No. 3 / November 2017 / Volume 37

The World of ROKPA ChildrenA Special Issue from the ROKPA Children’s Home in Nepal

CONTENT

Editorial 2

Giving the children a voice /

Thoughts of a former street child 3

AT HOME: Being part of a large family –

Two sisters tell their story 4

AT HOME: A place for me to stay /

My best friend is always there for me 5

PERSPECTIVES: I want to earn enough

so that my father doesn’t have to beg /

Candidates for the ROKPA

Hospitality Training 6

PERSPECTIVES: I will always keep

developing myself / My dream 7

ROKPA SPIRIT: To see with the heart 8

ROKPA SPIRIT: Coming together in time

of need / Shaping role models 9

ROKPA NEWS 10

Youth Engagement /

I work for ROKPA because... 11

Board of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL

Lea Wyler, President and Co-Founder / Peter Fanconi, Vice-President / Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche / Gelong Thubten / Andreas Vollenweider

Imprint

Editorial Staff: Editorial team ROKPA Children’s Home, coordinated by Krishna Hari / Corinna Biasiutti / Marlis Lüscher / Caterina Meier-Pfister / Thomas Stettler / Tina Zaugg Proofreading: Liane Brand (www.lianebrand.ch) Graphics: Renée Reust Translation: Kaja Kurczewska Cover Photo: © Raymond Meier Back Cover Photo: © Tal Siano Photos: © Bollag Family / Robert Bösch / Krishna Hari / Tsering Dawa / Ram Hari Khadka / Marlis Lüscher / Raymond Meier / Francesca Pfister / Tal Siano / Lea Wyler Drawings: © Bikal / Dipesh / Kunsang / Pema Sangmo / Sumit Text: © ROKPA INTERNATIONAL Circulation: 6.700 Copies

Dear friends of ROKPA

The edition of the ROKPA Times you are holding in your hands is

a very special one. We moved our writing desk 6,835 kilometers

– from our headquarters in Zurich to the ROKPA Children’s Home

in Kathmandu.

Thanks to your support, former street children, now educated and

well looked after, are giving us an insight into their lives with

their stories, photos and drawings.

One of the contributors is 14-year-old Pravin: He grew up on the

street, his parents are both blind. The three of them had to beg

for their food every day. His parents had to tie a bell around his

foot, so that he could not crawl away from them unnoticed!

Today, Pravin is a lively teenager who cares lovingly for the

younger ROKPA children – and does not need bells to keep track

of them (see page 6).

Unfortunately we do not have the space to print all the stories

and drawings. One of these stories is a philosophical poem about

a rose, written by the 16-year-old Badal. I would like to at least

share with you an interpretation of it: "Life is like a rose. At first

we prick our fingers at the thorns when we pick them, before we

can enjoy their beauty."

The very fact that these children and young people can tell us

about their fate, indeed that they can read and write at all –

unfortunately, is sadly still not a matter of course. In Kathmandu,

hundreds of terrified children still live on the street today.

We may not be able to help every one of them; but we should

at least try.

Let us then, stop for a moment at the sound of the Christmas

bells and think of these children whom fate has not treated

kindly. Together, let us take them by the hand, one after

the other.

Yours

Lea Wyler Co-founder and President of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL

Editorial

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© L

ea W

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Printed on Recycling-Paper, produced according to specifications of “The Blue Angel“.

Giving the children a voice

Usually, it is us at the ROKPA headquar-

ters who give you the latest news about

the children in our project countries. This

time, we asked the children from our

Children’s Home in Kathmandu to tell us

about their everyday life, their challenges

and their successes and also about their

dreams. Their words paint for you, our

donors, a personal and first hand picture of their life in the

Children’s Home.

We have arranged these touching snapshots of their lives

thematically: In the "At Home" section, the authors recall the first

years of their childhood – a time that was often difficult, but also

contained moments of happiness. They also tell us their very first

thoughts and feelings when they joined the Children’s Home and

what the ROKPA family means to them.

The "Perspectives" section gives an insight into the diverse

professional activities and plans of the young people. Helping

people help themselves is a core tenet of ROKPA. We want

children to reach adulthood not only with a complete education

but also with the skills and abilities to stand on their own

two feet.

