ROKPA Times November 2018 - With ROKPA to independence

No. 3 / November 2018 / Volume 38
With ROKPA to
independence

Editorial
Lea Wyler with Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche.
Dear friends of ROKPA,
“We are still like brothers and sisters.” This is how the Tibetan
doctor Droni describes her former classmates. They are all
orphans and half-orphans who were educated at the ROKPA
Tibetan Medical School and found a new family. This was 25
years ago. I am deeply touched by how their lives have been
turned into a positive direction since then. What’s more, these
trained doctors, in turn, help people in need – in some cases
without being paid. This is applied help for self-help, this is
sustainable and exactly what ROKPA for almost 40 years has
been standing for!
This winter I will be travelling to visit our projects in South
Africa and Zimbabwe as well as to evaluate new ones. Poverty in
these countries is still rampant. With your financial help and
support we will be able to continue to make a difference – maybe
even more so than before! Our work in Nepal also progresses,
where in new projects 40 disadvantaged youths and women are
currently undergoing professional training at the ROKPA Vocational
Training Center giving them the necessary skills for the
working world.
I was very saddened by the fact that for the time being we are
unable to continue our projects in the Tibetan areas of China. In
the meantime, however, I recognize that it is not about geography
but about the people, about the children! It is my personal
duty, passion even, to help the forgotten children of this world,
wherever and whoever they are, regardless of where they come
from. Let us take action where others look away. Let us reach
out where others pull back. THIS is what ROKPA stands for and
THIS is – without a shadow of a doubt – the spirit and purpose
of this new situation for ROKPA. One door has been closed and
many new doors are now being opened! We now must open our
hearts even wider and with your support do what we always did:
help where help is needed!
I am thrilled that you are willing to join us on this path and
would like to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart!
INHALT CONTENTS
Editorial 2
Eine The encounter Begegnung that die changed mein Leben my life verändert hat 3
NEPAL: Common Gemeinsame goals Ziele are the key to success 4
als NEPAL: Schlüssel Starting zum an Erfolg independent life /
4
NEPAL: The School Aufbruch Administrator ein eigenständiges of the ROKPA Leben Hospitality /
Der Vocational Schulleiter Training der ROKPA introduces Hotelfachausbildung
himself 5
stellt NEPAL: sich Education vor for an independent life 56
NEPAL: TIBETAN Bildung AREAS für OF ein CHINA: unabhängiges Leben 6
TIBETISCHE ROKPA’s aid bears GEBIETE fruit CHINAS:
7
ROKPAs ZIMBABWE: Hilfe Gaining trägt Früchte independence by
7
SIMBABWE: learning new skills Mit neuen Fähigkeiten zu 8
mehr SOUTH Selbständigkeit AFRICA: “Stork bundles” for
8
SÜDAFRIKA: independent women Storchenbündel für
9
die ROKPA Unabhängigkeit NEWS von Frauen 10 9
ROKPA Obituary NEWS / Donors on ROKPA 10 11
Nachruf / Spendende über ROKPA 11
Executive Board ROKPA INTERNATIONAL
Vorstand Lea Wyler, ROKPA President INTERNATIONAL
and Co-Founder /
Lea
Peter
Wyler,
Fanconi,
Präsidentin
Vice President
und Mitgründerin
/
/
Peter
Lama
Fanconi,
Yeshe Losal
Vize-Präsident
Rinpoche / Dorje
/
Tarap /
Lama
Gelong
Yeshe
Thubten
Losal
/ Andreas
Rinpoche
Vollenweider
/ Dorje Tarap /
Gelong ImprintThubten / Andreas Vollenweider
Impressum
Editorial team: Corinna Biasiutti / Diana Dodd /
Redaktion:
Sanjaya Lal
Corinna
Shrestha
Biasiutti
/ Bijay Shrestha
/ Diana Dodd
/ Thomas
/
Stettler /
Sanjaya
Lea Wyler
Lal
/ Tina
Shrestha
Zaugg
/ Bijay Shrestha / Thomas Stettler /
Lea
Copy
Wyler
editing:
/ Tina
Liane
Zaugg
Brand (www.lianebrand.ch) / Claire Twigger
Lektorat:
English translation:
Liane Brand
Henriette
(www.lianebrand.ch)
Levy / Elizabeth Postle
Grafik:
