Regional Tibetan Women's Association of Ontario, Toronto Chapter's President Wins Volunteer Achievement Award from MPP Cheri DiNovo of Ontario Legislative Assembly.
Kalsang Tsomo, the President of Tibetan Women's Association of Ontario, Toronto Canada Chapter, has the strong essence of community service rooted deep within, with which she has a strong sense of gratitude towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Thanks to her original schooling, in Tibetan Children's Village in Dharamsala India, and her inspirational teacher, Ama Jetsun Pema, she has been raised and educated into what she is today.
Tibetan Women's Association Head Office, based in Dharamsala, felt pride when they heard about the naming of Kalsang Tsomo as one of the recipients of the 'Volunteer Achievement Award', on 24th March 2009. She was among 25 candidates so honored by MPP Cheri DiNovo of Parkdale High Park Constituency, which is home to many Tibetan immigrants. She is the first Tibetan to receive such an award. Ms. Tsomo's hard work in the field of social and political services within the Tibetan community, since she became President of TWAO in Feb 19th 2008 to the present, has offered the younger generation a real role model. She strongly believes in setting an example to the younger generation. Once a teacher herself in Tibetan Children's Village, Bylakuppe, Mysore, India, where she served for over 17 years, she still holds to the school motto "Others Before self"; Furthermore, she believes that one must achieve and commit themselves to the best of their level.
Her philosophy of 'Individualism' is ideal when making a difference in the community. According to her, "Every Individual is different and has the capacity to do constructive work with the right attitude and thinking". As such, 'Individualism' is very important when seeking to bring about a big difference. Education is also taken as a focal point of her developmental strategies and forms the core of her principals and strength. When these two personal ideologies come together, along with numerous others, in the fight for world peace and the development of education, the outlook is certainly bright. She considers Individuals as the Movers and Shakers of society that make a difference in the world. "It is not a different thing that makes the difference, rather it is through different ways differences are made within the community".
Kalsang Tsomo stands as an inspiration for many young Tibetan women living abroad. It is extremely refreshing to see someone bringing to life the essence of Tibetan Buddhism and really living the motto, "Others Before Self".