"At less than 20 miles per hour, we are covering between 1200 and 1800 miles, traveling through narrow river valleys and over bumpy mud roads. It is a dusty journey, a journey that takes us to a different place every two or three days and has us sleeping in houses with bad sanitation. Why? Because we are visiting the projects ROKPA is carrying out in Tibetan China. At every project there is a fantastic reception with children forming a guard of honour, children waving and lots of singing and dancing. Then our work begins. Dr. Akong Rinpoche negotiates and checks the situation, while we interview the headmaster of the school and some of the children. And that's always where routine ends and real life starts, with all its cruelty and suffering. We meet children whose stories we can hardly believe, stories that make us unbelievably sad, but at the same time show us what a “project” really means for them."

So writes one of our field workers after recent project visits.

Pumo Choeyong and Tsering are both aged 11 and are being educated at one of the ROKPA projects. ROKPA believes that providing an education for young people is one of the most effective ways to bring about long-term change. Our educational projects in Tibetan areas are the cornerstone of our work. Unfortunately, girls and women are still considered to be inferior in Tibetan areas which means that their education is neglected. Instead of being at primary school, they are treated as cheap manpower and are vulnerable to abuse. An education protects them from exploitation and enables them to live a free and independent life.

Tsering