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Dear <strong>ROKPA</strong>- friends!<br />
Ladies and Gentlemen!<br />
I would like to share someth<strong>in</strong>g with you that gladdens my<br />
heart at the moment. Recently, I was <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nepal</strong>: What is<br />
happen<strong>in</strong>g here is pure magic – an enchantment you cannot<br />
shake off aga<strong>in</strong>. In this country there are truly great problems<br />
– but, just like <strong>in</strong> a well-known comic strip – there is a place<br />
<strong>in</strong> this country where someth<strong>in</strong>g wonderful is happen<strong>in</strong>g: the<br />
<strong>ROKPA</strong> children’s home <strong>in</strong> Boudha.<br />
Many of the children who grew up <strong>in</strong> the <strong>ROKPA</strong> children’s<br />
home have stepped out <strong>in</strong>to the world and stand on their own<br />
two feet today – such as Dilip, for example. He always wanted<br />
to be a pilot and is now study<strong>in</strong>g to become a computer<br />
eng<strong>in</strong>eer <strong>in</strong> Detroit, USA. His sister, Kanchi, is study<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
Australia. <strong>The</strong>y both work together to earn a liv<strong>in</strong>g. Sönam is<br />
just f<strong>in</strong>ish<strong>in</strong>g his tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g as a physiotherapist <strong>in</strong> South India.<br />
Tenz<strong>in</strong> goes to school <strong>in</strong> New York – his father is f<strong>in</strong>ally able to<br />
take care of him after many years at <strong>ROKPA</strong>. Karma is learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> one of the most prestigious schools <strong>in</strong> Great Brita<strong>in</strong>. Ram<br />
Karki has his own video shop. Ram Bishta works as a cook <strong>in</strong><br />
India. Arjun, with the fabulous hands, is a confectioner <strong>in</strong> a<br />
restaurant near the stupa. Naresh has opened a DVD shop at<br />
the end of our little road, which allows him to f<strong>in</strong>ance his<br />
college studies. Pabitra has recently moved to London, where<br />
he received a government grant. And then Ram Hari: He is<br />
us<strong>in</strong>g everyth<strong>in</strong>g he learned with us to help other children<br />
(page 4). I have visited his project. I was touched to see signs<br />
of <strong>ROKPA</strong> everywhere – how the children are raised, how the<br />
house is furnished – all this is a reflection of <strong>ROKPA</strong>. Ram Hari<br />
gives “his” children the same chance that he once received<br />
through <strong>ROKPA</strong>.<br />
Even though our projects for street children and orphans <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Nepal</strong> as well as <strong>in</strong> Tibet were based largely on “gut feel<strong>in</strong>g”<br />
20 to 30 years ago, today it is obvious: our approach, com<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from the heart, is the right one. <strong>The</strong> first generation of former<br />
<strong>ROKPA</strong> children, who are now start<strong>in</strong>g to take action<br />
themselves, prove it. Ram Hari and the others are just some<br />
examples out of many! All of them ensure that young people<br />
can take responsibility <strong>in</strong> their country and contribute towards<br />
reduc<strong>in</strong>g the social plight as they grow up. <strong>ROKPA</strong> will cont<strong>in</strong>ue<br />
liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> and with these children! This is the magic of my life!<br />
And you, the donors, make this magic possible.<br />
Thank you! Stay <strong>in</strong> good health – and faithful to us!<br />
Yours,<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>new</strong> children 3<br />
From Street Child to Manager 4<br />
Tibet 6<br />
<strong>Nepal</strong> 8<br />
Zimbabwe 9<br />
Balance sheet 10<br />
Statement of revenues and expenditures 11<br />
Performance report 12<br />
News 14<br />
This is how you can help! 15<br />
Editor: Marie-Luce Le Febve de Vivy<br />
Lea Wyler, Vice-President of <strong>ROKPA</strong> INTERNATIONAL<br />
Layout: Volker Haller, www.vhvk.de<br />
Picture Editor: Barbara Meier<br />
All photos and texts: © <strong>ROKPA</strong> INTERNATIONAL<br />
Edition: 8.500 copies<br />
Pr<strong>in</strong>ted on FSC-Paper<br />
<strong>ROKPA</strong> INTERNATIONAL<br />
is ZEWO-certified<br />
s<strong>in</strong>ce 2004