Graphic
Renée
design:
Reust
Renée Reust / Sandra Hopfensitz
Titelbild:
Cover picture:
© Robert
© Robert
Bösch
Bösch
Foto
Photo
Rückseite:
on the back:
© Lea
© Lea
Wyler
Wyler
Fotos:
Photos:
©
©
Corinna
Corinna
Biasiutti,
Biasiutti,
Robert
Robert
Bösch,
Bösch,
Loïc
Loïc
Chantriaux,
Chantriaux,
Diana
Diana
Dodd,
Dodd,
Melanie
Melanie
Ewing,
Ewing,
Sarah
Sarah
Graham,
Graham,
Suzanne
Suzanne
Louw,
Louw,
Marlis
Marlis Lüscher,
Lüscher,
Gabriel
Gabriel
Peisker,
Peisker,
Evelyne Plüss, Françoise
Evelyne
Prudhomme,
Plüss,
Robert
Françoise
Rapp,
Prudhomme,
ROKPA INTERNATIONAL,
Robert Rapp,
ROKPA
ROKPA
Support
INTERNATIONAL,
Network Zimbabwe,
ROKPA
Bijay
Support
Shrestha,
Network
Pabitra Timilsina,
Zimbabwe,
Lea Wyler
Bijay Shrestha, Pabitra Timilsina, Lea Wyler
Text:
Text: ©
ROKPA
ROKPA
INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
Auflage:
Print run:
7’200
7’200
Exemplare
copies (German edition)
Yours,
Lea Wyler
Co-Founder and President ROKPA INTERNATIONAL
Photo: © Lea Wyler
Printed on Recycling Paper, produced according
to the rules of “The blue Angel”.

ROKPA INTERNATIONAL
The encounter
that changed my life
Dear friends,
Photo: © Sarah Graham
Namaste! My name is Bijay Shreshta. I am the official
Co-Manager of ROKPA Nepal. Unofficially, I am the big brother
of the ROKPA Children’s Home. While writing these lines, I am
sitting in the common room and help the children with their
homework. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by their chit-chat
and pranks. However, I’m filled with satisfaction to be able to
help the kids and I have a lot of affection for each of them.
My father left the family home for another woman before I was
born. My mother passed away when I was 5 years old. At this
tender age I was living on the streets for one year, begging,
learning and surviving. I slept on the sidewalks by the Stupa
– sometimes with my stomach full and sometimes empty. I
experienced compassion from friends and strangers and I was
beaten up from time to time. Despite the hardship, I also
enjoyed life now and then.
One day I will never forget was the day when a woman took
my hand and my life changed forever. The woman’s name is
Lea Wyler, whom we lovingly call “mummy”. She stepped into
my life the moment I needed help the most. She taught me
how to brush my teeth, how to tie my shoes, she took me to
school for the first time and taught me a lot of other things.
But the most important thing was that she opened her heart
(and her wallet) for strangers like me, that she loved us and
still does.
Her single act of charity changed my life and the lives of many
others forever. Together with 6 other children, she sent me to
school and the rest is history.
I lived in the Children’s Home up to 2005. My home was
there, I found brothers, sisters, friends and above all a mother
who loved us unconditionally. She showed us the right path
and taught us to appreciate what we have, to have compassion
for others and to help where we can. I moved out after my
university degree and started an independent life. Every
holiday I would go back to the Children’s Home and help
whenever I could – it is the only home I ever knew.
Then in 2010, Mummy Lea offered me the chance to work in
the Children’s Home and in other projects that ROKPA carries
out in Nepal. It’s been 28 years since I came to ROKPA and
it’s been a good journey so far.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, our
President, the members of the Executive Board, and the
employees of ROKPA in Zurich, the volunteers, friends,
families and donors for their support. Without your help and
contribution, I and hundreds of other children would not be
where we are today.
Every contribution is important and has a direct impact on
people’s lives. I am the living proof of this!
With my very best regards,
Bijay Shrestha
Co-Manager ROKPA Nepal
Bijay, a former ROKPA Child and today
Co-Manager of ROKPA Nepal,
feels connected to each and every one
of his protégés.
