Tibet Relief Fund

Today we mark Saga Dawa Duchen, one of the most sacred days in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni.

Throughout the holy month of Saga Dawa, Tibetans around the world dedicate themselves to acts of compassion, generosity, prayer, and reflection. It is a time to cultivate kindness and positive action for the benefit of all beings.

At Dolma Ling Nunnery, nuns spend days reading the entire Kangyur — the 108 volumes containing the spoken words of the Buddha — continuing a profound tradition of devotion and practice.

On this auspicious day, may we all be inspired to act with greater compassion, wisdom, and care for one another. 🙏

🎟 Tickets are now on sale for Spirit of Tibet at Woolwich Works

Tibet Relief Fund is proud to support this rare and unforgettable evening as the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Cultural Troupe returns to the UK after more than 20 years — with 26 performers bringing traditional Tibetan dance, opera, music and theatre to life.

✨ Early bird tickets are now available with 10% discount (whilst stocks last)

🎫 Ticket prices (including 6% booking fee):
Adults (18+): £31.80
Children (11–17): £19.08
Children (10 and under): Free (ticket still required)

🙏 Bring someone with you

This is a wonderful opportunity to share your love of Tibet with a friend or family member — or to introduce someone new to Tibetan culture for the very first time.

This special event is also being held in honour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, celebrating his enduring message of compassion, peace, and humanity.

An opportunity not to be missed.

👉 Book tickets here: https://www.woolwich.works/events/spirit-of-tibet

Organised by the Office of Tibet and the Organising Committee.

Since 1959, we have stood alongside Tibetan communities rebuilding their lives in exile.

What does it mean to support a community far from home — not just for a moment, but for generations?

Tibet Relief Fund works alongside Tibetan communities across India and Nepal, supporting them as they preserve identity, rebuild opportunity, and care for one another in exile.

Our focus is simple — but long-term:
supporting education, healthcare, care for vulnerable people, and the preservation of Tibetan language and culture.

This means:
• children accessing learning through libraries and mobile outreach programmes that reach remote settlements 📚
• older people receiving care and dignity in later life 🧡
• communities accessing support where state services are limited 🏥
• cultural traditions being passed to the next generation 🕊️

We do not work alone. We partner with Tibetan-led organisations and community institutions that have supported their people for generations.

Together, we help strengthen the systems that keep community life going in exile.

If you believe in continuity, dignity, and the right of communities to preserve their culture, you can support our work here https://tibetrelieffund.co.uk/donations/donate/







Photo by 和 平

This image from the archives depicts Venerable Lobsang Dechen, the first university-educated Tibetan nun, with one of her pupils in Tilokpur, India. Date unknown.

A nun from the age of 13, Venerable Lobsang Dechen studied at the Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharamsala before completing her schooling in Mussoorie. She then attended St. Bede’s College and received her B.A. Degree followed by a B.Ed. Degree from Panjab University. In 1992, she left her teaching career to join the Tibetan Nuns Project to make educational opportunities available for Tibetan Buddhist nuns. 📖

Before the CCP invasion of Tibet in 1949, there were at least 818 nunneries and nearly 28,000 nuns living in Tibet. Traditional education in the nunneries included reading, writing, and lessons in ancient scriptures and prayers taught by the senior nuns or lamas from monasteries. Traditional activities for the nuns included performance of rituals requested by the lay community and crafts such as embroidery and sewing. 🪷

Due to the repressive conditions in occupied Tibet, a large number of Tibetan Buddhist nuns escaped from Tibet and joined refugee communities in India and Nepal. Some nuns had faced torture and imprisonment at the hands of the CCP authorities and endured immense physical and emotional pain. In most cases, the nuns arrived without money or possessions and were illiterate.

Through sponsorship, Tibet Relief Fund supports Tibetan nuns aged between twelve and 40 years old. By sponsoring a nun, they gain the opportunity to study for their degree and ensure the sacred practices and principles of Tibetan Buddhism continue to be taught, championed and preserved for future generations to come. 🤲

In 2016, the first group of Tibetan Buddhist nuns to receive the Geshema degree. This historic event, presided over by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, marked the first time in Tibetan history that women were awarded this high-level academic qualification, which was previously only available to men. 🎓

Tibet Relief Fund is proud to be the main shirt sponsor for London Tibetan Football Club (LTFC) for the 2025/26 season. ⚽

LTFC is a community-based football team representing Tibetans in London and actively engaging in local tournaments. The club hosts annual tournaments and prepares players for international platforms like the CONIFA Asia Cup. 🌍

On 23rd May 2026, the club will be hosting their annual 6-a-side football tournament. Many members of the Tibetan community are attending and this year the tournament will include matches for children and girls, alongside broader community engagement activities. The club runs youth football sessions every Saturday.

The club are also preparing for His Holiness’ birthday tournament in Switzerland on 11th July which they have participated in for over 20 years. For this occasion, they will be unveiling new football kits in honour of the occasion.

