report of activities 2019 - asia-ngo.de
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REPORT OFACTIVITIES 2019
Rome, June 2020
Via S. Martino della Battaglia, 31 – 00185 Rome – tel: +39 06.44340034 – www.asia-ngo.org – mail: [email protected] – Follow us:
INTRODUCTION
I am glad to present to our members, supporters and partners, the 2019 activity and financial statement. This is an opportunity to share with
you all the activities and results obtained in our efforts to reduce inequalities and poverty and to create a culture of peace and tolerance for a better society, respect-ful of the individual and the environment. Since 1988, the year Chögyal Namkhai Norbu founded ASIA, we have worked hard to fulfil our mission of preserving the identity and spiritual, historical and cultural heritage of the peoples of the Asian continent, and in particular of Tibet and the Himalayan regions and, at the same time, to promote processes of sustainable development and conservation of the fragile ecosystems in which we operate.
In 2019, we worked in 6 countries, Nepal, India, Tibetan regions of China, Myanmar, Mongolia and Italy, carrying out 23 projects. During this year, 12 projects have been completed and 11 projects are still ongoing and will end in 2020 or 2021.
We presented 29 projects to public and private donors, 13 of which have been approved, 5 are still being evaluated.
Due to the increasingly complicated geopolitical context of some countries where we operate, projects to safeguard Tibetan culture, language and spirituality have decreased while those linked to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, fight against climate change and support to the nomads of the Tibetan highland have increased considerably. In 2019, we reached 6,771 direct beneficiaries in Tibet, 14,208 in Nepal, 3,300 in Myanmar, 3,610 in Mongolia and 4,000 in Italy.
As for the Tibetan areas of China, ASIA has continued its commitment to guarantee food security to the nomads of the plateau, by strengthening the local veterinary system and by training veterinarians and breeders to improve the health of herds and flocks in order to produce healthier food. We intervened with an emergency
project to help farmers and shepherds affected by drought by building two reser-voirs to irrigate the fields and for the animals and by distributing 320 sheep and agricultural tools to transform abandoned land in crops. In some monasteries we carried out hygiene and health training activities for the resident nuns and built showers and toilets. Currently, we are building dormitories to accommodate 120 nuns and we have already carried out various training courses; one on tailoring and one on hygiene and health education.
We are preparing the publication of 2100 series of 8 volumes of texts for spiritual teaching and practice which will be distributed to 2000 nuns of the colleges of Qinghai and Sichuan. In the schools we are carrying out interventions to create places where children can learn the ancient cultural traditions of farmers and nomads and see the objects used in everyday agricultural and pastoral life in order not to forget their traditions and origins. Here we are also carrying out hygiene training activities. In order to further develop pastoral areas and to avoid the relocation to the big Chinese cities, we are supporting the development of small micro enterprises run by young nomads. In eastern Tibet, we strengthened the retreat centre in Galenteng, which was affected by a landslide and gave 23 monks the opportunity to begin a 4-year spiritual retreat.
In Nepal, ASIA carried out two important interventions to protect Tibetan culture. One with the construction of the first phase of the Bonpo traditional medicine school and student dormitories and the other in Dolpa, a very remote region inhab-ited solely by Tibetans, with the improvement of the toilets, the water distribution and the playground of a Tibetan school, built by ASIA in the past years.
All other activities have focused on ensuring food security and development of agri-cultural and livestock activities in the mountainous areas of Nepal. In particular, ASIA participated in the establishment of women’s cooperatives, created a participatory guarantee system for vegetables and seeds and trained farmers on agricultural tech-niques to conserve soil fertility, effective in countering the consequences of climate change. In addition, ASIA has built infrastructures for the storage of non-perishable products, created quality labels of the products grown and placed on the market and trained the farmers on animal breeding techniques and nutrition.
The interventions in agriculture have also focused on creating reservoirs for the collection of rainwater, on the construction of irrigation systems and on train-ing farmers, with particular attention to the involvement of women. In order to
protect the environment and, at the same time, create new income opportunities, ASIA has planted more than 15 thousand trees. Among these, the majority are coffee plants, fruit and forest species, whose foliage is used as fodder for animals. The plantations were made in marginal soils so as not to subtract land suitable for the cultivation of products intended for human consumption. At the same time, activities were carried out for the promotion of non-woody forest supply chains in the Lhantang Park, with the creation of nurseries, of apiculture and mushroom growing.
In Myanmar, where ASIA has been working since 2016, we have carried out environ-mental education activities in 64 schools and participated in the creation of school gardens. Since 2019, we have been working in Southern Chin to promote sustainable rural development to decrease migration from these areas, itinerant agriculture and to reduce the loss of forest resources. We are creating coffee nurseries, training local farmers and building solar powered coffee processing centres. We are planning to plant 450,000 coffee plants and forest essences necessary for the protection of coffee and to support farmers throughout the coffee value chain.
In Mongolia, in order to encourage schooling in the Asgat district, we renovated a dormitory in a school, installed the radiators, built a building for the pumping and purification of water system and expanded the kitchen.
In Italy, thanks to a project funded by the Italian International Cooperation Agency, we are carrying out a project promoting knowledge between people belonging to different cultures. This is being achieved by supporting the diffusion of the con-cept of diversity and by spreading awareness through part of civil society, in the cities of Milan, Rome and Naples, on the principles of empathy, interdependence and non-violence. The events organized during 2019, range from the organisation of human libraries on the issues of migration and discrimination, to the planning of socio-educational activities for primary schools, to the arrangement of a show cooking with the participation of young migrants, elderly Italians and renowned chefs. Other activities include, the teaching of Tibetan yoga in primary schools in Rome and Naples, a teacher-training on non-violent communication and the crea-tion of a video focusing on interdependence.
As far as Long Distance Sponsorships (LDS) are concerned, there are a total of 47 active projects worldwide, including 21 in India, 7 in Nepal and 19 in the Tibetan regions of China. With a total of 1657 active sponsorships, 2019 unfortunately
records a further decrease compared to 2018 (71 LDSs less), which confirms the negative trend of the last five years. The decrease during 2019 is due to an in-crease in the number of closed sponsorships and to the difficulties in recovering these closures with new requests. The number of LDSs in China is decreasing more than in other countries because the current political situation is a serious obstacle to the activities that ASIA is carrying out in support to the teaching of the Tibetan language in these regions. For this reason, activities are focusing more on India and Nepal. The future goal is to open new Long Distance Sponsorship projects in Bhutan, Mongolia and Myanmar.
The Fundraising and Communication department continued the campaigns of the previous year. In particular, a new campaign was launched, “MenSana”, for the construction of canteens and kitchens in some of the schools rebuilt after the earthquake in Rasuwa, Nepal, and various calls for action were issued to satisfy requests for help received by the other projects. In all, 14 events were organ-ized on the Italian territory in Rome, Genoa, Imola, Perugia, Turin and Varese. In Arcidosso, at Castello Aldrobrandesco, on September 27th, on the occasion of the anniversary of the first year since the death of our President, the exhibition “Chögyal Namkhai Norbu – Luminous Presence” was organized as a tribute to the humanitarian commitment of the founder of ASIA. ASIA Trento, like every year, organized in Trento, together with ASIA Rome and the Ati Yoga Foundation, initia-tives on Tibetan culture with Yantra Yoga courses and seminars on the theme of life and death from the point of view of Tibetan medicine. ASIA Germany, ASIA France and ASIA America also actively contributed to fundraising and visibility activities by organizing concerts, presentations, by participating in local initiatives and by disseminating ASIA’s campaigns.
Concerning the situation of the countries in which ASIA operates, in China 2019 was marked by a slowdown in the economy, the deepening of tensions with the USA and significant geopolitical anniversaries; some include the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, the centenary of the 4th May movement, the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests and the 60th anniversary of the occupation of Tibet and the escape of the Dalai Lama to India. Due to these events, the Chinese government, fearing protests, tightened restrictions on individual freedoms and control on movements between the various regions throughout China, in particular in areas inhabited by minorities. In addition, limitations were imposed on visas for foreigners and repressions against human rights defenders, religious activities and civil society organizations were carried out.
To all this was added the statement of the governor of Hong Kong of July 9th on the end of the extradition bill, that sparked the first protests on March of the same year. Since July, demonstrations have also intensified and turned into real street clashes with the police, which also led to the assault and raid of a group of demonstrators in the local parliament. All these tensions have severely limited the operation of ASIA which has been forced to cancel all the monitoring missions scheduled for 2019.
In Nepal, the general situation has improved after the terrible earthquake that hit the country in 2015, but the country remains one of the poorest and most fragile countries in the world. From a geopolitical point of view, 2019 was characterized by the visit of the Nepalese Premier to China, which marked a significant turning point in the relations between Kathmandu and Beijing, envisaging a close politi-cal-economic partnership between the two countries. India, with which Nepal has been in open conflict for months due to the heavy interference of New Delhi in its long and difficult constitutional crisis, is paying the price for this agreement. The visit of the Nepalese premier was very significant for a further, future strengthen-ing of diplomatic and commercial relations between Kathmandu and Beijing. The two governments have committed themselves to developing bilateral economic cooperation programs and to strengthening the main Sino-Nepalese transport infrastructures in the Himalayas. The latter point allows the free movement of goods across the border between the two countries. This is an agreement with enormous consequences, because it effectively breaks the traditional commercial monopoly of India on Nepal and provides Kathmandu with privileged access to the large Chinese internal market, partially emancipating it from the political and economic limits of its geographical position. With this agreement, the Nepalese premier has substantially changed the geopolitical stature of his country, making it a key partner for China and its economic integration initiatives in the Asian continent.
Concerning ASIA’s activities in favour of the Tibetan refugee minority in Nepal, this arrangement between Nepal and China has created many difficulties. Therefore, efforts have been made by the local government to find an acceptable balance between specific projects aimed at the Tibetan minority and those addressed to the other Himalayan minorities that populate Nepal.
In Myanmar, the geopolitical situation is extremely complicated since it’s a stra-tegic country for China for several reasons: the country’s access to the Indian
Ocean, the considerable presence of mineral and energy resources in its territory, the centrality along a series of energy and commercial routes (including illegal ones) and the presence of armed ethnic groups (also of Chinese origin) engaged in guerrilla warfare against the government of Naypidaw along the Chinese border. These factors affect Beijing’s interests, including the development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the antagonism with the United States. Myanmar is far from being a stable country. Aung San Suu Kyi, Minister of Foreign Affaris and Councillor of State, but the de facto leader of the government, is committed to managing the peace process which should put an end to the clashes between the army and armed ethnic groups, in particular in the states of Kachin in the north (rich in jade), of Shan to the northeast (known for its forests) and of Rakhine to the west (rich in energy resources and where the persecuted Rohingya Muslims live). Although the 2015 election of the National League of Democracy led to a major step forward in the Burmese democratic transition, the military still has access to the most economically and institutionally relevant sectors, including control of the Ministry of Defence, the Interior and Immigration.
Today the Chinese government supports the peace process with greater conviction. In recent months, Beijing has looked at the Burmese crisis with growing concern. The increase in conflicts between armed ethnic groups and the regular armed forces led to the escape of about 20 thousand refugees in the Chinese province of Yunnan. Beijing has tried to contain the problem militarily and diplomatically. In this complicated context, ASIA is working in the Chin region, which is a peaceful area currently not involved in armed conflicts and therefore where it is easier to operate.
Mongolia is a country inhabited by only three million people, rich in mineral re-sources, crushed between Russia and China and therefore plays a very important geopolitical role. However, the political situation is calm. Mongolia is a very closed country with a complex bureaucratic system that does not facilitate the activities of international projects and for this reason, the presence of international NGOs is somewhat limited also because, since Mongolia is a medium-income country, the funds earmarked for international cooperation have shrunk in recent years. Currently, ASIA is regularly registered as an international organization in Mongolia and has a small office with local staff that manages ongoing activities.
The main donors ASIA approached in 2019 are the Waldensian Church, the autono-mous provinces of Trento and Bolzano, Italian Caritas, the Almayuda, Nando Peretti
and Prosolidar Foundations, AICS, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Embassies of Australia, New Zealand, Germany and France in Beijing, the Danish co-operation, Danida, through the Danish Embassy in Beijing and the Italian Buddhist Union.
In the years to come, ASIA will continue its commitment to create a fairer, more in-clusive society and to concretely promote sustainable development that respects the environment and its resources. In order to actively participate in the evolution of society, ASIA will be the bearer of a universal ethical approach that nourishes fundamental human values such as empathy, tolerance, compassion carrying out the mission indicated to us by our founder, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.
At the same time, we will continue to work to improve the economic, social and health conditions of Asian populations in the Himalayan areas and in Tibet. Women, children and the most vulnerable people will always remain at the centre of ASIA’s interventions, with projects based on a careful analysis of needs and on a transparent and participatory management. The challenges continue to be many but, thanks to all the people who support and help us daily, the local staff of the countries where we operate, the expatriates, the staff of ASIA Rome, our donors and supporters, the volunteers of ASIA Germany, France and America, and the members of the board of directors, we will continue our work and our missionfor the good of all sentient beings, as the Indian philosopher Shantideva says in the Bodhisattvacharyavatara.
“For as long as space endures And for as long as living beings remain, Until then may I too abide To dispel the misery of the world.”
Our infinite gratitude, forever, to our president Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.
Rome, 20 July 2020
Andrea Dell’Angelo
INDEX
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Development and Emergency Relief Projects Presented to Donors in 2019......................................... 13Overview of Selected Projects (2019) ................................................................................................................................... 22
Long Distance Sponsorship (LDS) .................................................................................................................................................... 63Active LDS Projects in 2019............................................................................................................................................................ 70
Global Citizenship Education ............................................................................................................................................................... 99
Fundraising and Communication ..................................................................................................................................................105Fundraising Campaigns ...................................................................................................................................................................108Events .............................................................................................................................................................................................................118
Administration ...............................................................................................................................................................................................129ASIA Employed Personnel in the Rome Office and Expatriates in 2019 ...............................................134
DEVELOPMENT AND EMERGENCY RELIEF
PROJECTS PRESENTED TO DONORS IN 2019
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019
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tow
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mit
igat
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e eff
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of c
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and
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971
Und
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18
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PROJECTS PRESENTED BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA 2012 – 2019
PROJECTS PRESENTED BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA IN 2019
Indonesia 1%
Myanmar 3%
Mongolia 3%
51% China
Nepal 33%
2% Italy
Sri Lanka 6%
1% EU
(Qinghai, Sichuan,Tibetan Autonomous Region)
Nepal 31%
EU 4%
41% ChinaMongolia 10%
Indonesia 4%
Italy 7%
3% Multi-county (Myanmar/Nepal/Philippines)
(Qinghai, Sichuan,Tibetan Autonomous Region)
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In 2019, due to the increasingly difficult political situ-ation in China, ASIA was not able to focus on projects with the specific aim of preserving Tibetan culture and language, as these themes are considered highly sensitive by the Chinese government. Therefore, the projects we presented centred on economic activi-ties to support nomads, environmental protection, and livestock health. Only one project in the Sichuan region was to aid a college for the study of Buddhist practices. In addition, donors in China are paying greater attention to human rights issues. This meant that ASIA was not able to participate in numerous calls promoted by European Embassies on site, because these issues are highly sensitive in ASIA’s areas of intervention. The largest number of ASIA’s projects continue to be concentrated in Qinghai Province. This is also the location of the ASIA office,
which runs all projects in China. In Sichuan, ASIA con-tinues to support a number of specific projects linked to colleges and education.
ASIA’s activities have expanded considerably in Nepal thanks to the efforts of all the people involved in this country. In 2019, a second food security project was launched financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS is the Italian ac-ronym.) ASIA is focusing more and more on remote mountain areas inhabited by ethnic minorities. In Mongolia ASIA’s presence was confirmed in 2019 although major obstacles had to be overcome due to bureaucratic closures of the country. A new office was also opened in Myanmar, where ASIA has been implementing an agricultural project financed by AICS since November 2019.
PROJECTS PRESENTED BY SECTOR AND INTERVENTION
With regard to sectors in which ASIA presented pro-posals from 2012 to 2019, the data reconfirm that the top priorities for our organisation are education (64 proposals); food security, farming and herding (44 proposals); emergency relief (35); and safe-guarding historical and cultural heritage (31). These sectors are followed by WASH (22) environmental protection and the fight against climate change (20), vocational training and microenterprises (18), Human Rights, Migration (16) and lastly Global Citizenship Education, with four proposals in the last two years.
