DROKPA's
mission is to partner with pastoral communities in the Himalaya
and Central Asia to implement grassroots development and catalyze
social entrepreneurship.
DROKPA,
which means "nomad" in Tibetan, is a non-profit organization dedicated
to supporting pastoral ways of life across the Himalaya, Tibetan
Plateau, and Central Asia. Using simple tools and replicable strategies,
DROKPA's collaborative work addresses some of the most pressing
problems faced by pastoral communities: poor health, fuel
and fodder shortages, and lack of education and economic opportunities,
as well access to markets and services. We believe that creative
solutions to these adversities can come from within the knowledge
systems that have kept these communities vibrant for centuries.
DROKPA’s work synergizes expertise in local
languages and cultures with pragmatic initiatives in resource
management, economic development, and community health. DROKPA
acts as a catalyst for grassroots development by providing seed
money, technical know-how, and ongoing support for local entrepreneurs
and community organizations. DROKPA also facilitates the introduction
and use of appropriate, renewable technologies and fosters scientific,
cultural, and educational alliances between modern and indigenous
systems of knowledge. We
partner with local community organizations as well as regional
governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and scholars,
to implement projects that have immediate and lasting impacts
on the health and economic viability of these regions. DROKPA's
projects are scaled to support the efforts of mountain pastoralists
generally, and local communities specifically, in enhancing their
prospects for cultural survival. Our work synergizes knowledge
of local language and culture with pragmatic initiatives in resource
management and community health. DROKPA funds catalyze grassroots
development by providing seed money, technical know-how, and ongoing
support for local entrepreneurs and community organizations.