The third section is devoted to the "ROKPA Spirit". Again and

again, outside of school, the children are involved in helping other

needy children and in this way give forward to others the help

which had once been given to them.

I hope these personal contributions give you just as much joy as

they have given me.

Sincerely

Corinna Biasiutti

General Manager of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL

Thoughts of a former street child

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ober

t B

ösch

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Mei

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Krishna Hari | 21 years old

We see them every day, everywhere.

They beg, they look dirty and they are

sometimes insolent. The people don’t

like them and don’t speak to them.

Why? Because they are all busy with

their own lives.

The street children are a big problem in Nepal. According to

estimates, there are more than 7,000 in the urban areas of

Nepal. Loss of parents, domestic violence, lack of education or

exploitation in the workplace are just some of the reasons why

children and young people live on the street.

Often, it may seem that many of these children are glad to be on

the street. Some were exploited while living at home. They are

able to earn some money with begging and small work. Unfortu-

nately, they spend it all on glue*. These children need protection

and an education. We have a responsibility to help them. Those

with a big heart can help.

I myself was a street child once and I thank all of you who help

street children instead of judging them.

*Editor’s note: The children sniff glue to intoxicate themselves and forget

their hunger.

Nepali Flag,

Bodnath Stupa,

Cultural sites and temples

Dipesh 14 years old

3

ROKPA CHILDREN’S HOME

Tsering Chöden | 16 years old

I come from Dolpo, also known as the

Hidden Land. Dolpo is located far north of

Kathmandu, on the border with the Tibetan

areas of China, in the middle of beautiful

high mountains. There are no accessible

roads. My mother gave birth to eleven children, five of whom died

due to malnutrition and lack of medical care.

I knew I had two sisters and a brother who lived far away from

us. I had never met them. My second oldest sister had married

and started a new life. At home it was my younger sister Dolma

Lhamo and I who had to do all the work. When I was 5 years old,

we went to Kathmandu, mostly on foot, to meet my siblings. At

the ROKPA Children’s Home, a boy came out to greet us. It was

my brother Pema. On that day, I became part of the ROKPA

family. After a few months my parents returned with my sister to

the village. I missed them, but I also got love and care in the

Children’s Home.

Dolma Lhamo | 17 years old

My life is rich with memories. In Dolpo

I helped my mother to feed horses and

cows. Sometimes I worked with my

father in the field. In the winter, my little

sister Tsering Chöden and I were sent to

school. There we learned the basics, but I still could not read

and write like the others. Because my mother needed help, I

often had to miss school. Afterwards I was taken into the

ROKPA Children’s Home. I now have a big family.

I visited Dolpo for the first time four years after joining the

Childrens Home. I was very happy to meet my relatives and

especially my sister Chonzom Bhuti. But it grieved me to see

that she worked very hard for the family. Her life situation is

completely different from mine. My sister is the only one of us

siblings who is not educated. Because of that, we are in two

very different places.

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Pema Sangmo 15 years old

“I’ve painted this drawing

because I’ve been in Kathman-

du for many years and away

from my family. This drawing

is a memory of my childhood.

Me and my brother often

played in the river. That made

us happy.”

Being part of a large family – Two sisters tell their story

4

AT HOME

A place for me to stay My best friend is always there for me

Raju Kumari | 13 years old

I come from Dailekh, which is located in

the western part of Nepal. During the

Maoist uprising in the early 2000s, the

army killed my father because they

thought he was a Maoist. I was one then.

My brother was in my mother’s stomach when my father died. My

mother was tortured by the police, the army, and the neighbors.

When I was 5 years old, my uncle brought me to Kathmandu to

an orphanage. It was nice and I had good friends. But then the

home was closed. A teacher took me to ROKPA Children’s Home.

At last I had found a place where I could stay. At first I was

nervous and frightened because I did not know anyone. But I

quickly found friends and they helped me get used to the new

place.

I now have everything I need - food, education, clothes, friends,

small and big siblings, loving care and a second mother (Mummy

Lea). I like playing football, basketball and table tennis and I like

history books and comics.

Kalpana | 13 years old

My name is Kalpana. I have lived in the

ROKPA Children’s Home since 2011.

Like other children, I also have a best

friend. Her name is Raju Kumari and she

also lives in the Children’s Home.