In 2019, ASIA presented a total of 29 projects, from concept papers to complete projects. Specifically this number included 11 projects in the sector of food security, farming and herding; 4 in the sector of environmental protection and the fight against climate change; 3 each for the sectors of emergency relief, WASH, and education; 2 projects in Global Citizenship Education; 2 in safeguarding historical and cultural heritage; and 1 project in Human Rights, Migration. As regards the status of the 29 total projects, 13 were approved, 11 were rejected, and 5 were still under consideration as of 31 December 2019. In Nepal 5 new projects were approved and 2 are still under consideration. In China the numbers were 7 and 2 respectively; in Mongolia one project was approved and one is under consideration.
Relative to 2018, the type and differentiation of donors remained almost identical. ASIA’s major donors continue to be the Tavola Valdese, the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano,
Italian Caritas, Save the Children Fund, the Almayuda Foundation, Nando Peretti and Prosolidar, AICS, the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Embassies of Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and France in Peking. In 2018, for the first time, ASIA received a sizable contribution from the Danish cooperation, Danida, through the Danish Embassy in Peking. For 2019 funds were also provided by the Italian Buddhist Union and by 8x1000 donations.
Since the countries were ASIA is active are not always top priority in the cooperation policies of large donor institutions such as AICS and the EU, ASIA will con-tinue to diversify as far as possible, in terms of the number of donors. We will engage those interested not only in countries of implementation, but also in specific sectors and issues. In particular, we look for supporters who recognise the value of ASIA’s mission to safeguard the culture and spirituality of Tibet and the Himalayan peoples. In addition, for ASIA it is of fundamental importance to continue to consolidate stable, long-lasting relationships with our local part-ners, with whom we share objectives and values. We strive to work continually to identify geographical areas where ASIA can intervene, and needs which ASIA can address, drawing up effective high quality proposals to implement.
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PROJECTS PRESENTED BY SECTOR 2012 -2019
PROJECTS PRESENTED BY SECTOR IN 2019
Vocational taining& microenterprises 7%
Food security, farming& herding 17%
8% Environmental protection& fighting climate changeWASH 9%
25% Education
Preseving atistic& cultual heritage 12%
2% Global CitizenshipEducation
14% Emergency relief
6% Human Rights, Migation
10% Education
Emergency relief 10%
Environmental protection &fighting climate change 14%
Global Citizenship Education 7%
WASH 10%
7% Preseving atistic& cultual heritage
38% Food security,farming& herding
4% Human Rights, Migation
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MISSIONS CARRIED OUT IN 2019
COUNTRY Resource Position Period
Nepal Alessandra Nardi Desk 25 March -11 April 2019
Nepal Marilena Albanese Desk 06 May - 5 June 2019
TOTAL
2 countries 2 resources 1 Role 2 Missions
.
OVERVIEW OF SELECTED PROJECTS (2019)
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CHINA - QINGHAI PROVINCE2211 PROMOTING FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND SECURITY AMONG TIBETAN NOMADIC COMMUNITIES IN CHENGDU COUNTY
Location: Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the southwestern province of Qinghai, Tibetan inland plateau, China.
Duration: 24 months.
Status: ongoing.
Area of intervention: food security, agriculture and pastoralism.
General objective: to guarantee food sovereignty and security of nomadic communities in Chengdu, Qinghai.
Expected outcomes:1. veterinary services are reinstated and
strengthened.2. traditional knowledge on use of medicinal plants
is recovered.3. women from nomadic communities of Chengduo
are informed on the best practices for dairy product production.
4. about 4,000 people are informed and sensitised on: food sovereignty, risks of food contamination, health and diet, prevention of zoonosis in Chengduo.
5. about 1,000 people are made aware of relevant issues through school-based programmes and informative evening events in the Province of Trento.
Project activities:1. building a veterinary clinic.2. training 257 para-veterinaries for the district.3. providing veterinary equipment (kits and
vaccines) to improve the quality of service, and selecting most effective practices.
4. a participatory survey on traditional veterinary curative practices and selection of the more effective practices.
5. developing a field manual in Tibetan and in English for the dissemination of knowledge that is at risk of disappearing.
6. creating an interactive DVD with the contents and history of traditional health practices.
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7. training on the transformation of milk and reduction of health risks for 60 women from 32 cooperatives from the Chengduo County.
8. providing tools and washable equipment for the 60 women.
9. running an awareness campaign on food sovereignty and security, and hygiene in Chengduo County schools;
10. informational day-long seminars in Trentino schools;
11. evening and events.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019• Veterinary Clinic was constructed in the Labu
District; equipment was provided.• 257 veterinarians were trained for the second
consecutive year.• 257 veterinary kits were distributed, to complete
the 2017 distribution initiative.• 55 women of the dairy cooperative in Chengduo
County received training.• 55 kits for dairy production were distributed.• 500 manuals on traditional veterinary medicine
were published/distributed.• 500 manuals on veterinary courses organized by
ASIA were published/distributed.• 52 instructors were trained to run an awareness-
raising campaign on health, food security and personal hygiene.
• 4,000 brochures for the awareness-raising campaign were published/distributed.
• Printing and affixing 500 posters in Chengduo County to raise people’s awareness on the issues of personal hygiene and food security.
• 3 meetings were organised in Trento, Italy to illustrate the main themes of the project to 200 persons through a seminar organized by the university of trento with the participation of 50 students and 2 events to raise consciounsness in the local community on project related issues.
Beneficiaries:Direct: 257 trained para-veterinaries; 55 women trained on the transformation of dairy products. Estimated beneficiaries for health education are 2,940 people living in the county; 52 trainers trained for the information campaign. For school-based activities in Trento Province, about 250 children and 200 people took part in the events organised by ASIA Trento.
Total cost: 185,340.00 €
Costs incurred in 2019: 3,155.03 €
Donors: Private funds from ASIA, Autonomous Province of Trento, Nando Peretti Foundation.
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2228/2241 PROJECT EMERGENCY FOR THE TIBETAN MINORITY: RELIEF FOR THE VICTIMS OF FAMINE CAUSED BY DROUGHT
Location: Villages of Qushina, Ershidi, Yangrang and Lalong, County of Gonghe, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Hainan, Qinghai Province, China.
Duration: one year from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018, extended until May 2019.
Status: completed.
Area of Intervention: emergency relief.
General Objective: to ensure the survival of the Tibetan community, victims of the climate emergency in the Qinghai region.
Specific Objectives: to guarantee food security and the right to water for the Tibetan community in Gonghe County.
Expected Outcomes:1. a sufficient food supply is guaranteed for
community beneficiaries for the following winter.2. storage capacity for irrigation water is increased.
3. structural resiliency of the community is strengthened in order to face similar events in future.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019• Establishment of operational agreements with
local authorities. Agreements were signed with the government of Ershidi District and temporary registration was obtained from the governmental departments involved to carry out the project.
• Selection of beneficiaries. Beneficiaries of the distribution of farming equipment and sheep were selected with input from local authorities. Specifically, families in the villages of Shangmazhu and Xiamarzhu were selected.
• Realization of a market survey to identify the best purchase of productive assets to introduce (sheep, tractors, fodder). ASIA staff requested three estimates for the purchase of farming equipment, and bids from three sheep raising cooperatives.
• Purchase, transportation and distribution of 320 sheep and 7 rams to replenish herds for the poorest families selected as project beneficiaries.
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• Identification of two areas suitable for the realization of two permanent reservoirs for storing rainwater to use for irrigation in the village of Yangrang. With the support of the local government and the Water Department of Gonghe County, two areas were identified where the reservoirs could be built. ASIA technicians, in collaboration with the Hydro-Geological Department, surveyed the site and prepared the estimated bills of quantity for the realization of the reservoirs, which were later circulated to specialized companies with expertise in the construction of reservoirs for agricultural use in Gonghe County. Ultimately the Qinghai Hongcheng Construction Company was chosen for the project, and a contract was signed for the realization of one reservoir, while the second reservoir was realized with funds from the local government as a contribution to the project.
• Realization of two permanent reservoirs for storing rainwater to be used for irrigation in Shangmazhu and Xiamazhu, in the village of Yangrang. Two
permanent reservoirs were created in Shangmazhu and Xiamazhu in the village of Yangrang. One of the two reservoirs was realized with co-financing from the local government.
• Purchase and supply of a light tractor to work the soil and to increase water infiltration in the layers of soil underneath the surface of the terrain, earmarked for collective use. A tractor, a hay rake, a plough and a harrow were purchased. The farm equipment was donated to the village of Ershidi.
Beneficiaries: 600 families, including approximately 2,400 people who live below the poverty line, have thus far benefited from project activities.
Total Cost: 146,806 €
Costs incurred in 2019: 64,449.94 €
Donors: Presidency of the Italian Council of Ministers; Tavola Valdese and ASIA.
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2229/2242 IMPROVE HYGIENIC AND NUTRITION CONDITIONS OF THE NUNS AT THE SINGKHRI NUNNERY IN ORDER TO REDUCE GENDER INEQUALITY WITHIN THE TRADITIONAL TIBETAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Location: College of Singkhri, Tongde County, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Hainan, Qinghai Province, China.
Duration: from 29 November 2017 to June 2018, extended until 30 June 2019 by the Australian Embassy; Italian Caritas approved the project from 1 June 2018 to 31 May 2019.
Status: concluded.
Sector of intervention: health.
General Objective: to achieve the same rights for men and women in contexts where women face greater gender discrimination.
Specific Objective: to improve health and hygiene conditions and living conditions of the nuns in Singkhri College.
Expected outputs1. Health and hygiene conditions of the nuns is
improved thanks to hygiene activities and WASH.
2. Vegetable consumption is increased and knowledge enhanced regarding proper management of the greenhouses realised through the project.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019• Construction of two buildings, one for toilets and
one for showers Architectural and structural designs were prepared for the realisation of toilets and showers; the construction company was selected and contracted for the realisation of the buildings; two buildings were constructed, one for showers (52.54 square metres) and one for toilets (48 square metres) for a total of 100.54 square metres. A solar panel system was purchased and installed for heating water for showers. Offers were prepared to select the construction company; the contractor was selected and contract was signed; 5 solar panels were supplied and installed on the roof of the shower building; the proper functioning of the showers and the water pressure was verified; a rota was established for running the showers for the 600 nuns in the nunnery.
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• Training in hygiene and women’s health and distribution of personal hygiene kits Once toilets and showers were complete, ASIA selected a female instructor who led a five–day training course for 50 nuns, so they in turn could educate others on hygiene and women’s health issues in the nunnery. Courses were held in the nunnery; the main topics were: practices for proper personal hygiene; personal hygiene during menstruation; products to use during menstruation; menopause; tuberculosis, prevention and treatment; Hepatitis A and B, prevention and treatment; identification, prevention and treatment of common gynecological diseases. At the end of the course, 600 personal hygiene kits were distributed along with the didactic material used during the courses.
• Construction of two greenhouses and training of 15 nuns for the management and cultivation of the greenhouses A construction site was selected for two pilot greenhouses; a specialised company was contracted and 2 greenhouses were built, each 32
square metres in size. Once the construction of the two greenhouses was completed, training courses were organised for 15 nuns on management of the greenhouses, fertilization of the soil, maintenance and cultivation of the greenhouses. The courses lasted 6 days, and consisted of a theoretical part and a practical part. At the end of the courses, 15 kits were distributed for greenhouse cultivation, seeds, and horticulture manuals.
Beneficiaries: the 600 nuns in the nunnery. Indirect beneficiaries: approximately 3,000 people (the families of the nuns).
Total Cost: 75,586 € of which 34,730 € financed by the Australian Embassy and 40,855 € financed by Italian Caritas.
Cost incurred in 2019: 20,812.48 €
Donors: Italian Caritas; the Australian Embassy in Beijing; ASIA.
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2234 PRESERVATION OF THE NOMADIC CULTURE, THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ON THE TIBETAN HIGHLANDS, BY TRAINING YOUNG TIBETAN STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS IN TONGDE COUNTY, AND DISTRIBUTION OF A MANUAL ON THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE OF TIBETAN NOMADS AND FARMERS
Location: Tongde County, Prefecture of Hainan, Province of Qinghai, China
Duration: one year from March 2018 to February 2019
Status: completed
Sector of intervention: preservation of cultural heritage
General Objective: to preserve the Tibetan culture and traditional ways of life for a model of sustainable management of pastures in the Tibetan highlands.
Specific Objectives: to preserve and disseminate Tibetan culture and traditions to guarantee that future generations are aware of traditional knowledge and apply it in Tongde County, Prefecture of Hainan, Qinghai, China
Expected outcomes:1. 5,000 copies are printed of the manual “A
collection of equipment and tools used in Tibetan farming and herding.”
2. 5,000 manuals are distributed in16 Tibetan schools in Tongde County.
3. 846 students and 102 teachers are trained in three schools on the preservation of traditional culture.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019• Printed 5,000 copies of the manual.• Contracts were signed with three teachers and one
photographer to collect stories and information to improve on the manual published by ASIA the previous year.
• 30 pages of new stories and photos of 21 sacred mountains and 8 sacred places were added to the previous edition of the manual.
• Material was collected through on-site interviews.
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• Estimates were requested and a contract was signed for the publication of 5,000 copies, which were then printed.
• Distributed 5,000 copies in 16 schools in Tongde• In October, copies of the manual were published
and distributed by ASIA in the 16 schools of Tongde County, in a school in Hainan Prefecture, and in a Golok school. A total of 3,927 books were donated to 18 schools. 200 copies were given to ASIA to be distributed in the schools where we work, and 1,073 were kept by the school in Mazhol for training purposes.
• Training of 846 students and 102 teachers in three selected schools in Tongde County on the importance of preserving traditional Tibetan culture and protecting the local environment
• Three training days were organized with a total of 9 training sessions, led by an instructor selected by ASIA who explained to the students and teachers
the purpose of the manual and the importance of protecting the local environment, using traditional pasture management systems. A total of 282 students and 53 teachers took part in the lessons.
Beneficiaries: The direct beneficiaries of the project were the 3,927 students and teachers who received the manual and the 282 students and 53 teachers who participated in classroom training. The total number of direct beneficiaries was 4,262 people while the indirect beneficiaries were estimated at 17,048.
Total cost: 26,632 €, covered by 13,324 € from the New Zealand Embassy; a contribution from ASIA, and funding by the counterparty amounting to 13,326 €
Costs incurred in 2019: 464,49 €
Donors: New Zealand Embassy, ASIA.
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2238 A MODERN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM INTEGRATING NEW DISCIPLINES AND ANCIENT LOCAL TRADITIONS IN AN APPROPRIATE SCHOOL SETTING
Location: Dongche Village, Trikà County, Prefecture of Hainan, Qinghai, China.
Duration: from October 2018 to 31 August 2020.
Status: ongoing.
Summary: The aim of the project is to create a series of museum displays to teach Tibetan children about the ancient nomadic, agricultural, and religious traditions of Tibet, to educate them on their cultural identity. The project is to be realized in the Tibetan school of Dongche. An additional aim is to improve the sanitary conditions of the school, transforming dry toilets into restrooms with running water and sinks, to prevent the spread of oral-fecal diseases.
Area of Intervention: Education, preservation of cultural identities of minors, personal hygiene/WASH.
General Objective: a modern, competitive, guaranteed education respecting cultural identity, in a healthy, appropriate setting.
Specific Objectives: to create a museum dedicated to local nomadic and agricultural traditions, and
organise guided tours and conferences; to preserve ancient texts in the school library, protected and accessible for the local community; to improve sanitary/hygiene conditions of the children thanks to new toilet facilities that will be built.
Expected Outcomes: The project is developed and coordinated from the outset.1. A series of museum displays are created and
successfully implemented.2. Lessons and conferences on popular traditions are
held.3. Wooden covers are provided for the entire library
and all the ancient books printed on rice paper.4. Access to books is available to the local
community.5. A new bathroom with running water is built in the
school.6. Lessons on personal hygiene are held for all
school classes.7. The project is properly managed throughout the
execution of all activities, which are periodically monitored.
8. Project objectives and outcomes are disseminated among the residents of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, through an
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event addressing the importance of preserving the cultural identity of the Tibetan people whilst contending with the challenges of a global world.
