“Rokpa” is the Tibetan word for “to help” or “to serve”.

ROKPA INTERNATIONAL is a charity that was founded in 1980 by its President Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche, a Tibetan meditation master and doctor and by Ms. Lea Wyler, its Vice-President, a Swiss actress, together with her father, the well-known Swiss lawyer, Dr. Veit Wyler.

The international headquarters are in Zurich, Switzerland, with national headquarters and branches in 18 countries.

http://69.93.237.199:8080/

The ROKPA-logo represents the humanitarian quality of ROKPA’s work.

Historical Overview of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL

1980		Establishment of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL. First activities in India helping Tibetan refugees through sponsorship.
1982		Registration of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL as a tax-free charitable organisation in Switzerland.
1983		Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche returns to Tibet for the first time after fleeing in 1959; he is deeply moved by the situation in his home country.
1983-1989		Dr. Akong Tulku Rinpoche deals extensively with local government officials in order to provide direct support and help in Tibet.
1985		Establishment of ROKPA United Kingdom.
1986		Establishment of ROKPA Germany and ROKPA Belgium.
1988		Establishment of ROKPA Netherlands.
1990		Commencement of the first projects in Tibet managed and monitored by ROKPA. Establishment of ROKPA France, ROKPA Austria, ROKPA Spain and ROKPA India.
1990		Establishment of a ROKPA soup kitchen in Kathmandu/Nepal during the coldest months in winter. Street children are picked up and placed in local boarding schools.
1991		Establishment of the ROKPA Clothes Depot.
1991		Establishment of ROKPA Canada, ROKPA USA, ROKPA Italy and ROKPA South Africa.
1992		Establishment of ROKPA Zimbabwe.
1995		Establishment of ROKPA Poland.
1996		The ROKPA Children’s Home is established offering 50 children a home and education.
1999		Establishment of ROKPA Switzerland.
2001		The family program in Zimbabwe will now be supported by ROKPA INTERNATIONAL.
2002		Establishment of ROKPA Finland.
2004		ZEWO seal of approval (Swiss NGO certification agency).
2005		In time for the 25th ROKPA Anniversary the new ROKPA Home in Boudhanath, Katmandu is opened with a great celebration. 500 people from all over the world attend. From thousands of charities, the BBC selects ROKPA to make a Lifeline film about their activities which millions of people all over the world have seen. Ten former street children from Nepal tour Europe with a moving dance performance which tells the story of their lives on the street. It is a complete success. A Swiss TV team accompanies the children and the two ROKPA founders for a day. This documentary and the performance itself are shown on two Swiss and one German TV Channels several times.

Well over 130 projects are managed in Tibet, Nepal and Zimbabwe. ROKPA is present in 18 countries worldwide.

Downloads:

• 2008 Yearly Report of ROKPA Switzerland DEUTSCH
• 2009 Yearly Report of ROKPA International ENGLISH DEUTSCH

ROKPA Switzerland
Böcklinstrasse 27
CH-8032 Zürich
Tel +41 44 262 68 88
Fax +41 44 262 68 89
info@rokpa.ch
www.rokpa.ch

ROKPA Projects

ROKPA INTERNATIONAL believes that self-sufficiency and results with long-lasting effects are of the greatest importance. In order to achieve these goals in the most efficient way, the local population, the local authorities as well as the beneficiaries are all involved in the program from the beginning and as a result are committed to it. Every person involved must contribute to the project according to his or her capability.

A project begins with an application for help to ROKPA INTERNATIONAL. In the regions where ROKPA is established, there are 10 main representatives. After receiving the application the representative concerned organises a Project Management Committee of 6 or 7 persons. These people represent some of the most important organizations in their region: such as the government, the head of the village, the abbot of the monastery, local trade and industry and ROKPA INTERNATIONAL.

Each department proposes their own representatives. Whenever possible the President of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL attends these meetings. The Committee evaluates the proposed suggestions and decides how the project should be conducted and the responsibilities of the parties involved. This Committee becomes in effect a steering committee for the projects.

Concerning the financing of the projects, ROKPA INTERNATIONAL demands a considerable contribution of the local government and of the beneficiaries if economically possible.

So far this principle has worked out well.

ROKPA USA contributes to these projects by direct transfer of funds to ROKPA INTERNATIONAL.

Donate via Check Made Payable to ROKPA USA

Mail Check to 6501 Gretna Green Way  Alexandria, Va 22312  USA

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THANK YOU!