For me, a friend is someone we like and respect, with whom

we meet, speak and share everything. Friendship is based on

affection. I have many friends at school and at home. But we

all have someone we like the most, and that’s who we call our

best friend.

I met Raju about two years ago and since then she is my best

friend. We share joys and sorrows. She supports me and

everyone else who has a problem. She also shows me my

mistakes when I have done something wrong. She is always

there for me. A true friend like her is very hard to find. But I’m

lucky because I’ve found her.

Pho

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Mei

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Sumit 9 years old

Bijay, head of

the ROKPA Children’s

Home, in his office

5

AT HOME

Pho

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Mei

er,

Lea

Wyl

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I want to earn enough so that my father doesn’t have to beg

What do you remember about your

childhood before you came to ROKPA?

My parents would tie a bell around my

ankle. They are both blind and were

beggars. They could hear the bell when

I crawled away and were able to catch

me.

What do you like about school?

I like to go to school because I have

many good friends. English is my favorite

subject, I find math difficult. I like to

participate in quiz competitions, singing

and dancing. I like basketball and play a

lot with the school team. The teachers

Interview with Pravin | 14 years old

Reeta and Puja come from very poor families. Reeta lost the parents very early. Puja’s

parents worked in construction, but could not afford to send their children to a good school.

So the girls grew up in the ROKPA Children’s Home. Now they are in the starting stages

of their vocational training as part of the ROKPA Hospitality Training in spring 2018.

accompany and

support us well.

What is your plan

for the future?

I do not know what

I want to be later, but I want a good

education. When I grow up, I want to

support my father. I do not like that he

begs. So I want to earn enough money

so he does not have to beg anymore.

Candidates for the ROKPA Hospitality Training

Puja | 19 years old

Every day after school I work in house-

keeping at the ROKPA Guesthouse. I love

my work there because I can practice

what I want to learn. I meet many people

every day. ROKPA is teaching me to be

independent.

Reeta | 16 years old

I have decided that I want to make a hotel

management training. Education is the

main key to realize my future plans and

dreams. I would later pass on my knowl-

edge to others who were less fortunate.

Pravin as a 3-year-old with his parents

6

PRESPECTIVES

I will always keep developing myself

My dream

Subash | 20 years old

Hello Friends

I am an orphan with two brothers and one sister. I have been living

in the ROKPA Children’s Home for 11 years. I have experienced

the cruel world and many problems. I know things that people with

a carefree life will never know or feel. But I appreciate the value of

life and go about it positively. That is why I will continue to

develop.

The fact that I have found a family in ROKPA is a great happiness.

I have already completed my high school diploma. And now I’m

working. I do not want to continue studying, because I believe that

a study is only valuable if one is careful with it and tries to lead a

successful life.

I have a water business in Boudha that is quite successful. From

morning to night I bring water cans to different houses. I earn good

money. Nothing comes the easy way just because you want it. You

have to work hard and I do. It is tiring, but my bike helps.

I recently started a course to learn to repair broken mobile phones.

My passion is electric appliances. It’s really great that I can learn a

skill that interests me. Moreover, I see that there is a market for

this.

Sarita | 13 years old

The word “dream” is a big word. A dream

is for me when we think of something we

want to be. When I say my dream is to

touch the sun, then this is perhaps

impossible. But if we dream something we

are capable of and work hard for, then we can become what we

want. There have been many examples of people in my life who

have become what they have dreamed of.

Since I have seen what changes a social worker can drive, it has

become my dream job. I want to help people in need and lead a

meaningful life.

Pho

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Mei

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Fran

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Bikal 12 years old

The traffic police

have recently taught

the children how to

safely cross the busy

streets in Kathmandu.

Subash has founded his own company

and supplies water from a bicycle.

PERSPECTIVES

77

To see with the heart

Krishna Hari | 21 years old

Together with friends I have been working as

a translator and volunteer in a school for the

blind. There are more than 20 children aged

6 to 18 years old in the school. Most are

completely blind, but some can still recognize

shapes.

The children told me they were sometimes sad that they could not

see the world with their eyes. But they perceive more than sighted

people with their other senses. They also taught me not to always

trust in what I see, but to focus on what I feel in my heart.

Sometimes I wonder if it is not them helping me more than me

helping them. The children, with their often different ‘views’

literally open my eyes.