3

NEPAL
Common goals
are the key to success
In May this year, the first training courses started at the ROKPA
Hospitality Vocational Training in Kathmandu. Local employees
take care of the day-to-day business, supported by volunteers of
the Swiss Hospitality Association EHLsmile who assist and give
advice. Victor Jaton was one of the two advisors who accompanied
this project during the first 6 months. He was then
replaced by Loïc Chantriaux. In the following interview with
ROKPA, these two hospitality experts give us some insight into
their daily routine working for the vocational training project.
ROKPA: Victor and Loïc, how should we picture a normal working
day as advisor to the ROKPA Hospitality Vocational Training?
Victor: Every day is slightly different. This makes our work so
interesting. We have a wide range of duties and we make varied
experiences.
Loïc: Exactly. There is no such thing as a typical working day.
We adjust to the needs “on the job”. For example, I support
teachers in preparing their lessons, I teach and I oversee
administrative work. I agree with Victor: we gain an immense
amount of experience working for this project.
ROKPA: What are the biggest challenges?
Victor: During my assignment our biggest challenge was to get
the Hospitality Vocational Training up and running without
disrupting the existing organisation.
Participants of the “food production” course working on new dishes
for the ROKPA Restaurant, supported by Loïc Chantriaux (r.).
Loïc: Sometimes it is tricky to learn how things work here.
Nepalese culture is different to ours. Personally, my biggest
challenge was to find the right tempo: not to move forward too
quickly and not to do too many things in order not to inundate
the employees with too many tasks. To take care of the day-today
business in itself is already a huge task.
Victor Jaton (c.) and Camille Briffod (r.), EHLsmile volunteers who
helped develop the project.
ROKPA: What is the most important thing you want to pass on
to students and teachers? What do you learn from them?
Victor: I wanted to convey appreciation as it helps students to
study successfully. Later I realised that because of their culture,
Nepalese people are already appreciative. Each day I learnt from
them.
Loïc: I would like teachers and students to learn how to work to
perfection so that they will be able to deal with everything that
lies ahead. I learn patience and diplomacy from them. We have
to move forward slowly but surely and not push them – we
wouldn’t want to do this anyway as they are so nice.
ROKPA: Victor, what are the most important lessons you learnt
from your assignment? What advice would you give to Loïc?
Victor: Common and tangible goals are needed to create a good
team. Enjoy and have fun, Loïc!
Photos: © Corinna Biasiutti, Loïc Chantriaux
4

NEPAL
Working despite physical impairment:
Kalpana (l.) training as a seamstress at the
ROKPA Vocational Training Center.
Starting an
independent life
32 deprived young people are presently being trained in hospitality
services at the new ROKPA Vocational Training Center.
There are three certificate programmes: “Food Production”,
“Service” and “Room Management”. A further 10 destitute
women are being trained as seamstresses. Anisha and Kalpana
are two of the students. Despite some cruel strokes of fate and
their physical impairment, these young women have decided to
take their destiny into their own hands. Education lays the
foundation for an independent life.
Anisha is 18 years old and is taking the one-year training course
in “Service”. She grew up in a village near Kathmandu where
she lived with her family. When she was a child, Anisha scalded
herself with hot water and she’s still suffering from the wounds
sustained in this incident. She lost her mother during the 2015
earthquake – an even more cruel stroke of fate. Fortunately,
Anisha was supported by CWIN, a Nepalese organization for
children’s rights. CWIN registered Anisha for the ROKPA
Hospitality Training. Anisha likes to read and with this training
wants to secure her own future.
Kalpana is 24 years old and is taking the six-month training
course as a seamstress. Her mother died when she was 7 years
old. This was a crushing blow for her as she felt especially loved
by her mother. She has two brothers who do not look after her.
Today, Kalpana lives in a home for people with disabilities and
she is happy to be able to train at the ROKPA Women’s Workshop.
She already has previous experience as a seamstress and
wants to learn more in order to be fit for the job market.
The School Administrator of
the ROKPA Hospitality
Vocational Training introduces
himself
Sanjaya Lal Shrestha (l.) teaching.
Photos: © ROKPA INTERNATIONAL, Bijay Shrestha
My name is Sanjaya Lal Shresta and I am the School
Administrator of the ROKPA Hospitality Vocational Training.
I started my career at reception and in communication. In the
following years, I worked my way up to a managing position.
I decided to work for ROKPA because I want to work for a
good cause and support young people.