Project Activities:1. Preparation, logistics, and coordination.2. Organising museum displays.3. Conserving ancient Tibetan texts.4. Improving sanitary/hygienic conditions of
students and teachers at Dongche.5. Managing and monitoring the project.6. Disseminating and awareness-raising.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019• Obtaining temporary registration for the project
from competent local authorities; signing an agreement with the school to realize the project; requesting an extension to 31 August 2020 from the Province of Bolzano, incurring no additional cost; organising a project management committee with the headmaster of the school and a number of teachers.
• Drawing up blueprints for remodelling the old buildings to house the museum; establishing agreements with village leaders to gather all the
items to display; requesting estimates for the work on the museum.
• Contacting several carpenters for the production of the wooden covers and shops for preparing fabric pouches to contain the texts; asking local experts for assistance in cataloguing books.
• Selecting a company to draw up the structural blueprints for the toilets; requesting budget modifications from donors to build a new bathroom rather than remodeling the old one; drawing up structural plans and specifications; selecting a company for building the new bathrooms.
Beneficiaries: 206 Tibetan children ages 6 to 13, and 30 teachers and 180 families who live in the Dongche Valley, for a total of 1,080 people and 30,000 Tibetans in Guide County.
Total Cost: 154,368 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 956.06 €
Donors: Autonomous Province of Bolzano 42,970 €; ASIA and local counterparty 76,328 €; Tavola Valdese 35,000 €
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2244 ENHANCING GENDER EQUALITY IN TIBETAN RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS, PROTECTING THE CULTURE AND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS OF TIBET
Location: Singkhri Monastery, Tongde County, Prefecture of Hainan, Qinghai, China.
Duration: three years, 2019-2021.
Status: ongoing.
Area of Intervention: promoting human rights, gender rights; defending minority rights and preserving the cultural integrity and spirituality of the minority.
General Objective: to achieve the same rights for women as men in religious institutions in remote areas, where women are subject to discrimination.
Specific Objective: to improve the living conditions, economic, sanitary, and cultural conditions of 600 nuns living in the college of Singkhri.
Expected Outcomes:1. Living conditions are improved for the nuns and
risk of spread of infectious diseases is diminished by modernising infrastructure.
2. Sanitary/hygienic conditions of 600 nuns are improved by conducting classes on personal hygiene and health.
3. Economic conditions are upgraded through the realization of training courses to teach sewing skills to 20 nuns.
4. Educational and cultural conditions of the nuns are improved with the publication and distribution of Tibetan texts in the college of Singkhri and in other colleges in the Tibetan regions of China.
Project Activities:1. Construction of a two-storey building with 60
rooms, each 18 square meters in size, for a total of 1,080 square meters.
2. Providing furniture and equipment for the new dormitory rooms.
3. Organizing teacher training courses in basic notions of sanitation and personal hygiene for 50 nuns, and two courses in basic notions of sanitation and personal hygiene for the remaining 550 nuns; providing personal hygiene kits to all 600 nuns.
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4. Offering three sewing classes for 20 nuns, providing all the supplies that participants need.
5. Collecting and digitalizing religious texts, publishing 2,100 copies in a series of 8 volumes, and distributing these texts to the nuns of Singkhri and other religious institutions in the Tibetan regions of China.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019: In 2019, the temporary registration of the competent Chinese authorities was obtained for the realization of the project. In terms of the building activities, a geological survey was conducted and architectural plans drawn up; structural plans and specifications were finalized; a call for tenders was announced to select the builder; a contract was signed with the construction company; the supervisor of the worksite was appointed; building supplies were transported to the site. For Activity 2 - provision of equipment and furniture for the new dormitories - this activity will be done during the second year of the project when construction is complete. For Activity 3, training courses in basic sanitation and hygiene, a trainer was chosen, a contract was signed, materials were prepared or purchased, and the 50 nuns were selected who participated in one week-long course. For Activity 4, training in traditional sewing methods: an instructor was selected, the training program was prepared, the supplies and materials were purchased to make clothing. A month-long course was held, and
a sewing workshop was set up with 20 sewing machines and all other necessary supplies and equipment. For the publication activity, contact was made with all nunneries and monasteries which house manuscripts to publish; once the texts were collected, they were transcribed in digital form and formatted for publication.
Beneficiaries direct: beneficiaries are the 600 nuns in the college of Singkhri who, divided into various groups, will receive the following benefits:• 50 nuns trained as teachers on the topics of health
and hygiene.• 550 nuns trained in health and hygiene.• 600 nuns, recipients of personal hygiene kits.• 20 nuns trained as seamstresses using traditional
sewing techniques.• 20 nuns, recipients of a complete sewing kit.• 120 nuns who board in the new dormitories.• 120 nuns, recipients of furniture and equipment
for the new dormitories.• 2100 nuns and monks, recipients of 8 volumes
each.Indirect beneficiaries will number 11,000.
Total Cost: 737,940 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 130,252.54 €
Donors: Danida, Singkhri Nunnery.
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2247 QUALITY MOUNTAIN PRODUCTS: VALUE ADDED TO SUPPORT A TIBETAN COOPERATIVE AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Location: Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province, People’s Republic of China.
Duration: from 1 June 2019 to 31 October 2020.
Status: ongoing.
Area of Intervention: micro-enterprises.
General Objective: to transform traditional models for pasture management into a viable economic model that conforms with systems of modern life, guaranteeing environmental sustainability and ensuring the dignity of the local community of herders. This will give new generations of Tibetans the opportunity to preserve their culture and identity, founded on nomadic herding, without forgoing education or available services.
Specific Objectives: The business plan of the Cyak Cooperative is an effective pilot project with high potential for replicability for other Tibetan cooperatives involved in raising livestock, providing an integrated service to rural Tibetan areas.
Expected Outcomes:1. two new products, dried mushrooms and dried
medicinal herbs, are prepared and launched on the market via direct sales and e-commerce.
2. an environmental study to give clear indications on appropriate pasture management models is conducted so a business plan can be developed for local cooperatives.
Project Activities:1. creating a laboratory for drying mushrooms and
medicinal herbs and organising a training course on the use of the equipment and the hygienic requirements regarding dried foodstuffs for human consumption.
2. setting up a shop with displays for promoting products during tourist visits, and acquiring materials needed to package and sell dried products.
3. developing an e-commerce strategy and promotional materials for launching an advertising campaign via local Chinese sites; consulting with e-commerce experts to formulate a market strategy; preparing material for the promotional
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launch on the site www.jd.com; uploading promos for the dried products on the web.
4. conducting an in-depth analysis of the potentialities for local pastures and the seasonal use of these lands: recruiting an expert to carry out a study of local grasslands used for grazing; investigating traditional knowledge on pasture management; identifying the best model for pasture management based on the needs of the herders and the local cooperatives to guarantee sustainable development of these lands.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019• An agreement was signed between the parties and
the documents were presented for temporary registration of local authorities. Temporary registration was obtained in September 2019.
• Work was carried out on the laboratory for drying the products; equipment was purchased in 2020.
• The shop was set up with relative displays. Equipment for the shop was purchased along with shelving units and product displays. For the office, equipment and computers were purchased.
• The e-commerce strategy will be developed in 2020.
• The analysis of potentialities of grasslands for grazing will be carried out in 2020.
Beneficiaries: 100 members of the Cyak Cooperative and twenty families associated with this organization.
Total Cost: 34,845 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 3,931.18 €
Donors: The Embassies of France and Germany (22,597 €), Cyak and ASIA (12,246 €)
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CHINA- SICHUAN PROVINCE2257 EMERGENCY INTERVENTION TO PROTECT THE GALENTENG RETREAT CENTER FROM THE AFTER EFFECTS OF A LANDSLIDE
Location: Village of Galenteng, District of Khorlondo; Derge County, Prefecture of Ganze, Sichuan Province, China.
Duration: June – December 2019.
Status: completed.
Area of Intervention: Cultural protection and emergency intervention.
General Objective: to preserve and pass down the spiritual and contemplative tradition of Galenteng Village for future generations.
Specific Objectives: to consolidate and protect the meditation centre in Galenteng, which was damaged by a landslide the previous summer.
Expected Outcomes:1. A project committee with representatives from
the college, the monastery and ASIA is established and functioning.
2. The temple and the rooms in the meditation centre are reinforced and secured, protected from potential future avalanches and landslides.
Project Activities:1. Establishing a project committee;2. appointing representatives;3. selecting personnel for performing the work;4. scheduling the work;5. producing reports and photos to inform donors of
progress on the project;6. executing the work to reinforce the temple and
the rooms in the centre;7. drawing up plans and specifications;
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8. selecting a builder;9. signing a contract with the builder;10. preparing materials needed for the work;11. constructing the foundations for consolidation;
monitoring activities; compiling a final report.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019The committee was established with representative from the village, the monastery and ASIA. The committee then called local carpenters to determine the cost of the work and draw up plans. The people of the village were asked to help the monastery with the building work and with transporting materials, which were locally sourced. The carpenter was selected and the contract for reinforcing the temple and the retreat rooms was signed. The work began immediately in the month of July, so as to be completed before the rainy season which was expected to begin in August. The work done around the temple included the construction of seven columns in reinforced concrete, one metre in diameter, sunk 10 metres into the ground; a bond beam 24 metres long and 18 metres wide was constructed to connect all the columns and to reinforce and solidify the foundations of the temple.Consolidation was completed with reinforced concrete for a total area of 252 square meters. For the rooms in the retreat centre, four pillars were constructed, each one meter in diameter. These
pillars were sunk 10 meters into the ground and connected with three beams made of reinforced concrete. Two additional pillars were then constructed, one shorter than the other, and a wall was built out of reinforced concrete to shore up the existing foundations. The entire area was levelled and drainage was created to channel water away from the foundations. The damaged portions of the existing walls were rebuilt and painted.The college was officially opened in a ceremony with thousands of people and important Lamas and Teachers from the area in attendance. A four-year retreat for 23 monks began in October. The final project report was delivered to the project donors.
Beneficiaries: Direct beneficiaries are the 23 monks on retreat; the head teacher and his assistant. Indirect beneficiaries include the 108 monks from the college, two abbots from the monastery and the nomadic people of Galeteng Village, numbering approximately 3,000 people.
Total Cost: 78,545 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 76,529.39 €
Donors: Piano Terra Foundation, ASIA America, ASIA, private donors.
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NEPAL2210 RECONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS DESTROYED BY THE EARTHQUAKE IN THE RASUWA DISTRICT
Location: Rasuwa District, Yarsa Municipality, Nepal.
Duration: 36 months.
Status: ended.
Area of intervention: post-emergency relief.
General objective: to improve the living standards of marginalised people living in most of the earthquake affected areas.
Expected outcomes:1. a school and community centre are reconstructed
using multi-risk-resistant technologies which are economical and replicable, criteria of inclusiveness for disability and gender are followed;
2. the livelihood of the community is strengthened through tailor-made IGA;
3. school attendance is improved, school drop-out rates as well as trafficking of minors are decreased through the adoption of alternative approaches to education.
Project activities:1. reconstruction of the school and community centre
and on-the-job training of local manpower;2. introduction and discussion regarding small IGA;3. mapping of marginal land;4. construction of nursery schools in selected areas;5. growing of multifunctional forest trees;6. apiculture and honey production;7. cultivation of forest products;8. multilingual education;9. alternative education methods;10. awareness-raising campaign on rights of children
and against trafficking of minors.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019:All the activities have been realized.
Beneficiaries: Direct: 2,591; Indirect: 7,648
Total cost: 281,895.00 €
Costs incurred in 2019: 40,111.51 €
Donors: Private funds from ASIA, other donors.
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2212 CONSTRUCTION OF A BÖN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE SCHOOL IN THE KATHMANDU DISTRICT
Location: Jharsingpauwa Village, Kathmandu District, Nepal.
Duration: 12 months.
Status: completed.
Area of intervention: education, health.
General objective: to improve basic healthcare in the remote areas of Nepal through the construction of a school for traditional medicine and the training of qualified traditional Himalayan doctors.
Expected outcomes:1. a traditional medical school is constructed,
complying with Nepalese government standards;2. after its construction, the traditional medical
school is completely equipped.
Project activities:1. construction of the traditional medical school;
2. establishment of a technical committee with a representative for each project partner;
3. preparation of the building designs and blueprints, the bill of quantities, the purchase plan and selection of the construction company;
4. preparation of the construction site (groundwork, levelling the site);
5. construction of the dormitories.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019All project activities were completed.
Beneficiaries: 40 medicine students, professors, school staff and their families (about 228 people).
Total cost: 100,399.30 €
Costs incurred in 2019: 11,674.17 €
Donors: Private funds from ASIA, Triten Norbutse Institution/Bönpo Foundation
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2221 DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE RESILIENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN NEPAL
Location: Sindhuli, Kavrepalanchok and Sindhupalchok districts, Nepal.
Duration: 30 months.
Status: ongoing.
Area of intervention: agriculture, climate change adaptation.
General objective: to promote a sustainable and environmentally-friendly production model in Nepal, able to adapt to climate change by cultivating indigenous varieties and ecotypes with a high-capacity to adapt.
Expected outcomes:1. Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) in
production chains for vegetables and vegetable seeds are coded through direct involvement of farmers and private firms;
2. at least 2,250 farmers (of which at least 50% are women) become members of 140 agriculture production cooperatives created during project activities, and their production capacity increases by 30% (measured on a unit of surface area of t/ha);
3. PGS products (seeds and vegetables) are sold and account for 5% of the entire market in the project area;
4. conservation agricultural techniques which are adaptable to climate change are promoted and adopted by 1,500 farmers, through financial support by means of subgrants; information and good practices for production chain development are assimilated and disseminated.
Project activities:1. selection of sites to produce out-of-season seeds
by using different altitudes in the territory;2. identification and participatory selection of
indigenous varieties and ecotypes of particular vegetable species;
3. scientific evaluation of the indigenous species selected;
4. establishment of farmer groups and cooperatives along the production chain;
5. improvement of fresh vegetable and spice production in the relative areas;
6. promotion of retailers and suppliers of agricultural inputs;
7. training groups and cooperatives for the production, processing and marketing of out-of-season seeds and products;
8. definition of a system for seed selection, treatment and packaging;
9. constructing and equipping infrastructures to store non-perishable goods and identification and reinforcement of structures such as collection centres;
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10. training round tables with entrepreneurs and retailers, and definition of PGS protocol for technical support and launch of products on the market;
11. establishment of an interactive network among cooperatives and manufacturers to maximise opportunities on national, regional and district markets;
12. creation of a ‘seal of quality’ that certifies the products put on the national market (guidelines from the Organic Certification Nepal);
13. development of a marketing strategy to promote products across the country;
14. improvement of market access and promotion of agricultural enterprises in the districts;
15. launch of business and network relations for vegetable seeds at a national level;
16. formulation of a communication plan to create and disseminate materials on the results and best practices and to research new market opportunities;
17. promotion of organic insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers;
18. improvement of animal nutrition and farming techniques;
19. analysis of factors impacting productivity development in the sector and relative best
practices;20. development of financial support (about 50
grants), analysis of selection criteria, procedures, methodologies for disbursement and follow-ups;
21. technical and managerial training for selected manufacturers and for those manufacturers who did not achieve the minimal requirements.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019All planned project activities were successfully completed.
Beneficiaries:Direct: 4,500 (1.500 farmers, of which 50% are women, per district). Indirect: 10,500 people and 24,000 new clients of the organic products launched on the market.
Total cost: 757,038 € of which: 564,078 € from AICS; 79,090 € from ASIA; 51,420 € from CEAPRED; 36,800 € from Oikos Onlus Institute; 25,650 € from Punto.sud Foundation.
Costs incurred in 2019: 252,484.17 €
Donors: AICS, ASIA, CEAPRED, Oikos Onlus Institute, Punto.sud Foundation
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2223 TREE IN A CUP: FORESTRY PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY IN A RURAL AREA OF NEPAL WITH COFFEE PLANTS, FRUITS SPECIES AND MULTIPURPOSE TREES
Location: Rasuwa District, rural municipality of Naukunda, Nepal.
Duration: 12 months.
Status: completed.
Area of Intervention: environment, livelihood.
General Objective:1. to reduce poverty in Nepal thanks to greater
competitiveness on the international and domestic market for coffee;
2. to improve the use of marginal land in the district of Rasuwa with fruit, fodder, and multipurpose trees;
3. to create work opportunities for young people in their home community and offer them a sustainable source of income, curbing the trend of migration toward urban areas and the Persian Gulf.
