Lhais a grass-roots, non-governmental and non-profit social work organization based in Dharamsala, India. Lha aims to provide vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population, and people from the Himalayan regions. Founded in 1997 and registered as a charitable trust and a 12AA non-profit organization by the H.P. Indian Government in 2005, Lha has continuously provided vital resources to those in need for over 13 years.
Lha plays a crucial role in facilitating the transition of Tibetan refugees from their homeland to the Indian community by providing long-term rehabilitation and education resources. Each year, programs and projects are adjusted to meet the conditions and needs of the region, yet the commitment remains constant: to help the Tibetan people survive and prosper in their new home and to preserve their profoundly unique culture. Additionally, Lha offers volunteers and students the opportunity to engage in meaningful community service and social work. Lha seeks to generate an atmosphere of harmony and cooperation within the community by tending to the needs of the impoverished and underprivileged.
Lha is unique in the range and quality of serves it offers. These include free Tibetan English, French, Spanish and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programs, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, a wide array of volunteer opportunities, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen, and many other programs and activities. Through these rehabilitation resources and educational services, Lha facilitates an easy transition for the Tibetan refugee community to India. Oh a daily basis, Lha serves over 250 people, hosts between 15 and 25 volunteers and provides up to 19 different services.
Lha offers you the opportunity to share your knowledge and skills with the Tibetan refugee, local Indian, and Himalayan communities, and gain hands-on experience working with a non-profit, social work organization. While taking part as a volunteer at Lha, you will be immersed in the fascinating culture of the people you are serving, develop friendships, learn about issues facing the Tibetan refugee community, and create positive change in the lives of many people. Every year, approximately 600 individuals from all over the world volunteer their time and energy to Lha. Lha provides a wide array of long and short-term as well as prearranged and drop-in volunteer opportunities at no cost to both individuals and groups.
Two years ago, Lha began its “Clear Vision” program to provide free optometrist appointments and corrective lenses to residents of McLeod Ganj. This health care program came to an end when the funds were depleted. This year, thanks to the generous donations from Miss Aubrey Lynne to the Clear Vision program and Frances Phares of Louisiana to the Dental project, we have been able to both continue our provision of eye care and expand the program to also encompass dental care.
Thousands of articles of clothing, shoes and other items are donated to Lha every year. Lha redistributes these articles to the Tibetan Refugee and Indian communities in Dharamsala through large-scale clothing distribution campaigns, which occur multiple times a year.
Since 2002, Lha has been bringing groups of students from other countries to McLeod Ganj for a Cultural Exchange program. This year 82 students participated from six different academic institutions. Lha’s final group of students for the 2011 Cultural Exchange program bid farewell to McLeod Ganj and their friends in the Tibetan community this week as they headed home to New Orleans. The group was made up of 15 students from Tulane University’s School of Social Work, who were accompanied by one of their professors as well as the School’s Dean.
Two years ago, Lha began its “Clear Vision” program to provide free optometrist appointments and corrective lenses to residents of McLeod Ganj. This health care program came to an end when the funds were depleted. This year, thanks to the generous donations from Miss Aubrey Lynne to the Clear Vision program and Frances Phares of Louisiana to the Dental project, we have been able to both continue our provision of eye care and expand the program to also encompass dental care.
Thousands of articles of clothing, shoes and other items are donated to Lha every year. Lha redistributes these articles to the Tibetan Refugee and Indian communities in Dharamsala through large-scale clothing distribution campaigns, which occur multiple times a year.