ASIA UK has been formed
and will be launched during Rinpoche's retreat in September
Seven new trustees, with Rinpoche’s approval, have formed a charitable association called UK Friends of ASIA. Ten days ago, five of the trustees met with the staff at ASIA’s head office in Rome to clarify the way forward, and an application has been made for registered charity status.
The initial trustees are: Yvonne Zuiker, Colin Ellar, Mark Farrington, Tara Sinclair, Geoffrey Samuel, Des Barry and Helen Williams.
The role of the UK branch is to support ASIA Onlus’s work by raising funds for specific projects, and by promoting awareness of ASIA’s work and knowledge of the cultural heritage of Tibetans and other Asian people.
ASIA is a humanitarian aid organisation founded by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. For more than 20 years it has assisted Tibetans and others by promoting sustainable educational, health, medical and economic development, and by preserving identity and cultural heritage. See ASIA's website and the ASIA pages of the UK Community website.
The projects: ASIA UK has two main areas of activity: Troru Tibetan Medical College (the Dzogchen Community’s designated project), and a major Water and Sanitation Project in Kavre District, Nepal. UK support for the Nepalese project arose out of Colin Ellar’s Mayorship in Hounslow in the past year. Associated with this, the Hounslow Manor School has linked to one of the schools in Kavre District and pledged to raise funds for a hygiene and nutrition project there. We now wish to find another 17 UK schools or other organisations to twin with specific Nepalese schools.
During the events in London in September, ASIA UK will also be seeking distance adoptions of Bon monks for their studies at Triten Norbutse Monastery in Kathmandu.
We hope now that many people will become involved with ASIA UK, whether as active members, coordinators of particular aspects or projects, sponsors of adoption at a distance, fundraisers, event organisers, promoters through personal or professional contacts, or by making donations.
There is great potential in the UK to support ASIA’s skilful and urgent work. Your involvement, of all kinds, large and small, is warmly invited!
Best wishes
Helen Williams
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More details to follow on how you can be involved.
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