Expected Outcomes:1. areas where coffee is planted are expanded in the
district of Rasuwa; an effective management
model is adopted to mitigate the impact of disease in coffee plantations;
2. forest productivity is amplified in terms of biodiversity and marginal use of the land by planting new species;
3. quality and productivity is improved at a cooperative level, decent work conditions are promoted;
4. agricultural production is boosted and better sales management is implemented.
Project Activities:1. purchasing young coffee trees (4,000), fruit trees
(1000), fodder trees (500) and multipurpose trees (500);
2. training on preparing the soil and follow-up on planting seedlings:
3. transporting seedlings, preparing the soil, and planting;
4. georeferencing each individual coffee, shade, fodder and multipurpose tree;
5. training on organic agricultural practices;6. training on reforestation and recovery of marginal
lands;7. training on correct animal feed.
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Activities completed as of 31/12/2019All activities were completed.
Beneficiaries: 100 farmers and their families (approximately 500 indirect beneficiaries).
Total Cost: 22,620 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 879.79 €
Donors: Treedom s.r.l.
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2225 SUPPORTING EDUCATION IN THE MOST REMOTE AREAS OF NEPAL
Location: District of Dolpa, rural municipality of Jagadulla, Hurikot Village, Nepal.
Duration: 12 months.
Status: completed.
Area of Intervention: education, WASH.
General Objective: to preserve the Tibetan cultural identity and the right to an adequate education of the local community by enhancing access to primary school in the rural municipality of Jagadulla, Hurikot Village, Dolpa District.
Expected Outcomes:1. school building is renovated;2. alternative teaching methods are implemented
and the school is supported.
Project Activities:1. constructing new buildings and making
improvements on existing buildings: renovating and building boys and girls toilets;
2. construction and maintenance of a plumbing system supplying clean water; installing an electrical system in the school building;
3. setting up a playground;4. implementing an alternative teaching
methodology;5. improving school management (food, books,
school uniforms).
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019All project activities were completed.
Beneficiaries: 81 direct beneficiaries, 65 students and 16 teachers and assistants, approximately 405 indirect beneficiaries.
Total Cost: 40,958 €
Costs Incurred in 2019: 39,649.25 €
Donors: private funds, ASIA, other donors.
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2239 TREE IN A CUP: AGRO-FORESTRY PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY OF A RURAL AREA OF NEPAL WITH COFFEE, FRUIT AND MULTIPURPOSE TREES AND ORGANIC VEGETABLE FARMING
Location: Rasuwa District, rural municipality of Naukunda, Nepal.
Duration: 12 months.
Status: completed.
Area of Intervention: agriculture, environment.
General Objective:• to reduce poverty in Nepal by boosting
competitiveness in coffee commerce on the international and domestic market.
• to improve the use of marginal land in the district of Rasuwa using fruit, fodder and multipurpose trees and organic agriculture.
• to create work opportunities for young people in their home community and to offer them a source
of sustainable income, curbing migration flows toward urban areas and the Persian Gulf.
Expected Outcomes:1. Rasuwa coffee producers expand the areas where
coffee is planted and adopt an effective management model to reduce the impact of disease on coffee plants;
2. forest productivity is increased in terms of biodiversity and the use of marginal land by planting new species;
3. organic agricultural production of vegetables is augmented.
Project Activities:1. purchasing and planting coffee seedlings (5,000),
plums (1,000), guava (550), fodder trees (3,000) and lemons (750);
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2. purchasing and distributing 40 kits containing vegetable seeds and farming equipment;
3. training on preparing the soil and follow-up training on the seedlings;
4. building nurseries with the 40 distributed kits;5. training on forestry, and planting and handling
fruit;6. training on organic vegetable production: from
seed to market.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019All activities were completed.
Beneficiaries: 140 farmers (and their families: approximately 500 people).
Total Cost: 22,850.00 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 22,773.00 €
Donors: SolHimal France
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2240 WFFD – WATER FOR FOOD
Location: Sindhuli District, Kavrepalanchok and Sindhupalchok, Nepal.
Duration: 12 months.
Status: completed.
Area of Intervention: water and agriculture.
General Objective: to improve food security of farmers in the districts of Kavrepalanchok, Sindhuli and Sindhupalchok by creating rainwater harvesting systems and surface water and by using efficient irrigation systems.
Expected Outcomes:1. 21 soil cement tanks are built (7 for each district);2. 30 irrigation systems are installed (10 per
district), each with the capacity to irrigate 120 plants in 6 rows;
3. 90 farmers are trained on the use and maintenance of irrigation systems and 90 irrigation kits are distributed.
Project Activities:1. building 21 soil cement tanks;2. construction of 30 irrigation systems;3. distribution of 90 irrigation kits and training for
90 farmers on maintenance of irrigation systems.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019All project activities were completed.
Beneficiaries: 90 farmers (and their families: approximately 450 people).
Total Cost: 45,130 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 27,000.00 €
Donors: Tavola Valdese, ASIA
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2243 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND PROMOTION OF NON-WOOD FOREST SUPPLY CHAINS IN LANGTANG PARK, NEPAL
Location: Rasuwa District, rural municipalities of Naukunda and Kalika, Langtang Park, Nepal.
Duration: 36 months.
Status: ongoing.
Area of Intervention: environment, livelihoods.
General Objective: to improve the living conditions of women and their families by offering income opportunities linked to environmental conservation and the promotion of non-wood forest supply chains in Langtang Park, Nepal.
Expected Outcomes:1. 80% of female heads of household in conditions
of economic hardship are educated on their rights and trained in agricultural management and production, and the sale of agricultural products;
2. nurseries are established and equipped for the reproduction of local tree species that serve to re-naturalise buffer zones;
3. 15 hectares of marginal areas are planted with indigenous tree species;
4. 120 families are given training and equipment to initiate or expand beekeeping in the buffer zones;
5. 12 families are trained in the production of saprophytic mushroom to be sold on the market;
6. 60 families of herders are trained on techniques for pruning woody plants for animal feed, 250 seedlings of woody plants are distributed that can be replanted near homes and stables.
Project Activities:1. identifying family units with female heads of
household living in economic hardship;2. organising and realising a training course by
Nepalese partners to shore up the knowledge of these women on their rights as citizens, the right to education, and land rights;
3. organising and realising a training course for two groups of women who will act as nursery managers on greenhouse management, plant production, and sales promotion;
4. locating two 500-square-meter lots of land in good positions on level, fertile terrain;
5. tilling the soil and preparing the seed bed;6. creating greenhouses with polyethylene tarps;7. realizing two drip irrigation systems;
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8. providing materials for setting up two nurseries: seeds, pots, tools for working the soil, equipment for caring for the plants;
9. drawing up a convention with three Forest Users Groups;
10. establishing a reforestation campaign with the park;
11. doing reforestation activity for protection and production on three central zones, five hectares in size, for a total of 15 hectares;
12. selecting 120 families of beekeepers or those interested in beekeeping;
13. training 120 beekeepers;14. providing hives to the 120 beekeepers;15. providing personal protection equipment for
beekeeping;16. selecting 12 families interested in the production
of saprophytic edible mushrooms to be sold on the market;
17. training 12 families interested in growing mushrooms;
18. building 12 mushroom sheds al posto di greenhouses;
19. providing material for the propagation of edible saprophytic mycelia;
20. identifying 60 families of farmers and herders;21. defining the educational content of a training
course;22. training 60 families on animal nutrition and
woody plants;23. distributing 250 woody plant seedlings to 60
families.In Italy:1. organising a convention on the status of women
in Nepal and the evolution of women’s rights in the district of Rasuwa;
2. hosting a university seminar on socio-environmental issues linked to the project;
3. putting on an evening event addressing beekeeping and agriculture;
4. offering a scientific workshop to disseminate project outcomes;
5. organising an interactive photography exhibition, with photos of project activities, and stories and videos of the Nepalese women who are project beneficiaries;
6. publishing the magazine Dendronatura.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019• Family units with female heads of household facing
great economic hardship were identified;• training was organised and realised by Nepalese
partners to shore up women’s knowledge on their rights as citizens, the right to education, and land rights;
• two 500-square-meter lots of land were located, well-positioned on level and fertile terrain;
• initial work on the land was done and the seed bed prepared;
• a convention was set up with three Forest Users Groups;
• a reforestation campaign was established with the park;
• reforestation activity for protection and production was done on three central zones, five hectares in size, for a total of 15 hectares;
• 120 families were selected who are beekeepers or interested in beekeeping;
• 12 families were selected who are interested in the production of saprophytic edible mushrooms to be sold on the market;
• 60 families of farmers and herders were identified; content of training courses was defined for park authorities; 60 families were given 250 seedlings of woody plants.
In Italy:• activities were organized and planned;• a conference on the status of women was
organized.
Beneficiaries: in Nepal: 1,740 beneficiaries; in Italy: approximately 3000.
Total Cost: 244,136.59 €
Costs Incurred in 2019: 8,536.41 €
Donors: Autonomous Province of Trento, ASIA Trento
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2246 MODEL FARMS: IMPROVING LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE COMMUNITIES OF RASUWA BY STRENGTHENING THE AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN
Location: Rasuwa District, rural municipalities of Naukunda and Kalika, Nepal.
Duration: 18 months.
Status: ongoing.
Area of Intervention: agriculture and livelihoods.
General Objective: to improve the living conditions of the communities in the remote rural area of Rasuwa, shoring up the agricultural value chain.
Expected Outcomes:1. irrigation system is installed in Saramthali;2. agricultural extension services are provided to
farmers to augment production and processing efficiency;
3. agricultural extension services are provided to generate income via crops and livestock;
4. cooperatives for small local farmers are supported and the market chain is improved;
5. interest is generated among young people in the cultivation of high-value crops.
Project Activities:1. constructing an irrigation system in Saramthali;2. setting up a committee to manage the irrigation
system;3. training on the proper use of agricultural input
for the production of basic crops;4. instituting a collection centre for processing
corn, paddy rice and millet in Patikarka;5. training and support materials for post-harvest
crop management;6. training and support on the use of manure;7. training and support for the implementation and
management of nurseries;8. training and practical demonstrations on the
realization of plastic hothouses and micro-irrigation systems;
9. extension services and support for cash crops;10. training on financial literacy;11. construction of a collection centre;12. reinforcing marketing skills of the cooperatives;13. educational initiatives on farming for children
(over 12).
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Activities completed as of 31/12/2019• Committee for managing the irrigation system was
formed;• training on post-harvest crop management was
conducted and support materials provided;• training and support was offered on use of manure;• training and support was provided for the
realisation and management of nurseries;• training and practical demonstration conducted on
the realisation of plastic hothouses and micro-irrigation systems;
• training on financial literacy.
Beneficiaries: 1,695 direct beneficiaries; approximately 6,050 indirect beneficiaries.
Total Cost: 150,000 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 54,265.79 €
Donors: Italian Caritas, ASIA
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2250 SPEED FOR LIFE – IMPROVING THE VALUE CHAINS OF “SPICES AND SEEDS” FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL NEPAL, ENGENDERING EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUTH
Location: Districts of Kavrepalanchock and Sindhupalchock, rural municipalities of Dhulikel, Namobuddha, Temal, Helambu and Melamchi, Nepal.
Duration: 24 months.
Status: ongoing.
Area of Intervention: agriculture, economic development, livelihood.
General Objective: to improve the living conditions of small-scale farmers by increasing agricultural production and the commercialization of high-value vegetables and seeds in central Nepal.
Expected Outcomes:1. production of high-value seeds and spices for
resale is augmented by 20% by utilising appropriate production techniques and engaging groups of local farmers;
2. a business plan is successfully implemented for the self-sustainability of community-based social enterprises;
3. the governance of local authorities is reinforced by means of participatory planning for the commercialisation of local products, guaranteeing ownership of the development process;
4. a sustainable system is created for the commercialisation of seeds and spices by improving the value chain and correctly utilising the information system of the agricultural market.
Project Activities:1. identifying and selecting, with various
stakeholders, potential species of seeds and areas for the production of seeds from local varieties;
2. skill building for farmers on the commercial production of seeds;
3. skill building for farmers on the commercial production of spices;
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4. dissemination of good agricultural practices for the use of pesticides (synthetic and natural);
5. creating a seed bank;6. founding and setting up two social enterprises for
the commercialisation of the products;7. capacity building for community-based social
enterprises;8. participatory planning and meetings with the
Rural Municipalities and the Agriculture Knowledge Centre;
9. mobilising and reinforcing the skills of the Community Resources Persons;
10. setting up a weekly market for the sale of seeds and vegetables;
11. studying the value chain of spices and seeds for at least seven varieties of seeds and three varieties of spices;
12. developing a business plan for the sale of processed and semi-processed seeds and spices;
13. dissemination of farming bulletins via FM radio stations and instant messaging.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019Preliminary activities were undertaken to recruit human resources; an agreement was signed by partners; kickoff meetings were held (the project was initiated on 1 November 2019).
Beneficiaries: 3,500 farmers (60% women and 70% young people from 20 to 39 years of age) and their families (approximately 17,500 indirect beneficiaries).
Total Cost: 789,738.84 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 10,965.79 €
Donors: AICS, ASIA, CEAPRED, DAFNE (University of Tuscia), PIN s.r.l. (Arco)
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2251 REDUCING FOOD INSECURITY AND IMPROVING LIVING CONDITIONS FOR WOMEN AND FARMERS IN THE DISTRICT OF RASUWA IN NEPAL
Location: Rasuwa District, rural municipalities of Naukunda, Nepal.
Duration: 12 months.
Status: ongoing.
Area of intervention: agriculture, environment, livelihood.
General Objective: to reduce food insecurity and improve the living conditions of women and their families through income opportunities linked to environmental conservation, agricultural production, and promotion of non-wood forest supply chains in Langtang Park, Nepal.
Expected Outcomes:1. income opportunities are created for 100 family
units, of which 30 have female heads of household;
2. quality of agricultural production is increased through the creation of nurseries with irrigation systems;
3. a reforestation campaign is initiated and buffer zones are re-naturalised in Langtang Park.
Project Activities:1. Identifying and selecting women participants and
training programmes on land rights and financial literacy;
2. training on greenhouse management, business plans and mediation;
3. selecting 60 families and training 60 beekeepers (distributing hives and beekeeping kits);
4. identifying and training 60 families of herders and distributing 3,000 plants for animal fodder;
5. realising four nurseries with four irrigation systems, and distributing kits for planting and activating the greenhouses;
6. initiating a reforestation campaign in the buffer zones of Langtang Park and distribution 7,000 trees for reforestation.
In ItalyOrganising a photo exhibition with pictures of project participants in action; showing a video to share project outcomes and raise awareness on the issues of food security, poverty, migration, the status of
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Nepalese women, environmental conservation and climate change.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019• Women participants and trainings on land rights
and financial literacy were identified and selected;• training was offered on green house management;• 60 families were selected for beekeeping;• 3,000 plants to produce forage for livestock were
distributed;• two greenhouses were created;• kits were distributed for planting and for
activating the greenhouses;• a reforestation campaign was initiated.
Beneficiaries: 1,380 direct beneficiaries in Nepal; 1,000 direct beneficiaries in Italy. 44.000 indirect beneficiaries in Nepal; 107,519 indirect beneficiaries in Italy.
Total Cost: 81,221 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 9,064.10 €
Donors: Autonomous Province of Bolzano, ASIA
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2252 IMPROVING LIVELIHOODS FOR THE COMMUNITY OF BHOTEKOSHI IN NEPAL BY BUILDING SUPPLY SYSTEMS FOR CLEAN WATER AND PROMOTING LIVESTOCK HERDING
Location: District of Sindhupalchock, rural municipality of Bhotekoshi, villages of Saphukhane, Chagaam, and Bagam, Nepal.
Duration: 12 months.
Status: ongoing.
Area of Intervention: water and health, agriculture, livestock herding.
General Objective: to improve the living conditions of 160 families in the communities of Sapukhane, Chaggam and Bagam, boosting production and commercialisation in the livestock sector and ensuring access to clean water.
Expected Outcomes:1. clean water is made available to the Sapukhane
communities;2. sanitary conditions are improved for community
beneficiaries;3. livestock breeders are organized and pastures
identified for improved breeding of 60 chauri for the three communities;
4. health conditions of the herds of the three communities are improved through training and with the support of public veterinary services;
5. a stronger connection between livestock breeders and the market is created.
