Are you interested in volunteering in spectacular Tibet? View our guide.
How to Volunteer in Tibet
Tibet isn’t the easiest destination to volunteer, even just entering the country as a tourist is a challenge. There are also limited opportunities to help good causes, but there are ways to help Tibetan people.
Volunteer with Tibetan Refugeees
There are Tibetan refugee projects setup to help Tibetan refugees on exile from their home country. Ever since India gave HH Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government refuge in Dharamsala it has been heart of the Tibetan migration. Following the footsteps of the Dalai Lama more than 150,000 Tibetan refugees have fled to India in search for a new and a better life.
The Refugees still continue to arrive from Tibet in Dharamsala and currently arrive at the rate of about 8000 per year. Most people come in search for a better life and to be able to live in freedom. Tibetan refugees have had very little exposure to the modern world and thus they face problems in adapting to the new modern life in India.
You can volunteer in India on programs aimed at helping and empowering the Tibetan communities which are on exile from their home country and are on search for a better life in India. Under the Tibetan refugee project volunteers you can work to teach English, maths, science, computer, social skills, vocational training to monks, nuns and adults who have migrated from Tibet and are trying to settle in India but find it tough.
Volunteers can also help with conversation classes. These can be challenging projects but at the same time a great learning experience as you get a chance to experience the Tibetan culture, understand their problems and help them with their cause.
One of the most important things that participants get taught while teaching is love and compassion. Some local community organisations use English as a medium and the aim of projects is to reach out to the Tibetan community and give them “HOPE”. Volunteers generally work for 4 – 5 hours a day giving group as well as private classes. Conversation classes are specially organized as that way volunteers get to spend a lot of time with students for the period of the volunteer program and get to know the students better and thus offer personalized guidance.
As well as working to teach English international volunteers can also help with local area cleanups which are organized frequently to bring about awareness.