In 1986, by the request of Lekshe Tsomo, I traveled to the Tibetan Refugee camps of Lobersing, Orissa, India. Lekshe had been supporting a small group of nuns that lived in the jungle. She had heard that they were extremely impoverished and that their teacher, Ani Jetsun Drolma had been a great siddha. She also informed me that Senge-la and Tseten Dolma, the family she sent money to for the nuns, had ceased to communicate with her. I sent a letter to them at the last address Lekshe had and got out my maps.

It was a difficult journey. Orissa at that time was one of the poorest states in India. There were few busses that even went to the area and they were miserable affairs.

But when I arrived I was greeted with great ceremony. My letter had arrived. They made every arrangement for me to meet with the nuns and to hear stories from the villagers about Ani Jetsun Dolma.

Home in Hawaii, I wrote an article about Ani Jetsun called, "A Life of Discipline, A Rainbow Death". It was printed in Snow Lion Publication's Dharma Newsletter along with an appeal for money.

That first outreach brought in over $2000. Some of those original donors have become close. A group of High Security prisoners started corresponding with me, sending what they could out of their meager income to put one of Singe's daughters through school.

I returned to Orissa and wrote a second article, "May All Be Auspicious". This too was printed in Snow Lion and they started selling prayer flags to support the nuns.

A few years later I was in the Darjeeling district and was able to meet with Changchub Cherton who had a son that turned out to be a celebrated tulku. That article is titled, "Dedicated to Truth" and was also printed in Snow Lion.

For many years the Maui Dharma Center allowed me to run this project through their tax deductible organization. When Tara Dhatu was born our Charity Director took over the management.

There are now three of the original nuns left. Singe has passed away and the account for the nuns of Lobersing is being managed by his wife. Another branch of their family have recently escaped from Tibet and are seeking educational sponsorship.

The blessings of being involved in such a wonderful project are enormous. Please consider sponsoring either a nun, or a child. Buy some of the Prayer Flags. A little bit goes a long way.

Contact Charity Director Joni Haug, diamond@infomagic.net, for further information.

Prema Dasara