My work day starts with a smile from my students. I personally
greet each and every one of them because think it is
important that our students feel accepted. As I am responsible
for the operation of our Hospitality Training as well as for
the ROKPA Guest House, I have a tight schedule: I prepare
the timetables, I support our teachers and I also teach.
Furthermore, I deal with requests regarding the Guest House,
I am responsible for the school administration and coordinate
with our partner organisations such as the GATE College.
Our students are from financially vulnerable families. I take
all the time necessary to assist them with personal as well as
academic matters. I want these young people to be successful
so that they can help their families to have a decent life too.
5

NEPAL
Education for an
independent life
Pabitra successfully completed her
28 year-old Pabitra and her younger sister
Sharmila, 5 years her junior, grew up in a
village in the Kathmandu Valley. Her family
was poor and had very few possessions
except some pots for cooking. However,
there was very little to fill these pots. Food
was scarce and got even scarcer with every
new child. The family already had 7 girls
when a boy arrived. The father had
desperately wanted to have a boy.
Both parents worked in the fields. But the
father was an alcoholic and spent almost
all the money on alcohol. Hoping to find a
better income, the family moved to
Kathmandu. The mother worked on a
construction site where she had to carry
heavy loads. She went to work at sunrise
and returned in the night. The father also
worked as a porter, but he couldn’t give up
drinking.
Soon the children had to work to supplement
the family income. At the age of 7,
Sharmila already worked as a housemaid.
She was scolded, threatened and beaten
– until she fled.
mother didn’t want her children to grow up
uneducated like herself. Whenever she was
able to raise money, she sent her children
to school.
But then the father fell ill with liver cancer.
In order to be able to pay for the hospital
and medication, their mother borrowed
money from neighbours. Pabitra usually
took care of her father when her mother
was working. Before he died, the father
gave the following advice to his daughter:
“Study well, be a successful girl and try to
serve your family”. Pabitra took his advice
to heart. Hoping to find help, the girl went
to the ROKPA Soup Kitchen with an X-ray
picture of her father in her hands. She had
been there before with her family warming
up with a hot meal during the cold winter.
Pabitra told Lea Wyler, the Co-Founder of
ROKPA, what had happened. Moved by her
story, Lea Wyler took Pabitra and her sister
Sharmila to the ROKPA Children’s Home.
Their mother received financial support
from ROKPA for herself and for the other
children.
studies in Business Management in 2014.
Sharmila studies Public Health and
works part-time as waitress in the
ROKPA Restaurant.
Pabitra worked as a housemaid too. When
her mother learned that Pabitra hadn’t
been sent to school as promised, she took
her back home. Despite being poor, the
Pabitra (l.) and Sharmila in the
ROKPA Children’s Home in 2004.
Pabitra was an excellent student. When
she was 19 she obtained a visa to go to
Great Britain and studied Business
Management in London. After having
successfully completed her studies in
2014, she worked as an accountant in
London.
Sharmila is also a successful student. She
is presently studying for a Bachelor’s
Degree in Public Health and is working
part-time as a waitress at the ROKPA
Guest House. Sometimes Sharmila feels
the dual burden, especially during long
working days. However, she is very happy
that her big sister came back to Nepal a
year ago. As there had not been enough
money to pay for the flight, they had had
to wait 7 years to hug each other again.
At first, returning home was a cultural
shock for Pabitra. In the meantime, she
has adjusted and feels very much at home
in Nepal. Today the young woman works as
a project manager with an IT company.
Together with two of her younger siblings,
she lives with her mother. Thanks to her
good income Pabitra is able to finance the
household chiefly. She is happy to be with
her family again.
Photos: © Robert Bösch, ROKPA INTERNATIONAL, Pabitra Timilsina
6

TIBETAN AREAS OF CHINA
TIBETISCHE GEBIETE CHINAS
ROKPA’s aid
bears fruit
Solidarity with
Tsündru
In 1993 the first ROKPA subsidised class at the ROKPA Tibetan Medical School in
Yushu was made up of orphans and half-orphans. Back then they were dependent on
help. 25 years later, 47 of the former students are now practising doctors who help
others.
In July 2018 there was a reunion to mark 25 years since they began their studies.
