News Archive

I'm just back from Jampaling Tibetan refugee camp outside Pokhara, Nepal where a shiny new tractor (now looking a bit less shiny and a bit dustier) was hard at work. Last year the camp asked for AHF's help (through our Tibetan Enterprise Fund) to buy the tractor so they could grow wheat, corn, and rice to feed their families.

Tibetans everywhere in Nepal are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of food—drought and political instability have shot prices up more than 30% this year alone—so for the families in Jampaling the tractor came just in time.

Tibetans in Nepal already have so many struggles—even after living in the camp for decades the elders told me that they live in constant fear that their land and everything they have can easily be taken away. But the simple fact that they don’t have to worry about food this year is a great relief.

Camp officer Sitenla showed me the sprouting corn in a new field that they have been able to plant, and they are already working on a second one. All the families help—and despite having a tractor it is still very hard work indeed!—and all will share in the rewards.

Tracy Mills

Helping Tibetans to thrive during good times and bad times is important to us. Want to help? Join us!