Project Activities:1. establishing water supply schemes for upper and
lower Sapukhane;2. setting up a committee for managing the water
supply systems in Sapukhane;3. running an awareness-raising campaign on
personal hygiene;4. creating groups of herders and identifying
pastures for raising chauri;5. purchasing and distributing chauri;6. implementing pasture management for long-
term sustainability;7. developing skills/training to improve breeding
practices;8. training on the quality and healthy production of
dairy products and distributing essential equipment;
9. offering guidance on methods and benefits of insuring livestock to mitigate the risk of accidental and/or disease-related death;
10. providing access to veterinary healthcare for livestock and feed management;
11. training on drawing up a business plan for raising chauri;
12. commercialization of dairy products.
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In ItalyOrganizing a photo exhibition on the project’s themes to raise awareness in the Bolzano community with regard to access to water and limited means of subsistence in Nepal. Particular attention will focus on the issue of cultural and linguistic minorities in Nepal.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019A technical committee was established with the participation of a representative from each partner; an agreement was signed by all partners;
architectural drawings were drafted for the water supply system, bill of quantity was calculated and purchase plans drawn up.
Beneficiaries: In Nepal: direct – 942; indirect – 16,772. In Italy: direct – 1,000; indirect – 10,7519.
Total Cost: 125,620 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 1,067.28 €
Donors: Autonomous Province of Bolzano, ASIA
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MYANMAR2202 WOMEN, ENVIRONMENT, AND COMMUNITY FORESTS FOR FOOD SAFETY IN RAKHINE
Location: Rakhine State, Thandwe District, Myanmar.
Duration: 36 months.
Status: completed.
Area of intervention: education, environment.
General objective: to continue the war on poverty and affirm the right to food in the state of Rakhine, Myanmar.
Expected outcomes: awareness is enhanced regarding the environment and food safety; rural development is promoted; forest resources are managed more effectively.
Project activities:1. organizing environmental education campaigns
and support for local schools;2. recovering and encouraging environmental
traditions;3. promoting the gastronomy and culture of
Rakhine;4. strengthening communities;5. diversifying the rural economy;6. reinforcing local authorities and community
associations;
7. shoring up technical capabilities for managing existing forests in the community;
8. establishing seven new community forests;9. networking activities.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019All activities planned by Asia were completed:• 800 handouts for teachers were printed, in
addition to7,500 comics for primary and secondary school students. 600 posters were printed to hang up in the schools and in the administration offices of the village.
• School vegetable gardens and groves of fruit trees were planted (28 old and 36 new). There were 20 interventions regarding health and hygiene.
• A video was produced.
Beneficiaries: Direct: 33,000 people in 29 villages. Indirect: 200,000.
Total cost: 1,515,270.00 €
Costs incurred in 2019: 4,412.49 €
Donors: Private funds from ASIA, Oikos, MAECI.
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2248 COFFEE: OPTIMIZING THE SUPPLY CHAIN AND PROMOTING ASSOCIATED ECONOMIES IN THE SOUTHERN CHIN STATE
Location: Southern Chin State.
Duration: 36 months.
Status: ongoing.
Area of Intervention: food security, agriculture, livestock herding.
General Objective: to promote the sustainable rural development, reducing itinerant agriculture, migration and the loss of natural resources (mountain forests) in the southern part of Chin State.
Expected Outcomes:10. quality and quantity are augmented of coffee
produced in the southern districts of the Chin State, in the townships of Mindat and Kanpetlet;
11. commercial value of the product is increased on the national and international market (dried or natural green coffee); related retail opportunities are enhanced;
12. micro-enterprise activities linked to complementary supply chains of coffee are reinforced.
Project Activities:1. establishing a nursery for certified varieties of
Arabic coffee with designation of origin;2. purchasing 80 acres of land;3. training on climate smart agriculture, best
practices in agriculture, post-harvesting and quality control;
4. training on techniques used in the districts for warehouse management for secondary processing centres;
5. creating 20 processing centres and equipping them with solar dryers for initial drying phase in the production of natural coffee;
6. establishing a centre in Mindat for harvesting and secondary processing of Chin coffee;
7. conducting a sector study on the national and international market for Chin coffee;
8. organising seminars and meetings between
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producers and retailers to expand the coffee market;
9. identifying complementary coffee-related products;
10. training on marketing and commercialisation of coffee and coffee-related products.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019In the first month and a half of activities, coordination meetings took place with project staff, and a field mission was carried out to determine the most
suitable project implementation strategy. Meetings were organized by ASIA personnel, Progetto Continenti and COLDA (a local partner).
Beneficiaries: Direct 3,300 people.
Total Cost: 1,188,723.68 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 14,866.39 €
Donors: AICS, ASIA, Progetto Continenti
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MONGOLIA2245 BEGINNING AGAIN WITH EDUCATION: RENOVATING DORMITORIES FOR CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL IN THE ASGAT DISTRICT, MONGOLIA
Location: Sükhbaatar Province, Mongolia.
Duration: 12 months.
Status: ongoing.
Areas of Intervention: health and water.
General Objective: to encourage early childhood education in Asgat, in the Mongolian province of Sukhbaatar, for children from the poorest nomadic families.
Expected Outcomes: structural conditions of the dormitories are improved, as well as the quality of life of the 52 children who are boarders: the school need is supplied with clean drinking water.
Project Activities:1. replacing the roof of the dormitory;2. renovating the interior of the dormitory;3. running a complete analysis of the school’s well
water (physical, chemical, microbiological);4. studying the characteristics of the water and
identifying the most effective purification system; purchasing and transporting a water purification system; constructing a new building to enlarge the kitchen;
5. installing a water purification system;
6. hooking up water;7. heating and electrical systems to the new
building;8. and connecting the water pipes to the
purification system;9. following up and monitoring work.
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019Building work was completed: the roof was finished and the dormitory interior was renovated. In addition to the work initially planned, during project activities it became apparent that the radiators in the dormitory were too old and needed to be replaced. Thanks to collaboration with a construction company, the radiators were replaced so as to guarantee a healthy environment for the young students. A new building was constructed near the school and a water filter was installed. The electrical and heating systems were modernised.
Beneficiaries: Direct 3,610 residents of the Asgat District.
Total Cost: 200,442 €
Cost Incurred in 2019: 129,082.16 €
Donors: Italian Buddhist Union, ASIA.
LONG DISTANCE SPONSORSHIP (LDS)
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Long Distance Sponsorship (LDS) is an act of soli-darity involving an ethical commitment to provide a reliable and continuous economic contribution to children or adults in need. The ultimate goal is to improve the living conditions of the beneficiaries in the cultural context and social sphere where they live. For ASIA, Long Distance Sponsorship is an essential tool that allows us to guarantee certain specific segments of the Himalayan populations the chance to receive an education while respecting, preserving and passing on their cultural identity (specifically children, young people, the elderly and monks). In the past five years ASIA has seen a steady decline in LDSs. This number changes every year based on various factors, primarily: the number of new sponsorships that are activated, the number of sponsorships that ended, the number of renewed sponsorships, and the opening/closing of projects.
With a total of 1657 active sponsorships, 2019 saw a slight decrease as compared to 2018 (71 fewer LDSs, which however is less than the decrease seen from 2017 to 2018) and the years prior, primarily due to a greater number of sponsorships that were closed/interrupted and the difficulties in recovering these closures with the new requests we received. Note also that in 2019 it was not possible for us to con-tinue with activities and communication campaigns specifically targeting LDS, nor could we organize all the meetings we had planned with sponsors.
2019 saw a downturn in the number of new spon-sorships (109 in 2019 compared to 132 in 2018), but on the other hand, fewer sponsorships were closed this year than in 2018 (323 in 2019 vs 389 in 2018).
FIGURE 1. NEW LDSs AND LDS CLOSURES
New LDSs 2019 LDS closures 2019
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
75
253 6
109
Children
TOTA
L
Monks Elderlypeople
Students
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
276
9 15 13
323
ChildrenTO
TAL
Monks Elderlypeople
Students
Of the 323 closures, 68 involved situations regard-ing the sponsor while 255 were due to conditions having changed for the beneficiary. The breakdown of these figures is as follows:
Reasons for the 68 closures linked to sponsors:• 18 due to long-term non-payment; • 43 due to financial difficulties;• 1 because aid was reallocated for other purpos-
es or to other countries /NGOs;• 6 for other reasons.
Reasons for the 255 closures due to changed condi-tions of beneficiaries: • 153 earned their diplomas or finished their
studies;• 38 transferred to other schools/monasteries;• 10 moved to other countries;
• 8 cases involved project-related issues; • 55 interrupted their studies (for family, health
or personal reasons).
While the number of closures linked to sponsors remained the same (one less than 2018), closures due to the changed conditions of beneficiaries were far fewer (-65 compared to 2018). This thanks to the additional classes created in the schools in Qinghai (the school in Rigmo went from offering 4 to 6 years of primary education).
For the 255 closures due to changed conditions of the beneficiaries, respective sponsors were promptly informed. Subsequently, sponsorships were reopened with 159 new LDS beneficiaries replacing the previous ones (including 8 new spon-sorships from 2018 closures). As for the remaining
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sponsors: 12 asked for a waiting period before activating a new LDS, 45 were unable to renew their commitment, and 54 have yet to provide any feedback (These figures correspond to the number of LDSs, that is the beneficiaries, not to the actual number of sponsors. This means that, since one sponsor can have more than one beneficiary, the number of individual sponsors is probably lower).
As regards instead the 68 closures for reasons linked to sponsors, noteworthy is the fact that with respect to 2018 the number of closures due to non-payment decreased slightly (-10 compared to 2018), thanks to meticulous verification of sponsors who failed to respect their financial commitment. A more alarming number is the closures due to
* The non-personal Fund allows a number of our German donors, who do not wish to have a one-to-one relationship with the beneficiaries, to provide support for students. These donors commit an annual sum to this Fund.
financial difficulties (+15 compared to 2018), be-cause one major sponsor in a similar situation had to close 22 LDSs.
Instead during 2019 a total of 268 new LDSs were initiated. Of these, as previously mentioned, 159 were activated after the previous beneficiaries left the program (20 less than in 2018). In addition, ASIA received 109 new requests for sponsors (23 less than in 2018). The breakdown of the 268 new sponsorships by type of beneficiary is as follows: 214 children, 28 monks, 10 elderly people and 16 students (Study Grant). With respect to the previ-ous year, sponsorship requests for monks, elderly people and students has increased (see Figure 2).
FIGURE 2. NEW LDSs BY TYPE OF BENEFICIARY (2018/2019)
2018: 311 New LDSs 2019: 268 New LDSs
Elderly people 3% 3% Students
87% Children
Monks 7%Elderly people 4% 6% Students
80% Children
Monks 10%
In terms of the country of origin of the 81 new sponsors (for the 109 new LDSs that were activated throughout the year): 51 were Italian, 5 German, 2 French, 3 Spanish, 2 British, 2 American, 2 Russian, and 2 Swiss. The other 12 come from Poland, Taiwan, Slovakia, Canada, Holland, Qatar, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Romania, China, Austria and the Czech Republic respectively. In addition, ASIA has offices managed by volunteers in France, the United States and Germany and this is the situation for 2019:• France. The number of active LDSs this year re-
mained the same as 2018, with 32 sponsors and 40 active LDSs: 28 children, 9 monks, 1 student (Study Grant) and 2 elderly people.
• United States. The number of sponsors declined slightly to 10, while the total number of active LDSs went from 25 to 24: 20 children, 2 elderly people and 2 monks.
• Germany. The number of sponsors and active LDSs dropped in 2019. Specifically, there were
91 sponsors, compared to 119 in 2018. Note in this case that, unlike the year prior, excluded from this calculation were supporters of the non-personal German Fund* who did not make a donation in 2019. As a result, this number is more accurate. The number of active LDSs decreased as well from 104 to 96 (including 32 non-personal sponsorships, associated with the German Fund), 8 less than in 2018. Specifically, German sponsors provided support for 53 students through Study Grant, 5 monks, 36 children and 1 elderly person.
With respect to the number of LDSs opened and closed during in 2019, like every year the number of active LDSs fluctuated (see Figure 3). From December 2018 to May 2019 there was a slight but steady increase in sponsorships (while in the previous year during the same period there was a standstill). This was followed by the sharp decline typical of the month of June (with the school year
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coming to a close). From July to October there was a positive trend overall, albeit not as consistent. This was followed by an unusual drop due in part to the
fact that it was impossible to continue promoting communication campaigns specifically targeting Long Distance Sponsorship.
FIGURE 3. TREND OF ACTIVE LSD (DECEMBER 2018 – JANUARY 2020)
1550
1600
1650
1700
1750
1800
1850
1728
17421754
17641774
1781
1569
1692
1680
1682
1683
1708
16731657
December 2018
Januay 2020
Januay
Februay
MarchApril
MayJune
July
August
September
October
November
December
Adding the three countries with 47 active projects as a standard of reference, please note the following: (see Table 1):• India: The total number of active projects is 21
(7 if we count the TCV, CST and STS schools as unified under the three acronyms); the number of active LDS as of December 2019 was 498, 17 less than 2018, due to a decrease primarily in the THF School project, in certain STS projects and in TIPA. Note also that in the TCV there was an over-all increase of 9 LDSs, and 5 are projects that are temporarily suspended (TCV Scholarship, STSS Bhuntar, CST Sonada, Dalhousie and Mundgod).
• Nepal: Active projects here total 7. This year too the number of sponsorships in Nepal increased to 422 - 52 more than 2018. This jump can be ascribed entirely to the Triten Monastery, and in three of the four new schools in Rasuwa
(Aarukharka, Thangdoor and Dupcheshwori). Note also that the drop of 32 sponsorships in the Manasarovar school was also because it was impossible for the school to continue to support the students who had moved to India to continue their studies.
• Tibet: The total number of projects active in the regions (Qinghai, Sichuan, Tibetan Autonomous Region) is 19. The number of LDSs active in 2019 plummeted by 106 compared to 2018. The reason for this drop is linked to the general situation of political unrest in the area. For this reason, ASIA decided not to open new sponsorships in Tibet unless expressly requested by sponsors.
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TABLE 1. LDS DATA BY COUNTRY AND PROJECT (2018-2019)
LDS PROJECTS LDS 2017 LDS 2018 LDS 2019DIFFERENCE
2018-2019
TOTAL LDS 3 COUNTRIES 1,806 1,728 1,657 -71
INDIA / 21 541 515 498 -17
0501 THF (School) 165 154 135 -19
0503 TKIS 1 1 1 0
0504 STSS Bhuntar
61 58 -30506 STSS Chauntra 59
0507 STSS Paonta 8
0554 STSS Petoen 2
0509 THF Elders 82 80 76 -4
0510 TIPA 18 17 16 -1
0511 CST Shimla 7
17 18 1
0516 CST Darjeeling 3
0517 CST Mussorie 7
0530 CST Kalimpong 1
0544 CST Sonada 2
0545 CST Dalhousie
0553 CST Mundgod
0512 TCV Bylakuppe 47
185 194 9
0513 TCV Dharamsala 29
0514 TCV Lower Dharamsala 2
0515 TCV Gopalpur 23
0519 TCV Suja 4
0520 TCV Outreach 18
0524 TCV Outreach Bylakuppe 10
0529 TCV Scholarship
0531 TCV Chauntra 49
0548 TCV Selakui 4
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LDS PROJECTS LDS 2017 LDS 2018 LDS 2019DIFFERENCE
2018-2019
NEPAL / 7 348 370 422 52
0502 Triten Norbutse Monastery 63 70 83 13
0508 Manasorovar Foundation 253 244 212 -32
0549 Dolpo School (Ganchen Meri) 32 26 30 4
0570 Aarukharka School 11 24 13
0571 Thangdoor School 13 23 10
0572 Namuna School 5 5
0573 Dupcheshwori School 6 45 39
TIBET / 19 917 843 737 -106
QINGHAI / 10 709 631 532 -78
0505 Dongche School 80 84 75 -9
0523 Tanggan School 88 94 91 -3
0527 Rigmo School 64 50 47 -3
0534 Golok School 174 149 122 -27
0537 Yungog School 100 85 42 -43
0538 Genesai School 50 59 47 -12
0562 Rma Zhol School (Hebei) 13 12 16 4
0591 Xining University 104 93 81 -12
0592 Hainan High School 5 3 8 5
0596 Guide High School 7 2 3 1
SICHUAN / 5 115 121 115 -6
0532 Derge School 49 55 50 -5
0540 Galenteng Monastery 27 26 28 2
0543 Trama College 17 17 15 -2
0555 Baiya Monastery 14 13 12 -1
0557 Yena School 8 10 10 0
TAR (Tibetan Autonomous Region) / 4 93 91 90 -1
0539 Dzolung Monastery 55 54 54 0
0542 Dzongtsa Monastery 17 16 15 -1
0546 Khamdogar Monastery 4 3 3 0
0547 Senghe Monastery 17 18 18 0
ACTIVE LDS PROJECTS IN 2019
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INDIATIBETAN HOMES FOUNDATION (THF) – SCHOOL
Project Code: 0501
Project description and location: Long Distance Sponsorship of Tibetan refugee children at the Tibetan Homes Foundation, the elementary, middle and high school in Mussoorie, in Uttarakhand. The THF hosts and provides study opportunities to over 2,000 children, many of whom are orphans or have come from Tibet without their family members. The Long Distance Sponsorship contributes to the expenses incurred by the THF for the support and teaching of these students, who live in foster homes and who are provided not only with primary education, secondary education and with Study Grants for university studies, but also with medical assistance and with living and study conditions reflecting as far as possible a family atmosphere.