As their first English teacher – I spent 6 months volunteering at the school in 1995 –
I was invited too. “As we are now practicing doctors across the County, there aren’t
many opportunities to meet,” Droni told me. “But we have a social media group and
use this to stay in touch – we are still like brothers and sisters.”
As I now visit the school along with the 48 graduates, it is extremely moving to witness
how radically conditions have changed. Nothing is left of the old mud huts with broken
windows, intermittent electricity and no running water. Now the facilities are comparatively
modern. After the devastating earthquake in Yushu in 2010, the Chinese government
completely rebuilt the town and it is now full of modern buildings. And yet there
are still many orphans with the same shy, appreciative, curious expressions on their
faces – only now they’re wearing better clothes. There are currently 476 boarding
students at the school, all of them orphans or half-orphans from destitute backgrounds.
There are new places every year for up to 90 students from the 45 villages and towns
of Yushu Prefecture.
Tsündru is the only one of her class
who isn’t now practising as a doctor.
8 years ago she had a terrible
accident and only just survived –
she is now a paraplegic and has
had to be operated on many times.
The surgery was made possible by
generous ROKPA Donors.
Tsündru too is still close to her
former classmates and attended
the reunion. Every year the class
pool money for her medical
expenses – this year they managed
to collect 1500 Swiss francs.
In the meantime, many of the former students have become parents themselves to
children who are now the same age as they themselves were when they joined the
ROKPA School. It is obvious that the wonderful help they received back then is now
being passed on and is benefiting others. They don’t only care for their patients but
also support their extended families and others who didn’t have the same opportunities
as themselves.
Report by Diana Dodd
Tsündru (front) with her mother
and two brothers.
Photos: © Diana Dodd, Lea Wyler
These orphans in Yushu saw Akong
Rinpoche as their father and protector.
25 years on, they still consider themselves
brothers and sisters, who now themselves
are able to provide help where it is needed.
7

ZIMBABWE
SIMBABWE
ROKPA Projects in Chitungwiza,
a poor suburb of Harare:
young people learn a craft.
Gaining independence
by learning new skills
Since its beginnings in 2000, the ROKPA
Support Network in Zimbabwe has
focused on supporting the weakest and
the neediest: children with disabilities
and their parents, orphans and their
carers, as well as the chronically ill. They
support as many of these people as
possible using the self-help approach, for
example by offering assistance in their
daily life with HIV, or by advising and
training them how to build up a small
business or how to grow low-cost but
nourishing vegetables and spices.
One of these projects is the ROKPA Day
Care Center in Chitungwiza. Here, around
35 children, some with very severe
disabilities, are looked after every day
during the week. The children receive
treatment relevant to their needs (physiotherapy,
activity therapy, speech therapy)
as well as medical support, food, toys
and equipment for creative activities. A
specialist therapist visits the Center at
least once a week.
Under the direction of a coordinator, the
Center is run by the parents of the children.
The parents receive a basic introduction
to the therapies used, which enables them
to continue supporting their children at
home. The project ensures that both
parents and carers have enough time to
earn an income whilst the children can
develop skills in a secure environment
which will help to make them more
independent.
The Sewing Project is one of the initiatives
being put into practice at the ROKPA
Chitungwiza Center to promote the development
of entrepreneurial skills. The project
aims to achieve at least three things: the
participants gain new craft skills, they
can earn an income, and they are able to
satisfy local demand for clothes and other
textile items.
In the Sewing Project participants
transform old jeans into uniforms and
other products that are designed by the
participants. ROKPA supports the mostly
young people in their work and encourages
the continued development of their
skills as well as their product range.
Children with disabilities receive the
personalised care they need.
Photos: © ROKPA Support Network Zimbabwe, Lea Wyler
8

SOUTH AFRICA
SÜDAFRIKA
“Stork bundles” for
independent women
In a poor district of Cape Town new mothers are provided with
“stork bundles”, sandwiches and food vouchers from ROKPA.
In this way, the women are able to concentrate on the welfare
of their newborn babies rather than having to struggle for each
meal.
“The baby’s clothes are passed on from family to family” reports
Zan, a “Circle of Nourishment” volunteer who distributes food
and stork bundles. “In the most extreme cases this will prevent a
baby from dying of cold in a draughty tin hut.” The mothers are
aware that these packages are a temporary measure which
should help them to find ways to improve their own situation.
