FAQ
Who are we?
We are an association dedicated to development cooperation and humanitarian aid for Tibetans in the Himalayan region, in accordance with Articles 60 and following of the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB). We are tax-exempt.
Our non-profit organization was founded in 1988 by committed Swiss women.
TIBETFREUNDE’s board members and collaborators work on a voluntary basis. As a result, our administrative and PR costs are minimal and consistently below 3% of total revenue.
Donations and sponsorship funds are forwarded to the institutions we support with no deductions.
What are our goals?
- We support and encourage self-reliance through sustainable development cooperation with Tibetan partner organizations.
- We alleviate acute emergencies for Tibetans through humanitarian aid.
- We raise awareness among the Swiss population through public outreach about the situation and aspirations of Tibetans both in Tibet and in exile.
What are our main priorities?
- We promote access to school education and vocational training by facilitating sponsorships for underprivileged children and young people.
- We support education and vocational training by assisting in the construction and maintenance of schools and vocational training centers.
- We ensure a dignified old age for elderly, impoverished, and sick Tibetans by connecting them with a sponsor.
With which institutions do we work?
For Tibetan refugee children in India and Nepal:
- “Tibetan Children’s Villages” (TCV) – Dharamsala, India
- STSS Sambotha Tibetan Schools Society, Dept. of Education – Dharamsala, India
- and several Tibetan schools in India and Nepal
For elderly people in need in India and Nepal:
- “Central Tibetan Relief Committee” (CTRC) – Dharamsala, India
- Tibetan Women’s Welfare Group, Nepal
- Lodrik Welfare Fund, Pokhara, Nepal
For nuns and monks from Tibetan institutions in India and Nepal:
- Jamyang Choling Institute – Dharamsala, India
- Taksham Monastery – India
- Sherab Choling Institute – Village Morang, Spiti, India
- Tibetan Nuns Project – Various monasteries
- Manjushri De-chen Buddhist Learning Center, Kathmandu, Nepal
How can you help Tibetans in need?
- By becoming a member of our association TIBETFREUNDE with an annual membership fee of CHF 60.
- By sponsoring a Tibetan child or an elderly Tibetan (CHF 350 to 600 annually).
- By sponsoring a Buddhist nun or monk (CHF 420 to 500 annually).
- By sponsoring a student of Tibetan medicine (approximately CHF 1000 per year).
- By making one-time donations – as desired, for a specific project.
- Through bequests in your will.
► Your donations and sponsorship funds are tax-exempt in Switzerland! ◄
About Tibetfreunde (Friends of Tibet Association)
Our non-profit organization was established in 1988 by three dedicated Swiss women, Ms. Samra Losinger, Ms. Marlies Kornfeld and Ms. Lotti Jacobi. That same year, the “Award for Freedom and Human Rights,” was presented to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Bern. He generously donated half of the prize money to Tibetfreunde as seed funding, with his best wishes for the success of our mission.
Our association is based in Bern and focuses on development, cooperation and humanitarian aid for Tibetan refugees in the Himalayan region. We organize sponsorships for needy Tibetan children, nuns, monks, and seniors in India and Nepal. As of 2023, we manage over 550 sponsorships and are supported by approximately 400 members.
Thanks to government support, contributions from various private aid organizations, and, most importantly, the tireless and efficient efforts of the Tibetan community in exile, a well-functioning infrastructure has been put in place. Boarding schools have been built in India, Nepal, and Ladakh, primarily funded by donations from Europe. These schools provide Tibetan children with quality education and opportunities for growth and are supported by numerous sponsorships. Additionally, modest health clinics have been established across Tibetan settlements in India and Nepal. Maintaining these facilities is a challenge and the financial resources which are necessary in order to continue developing the projects which are already underway, remain scarce .
Ongoing support is vital to sustain and advance the work that has been initiated with such dedication.
TIBETFREUNDE is committed to making its contribution to this important cause.
Key Activities:
- Sponsorships: Our association coordinates sponsorships for Tibetan children in need, elderly individuals, nuns, monks, and students in India and Nepal.
- Projects: We support initiatives in education, health, and agriculture across India, Nepal, and Tibet, with the aim of preserving Tibetan culture and religion and defending human rights.
Transparency and Efficiency:
- Direct Donation Allocation: Donations and sponsorship payments are forwarded directly and without any deductions to the institutions we support in India and Nepal.
- Volunteer Work: Board members and volunteers work entirely for free, minimizing administrative costs.
Questions?
No Deductions
The dedicated board members and volunteers at TIBETFREUNDE work entirely for free. Therefore, our administrative and PR costs are minimal, amounting to less than 3% of our revenue. These costs are covered by membership fees. While the greater part of our membership fees are directed towards our projects, a small portion is used to cover these costs. This allows us to forward 100% of donations and sponsorship payments to India and Nepal without any deductions on our part.
Tax Exempt
We are an association for development cooperation and humanitarian aid in the Himalayan region, in accordance with Articles 60 and following of the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB), and we are tax-exempt. Minimum and maximum amounts for donations or bequests that are eligible for tax exemption in your canton can be obtained from your cantonal tax administration office. Upon request, we can send you a donation receipt for donations or bequests made through our association.