Sponsor Stitches of Tibet

Stitches of Tibet (SOT) is a non-profit vocational trainingprogram initiated by the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA)in 1995. The project provides opportunities for Tibetan womenbecome self-reliant. Priority is given to those refugees whohave recently arrived from Tibet. An eighteen month course isgiven to approximately ten women in traditional Tibetan tailoringskills, western shirts and trousers.

Due to the current increase in unemployment of Tibetans inexile because of school dropouts, lack of academic or vocationalqualifications, an influx of newly arriving refugees, unskilledand illiterate women, and single mothers with nos ource of income,TWA initiated "Stitches of Tibet." SOT serves as an incomegenerating project that will eventually become self-sustaining.Every eighteen months approximately ten trainees are selected.TWA ensures that 80% of the positions are reserved for newly arrivedrefugees and 20% of the positions are reserved for exile based.Priority is given to those applicants from low socio-economicbackgrounds.

During the eighteen months of training, the women receive an educationin Tibetan, English and tailoring. There is one full-time paid tailorand Tibetan and English language volunteers. As some of the women havenot recevied any formal education, it is crucial for them to learnhow to read and write in both Tibetan and English.

Since 1998, SOT has been running by selling the products producedduring the training period and additional handicrafts. This projectaims to eventually become totally self-sufficient by generatingincome through selling items produced by the trainees. Formertrainees are now working in well-established handicraft and tailoringcenters in various Tibetan settlements.

This project has been running with great success, as it is wellaccepted and received by the Tibetan community, however there is onlya small fund to cover the expenses. TWA is able to provide a Rs.1200(approximately $25 - $30 USD depending on exchange rate) monthly stipend to each woman while she isenrolled in the program, but this is hardly enough to fully fund theirdaily necessities. Since 1997, this project has been running out of TWA'sown fund and the little income generated is not enough to cover allexpenses.

SOT is a project that promotes economic stability for Tibetan womenliving in exile. The positive effects of this program greatlyimproves the lives of many children and families living in exile. Withmore women being educated, our Tibetan community grows stronger and moreempowered.

If you are interested in sponsoring a woman in the SOT program orwould like to provide funding for the overall functioning, please contact

For more information please contact our central office.