At the Snow Lion Foundation in Nepal, 8 schools and an elders home are supported by our Community Sponsorship programme with the elders there being part of the last generation of Tibetans born in a free Tibet. 🧓

Tibetan refugees have no formal refugee recognition in Nepal and therefore face legal exclusion that limits their access to government services. As a result, basic needs such as education, healthcare and elder care depend almost entirely on community-based and charitable support, making funded projects essential for their protection, security, and care.

Community Sponsorship enables Tibetan schools and care homes to provide those under their care with essential resources including clean water, furniture, electricity, food, classroom materials, healthcare and other necessities. 🏘️

A representative from SLF said: “The Community sponsorship has been really helpful towards our Mount Kailash School as well as our Elder home which has been in dire need of financial support for its operation. This support has greatly helped us take better care of our students, school and elders under our care.”

Hundreds of Tibetan children, elders and monks still need support and Community Sponsorship ensures no Tibetan is ever left behind. Help us secure a future for Tibetans in exile today by becoming a community sponsor at tibetrelieffund.co.uk 🤲

✨ Our shop is back ✨

After a little while away, Enlightened Gifts has reopened — and it’s more beautiful and meaningful than ever 💛

From handcrafted Tibetan jewellery and calming incense to vibrant prayer flags, cards, and thoughtful gifts, every item has been carefully chosen — not just for how it looks, but for the story it carries.
Made by Tibetan artisans and businesses, each piece helps communities to thrive and keep their culture alive.

These are gifts with soul.

🎁 Looking for a thoughtful gift?
🌿 Something calming for your home?
💫 Or a way to give that truly makes a difference?

You’ll find it here.

Every purchase supports vital projects in Tibetan communities — from education and healthcare to preserving traditional skills and livelihoods.

So when you shop, you’re not just giving a gift…
you’re creating impact.

Discover and purchase your favorite Items here
https://www.enlightenedgifts.org/enlightenedgifts.org

In the remote northern region of Ladakh, India, it is hard for families to access reading materials in Tibetan. Children need a wide variety of books available from an early age to be confident readers which is why the Shatsa literacy development project was created in 2019. 🌍

Tibet Relief Fund has supported the Shatsa project since its inception to promote literacy and reading among Tibetan communities through focus on early literacy, inclusive access to education, and community-led initiatives.

Shatsa operates a dedicated community library space in Choglamsar (Leh), open daily from 10am–6pm, alongside outreach to nomadic regions that serves young and adult readers and their work is rooted in the belief that access to books, culturally responsive reading materials, and supportive learning environments is essential for developing critical thinking, confidence, and lifelong learning habits for Tibetans in exile. 📚

Tibetan children and adults feel encouraged to explore books and express themselves and has benefitted over 2000 Tibetan children in the region. 🏫

Recently, Shatsa implemented two key initiatives: the Youth Summer Reading Program and the Jangthang Winter Reading Program. These week-long programmes engaged over 30 young participants in guided reading, discussions, creative activities, and experiential learning. 🎒

Help us continue to fund and support the Shatsa literacy development project today at tibetrelieffund.co.uk

You can help us build a brighter future for Tibetan communities by getting together with friends, family and colleagues to bake, quiz, raffle, walk, run or cycle for Tibetans in exile.

However you choose to fundraise, every penny you raise will help Tibetans build sustainable communities and better futures through education and innovative practical grassroots initiatives. 📚

Check out our Get Involved page on our website today and together we can build a world where Tibetans can live and work with equality and security and celebrate their rich culture and traditions. 💙

https://tibetrelieffund.co.uk/get-involved/?utm_source=tibetrelieffund.co.uk&utm_campaign=get_involved_menu_link&utm_medium=referral

This image from the archives depicts a Tibetan farmer washing water buffaloes in Mundgod, Karnataka, India. Date unknown.

Animal husbandry is a cornerstone of ancient Tibetan culture and economy. With a history spanning over 4,500 years, yaks and sheep traditionally provided essential income, food, clothing and shelter for Tibetans but the water buffalo now plays an essential role for Tibetans in exile. 🦬

Whilst water buffalo are not native to the Tibetan Plateau, Tibetan communities in exile in the Indian subcontinent utilize their bone and horn to craft and sell traditional jewelry, for tilling rice fields, and for their milk, which is rich in fat and protein and ideal for butter tea. 🍵

In Tibetan Buddhism, the buffalo symbolizes death, conquering ignorance, and the cycle of rebirth (samsara) through profound wisdom. In Tibetan folklore, the Yak borrowed the Buffalo’s thick, long coat for its journey to the Himalayan mountains. The Buffalo, preferring warmer plains, waited for his friend to return. However, the Yak never returned from the Tibetan plateau and kept the Buffalo’s thick coat for warmth. This is why yaks are heavily covered in hair and live in high altitudes and the buffalo, now without a thick coat, prefers the warm climates of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. 🏔️