When I asked them about the place they would most like to go,

they answered that they would like to go to the zoo to listen to the

animals. We will try to fulfil for this wish for them during one of

our upcoming trips.

Pho

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© T

seri

ng D

awa,

Ray

mon

d M

eier

Krishna Hari (red shirt) – Student and staff of the

ROKPA Women’s Workshop – here in front of the

school for the blind, where he does volunteer work.

To his left is Roshan, also a ROKPA child.

Dipesh 14 years old

Massive flooding of

August 2017 in Nepal.

People lost their houses,

many even their lives.

8

ROKPA SPIRITROKPA SPIRIT

Jyoti | 13 years old

Born into a poor family, I have been a

ROKPA child since 2011. I think all people

become who they are through inspiration

of other people. The ROKPA founders Lea

Wyler and Akong Rinpoche have been my

role models above all.

They gave orphans a family, provided the hungry with food and

gave people in need a hope for a better future. Just as they are

an example for me, I would also like to do something that makes

other people happy and inspires them in the future.

Tenzing Norbu | 15 years old

On Saturday, April 25, 2015, the

earthquake shook me out of my sleep.

Most of the children were already

gathered at lunch, so I was alone in the

room when my bed began to shake. I

looked out the window and saw everyone running out. The

house wobbled tremendously, as if it would break down at any

moment. I also stormed down the stairs and was glad to be

outside with the others.

Since there were constant aftershocks and we were afraid to

go back to the house, we set up with tents on the vacant lot

where the new Akong Rinpoche Memorial Center is being built.

Along with some frightened neighbours, we were about 100

people. For several days we had no electricity and cooked the

meals over an open fire. For almost a month we lived outside.

Everything was shared. In the tents there was room for four to

five children each, some of the tents were made available to

the neighbors or other homeless people.

The schools had all closed. Our older brothers and sisters

taught us English and mathematics - every day, morning and

evening.

Going back to the Children’s Home after a month was difficult

at first. I was afraid of the next earthquake all the time. But

with the help of our carers and my big brothers and sisters, I

am now glad to have a roof over my head.

Shaping role modelsComing together in time of need

Pho

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© R

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Mei

er,

Lea

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Kunsang 13 years old

“In my childhood my sister and

I went to Bhaktapur. This

place is also famous for its

special curd, which we like

very much.”

After the earthquake of 2015, the older children took

over the role of the teacher for the younger ones.

ROKPA SPIRIT

9

Inauguration of the Akong Rinpoche Memorial Center in Nepal

The construction of the multifunctional ROKPA building in Kathmandu is progressing

with great strides. The hospitality training center and the expanded Women’s

Workshop with production and training opportunities are beginning to take form.

The official opening is scheduled for the 4th of March 2018. We would like to invite

our donors to the festivities. We are delighted if you can reserve a room at the

ROKPA Guest House.

You will find details about the opening on our website soon – www.rokpa.org

Gift a ROKPA project sponsorship

Are you still looking for a personal and

meaningful Christmas present? A project

sponsorship offers the ideal opportunity to

get involved with issues or groups of

people purposefully and with little

administrative effort. In this way, you will

be able to provide a joyous gift for the

recipient and at the same time have a

positive influence on the lives of people

affected by poverty.

After the registration, you will receive a

personal confirmation with a gift card (or,

if desired, we can send it directly to the

recipient).

You can register by phone at

044 262 68 88, by e-mail at

info@rokpa.org or directly on our

website www.rokpa.org under

What you can do > ROKPA Shop >

Gift a project sponsorship

Please inform us of your new address

Do you have a new address or are

moving soon? Please send us your

address change as soon as possible.

It helps us avoid additional costs.

Thank you so much!

Merry Christmas

The ROKPA team wishes you Happy Holidays and thanks you sincerely

for your support.

Also Saiman sends you best wishes for Christmas. After the earthquake

in 2015 Saiman lived in a camp in Kathmandu. Today, the 6-year-old has

found a safe haven in the ROKPA Children’s Home.

ROKPA supports water project of a former protege

Ram Hari, a former ROKPA child and now head of a children’s home himself,

started a water project together with ROKPA in Simthali, a village in a poor rural

area of Nepal. Since the devastating earthquake in 2015, the water supply in

Simthali has been precarious. There is a lack of clean and adequate drinking water.

