LHAinc.'s mission is to build an educational, cultural, and social service bridge between our rich heritages. We endeavor at all times to be flexible and responsive to our Tibetan partners. Our programs and projects are adjusted each year as the conditions and needs of the region change. Yet our commitment remains constant: to help the Tibetan people to thrive and preserve their profoundly important culture, and to offer volunteers and students the opportunity to engage in meaningful service and international social work.

1. ESL (ENGLISH AS SECOND LANGUAGE):
ESL (ENGLISH AS SECOND LANGUAGE): The Tibetan refugees arrive in India with only their Tibetan language skills. Without English skills it is extremely difficult to find employment and begin a new life. LHA supports programs that offer free english language training. Our support comes in the form of donated books, financial support, ESL coordination and volunteer ESL teachers.

2. Computer Training:
LHA has found that those refugees with even minimal computer skills are much more likely to find employment and the opportunities are much greater as their knowledge of computers grow. Our support comes in the form of donated computors, financial support and volunteer computor teachers. Through collecting used Lap Top computers and transporting them to India we are able to assist the computer training center and offer individuals the equipment for self learning. If you or someone you know has the ability to donate a Used Laptop please contact our office. All donations are tax deductable.

3. Community Construction Projects:
Each year, LHA strives to assist in targeted building construction and/or enhancement projects of schools and other community social service buildings. Plans are carefully reviewed, funding is allocated and construction projects are completed in conjunction with our other social service partners. LHA often supplies volunteer architects and other construction professionals to assist in these projects.

4. Libraries:
LHA has assisted in the establishment and support of 2 public Libraries within Tibetan refugee communities in Northern India. LHA has provided books, financial support and staff training. Our volunteers Librarians have helped to train the staff while while getting one of the libraries totally computerized. In conjunction with one of our partners, the Omprakash Foundation, in 2008, over 30,000 books were destributed throughout the Himalayan Tibetan settlements.

5. Material Aid:
Educational supplies, clothing and other necessities are collected and distributed. Donated materials are posted or brought to India by volunteers and other material aid is purchased in India and Nepal as funding allows. Needs are properly assessed and aid is allocated through the assistance of our local partners.

6. Medical :
Every year we are faced with a wide array medical needs. Many individuals come to LHA for personal or family assistance . LHA does help these individual cases when funding allows and the needs are critical . Our main focus in the medical arena is more community focused. Through our volunteer Health Professionals, LHA strives to provide preventative health education while also investing in research and eradication of conditions that are causing the health related problems.

7. Tibetan Elder assistance Program “TEAP”:
Due to the nature of the Tibetan struggle many Refugees are totally separated from their families, often without any means of communication. Many Elders are left to face survival issues on their own. LHA finds individual sponsors here at home and pair them up with one of these elders. The sponsor provides annual support and LHA volunteers check in periodically, bring the financial support and see that the elders needs are being met.

8. Massage and Yoga Training:
Both Yoga and Massage have been a part of Tibetan Culture throughout time. We have found that, in these two areas, the Tibetans are very quick to learn the skills necessary to provide service and also to act as trainers to other Tibetans, thus providing jobs and improved health. Boulder College of Massage Therapy is now working alongside LHA to provide both equipment and volunteer trainers to the Massage center in Dharamsala.

A Little History leading up to the New Building

Louisiana Himalaya Association “LHA” was created to form a cultural and social service bridge between the Tibetan Refugees in Northern India and the people elsewhere that have so much to learn from their wisdom. LHA has been working with the Tibetan Refugees in India since 1997. The organization had its beginnings in one tiny room in a Tibetan monastery in Dharamsala, India. Soon more volunteers and supporters joined and in 2000 the program moved into the first LHA building that housed a small computer classroom, an English language class, a medical supply room and a craft shop. One of the staff members organized volunteers to teach English and computer skills while the other staffed the craft shop and the leprosy assistance project.

Early Steps

By 2002 the small building could no longer support the level of activity. With the help of some generous supporters, an annex building was opened with eight new computers and two new full-time Tibetan staff positions. After continued growth, in 2004 LHA moved into its current location, owned by the Tibetan Handicraft Coop. Until recently, the building has been excellent for expanding the provided services and for accommodating the growing number of volunteers looking to assist, as well as Tibetan refugees seeking assistance.

Once again LHA is busting at the seams! In this past year alone, 357 volunteers from 39 different countries served through LHA's volunteer coordination program. All English classes, Free to Tibetan Refugees as well as the other local Himalayan populations, are full, with students often sitting in the hallway. The Computer School, which gives 21 free scholarships to Tibetan Refugees every month, now offers four classes daily – all of which are also full. Some of the other services LHA now provides include: French, Spanish, Chinese and Tibetan language classes; the collection and distribution of donated clothing; medical, dental and eye assistance and referral, Massage and Yoga training, a Community Newspaper and 2 Libraries.

In 2005 the Tibetan staff members established Lha Charitable Trust, which is now a non-profit social service organization officially recognized by the government of India. Lha is a Tibetan word meaning protector spirit. The establishment of Lha Charitable Trust was a major step toward self-sufficiency for the Tibetans we have been working with. Total self-sufficiency for the community served was one of the main goals of the founders of LHA. Lha Charitable Trust now has its own Board of Directors consisting solely of members of the Tibetan community; the staff members have learned to run a business and make all their own business decisions.

Current Update

Since moving into their current building in 2004, Lha's rent has been $9100 annually. This rent has been successfully raised and paid for each year by the LHA New Orleans team and all our supporters. Since 2004 the Tibetan staff have raised enough money each month to pay their seven full-time salaries, utilities, phone and any other necessary repairs or maintenance, while still offering all classes and services free of charge to hundreds of Tibetan refugees each month. The Lha staff have identified and developed services for the tourist population that generate enough funds for the organization to successfully and self-sufficiently operate (except for building rent). They offer tourists an array of services including Tibetan language and cooking classes, Yoga, massage and translating services. Besides earning enough for the monthly bills, our Tibetan friends have managed to accumulate some savings, which they have already offered toward the purchase of a new building. Once the new building is purchased the Tibetan staff of Lha Charitable Trust will be totally self-sufficient!

New Challenge

We have now found a suitable new building, which is incredible. The down payment was made in June 2008 and from July 1 we have had access to the building to prepare it for use. This newly built building is nestled in the Himalaya Mountains alongside the home and Temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. The owner of the building, a Parliament member of the Tibetan Government, has been most accommodating with a very fair price and payment plan. On top of this he is putting all income from the sale of the building directly back into social service projects to aid the Tibetan Community. Our Tibetan friends say that when things happen so perfectly it is an auspicious sign showing that we are moving in the right direction!

Thanks to so many generous individual donors and to those who helped with fund raising projects, Lha Charitable Trust is much closer to the goal of owning its own home. The total cost of the new building is $175,000. And thanks to all our generous doners and volunteers, here we are, only $39,000 to go before Lha Charitable Trust will be self sufficient in its new home!

Once again we want to express our deepest appreciation to everyone who has helped out over the years and also to those of you who have recently joined in. We feel confident, that with your continued support, this dream will soon become a reality and Lha Charitable Trust will continue its service long into the future.

Please pass this info on to any others you feel may be able to donate or may be interested in getting involved. Once again, thank you so much for all the support and encouragement.

Lha India Programs Photos