Results of the project: support to the education of 135 Tibetan children and youths and increase in the basic and higher educational level in the Tibetan community of Mussoorie.
Beneficiaries: 135 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the school, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsors, management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 34,119.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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TIBETAN HOMES FOUNDATION (THF) – ELDERLY PEOPLE
Project code: 0509
Project description and location: Long Distance Sponsorship of elderly Tibetan refugees at the Elderly homes of the Tibetan Homes Foundation in Mussoorie and Dehradun, in Uttarakhand. The THF residences for the elderly (Old People’s Homes) host and provide assistance to elderly Tibetans, alone or ill, who can no longer support themselves. The Long Distance Sponsorship helps cover the costs incurred by THF for the support and care of these persons.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 76 elderly Tibetan refugees and improvement
of living conditions of the elderly at the refugee settlements of Mussoorie and Dehradun.
Beneficiaries: 76 elderly Tibetans.
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the elderly home, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsors.
Cost of the project: 15,940.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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TIBETAN KHAMPA INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY (TKIS)
Project code: 0503
Project description and location: Long Distance Sponsorship of Tibetan refugee children at the Tibetan Khampa Industrial Society, in Himachal Pradesh. The TKIS provides support to the households originating in the Tibetan region of Kham who are now in exile at the Bir settlement, not far from Dharamsala. The sponsorships provide support to the TKIS to ensure the education of children belonging to the most needy families.
Results of the project: support to the education of one student (the project will
be closed at the end of her studies).
Beneficiaries: 1 Tibetan student (direct beneficiary) and her family (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the school, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsor of the beneficiary.
Cost of the project: 240.00 €
Donors: private donor.
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SAMBHOTA TIBETAN SCHOOLS SOCIETY (STSS)
Project codes:0504 STSS Bhuntar0506 STSS Chauntra0507 STSS Paonta0554 STSS Petoen
Project description and location: Long Distance Sponsorship in favor of Tibetan refugee children of some of the schools of the Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society, in Himachal Pradesh. The first STSS was set up in the early 1980s at Chauntra, then it was followed by other schools for a total of 19 schools administered by the Department of Education of the Tibetan government in exile. These schools ensure education, and often also board and lodging, to a large number of Tibetan children and youths coming from the most remote settlements of Northern India. The Long Distance Sponsorship is aimed at the poorest students of some of these schools.
Results of the project: support to the education of 58 Tibetan refugee children and youths and increase in the basic educational level of the refugee settlements of Chauntra, Paonta and Petoen.
Beneficiaries: 58 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the school, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsors, management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: total 13,680.00 €0506 STS Chauntra: 11,400.00 €0507 STS Paonta: 1,800.00 € 0554 STS Petoen: 480.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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TIBETAN INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS (TIPA)
Project code: 0510
Project description and location: Long Distance Sponsorship of Tibetan refugee students at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in Dharamsala, in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The TIPA is the official arts institute of the government in exile and its aim is to preserve Tibet’s ancient cultural tradition in its various forms (music, theatre, dance etc.). The Long Distance Sponsorship helps to cover the costs incurred by TIPA to provide education and accommodation for the poorest students.
Results of the project: support to the education of 16 Tibetan refugee students and preservation
of the ancient cultural traditions in the refugee settlements of the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Beneficiaries: 16 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the school, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsors, management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 4,330.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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CENTRAL SCHOOLS FOR TIBETANS (CST)
Project codes:0511 CST Shimla0516 CST Darjeeling0517 CST Mussoorie0530 CST Kalimpong0544 CST Sonada0545 CST Dalhousie0553 CST Mundgod
Project description and location: Long Distance Sponsorship of Tibetan refugee children for some of the schools of the Central School for Tibetans, in Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Uttarchan Pradesh. The CST Mussoorie was the first Tibetan school founded in India, in 1960. It was then followed by other schools and now it includes a total of 71 schools administered by the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the Government of India. These schools ensure education, and often also board and lodging to a large number of Tibetan children and youths from the most remote settlements of Northern India. The Long Distance Sponsorship is aimed at the poorest students of some of these schools.
Results of the project: support to the education of 18 Tibetan refugee children and youths and increase of the basic educational level in the refugee settlements of Mussoorie, Shimla, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sonada and Dalhousie.
Beneficiaries: 18 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the school, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsors, management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: total 4,300.00 €0511 CST Shimla: 1,440.00 €0516 CST Darjeeling: 1,180.00 €0517 CST Mussorie: 1,080.00 €0530 CST Kalimpong: 600.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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TIBETAN CHILDREN’S VILLAGES (TCV)
Project codes:0512 TCV Bylakuppe0513 TCV Dharamsala0514 TCV Lower Dharamsala0515 TCV Gopalpur0519 TCV Suja0520 TCV Outreach0524 TCV Outreach Bylakuppe0529 TCV Scholarship0531 TCV Chauntra0548 TCV Selakui
Project description and location: Long Distance Sponsorship of Tibetan refugee children at the Tibetan Children’s Villages in the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. Since the 1960s, starting from Dharamsala, which hosts the main office of the TCV, a network of village-schools has been created; now many schools have been founded in various regions of India and Nepal. These are boarding schools and most of the children studying there have been sent by their parents, who have remained in Tibet, to come to India to study their culture. The support is aimed at the children and youths studying and living in the school villages, and to those living with their families through the Outreach programme.
Results of the project: support to the education of 194 Tibetan refugee children and youths and increase in the basic educational level of refugee settlements in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka.
Beneficiaries: 194 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the school, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsors, management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: total 43,935.00 €0512 TCV Bylakuppe: 10,175.00 €0513 TCV Dharamsala: 5,780.00 €0514 TCV Lower Dharamsala: 960.00 €0515 TCV Gopalpur: 7,320.00 €0519 TCV Suja: 1,920.00 €0520 TCV Outreach: 4,660.00 €0524 TCV Outreach Bylakuppe: 1,560.00 €0531 TCV Chauntra: 10,310.00 €0548 TCV Selakui: 1,250.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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NEPALMANASAROVAR EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
Project code: 0508
Project description and location: Long Distance Sponsorship of Tibetan refugee students and Nepalese students at the Manasarovar Academy in Kathmandu (Ramhiti Boudhanath), in Nepal. This kindergarten and primary school was founded in 1999 thanks to the initiative of two women who wanted to provide Tibetan refugee children in Nepal with the opportunity to receive quality education which respected the traditions of their culture. The support is aimed at sustaining the education of some students who study at the school or who are supported by it once they move to other institutes to continue their studies (high schools and universities).
Results of the project: support to the education of 212 Tibetan refugee students
and increase of the basic educational level among the young Tibetans in Nepal.
Beneficiaries: 212 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the school, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsors, management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 50,361.67 €
Donors: private donors.
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GANCHEN MERI SCHOOL
Project code: 0549
Description of the project and location of intervention: Long Distance Sponsorship of children in the Nepalese district of Dolpa who attend the Ganchen Meri School. This primary monastic school was founded to educate the poorest children of the area, often orphans, offering them the opportunity to learn their language, history and culture. The sponsorship aims to give support to the education of some students living and studying at that school.
Results of the project: support to the education of 30 children and increased school enrollment in the District of Dolpa.
Beneficiaries: 30 children (direct beneficiaries) and their respective families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the school, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsors, management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 3,670.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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TRITEN NORBUTSE BÖNPO MONASTERY
Project code: 0502
Project description and location: Long Distance Sponsorship of Tibetan monks at the Bönpo Triten Norbutse Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. This monastery is a place where Bön culture is studied under the direction of Lopon Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche. The LDS project is aimed at the support of the studies of the monks and young students at the monastery.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 83 Tibetan monks and students, improvement of living conditions in the monastery and preservation of Bön traditions at the Tibetan refugee settlement in Kathmandu.
Beneficiaries: 83 monks and students (direct beneficiaries) and all the other unsponsored monks (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the monastery, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsors, management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 18,153.60 €
Donors: private donors.
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RASUWA SCHOOLS
Project codes: 0570 Aarukharka School0571 Thangdoor School0572 Namuna School0573 Dupcheshwori School
Project description and location: Long Distance Sponsorship of children who attend the 4 schools in Yarsa and Saramthali, in the Rural Municipality of Naukunda, Rasuwa District. In geographical terms, Rasuwa is located in the mountainous Himalayan area bordering Tibet called Parbat, with over 60% of the district’s territory resting at an elevation of over 3,000 meters. Many areas in the district are desperately poor, a situation exacerbated by the violent earthquake in 2015, which destroyed the schools which ASIA later rebuilt in 2018. The Long Distance Sponsorship here focuses on the very poorest of the pupils. In addition, ASIA contributes to improving the quality of teaching and the living and studying conditions for all the children who attend the schools.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship for 97 Nepalese children and increase of the educational level of the District of Rasuwa
Beneficiaries: 97 Nepalese students (direct beneficiaries) and their respective families (indirect beneficiaires).
Role of ASIA: raising and sending funds to the schools, handling of contacts with the local counterparts and with the sponsors, management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: total 9,351.95 € 0570 Aarukharka School: 1,986.78 € 0571 Thangdoor School: 2,040.00 € 0572 Namuna School: 580.00 € 0573 Dupcheshwori School: 4,745.17 €
Donors: private donors
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TIBET – QINGHAI PROVINCEDONGCHE SCHOOL
Project code: 0505
Project description and location: Dongche Elementary School is located at an altitude of about 3,000 meters and is attended by the children of the families of Dongche, a poor farming village in Guide County, Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. This school is the first school built by ASIA in 1997. The LDS project is aimed at covering the school and boarding expenses of its most needy children and it also contributes to improving the quality of teaching and the study and life conditions for all children.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship for 75 Tibetan children; coverage of the expenses that the poorest families would have to bear to send their children to school; cost coverage for substitute
Tibetan teachers; increase in the schooling rate in Dongche area; improvement of the living and study conditions of all children enrolled at school.
Beneficiaries: 75 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising, transferring and managing funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 17,359.74 €
Donors: private donors.
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TANGGAN SCHOOL
Project code: 0523
Project description and location: Tanggan Elementary School is located at an altitude of about 3,700 meters, in Tongde Country, Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. It is attended by the children of the families of the village of Tanggan and 4 other villages in the area, which are inhabited almost exclusively by Tibetan nomads. The LDS project is aimed at covering the school and boarding expenses of the most needy children and it also contributes to improving the quality of teaching and the study and life conditions for all children.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 91 Tibetan children; cost coverage for three substitute teachers (IT, music and art); coverage of the expenses that the poorest families
would have to bear to send their children to school; increase in the schooling rate in Tanggan area; improvement of the living and study conditions of all children enrolled at school.
Beneficiaries: 94 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising, transferring and managing funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 21,715.46 €
Donors: private donors.
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RIGMO SCHOOL
Project code: 0527
Project description and location: Rigmo Elementary School is located near Lake Kokonor, Gonghe County, Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. It is located at an altitude of about 3,500 meters, in an area mostly inhabited by Tibetan minorities. The LDS project is aimed at covering the school and boarding expenses of the most needy children and it also contributes to improving the quality of teaching and the study and life conditions for all children.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 47 Tibetan children; cost coverage for three substitute teachers; coverage of the expenses that the poorest families would have to bear to send their
children to school; increase in the schooling rate in Rigmo area; improvement of the living and study conditions of all children enrolled at the school.
Beneficiaries: 47 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising, transferring and managing funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 12,906.64 €
Donors: private donors.
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GOLOK SCHOOL
Project code: 0534
Project description and location: Golok Elementary and Middle School is a girls’ school that is located near the Ragya Monastery, in Machen County, Golok Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. It is located at an altitude of about 4,200 meters, in an area mainly inhabited by Tibetan nomad families and were the female illiteracy level was very high. The LDS project is aimed at covering the school and boarding expenses of the most needy children and it also contributes to improving the quality of teaching and the study and life conditions for all children.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 122 Tibetan children; cost coverage for seven substitute teachers; coverage of the expenses that
the poorest families would have to bear to send their children to school; increase in the female schooling rate in Ragya area; improvement of the living and study conditions of all children enrolled at school.
Beneficiaries: 122 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising, transferring and managing funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 33,064.06 €
Donors: private donors.
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YUNGOG SCHOOL
Project code: 0537
Project description and location: Yungog Elementary School is located at an altitude of about 3,700 meters, in the village of Hebei, Tongde County, Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. The beneficiaries of this school, one of the few in the area, are the Tibetan nomad families of the neighbouring villages. The LDS project is aimed at covering the school and boarding expenses of the most needy children and it also contributes to improving the quality of teaching and the study and life conditions for all children.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 42 Tibetan children; cost coverage for four substitute teachers; coverage of the expenses that the poorest families would have to bear to send
their children to school; provision of book shelves and lockers for the classes; increase in the schooling rate in Hebei area; improvement of the living and study conditions of all children enrolled at school.
Beneficiaries: 42 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising, transferring and managing funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 15,828.95 €
Donors: private donors.
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GENESAI SCHOOL
Project code: 0538
Project description and location: Genesai Elementary School is situated at an altitude of about 3,500 meters, not far from the homonymous village, in Nanchen County, Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. It was built in 2005 in a wild and unspoiled area surrounded by extensive pastures and by sporadic homes of Tibetan nomadic shepherds. The LDS project is aimed at covering the school and boarding expenses of the most needy children and it also contributes to improving the quality of teaching and the study and life conditions for all children.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 47 Tibetan children cost coverage for a Tibetan teacher; purchase of books in Tibetan; coverage of the expenses that the poorest families
would have to bear to send their children to school; increase in the schooling rate in Genesai area; improvement of the living and study conditions of all children enrolled at school.
Beneficiaries: 47 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising, transferring and managing funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 10,297.04 €
Donors: private donors
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RMA ZHOL SCHOOL (HEBEI)
Project code: 0562
Project description and location: Rma Zhol Elementary School is situated at an altitude of about 3,600 meters, in the town of Hebei, Tongde County, Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. Hebei is inhabited almost exclusively by Tibetan nomads, whose scarce income is mainly linked to pastoralism. ASIA started supporting the school through the LDS project in 2017, so as to give a long term support to the school and all the children enrolled.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 16 Tibetan children; cost coverage for 2 substitute teachers; coverage of the expenses that the poorest families would have to bear to send their
children to school; increase in the schooling rate in Hebei area; improvement of the living and study conditions of all children enrolled at school.
Beneficiaries: 16 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising, transferring and managing funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 5,120.12 €
Donors: private donors.
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STUDY GRANTS
Project codes:0591 Xining University0592 Hainan High School0596 Guide High School.
Project description and location: Study Grants for deserving and needy students enrolled at Hainan High School (Gonghe County, Hainan Prefecture), Guide High School (Guide County, Hainan Prefecture) and in some of the best universities and vocational training institutes of Hainan Prefecture (Qinghai Province) and other prefectures and regions of China. The study grants cover most of the food and accommodation expenses and of the tuition fees of the beneficiaries.
Results of the project: supporting the studies of 92 Tibetan students and increase in the higher and university educational level of the Tibetan young people in Hainan Prefecture.
Beneficiaries: 92 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: grant distribution to the students; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: total 37,028.57 €0591 Xining University: 34,923.24 €0592 Hainan High School: 1,252.64 €0596 Guide High School: 852.69 €
Donors: private donors.
