the district.
Funds were also raised through DROKPA to promote
scholarships at the Lo Kunphen school. These funds will be monitored
primarily by KINOE, the UK charity that is the main funder of
the school. Sienna Craig - in her capacity as DROKPA's CEO, an
advisor to the Himalayan Amchi Association - continues to work
with the school's founders, brothers Gyatso and Tezin Bista.
Dolpo Amchi Association and Mugu Amchi Association
DROKPA has again made small grants to local Amchi
Associations for the purchase of medicinal ingredients. The Mugu
Amchi Association and the Dolpo Amchi Association represent regions
that are both remote and where amchis’ abilities to produce
medicines for local use are affected by the current civil war.
Whereas in previous years, local amchi were able to gather or
barter for many of the lowland species that they need to produce
medicines, this possibility has now become impossible for two
main reasons. First, private collection by amchi who travel to
lowland regions (Surket, Dunai, Chaudajari, Beri Khola region,
etc.) is no longer possible due to increasing demand for lowland
species to meet the commercial trade in medicinal plants; prices
have increased beyond what amchi can afford, and markets are cornered
by wholesale traders; locals will not sell to amchi. This has
necessitated that amchi purchase these ingredients in Kathmandu
or, where possible, Nepalganj. Second, current Maoist-Royal Nepal
Army conflict in these lowland western Nepal regions has also
made private collection by amchi or laborers hired by amchi impossible.
The Mugu Amchi Association and the Dolpo Amchi Association (Panzang
and Saldang Branches) have requested a grant for the purchase
of raw medicinals to be used for local medicine making. In each
instance, DROKPA funds will be used to purchase medicinal ingredients
available in Kathmandu. Member amchi will be responsible for covering
transport costs to home villages, and any in-kind costs associated
with producing the medicines themselves.
Members of the local Amchi Associations will
be responsible for keeping records of costs incurred, and documenting
medicine making, distribution, and plant collection of locally
available ingredients. As part of this grant, amchi will also
photograph and record information on locally available medicinal
plants, as part of a regional database of medicinal plants that
is being developed and implemented through the Himalayan Amchi
Association and the WWF Nepal Program. DROKPA monies will help
cover the cost of film and developing only.
In 2003 DROKPA allocated a $500 grant to the
Dolpo Amchi Association (Panzang Branch) for this purpose, as
a trial run for this sort of intervention. After monitoring and
evaluation discussions with Panzang community members and amchi,
it is evident that this support was well used and that additional
support for similar associations and member amchi is recommended.
The Dolpo Artists' Cooperative continues to produce
fine, handmade products such as paintings, custom greeting cards,
and hand-stitched leather bags. If you are interested in purchasing
any of these items, please contact the Dolpo Artists'
Cooperative.
DROKPA is working with the Panzang community
to continue building a primary school in this valley along the
border of Tibet. The Kula Mountain Primary School in Tinje VDC
was founded in 2001, through the collaboration of local residents
and a French NGO, Couleurs Himalaya. In 2004, DROKPA has allocated
funds for a solar light system for the school and is working with
the school committee on the creation of a greenhouse near the
school, to benefit community health and nutrition, provide a learning
experience for children, a training experience for community members,
and an opportunity for some local amchi to work on trial cultivation
of a few medicinal plants. To find out more about the Kula Mountain
School, click here.
Do Tarap Valley, Dolpo, Nepal
In 2004, DROKPA has already channeled more than
$1,500 in continuing support of scholarships at the Crystal Mountain
School in Dolpo. DROKPA is also allocating funds for building
a greenhouse in collaboration with Crystal Mountain School and
the Do Tarap Traditional Medicine and Conservation Center, to
benefit both school children and the community at large.
Tsharka Valley, Dolpo, Nepal
DROKPA board members continue to work closely with the Tsarkha
Village committee to build on last year's progress in starting
a school in this remote part of Dolpo. DROKPA will also deliver
a solar light system to the school this year.
Sichuan, PRC (Kham)
DROKPA will renew its grant to Ms. Chokyi Drolma of Tagong toward
the cost of her training in midwifery and maternal and child health
at the Yaan Medical School in Dartsendo, Sichuan. Her course of
study will take four years, and is funded with the aim of making
full use of a medical clinic that will be built in Dorakarmo by
Jampa e. V, a German NGO.
