Lha Charitable Trust won the award for the ‘Best Use of Website and Internet Tools’ at the 4th South Asia eNGO Challenge 2015, held on 9th October at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Lha got this recognition for its extensive online presence and effective use of digital tools to carry out its activities.

The eNGO Challenge aspires to create an ecosystem by recognizing and honouring NGOs which are using Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital media tools for good governance and practices that are benefiting societies and communities at large. It is a joint initiative of Public Interest Registry (PIR) and Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF).

Lha’s primary website www.lhasocialwork.org contains information about the organization including its aims and objectives, volunteer opportunities, projects, and community and visitor services. It has also launched other websites viz., www. samdhongrinpoche.com (which offers free access to the writings, speeches, and interviews of Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche), www. tibetnature.net (which contains news and information mainly related with Tibet’s environmental issues), www.contactmagazine.net (a monthly newsletter containing news and information on Tibet’s current situation and politics), www.tibetfairtrade.com (a wholesale and retail online store dealing with Tibetan traditional handicrafts and decors), and blog.lhasocialwork.org (which publishes the latest news of Lha Charitable Trust and writings of its volunteers and students).

Lobsang Rabsel, the Deputy Director of Lha along with his two colleagues, Tsering Wangdue, the General Secretary and Dorji Kyi, the Programme Manager attended the event.

They set up a stall at the venue to distribute materials related with the trust. Tsering Wangdue also made a presentation on Lha’s projects and activities.

Approximately 1000 people representing various NGOs attended the event. This year 225 nominations were received from 7 South Asian countries and they were listed under six categories. Lha made it to the top 14 finalists among 70 other NGOs which were in the same group ‘Best Use of Website and Internet Tools’.

This category focuses on NGOs that are using websites to showcase their activities, projects and local content to get networking and support from funding agencies.

It also welcomes NGOs that create awareness on important issues through campaigning.

On accepting the award, Tsering Wangdue thanked everyone at the award function and dedicated the award to all the volunteers and supporters who stood with the organization for the past 17 years. Last year Lha was the first runner up under the category “Best Practices of Social Media Usage”.