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TIBET – SICHUAN PROVINCEDERGE SCHOOL
Project code: 0532
Project description and location: Derge School is situated in Derge County, Ganze Prefecture, in the north-west of the province of Sichuan, China. This school was founded in 2002 by Gonchen Monastery and was later built by ASIA. The beneficiaries are the Tibetan nomad families in the neighboring villages. The LDS project is aimed at covering school and boarding expenses for the most needy children enrolled in the school.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 50 Tibetan children and increase of the basic educational level in Derge County.
Beneficiaries: 50 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and transferring funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 5,260.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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YENA SCHOOL
Project code: 0557
Project description and location: Yena School is located within the perimeter of the Yena Monastery, Wonbodo Village, Derge County, Ganze Prefecture, northwest of the Sichuan Province, China. This Tibetan school was built by ASIA in 2015 at the request of the abbot of the monastery and the local population. Previously to the construction, the children of the area had to travel many kilometers to reach the nearest schools. It is attended by the children of the Tibetan families of the neighboring villages. The LDS project was launched at the beginning of 2017 to provide long-term support to the school in ensuring decent living and study conditions for all children, especially to those belonging to the poorest families.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 10 Tibetan children and increase of the basic educational level in Derge County.
Beneficiaries: 10 Tibetan students (direct beneficiaries) and their families (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and transferring funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 900.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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GALENGTENG MONASTERY
Project code: 0540
Project description and location: Galengteng Monastery is situated in the village of the same name in Derge County, Ganze Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. The monastery is a point of reference for a community of 150 households, with a population of about 1,300, who live in 11 villages scattered along the valley. The LDS project is aimed at covering the expenses for the sustenance and studies of the monks in the Colleges of Study and Practice and in the Centre for Meditation.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 28 Tibetan students and monks, improvement of
life conditions in the Monastery and preservation of Tibetan culture and spirituality in Derge area.
Beneficiaries: 28 monks (direct beneficiaries) and all the unsponsored monks (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and transferring funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 2,160.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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TRAMA STUDY COLLEGE
Project code: 0543
Project description and location: the Trama Drupkhong Study College of the Derge Gonchen Monastery is one of the most important colleges in Derge County, Ganze Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. Here, young monks and scholars deepen the meditation studies of the Sakyapa tradition for a period of 4 or 5 years. The LDS project is aimed at covering the expenses for the sustenance and studies of the monks in the College.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 15 Tibetan monks, improvement of life
conditions in the Monastery and preservation of Tibetan culture and spirituality in Derge area.
Beneficiaries: 15 monks (direct beneficiaries) and all the unsponsored monks (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and transferring of the funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 1,833.60 €
Donors: private donors.
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BAIYA MONASTERY
Project code: 0555
Project description and location: Baiya Monastery is located at an altitude of about 3,500 meters, in Derge County, Ganze Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. It serves a population of about 1,900 of the 5 nearest villages: Gedul, Talshul, Palmo, Dege and Maishul. The Buddhist traditions currently taught are Sakyapa, Kagyugpa, Nyingmapa and Gelupa. The LDS project is aimed at covering the expenses for the sustenance and studies of the monks of the College.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 12 Tibetan students and monks, improvement of
life conditions in the Monastery and preservation of Tibetan culture and spirituality in Derge area.
Beneficiaries: 12 monks (direct beneficiaries) and all the unsponsored monks (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and transferring funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 1,000.00 €
Donors: private donors
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TAR (TIBETAN AUTONOMOUS REGION)DZOLUNG MONASTERY
Project code: 0539
Project description and location: Dzolung Monastery is located in Jomda County, Chamdo Prefecture, Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. Here, the young monks and scholars research the meditation studies of the Sakyapa tradition. The LDS project is aimed at covering the expenses for the sustenance and studies of the monks of the College.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 54 Tibetan monks and students, improvement of life conditions in the Monastery and preservation of Tibetan culture and spirituality in Jomda area.
Beneficiaries: 54 monks (direct beneficiaries) and all the unsponsored monks (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and transferring funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 5,380.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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DZONGTSA MONASTERY
Project code: 0542
Project description and location: Dzongtsa Gompa is a small Buddhist monastery of the Sakyapa tradition, situated at an altitude of 3,800 near the village of Tarze, Jomda County, Chamdo Prefecture, Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. The monastery, including its colleges and temples, was almost completely destroyed during the cultural revolution. In 2000, ASIA started the reconstruction of the College of Study and its dormitory fit to host the 60 students of the College. The LDS project is aimed at covering the expenses for the sustenance and studies of the monks of the College.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 15 monks and Tibetan students, improvement of
life conditions in the Monastery and preservation of Tibetan culture and spirituality in Jomda area.
Beneficiaries: 15 monks (direct beneficiaries) and all the unsponsored monks (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and transferring funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 1,370.00 €
Donors: private donors.
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SENGHE NAMDRAK MONASTERY
Project code: 0547
Project description and location: Senghe Namdrak Monastery is located in Jomda County, Chamdo Prefecture, Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. Here, young monks and scholars research the Nymapa tradition. The LDS project is aimed at covering the expenses for the sustenance and studies of the monks of the Colleges of Study and Practice.
Results of the project: Long Distance Sponsorship of 18 Tibetan monks and students, improvement of life conditions in the Monastery and preservation of Tibetan culture and spirituality in Jomda area.
Beneficiaries: 18 monks (direct beneficiaries) and all the unsponsored monks (indirect beneficiaries).
Role of ASIA: raising and transferring funds; handling of contacts with the local counterparts and the sponsors of the beneficiaries; management of sponsor-beneficiary correspondence.
Cost of the project: 1,859.20 €
Donors: private donors.
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ENRICO DELL’ANGELO FUNDThe Enrico Dell’Angelo Fund aims to support the academic and professional studies of deserving and needy students coming from the Himalayan areas.The purpose of this fund is to promote expertise and skills to invest in the in areas of origin of these students, so as to participate in a sustainable economic and social development respectful of local cultures and traditions. This project is different from the Long Distance Sponsorship in that it does not require an ongoing monetary commitment from the donor and does not include a one-to-one relationship with the beneficiary.
Project Code: 0615
Project description and location: The Enrico Dell’Angelo Fund, created to honor the memory and legacy of Enrico Dell’Angelo, supports the studies of young Himalayans enrolled in universities, Masters degrees, training courses in China, India, Bhutan and Nepal The total amount of each scholarship awarded from the Fund depends on the total cost that each beneficiary must support until the end of their course. The scholarship corresponds to 75% of this total cost, the remaining 25% must be covered by the student as proof of commitment.
Results of the project: 5 students currently supported in their studies.
Beneficiaries: 5 students and their families.
Role of ASIA: raising and transferring funds; handling of contracts with the students and local counterparts; management of contacts with the donors of the fund, the students and local counterparts.
Cost of the project: 6,829.49 €
Donors: Private donors.
NAME ID CODE F/M Country Degree CourseDuration (years/
monthsi)
Yeshi EDA001 F NepalTranslation buddhist texts
(preparatory year)1
Tsomo EDA002 F China Tibetan medicine and prevention MA) 3
Tenzin EDA003 F India Computer Science (BA) 3
Tashi EDA004 F China Tibetan technology (BA) 3
Nyima EDA005 M China Animation (specialization course) 1
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
EDUCATION
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Global Citizenship Education (GCED) is a concept that is officially framed by the UN and more specifically by UNESCO. As stated in the UN’s 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
“Education shall be directed to the full development of the human person-ality and to strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance, friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.”
These same principles are encompassed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which presents an explicit interpretation through the lens of global citizenship:
“By 2030, to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and nonviolence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development” (SDG4;4.7).
Through its projects in Italy, ASIA has always worked to disseminate the culture and traditions of Tibet and the Himalayas to affirm the universal values that these cultures embrace. We see Global Citizenship Education as a continual, multidimensional learning process, one in which we all have a duty to take part, offering our unique contributions, knowledge and skills, in a dialogue that aims to overcome the notion that differences are barriers between individuals, people and cultures.
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At ASIA, we have always dedicated a portion of our activities to awareness-raising and information campaigns in Italy. Yet it is in recent years that we have felt a pressing need to take more decisive action in this country. Our aim is to promote those values that are unique to Buddhism, interpreting them as intrinsically linked to the defence of human rights, the promotion of interculturalism, and the social inclusion of all. In 2019, in the context of the Global Citizenship Education (GCEDD) financed by AICS (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation), ASIA was granted financing for the implementation of a project that involves culture-centric initiatives and informal educational programmes in the cities of Rome, Naples, and Milan. The aim of this project was to improve relation and communication among people from different cultures and countries, to promote a positive view of diversity, and to raise awareness in society, in particular among young people, of the principles of empathy, interdependence and nonviolence.
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3016 DISTINCT BUT NOT DISTANT
Location: Rome, Milan, Naples
Duration: 21 months. Status: ongoing.
Area of intervention: Global Citizenship Education
General Objective: to contribute to growing a sense of belonging to a global community through the dissemination of the unique principles of the Buddhist culture.
Specific Objectives: to promote an understanding of people from different cultures, fostering the dissemination of the concept of diversity as a value, and raising awareness in the general public of the principles of empathy, interdependence and nonviolence in the cities of Milan, Rome and Naples.
Expected outcomes: Participants in project activities and events refine their ability to feel empathy, enhance their sense of interdependency, and improve their capacity to communicate in a nonviolent way.
Project activities:1. Human Library: Don’t judge a book by its cover
– 4 events in the living library on the topics of migration and discrimination in Rome and Milan.
2. Your turn to go to school today: Children teach empathy (socio-educative activity for primary schools in Rome, organised in partnership with Explora Children’s Museum).
3. 3 showcooking events: Food from all over the world, with the participation of young immigrants, Italian over-60s, and famous chefs (in Rome, Milan and Naples).
4. Conference on interdependence: Dialogues with Buddhist teachers and international experts on the concept of interdependence from a scientific, ethical and environmental viewpoint (Oriental University of Naples).
5. Animated video on the concept of interdependence.
6. Your turn to go to school today: Children teach interdependence (socio-educative activity for primary schools in Naples, organised in collaboration with the City of Science).
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7. Yoga for children in the primary schools of Naples and Rome.
8. Contest online: Say no to violence.9. Training for teachers on nonviolent
communication (Milan, Rome, Naples).10. Your turn to go to school today: Children teach
nonviolence (socio-educative activity for primary schools in Milan, organised in collaboration with AdArtem and the 1900s Museum in Milan).
11. Final Event – Concert “Let’s knock down the walls” (Rome).
Activities completed as of 31/12/2019• First Human Library event realised in Milan Training
on empathy conducted by ASIA staff for educators at Explora Children’s Museum. Training for primary school teachers and empathy workshops in selected classes planned.
• First show cooking event held in Rome with Chef Cristina Bowerman.
• Training for teachers on interdependence offered in primary schools in Naples, and workshops planned in schools.
• Yoga for children offered in primary schools in Naples and Rome.
• Direct training in secondary schools in Milan on nonviolent communication.
Beneficiaries1,180 primary school students.750 secondary school students.120 teachers.1,800 family members.60 young people (aged 18-30), participants in the contest on nonviolence.350 participants in the human library and show cooking events.69 migrants.9 seniors.1,000 people who helped create and promote an awareness-raising video.500 participants in a conference on interdependence.500 participants in the final concert (some of whom are beneficiaries of other activities).
Total cost: 518,535.26 €
Cost incurred in 2019: 108,224.83 €
Donors: Italian Agency for Development Cooperation – AICS (90%), ASIA, FEM, EXPLORA, Programma Integra, Centre for Buddhist Studies at the Oriental University of Naples (for the remaining 10%).
FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATION
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ACTIVITY REPORT 2019
The children of the Himalayas was the central theme of ASIA’s fundraising and communication activities in 2019. Indeed they are the main beneficiaries of
the Five per Thousand1 campaign and MenSana, the Christmas fundraising campaign to build kitchens and refectories for the three schools in Rasuwa.
In light of the vulnerability of these children, we need to ensure they have a safe, nur-turing learning environment. This remains one of the priorities that ASIA continues to pursue with the help of private donors.
The opportunity for university education and specialisation for worthy, gifted students is another central focus of our activities, with the support of the Enrico Dell’Angelo Fund. This fund was established in 2018 to offer the young people of the Himalayas a solid education, enabling them to serve in key roles in the society, and to preserve and disseminate Tibetan culture and traditions across the globe.
ASIA made a series of appeals to our donors and contacts to respond to requests for aid that we received from the field, in particular for the Galengteng Monastery and the Surgery for Life Fund.
A number of promotional events were organised in Italy, thanks especially to the ef-forts of groups of volunteers and active supporters. These initiatives were particularly important not only because they served to shine a light on the work we do, but also because they represent opportunities to meet other ASIA supporters and create a sense of belonging.
Promotional activities on social media continued (in particular on Facebook and Instagram); websites were updated, newsletters and DEM were sent to strengthen our connection with our supporters and friends.
Generally speaking, we can say that 2019 was quite a difficult year. The sector was not able to achieve its growth targets, but ASIA did continue hosting institutional activities and maintaining contact with friends and donors.
1 This refers to a provision in Italian tax law which gives individuals the option to donate 0.5% (‘Five per Thousand’) of their income taxes to the non-profit organization of their choice.
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FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS
Throughout the year, eight campaigns were realised, which included annual institutional campaigns, appeals to respond to the needs and requests coming from the field, and the Christmas campaign. ASIA acquired 192 new contacts, of which 67% are Italian and the remainder from other countries of the world, primarily in Europe. There were 151 new subscriptions to the ASIA newsletter (of which 41 foreigners).
As for ASIA’s online presence, we raised 350 new followers on facebook and 72 new sub-scribers to our Youtube channel (with 13,016 views). In addition, we sent a total of 60 DEMs in 2019, including newsletters and event promotions.
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FIVE PER THOUSAND2
This campaign focused on the difficult living condi-tions of the children of the Himalayas, who risk losing their childhood. We made a direct call to action by
asking our supporters to earmark their 5x1000 for ASIA to guarantee these children an education that is in harmony with their culture.
Campaign activities:
• Mailing sent to 6,340 contacts.• Advertising campaign run in print media.
• New banners and covers, memes for social media created.
• Dedicated landing page updated.
Promotion via ASIA’s social media, DEM and news-letters, and offline in the following newspapers: Il Messaggero (Rome), il Tempo, La Repubblica (Rome), and Il Tirreno (Grosseto).
As we do every year, we engaged internal stakehold-ers to promote and distribute bookmarks at various events and initiatives.
In 2019 we received the funds from the 2017 cam-paign. Below are the results from the last three years, which clearly show a higher number of signatures in the year of the earthquake in Nepal (which brought in new contacts and donors), an average that stabi-lised around 1,800 signatures in the two years that followed.
Year of Campaign Signatures Funds raised
2015 1,938 84,811
2016 1,738 78,178
2017 1,873 79,398
Cost of the campaign 6,161.57 €
Results 79,398.29 €
2 This refers to a provision in Italian tax law which gives individuals the option to donate 0.5% (‘Five per Thousand’) of their income taxes to the non-profit organization of their choice.
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LONG-DISTANCE SPONSORSHIP (LDS) – THEY ARE STEALING HER FUTURE. TAKE HER BY THE HAND
Campaign activities:
• During the year, a loyalty-building activity was carried out, with a letter along with the ASIA calendar sent to our most loyal, long-term supporters. LDS was promoted with a campaign launched at Christmas 2018, ‘They are Stealing her Future. Take her by the Hand,’ with the aim of generating sponsorships for Nepalese girls in Rasuwa.
• The campaign was promoted with DEMs and posts on social media. A highlight of the campaign was a spot by Tsering Rithar Sherpa, and interview with the Director
Andrea Dell’Angelo and Fortunato Cerlino on the television programme Rai Parlamento, broadcast on Rai3 and Radio Rai 1 (two Italian public television stations), and an interview with the director of the programme.
• In recent years sponsorship has steadily declined, which underscores the need to go outside our ‘comfort zone’ and invest in communication campaigns that generate new supporters, a more modern website, and actions that can garner support for these initiatives.
Cost of the campaign 1,154.71 €
Results 109 new long distance sponsorship 9,452.00 € (They are Stealing her Future. Take her by the Hand)
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FRIENDS OF ASIA
This institutional campaign promotes ASIA membership by securing pledges for on-going donations. In 2019 the campaign was promoted via
internal communication channels, and welcomed 7 new Drokpo, 2 new Jindag and 1 Yondak.