With the new water pipes, the health situation of the local population can be

improved. For women who are responsible for getting the water, the new infrastruc-

ture offers an additional advantage. Currently it is a one and a half hour walk to the

nearest source, in the future it will only take a few minutes. This reduces their

workload and they have more time to grow vegetables for their own needs or to

generate an income.

The water project with Ram Hari benefits from six villages with a population

of about 100 and a primary school with about 175 children.

Pho

tos:

© K

rish

na H

ari,

Ram

Har

i K

hadk

a, L

ea W

yler

ROKPA NEWS

10

I work for ROKPA because...

Youth Engagement

Ella is one of our youngest volunteer

fundraisers. She helps children in need in

various creative ways. In the past, Ella

worked as a voiceover artist in commer-

cials. She donated her salary, which was

matched in kind by the recording studio,

to ROKPA. Recently she gave a lecture on

ROKPA at her school. There was also a

planned Skype call between her classroom

and the Children’s Home in Kathmandu.

I have been a volunteer from the very

beginning of ROKPA. I have seen how

big the organization has grown. I thought

to myself, “ROKPA is big now, they do

not need me anymore.” Until I realized

that the bigger ROKPA becomes, and the

more projects they support, the greater

the responsibility is. So many people

count on this help. I recognized the

importance of long-term donors.

Since the Yushu earthquake in 2010, I

have been running a sewing group in the

Valais mountains. Fifteen dedicated

women produce a wide range of Waldorf

puppets. At first we were helping people

in Yushu with the sales proceeds of

these dolls, now we support a primary

school. We appreciate all our loyal

puppet clients who order from us for

happy occasions such as a birth, a

birthday day or for Christmas.

Unfortunately, because of time difference

and timetable issues, that plan had to be

shelved.. Nevertheless, with her presenta-

tion, Ella has given her fellow students an

insight into another world and hopefully

inspired them to become more engaged in

volunteering activities themselves.

Ella, 12 years old

Marlis Lüscher, ROKPA Volunteer and

Project Leader of Wal-Ro-Puppets

The Wal-Ro puppets are produced exclusively for ROKPA

and each puppet is unique.

Sensible gifting: Wal-Ro-Puppets

■ “Wal-Ro” is an abbreviation of Waldorf and ROKPA.

Waldorf puppets are rag dolls made in accordance with

the pedagogy of Rudolf Steiner, whereupon children need

a soft doll with a simple facial expression in order to

creatively develop during their playtime. Alongside the

puppets, there is a great selection of matching changing

sets, so that the dolls are as well-equipped as their

owners. Marlis Lüscher’s committed volunteers also

produce stuffed or knitted animals as well as keyrings.

There is something for everyone – visit the Wal-Ro-Shop

online at www.rokpa.org under What you can do >

ROKPA Shop > Wal-Ro-Puppets

ROKPA TEAM

11

In Switzerland, donations to ROKPA are exempt from tax.

The children at the ROKPA Children’s Home, who helped shape this edition of the

ROKPA Times, are a small example of the many children and adults whom ROKPA

supports in Nepal, the Tibetan regions of China, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

We can only do that with your help!

Thanks to your donations, we can make a positive impact on countless lives:

• Orphans get a home and are sent to school

• Adolescents from poor families receive a college education

• Destitute people receive medical care

• Our soup kitchens supply children and adults with absolute necessities

• Girls and women are empowered

With your financial support, we can help the poorest of the poor effectively –

please help us to increase their chances to lead a dignified life.

Thank you for your support!

For more chances in life

You can make a donation to this account:

Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG:

IBAN: CH73 0483 5045 5090 1100 1

BIC/SWIFT: CRESCHZZ80A

Or find the account information for your

country on www.rokpa.org

Project-No. 8200:

For ROKPA Children Projects

Project-No. 8000:

For urgent ROKPA Projects

Pho

to:

© T

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Helping wherehelp is needed:sustainably,for over 35 years. ROKPA

ROKPA INTERNATIONAL | Böcklinstrasse 27 | 8032 Zurich | Switzerland

Phone +41 44 2626888 | info@rokpa.org | www.rokpa.org | facebook.com/ROKPA.org

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of up to CHF 99.–

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(amount, numbers only)

to 488.

Example for donation

of CHF 20.–:

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