The aim of this project is to help them towards independence.
A stork bundle
contains disposable
nappies and clothes
for newborn babies,
which the new
mothers are very
grateful to receive.
Carrie, aged 34, is expecting her second child. She suffered
domestic violence at the hands of her partner for years and was
completely reliant on him. After a particularly bad fight, he left
the heavily pregnant Carrie with nothing to live on. She explains
that she would often go to bed hungry herself, but always made
sure that her five-year-old child was fed by a neighbour. Carrie
says that she cannot continue to ask for help from neighbours
who are themselves struggling to make ends meet.
When we gave Carrie food vouchers she cried tears of joy, saying
that she had never expected to receive help in this way. Two
weeks later she was given more vouchers which will help her to
eat healthily during her pregnancy. Her child will soon be born
– and then she’ll receive a stork bundle too.
Photos: © Suzanne Louw, Lea Wyler
The “Circle of Nourishment”
Project
In collaboration with a maternity hospital in Cape Town,
ROKPA comes into contact with between 250 and 300
destitute mothers and their newborn babies each week.
Many of the mothers are very young and have to fend for
themselves.
Project activities include:
• Preparing and distributing nourishing sandwiches and fruit.
• Giving new mothers a stork bundle comprising sanitary and
hygiene products and a basic kit of clothing for their
newborn.
• Handing out food vouchers.
• Providing moral support for the women, many of whom
have to deal with sad and difficult circumstances.
9

ROKPA NEWS
New ROKPA Executive Board member
ROKPA welcomes two new employees at
our Headquarters in Zurich
In January 2018 Melanie Ewing took over from Romano
Renner as the Head of Finance for ROKPA. She was born
in Scotland and studied Accounting and German in
England. She did further training at the consultancy firm
Ernst & Young. Her curiosity brought her to Switzerland,
where she has lived since 2004. Ever since then it has
been her dream to bring her experience to a charitable
setting, so she’s excited to be working at ROKPA. She
appreciates ROKPA’s method of providing aid in a
goal-orientated and unbureaucratic way and also values the close collaboration
within the ROKPA Team.
This year the executive committee at ROKPA INTERNA-
TIONAL grew to six when we welcomed a new board
member. Dorje Tarap was born in the Tibetan areas of
China, grew up in Scotland and Nepal and now lives in
Switzerland. He comes to us with invaluable knowledge
of the Himalaya region and of the cultural values of the
people there. In addition he has a degree in Bioinformatics
and has worked in the healthcare industry for over 15
years. ROKPA is excited about working with him and
wishes him a great start.
Earnings from
Wal-Ro dolls have
topped 100’000
Swiss francs
Marlis Lüscher (center) and her hardworking
team have been making Waldorf dolls
exclusively for ROKPA (hence the name
Wal-Ro dolls) since 2010.
The group of 15 women based in the
Valais mountains dedicate thousands of
hours each year tirelessly working on
these unique dolls. Now, thanks to loyal
and new customers, they have hit the
mark of 100’000 Swiss francs.
We at ROKPA are thrilled and would like
to extend our heartfelt thanks to all
involved for their invaluable contribution.
In July 2018 Evelyne Plüss began her role of Donor
Relations Manager on the departure of Caterina Meier-Pfister.
After studying Political Science she did an
internship in the area of migration at the Federal
Department of Foreign Affairs, after which she worked
for an international organisation in Bolivia and then as a
youth development project manager for a Swiss foundation.
She lived in Kenya for the past five years where
she worked for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and also as
coordinator for South Sudan with a German NGO. Now back in Switzerland she is
pleased to be able to support the ROKPA Team in this exciting position.
Season’s Greetings
The entire ROKPA Team would like to wish you a very happy Christmas and all
the very best for the New Year. We hope to be able to count on your continued
support in 2019.
■ Are you looking for Christmas
gifts? Visit the Wal-Ro online shop
at www.rokpa.org/walro
All proceeds from the sale of Wal-Ro
items go via ROKPA to disadvantaged
children in the Himalaya region.
Photos: © Robert Bösch, Melanie Ewing, Marlis Lüscher, Gabriel Peisker, Evelyne Plüss
10

ROKPA TEAM
Obituary
ROKPA is sad to have to say goodbye to two long-term companions in the same year.