Campaign activities:
• Promoted the campaign with DEMs and on ASIA’s social media.
• Article in The Mirror, the newspaper of the International Dzogchen Community - “Friends of ASIA” in the June 2019 issue.
Cost of the campaign 0 €
Results 10 new friends – 1,836.00 €
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LEGACY
The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness among our donors and all those who embrace ASIA’s mission that they have the chance to continue their support after they are gone by leaving a legacy to ASIA in their will. This fundraising format, which is becoming more and more common in Italy, is very useful from the viewpoint of the future sustainability of our association.
In early 2019, a mailing was sent out to 3,066 con-tacts, supporters and donors, presenting our legacy campaign. Two events were planned, to be organized with a notary public in Rome and in Milan to dissemi-nate the culture of legacies and explain how this type of donation works. Unfortunately we were not able to hold these events.
Cost of the campaign 427.00 €
No Results
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ENRICO DELL’ANGELO FUND
This fund was established in 2018 to support the educational paths of promising young people who work to improve the quality of life in the Himalayas, and to preserve and disseminate Tibetan culture and traditions across the globe. The Fund was relaunched
in 2019 through ASIA’s communication channels, and a report was sent to 60 donors, updating them on the scholarships that were set up (a total of 5 the first year).
Campaign activities:
• Promoted the campaign with DEMs and posts on social media.
• Sent updated report to donors.
• Article in The Mirror, the newspaper of the International Dzogchen Community, entitled “11 September 2018/11 March 2019: the first six months of the Enrico Dell’Angelo Fund”, March 2019 issue.
Cost of the campaign 0 €
Results 26,207.62 €
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SURGERY FOR LIFE FUND
In 2019, in light of the requests received from the field, ASIA saw the need to relaunch this Fund. The aim here is to cover the costs of healthcare, surgery,
and medical assistance for people who can’t afford such treatment, due to the high costs of healthcare in countries where ASIA is active.
Campaign activities:
• Promoted the campaign with DEMs and on social media.
• Article in The Mirror, the newspaper of the International Dzogchen Community “Surgery for Life Fund” September 2019 issue.
Cost of the campaign 0 €
Results 2,430.00 €
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RENOVATION OF GALENGTENG MONASTERY
During the year, we launched an appeal for aid to the Galengteng Monastery, one of the most promi-nent spiritual and cultural centres in Easter Tibet. The meditation centre was damaged by a landslide
caused by torrential rain and snowstorms, which have become increasingly frequent in recent years due to climate change. The renovation work included struc-tural reinforcement of the building’s foundations.
Campaign activities:
• Sent DEMs. • Requested assistance from specific donors.
• Elicited the participation of ASIA America.
Cost of the campaign 0 €
Results 24,411.06 €
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CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN – MENSANA
At Christmas we launched the MenSana Campaign, with the aim of building kitchens and refectories in three of the schools that ASIA reconstructed in Rasuwa, Nepal, after the earthquake. In addition to constructing and equipping the necessary
infrastructure, the plan was also to provide food for the first six months of operations, and training on food nutrition and personal hygiene for the mothers of the students and the kitchen staff.
Campaign activities:
• Sent a mailing to 6,260 contacts.• Created a brochure.• Updated the webpage namaskarfornepal.• Produced social materials. • Drew up project profiles for the web and for
specific donors. • Article in The Mirror, the newspaper of the
International Dzogchen Community, entitled
“MenSana: guarantee proper nutrition for the school children in Dupcheshwori, Aarukharka and Thangdor (Nepal) byt building kitchens and refectories,” December 2019 issue.
• Promoted the campaign with DEMs and social posts; published articles on Repubblica.it and in Trovaroma di Repubblica.
Cost of the campaign 1,063.74 €
Results 22,527.00 €
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SOLIDARITY GIFTS
Following up on our “Messages from Tibet” bracelets, which are made in silver or steel and rubber, in 2019 we also created rings in silver. With this jewellery, people can ‘wear’ the values of awareness, non-violence and compassion. Our akshamala bracelets, which come in 10 different styles, continued to be popular.
Once again we ordered Dolls4Tibet products, ob-jects representing Tibetan tradition (monks, yaks, nomad tents, etc.), handmade in wool and cotton by a cooperative of Indian and Tibetan women from Dharamsala.
To enhance our range of solidarity gifts, this year we also offered bags made by an organisation promoting women’s empowerment in Nepal, and by a women’s cooperative in Mongolia.
For our 2020 calendar, we selected photographs taken by Monika Bulaj on a mission in Tibet. These pictures express the values that imbibe the tradition of Tibet, which ASIA strives to preserve through our projects in the field and seeks to disseminate in the society in which we live. On every page of the calen-dar is a quotation from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in a section entitled “Say it in Tibetan”, to give people a sense of the language and culture of Tibet.
Solidarity gifts were promoted through social media, DEMs and ASIA’s newsletter, as well as fundraising events organised by volunteers during retreats run by the International Dzogchen Community in Tenerife, in Merigar, Perù, and in Budapest, Prague and Warsaw.
Cost of the campaign 13,590.00 €
Results 27,173.74 €
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EVENTS
This year too, as always, ASIA was present and visible in Italy thanks to a series of events organised by the staff in our offices, but even more importantly by groups of volunteers who work in several regions of the county. Some of these initiatives are fundraisers, others centre on shining a light on ASIA and raising awareness of the cultural context our organization comes from, in the hopes of generating new contacts.
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IN TIBET FROM THE EARTH TO THE SKY. THREE JOURNEYS INTO THE CULTURE OF TIBET TRENTO
ASIA Trento this year held a series of events dedicat-ed to exploring the Tibetan culture, in collaboration with the International Atiyoga Foundation. With the initiative “In Tibet from the earth to the sky. Three journeys into the culture of Tibet,” the idea was to present three different aspects of Tibet: the vision of life and death, Yantra Yoga, and joyous Khaita dances
(This last event was scheduled for November, but had to be cancelled).
In addition, in December the association participated in Christmas markets with holiday gadgets and soli-darity gifts.
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CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU – LUMINOUS PRESENCE ARCIDOSSO
ASIA participated in this event, organized by the International Dzogchen Community at Arcidosso, with a photographic exhibition entitled: “Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Luminous Presence” to pay homage to our founder, who passed on 27 September 2018.
The exhibition tells the story of the deep commit-ment to humanitarian causes of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Asia, through a series of images presented in five sections, corresponding to the elements of Tibetan astrology: sky, earth, fire, water and metal.
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WINTER FESTIVAL AND SUMMER FESTIVAL GENOVA
In 2019, as in previous years, ASIA sponsors in Genova organised two events to publicise and support our activities: the Winter Festival and the Summer Festival. These were daylong events, and included a fundraising lunch featuring traditional Ligurian
cuisine, a solidarity market, and activities in the synergic vegetable garden of the holiday farm that hosted the summer event. The Winter Festival was cancelled due to inclement weather, but a Christmas fundraising campaign did take place.
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LET’S MEET TIBET AND ASIA IMOLA
The Thymos Yoga Centre organised an evening event for ASIA for the second time, describing and illustrating the work the association does, also with videos. Solidarity gifts were sold as well.
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SOLIDARITY DINNER MODENA
Once again in 2019, the Modena group of ASIA supporters organised their annual fundraising dinner, complete with a Christmas market. This year the proceeds went to finance the MenSana Campaign, which was presented at the event.
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DINNER WITH TALES OF TIBET PERUGIA
A couple of ASIA supporters from Perugia organised a dinner in their home, recounting stories of Tibet and of-fering their guests the chance to buy solidarity gifts. Two ASIA operators attended this event and distributed informational materials, in particular 5x1000 bookmarks.
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HOMEOPATHY DAY, AN INITIATIVE ORGANISED WITH ZHENPHENLING AND RRTREK ROMA
In Rome ASIA participated in the World Homeopathy Day, organized by the Italian Federation of the Homeopatich Associations and Doctors, with a stand to promote our activities.
In collaboration with Zhenphenling, two events were organised: a calligraphy exhibition of Kunga and a course on Tibetan calligraphy. Updates were given on projects that aim to preserve the Tibetan language
and culture. We also offered ‘A Momo for Christmas’ – a Tibetan aperitif - at the end of the year, with a presentation of the MenSana campaign, and stalls selling solidarity gifts.
Collaboration continued in 2019 with the sports store RRTrek, which in December hosted an information and awareness-raising event on ASIA projects, along with travel stories from two ASIA supporters.
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CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS TORINO
Thanks to contact with a teacher who is a friend of ASIA, the Gobetti and Sclarandi primary schools in Torino dedicated a Christmas fundraiser to the MenSana campaign, featuring objects created by the children.
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TWINNING THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN TORREBLANCA AND MANASAROVAR, KATHMANDU TORREBLANCA – SPAIN
For the third consecutive year, two Spanish supporters organised a twinning project between a primary school in Torreblanca and the school in Manasarovar. The project included a Christmas fundraiser by the Spanish school featuring crafts created by the children, and a pen pal initiative amongst the students so they can learn about one another and bridge the distance between different, distant lands.
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LIONS CLUB DINNER VARESE
An ASIA supporter and Lions Club member from Varese organised a fundraising dinner with ASIA operators presenting the association to guests.
ADMINISTRATION
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INTRODUCTION
The administrative office, consisting of two units, handles all ASIA’s administrative activities for Italy, and serves as liaison and monitor for administrative transactions outside of Italy. All administrative data are compiled in the consolidated financial statements.
The main activities performed by the administrative office are:
• handling ordinary accounting in Italy and consoli-dating the same outside of Italy to draw up ASIA’s balance sheet;
• managing work contracts for Italian employ-ees, issuing payslips and fulfilling relative legal requirements;
• monitoring and reporting on projects;• monitoring accounting procedures outside of
Italy;• Managing IT security;• Monitoring procedures.
Ordinary accounting procedures encompass all ad-ministrative transactions in Italy and in local offices relative to ASIA projects, drafting the financial state-ment and the relative note for the current year, and drawing up the budget for the upcoming year.
The administration is responsible for drawing up and dealing with contracts with all personnel, as required by law, to include employees, collaborators and ex-patriates. ASIA administration also issues payslips, in compliance with fiscal obligations and social security requirements, to include compiling relative forms for withholding taxes and employee income certi-fication, in addition to producing documentation required for the regional tax declaration and income tax return, prepared by our tax consultant.
During the year the operating standards of the asso-ciation were upgraded with regard to safety in the workplace and the European Regulation on privacy.
For our projects, ASIA administration ensured the control and verification of budgets relating to ongo-ing and upcoming projects, along with the drafting of project financial statements to submit to respective donors.
To handle the activities mentioned above, the office relies on specialized software as well as professional consultants.
In collaboration with the local offices, accounting and bank transactions of all offices are monitored on a monthly basis, corroborated by supporting documentation.
Administrative activities are periodically verified by the following members of the Board of Statutory Auditors:
• Laura Martingich – President of the Board of Statutory Auditors;
• Silvia Pasquazi – Auditor;• Francesca Barborini – Auditor.
The Board of Statutary Auditors met for the verifica-tion provided by law in the following dates
• 14 june 2019 – auditors verification;• 14 june 2019 – check final balance statement
2018.
During the members meeting held on 03 December 2019, Dr. Francesco Lauria was elected as a single control body, according to the law that rules the third sector. He carried out his first verification on 19 February 2020.
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2019 ACTIVITIES
GENERAL ACCOUNTING
During the year, accounting transactions and admin-istrative matters were recorded in a timely fashion and at regular intervals, all supported by standard documentation.
Accounting and bookkeeping, based on cash and accrual principals, was done by itemizing each trans-action specifically under ongoing projects and/or general expenses.
ASIA applied the exchange rates set by the Italian Exchange Office, unless otherwise requested by individual donors.
The Board of Statutory Auditors verified during the year that all formalities and deadlines established by Italian law were respected in relation to ASIA’s accounting and bookkeeping practices.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2019
The 2019 Financial Statements, compiled and approved by the Board of Directors, was controlled and verified by the Board of Statutory Auditors and by Stefano Priorini, professional auditor.
PROJECTS REPORTS
In 2019, the administrative office compiled year-end reports on the following projects, and presented them to ASIA funders:
PROJECT COUNTRY FINANCIER TRANCHE AMOUNT IN EURO
AMOUNT IN OTHER
CURRENCY
2208 Rasuwa Schhols Nepal Italian Caritas Final 188.926
2211 Food security Tibet Asia Trento Final 167.703
2211 Food security Tibet Nando Peretti Final 62.410
2228 Gonche Tibet P.C.d.M. Final 146.806
2229 Shingkry College
TibetEmbassy of
AustraliaFinal Rmb. 556.091
2234 Nomad books Tibet Embassy of New
ZealandFinal Rmb. 172.700
2230 Mongolia Veterinary
Mongolia Valdese Church Final 37.700
2237 Gomar Women Training
Tibet Embassy of New
ZealandFinal Rmb. 240.449
2241 Gonghe Tibet Valdese Church Final 25.000
2242 Singkry College Tibet Caritas Final 39.900
2245 UBI Mongolia MongoliaItalian Buddhist
UnionIntermediate 161.563
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PROJECT COUNTRY FINANCIER TRANCHE AMOUNT IN EURO
AMOUNT IN OTHER
CURRENCY
2246 Caritas Rasuwa Nepal Italian Caritas Intermediate 40.403
2246 Caritas Rasuwa Nepal Italian Caritas Intermediate 46.338
2226 Tanggan TibetAutonomous
Province of BolzanoFinal 59.795,02
5 x Thousand ItaliaMin. of labour – 5 x
thousandFinal 78.178,07
PERSONNEL CONTRACTS WITH RESPECT TO RELATIVE LABOUR LAWS
With employees and collaborators, with people who cooperate on specific projects, and with external consultants, ASIA has drawn up valid contracts re-specting all fiscal regulations and social security obli-gations. As mentioned above, payslips are processed in the office.
ASIA hired the consultancy firm Envisioning, Managing Director Stefano Vitale, to handle fiscal documentation, social security, regional and with-holding taxes, and to address all the administrative/bookkeeping issues that could arise during the year.
CONTROL AND AUDITING OF ASIA MANAGEMENT
As for the ordinary activities of the Office (monitoring cash flow, bank, suppliers, etc.), these relate to general accounting and budgeting, and as such are not detailed here.
HANDLING DATA SECURITY
ASIA’s server is equipped with a backup system activated at daily, weekly and monthly intervals, with the support of a data security company.
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ASIA EMPLOYED PERSONNEL IN THE ROME OFFICE AND EXPATRIATES IN 2019
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ROME OFFICE STAFF
Collaborators From To POSITION/SECTOR
Dell'Angelo Andrea 01/01/2019 31/12/2019 Director
Addari Francesca01/01/2019
31/12/2019Long Distance Sponsorship
Caliendo Alessia 01/01/2019 31/12/2019 Administration
Brega Roberto 01/01/2019 31/12/2019 Administration
Fidanzia Linda 01/01/2019 31/12/2019 Fundraising
Valerio Maura 01/01/2019 31/12/2019 Communication
Nardi Alessandra 01/01/2019 31/12/2019 Projects cooperation
Albanese Marilena 01/01/2019 31/12/2019 Projects cooperation
Sonam Tsering 01/01/2019 31/12/2019 Office assistant
Marranca Roberta01/01/2019 31/12/2019
Long Distance Sponsorship
EXPATRIATES AND PROJECTS CONSULTANTS
Collaborator From To Project Activity Contract
Cecchi David 01/01/2019 31/12/2019 2221 AICS Nepal Project Head CO.CO.CO.
Montanari Riccardo
01/01/2019 20/04/2019 Nepal ProjectsCountry
CoordinatorCO.CO.CO.
Tedesco Paolo 15/11/2019 31/12/20192250 AICS Myanmar
Project Head CO.CO.CO.
Mugnai Gabriele
Various periods VariousProject
ConsultantProfessional
Dimiziani Marco
Various periods Various Architect Professional
SUPPORT CONSULTANCIES
Name Title Subject
Stefano Vitale Accountant Financial Consultant
Envisioning srl Service Company Labour Consultants
Safer srl Service Company Work Safety Consultants
Team Zero Time srl Service Company Information technology
Studio Priorini Accountant Auditors
Via S. Martino della Battaglia, 31 – 00185 Rome – tel: +39 06.44340034 – www.asia-ngo.org – mail: [email protected] – Follow us: