Mr Dawa Tsering, Welfare Officer for the Tibetan Government in exile, Dharamsala, India, spent four weeks in Melbourne from 17 October 1998, learning more about approaches to waste management. During his trip he examined a range of programs on water treatment, composting toilets, educational techniques to get the green message across to children and the community, as well as ways to recycle and produce money raising activities which then contribute to other environmental projects.
Mr Tsering has already made some significant achievements. The Tibetan Refugee community in the Dharamsala area is centred in McLeod Ganj and totals around 15,000 people. The community faces many basic welfare and health issues, including poverty and personal and environmental health. Despite these difficulties, Dawa and his colleagues and friends have established waste collection and recycling processes, the community have agreed not to use plastic bags and a 'Green' shop has been established to promote 'ecofriendly' products and behaviour.
The programs instigated by Dawa have achieved significant outcomes by raising community awareness of environmental and health issues among the Tibetan refugees and the surrounding Indian community. These programs have also initiated a real change in people's actions. This has been achieved through Dawa's enthusiasm and commitment to the welfare of the community. Unfortunately, Dawa's ability to progress further with environmental and health initiatives is hindered by limited access to training and written information on the diverse possibilities for the many situations facing the community. This field trip was viatl in expanding his knowledge and network of people with knowledge and skills. It is envisioned that Dawa will continue to correspond with some of the organizations he visits in Melbourne to further exchange information and ideas.
Dawa gave two public talks while in Melbourne and an extract of one of his talks is available through the Tibet Welfare Group Newsletter, which is complimentary to members.
Dawa's visit to Melbourne was a huge success, and TWG would like to thank all the many sponsors and supporters of this project.
If you wish to assist the Tibetan community then support the Tibet Welfare Group in its work in the environment, or its other activities, please contact us for more details at: Tibet Welfare Group, P.O. Box 618, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, AUSTRALIA or by email.