Photos: © Françoise Prudhomme, Robert Rapp
Françoise Prudhomme co-founded
ROKPA France and ran the
a 50 percent workload for ROKPA
Robert „Röbi“ Rapp volunteered on
French Representation successfully
for many years on a voluntary
for recording donations received,
for many years. He was responsible
basis. Françoise was an exceptional
character who touched the
Röbi was a very conscientious and
which he did painstakingly by hand.
hearts of many people with her
kind person who cared deeply for
warmth, dependability and
people in need. With his long-term
sincerity. Although her life was
partner Ernst Ostertag, Röbi was a
marked by illness she never let herself become demoralised.
Her positive, relaxed and cheerful manner remains an together they campaigned tirelessly for the legal recognition of
pioneer for the rights of same-sex couples in Switzerland:
example to us all.
civil partnerships.
We are deeply grateful to Françoise Prudhomme and Röbi Rapp
for their tireless commitment in service of the poorest people. We will miss them.
Donors on ROKPA: this is what makes ROKPA unique for me
In the questionnaire we distributed in June we asked our donors, among other things, what they thought
made ROKPA special. Here we are pleased to include a selection of the many exciting answers we received.
Thank you all for your positive feedback! It encourages and inspires our whole team. Please tell others
about us and order ROKPA information leaflets which you can pass on. THANK YOU!
I really like how small the organisation
is. It gives you the feeling of being part
of a large family. The results of ROKPA’s
project work are presented clearly in the
ROKPA Times and on the website. That
makes me feel sure that my donations
really make a difference.
Jolanda Kocher, Uster
I’m impressed at how personally involved
Lea Wyler is and how she has managed
to directly help so many needy people.
Elisabeth Tornay, Zürich
For me, aid in the Himalaya region is of
central importance. I’m pleased that
ROKPA is also active in South Africa and
Zimbabwe, but the fact that ROKPA
supports the Himalaya region is the main
reason why I have continued to donate
over many years.
Boris Brönimann, Horgen
I think it’s brilliant that ROKPA keeps
administrative costs as low as possible so
that the bulk of donations reaches those
who need it most.
Barbara Hediger, Hunzenschwil
The personal commitment of the
Co-Founder, the employees and the many
volunteers is obvious.
Susanne Bernet, Bremgarten
www.yoga-bremgarten.ch
I met Lea Wyler in Kathmandu in 1990
and have been part of the ROKPA Family
ever since. I find it particularly inspiring
how many volunteers are involved.
Thomas Fries, Riehen
11

ROKPA
Helping where
help is needed:
sustainably,
for over 35 years.
Kalpana is the single mother of Sajan (l.) and Sachita (r.). The money she earns as a housekeeper is barely enough to keep them alive.
When they came to the ROKPA Children’s Home, Sajan was gravely ill and massively underweight and Sachita was suffering from a
gastro-intestinal complaint. Thanks to support provided by ROKPA they are now much better and they live in the Children’s Home.
For a better chance in life
Every year hundreds of children and young people get an education in Nepal, Zimbabwe
and South Africa, supported by ROKPA. With its Medical and Food Projects, ROKPA is
making tangible improvements to the living conditions of many poverty-stricken people.
This is only possible with your help!
SMS donation
up to CHF 99.–
GO ROKPA XX
(amount, number only) to
target number 488.
Example for CHF 20.–:
GO ROKPA 20 to 488
Thanks to your donations we can have a positive influence on innumerable lives:
• Orphans are housed and sent to school
• Young people from poor families can go to university or college
• Destitute people receive medical care
• Children and adults are provided with the essentials in our Soup Kitchens
• Girls and women are strengthened
With your financial support we can make a difference to the lives of the poorest of
the poor. Help us to give them a chance to live a dignified life.
We are deeply grateful for your generous support!
In Switzerland all donations to ROKPA are tax-free.
How you can donate:
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. 8150:
For ROKPA Medical Projects
Project No. 8100:
For ROKPA Education Projects
Project No. 8000:
For urgent ROKPA Projects
Photo: © Lea Wyler
ROKPA INTERNATIONAL | Böcklinstrasse 27 | 8032 Zurich | Switzerland | Phone +41 44 2626888
info@rokpa.org | www.rokpa.org | facebook.com/ROKPA.org