2009! Our first year of activity ....

As 2009 is nearing to a close we thought it would be nice to sum up our first year of activity. In May we began our sponsorship program by sending money to our 4 students and 1 needy grandfather in Dharamsala, India. Their pictures are all on our page named FACES. Sept 9-11, 2009 Then in early September we participated in helping out Chime Youngdong from the Democratic Party of Tibet by giving sleeping accomodations to some of the Tibetan university students travelling with the Democratic Party. Sept 17-20, 2009 After only a few days, from Sept. 17-20, we participated in the Città dell'Altra Economia a Testaccio. 4 days of fundraising for our needy Tibetans in India. Oct 22-Nov 2, 2009 At the end of October 4 monks from Gaden Jangste Monastery in south India came to Rome where we were able to help organize a series of sand mandalas, pujas in private homes and markets for them. All of the money they raised goes to fund the hospital that is on the grounds of Gaden Monastery, and is open to

local Indians, Tibetan monks and laypeople.

NOV. 18-19, 2009 The highpoint of this year was just last week when HH the 14th Dalai Lama came to Rome for the 5th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet that was held in the Italian Parliament. Marisa was able to participate in the by hosting Pempa Tsering-la, the Speaker of the House of the Tibetan govenrnent in exile, and 4 parliamentarians. There was a lot of organizing and work to be done because well over 100 parliamentarians from all over the world came to Rome to show their solidarity for Tibet in this convention on Tibet. It was an enormous success. Clicking here you can read the Rome Declaration on Tibet. http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=26030&t=1&c=2 Here are some pictures of those magnificent and important days! HH the 14th Dalai Lama smiling at the camera! Hon. Matteo Mecacci giving his introductory speech Richard Gere speaking for Campaign for Tibet Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament HH Dalai Lama giving His speech Richard Gere with some Parliamentarians Geshe Dargye and Geshe Pendhe Russian Parliamentarians and a Member of the Tibetan Parliament

Marisa with some Tibetan Parliamentarians Lobsang Choedhen, a victim from the documentary named "Murder in the Snow" based on a true story of Chinese troops shooting at Tibetans escaping from Tibet /China, meeting the Tibetan envoy for talks with China, Lodi Gyari.

Marisa with the Parliamentarian from El Salvador, Hon. Mario Valiente and his wife Inside the Parliament Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche at the airport, returning to Delhi ...