The Trans-Himalayan Aid Society (formerly the Tibetan Refugee Aid Society) is a non-profit international development organization based in Vancouver, Canada, founded in 1962. We sponsor children and support development projects in Tibet, Nepal, and northern India. History of TRAS.

Map showing locations of current and past TRAS projects.

Winter 2009 Newsletter

TRAS publishes a newsletter three times each year. Our Winter 2009 newsletter was recently mailed out. You can also read it online, in PDF format.

Posted 10 December 2009

TIBETANS IN EXILE book launch, Sunday October 18

DATE: Sunday October 18, 2009
TIME: 7:30 - 9:30pm
LOCATION: VANCOUVER RACQUETS CLUB LOUNGE,
4867 Ontario St., Vancouver (Ontario and 33rd - for parking directions, see below)

PLEASE RSVP TO TRAS: 604-224-5133 or tras@portal.ca by Tuesday October 13

Includes a special screening of George Woodcock: The Anarchist of Cherry Street, a short film by Alan Twigg

The Trans-Himalayan Aid Society (TRAS) and Canada India Village Aid (CIVA) are excited to announce the publication of a new book about George and Ingeborg Woodcock, who founded the Tibetan Refugee Aid Society (now Trans-Himalayan Aid Society) in 1962. In TIBETANS IN EXILE: THE DALAI LAMA AND THE WOODCOCKS, Vancouver author Alan Twigg has recovered the amazing story of how George and Inge, while travelling in northern India in 1961, encountered many of the Tibetan refugees who had recently fled over the mountain passes. Appalled by the condition of the children--huddled together with inadequate bedding and clothing, surviving on a diet of thin soup and steamed dumplings--the Woodcocks vowed to help. Hearing of this, one of the Tibetans said, "You absolutely must come and see uncle." This was Khando Yapshi, the Dalai Lama's niece. Among the first Westerners to meet with the Dalai Lama, the Woodcocks offered to campaign to provide humanitarian assistance. This was the genesis for TRAS, one of the two remarkable non-profit charities spearheaded by the Woodcocks--the other being Canada India Village Aid (CIVA)--that have touched the lives of millions.

TIBETANS IN EXILE is a fitting tribute to the Woodcocks. It puts a human face on grassroots international aid, while telling the story of this rather eccentric, extremely compassionate and generous couple. It is an inspiring example of the fact that, yes, one person can make a difference.

TIBETANS IN EXILE is now in print, available in person at the TRAS office (Mon-Thurs, 10:00am-4:00pm; phone first 604-224-5133), in bookstores, or online at www.ronsdalepress.com. 272 pp, 60 b&w photos.

Directions and Parking: The Vancouver Racquets Club is situated on the northwest corner of 33rd and Ontario. Plenty of street parking is available (the car park is for members only). Map: www.vrc.bc.ca/faqs.html

Light refreshments, cash bar available

We look forward to seeing you!

Trans-Himalayan Aid Society (TRAS) www.tras.ca
Canada India Village Aid (CIVA) www.civaid.ca

Posted 20 September 2009; updated 6 October 2009

Fall 2009 Newsletter

TRAS publishes a newsletter three times each year. Our Fall 2009 newsletter was recently mailed out. You can also read it online, in PDF format.

Posted 24 September 2009

Spiti Valley Community Health Project Presentation

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009

Time: 7 to 9 pm

Where: UBC Medical Student & Alumni Centre, 2750 Heather St. (corner of Heather and 12th Ave), Vancouver. Room: Hardwick Hall.

Entry by donation. All proceeds will support the children in Munsel Ling School in Spiti, North India.

Join TRAS and the UBC Global Health Initiative for an informative, stimulating evening about the Spiti Valley Community Health Project!

The UBC medical students who travelled to the remote Himalayan valley of Spiti in North India this summer will be presenting a summary of their community health project in collaboration with Munsel-ling School. This is the third year of a project that was started in 2007.

Posted 20 September 2009; updated 1 October 2009

Spring 2009 Newsletter

TRAS publishes a newsletter three times each year. Our Spring 2009 newsletter was recently mailed out. You can also read it online, in PDF format.

Posted 3 March 2009

Himalayan Evening at Argyle Secondary School, Tuesday March 10

"Come join us at Argyle Secondary School for our sixth annual Himalayan Evening. In addition to our traditional South Asian Buffet, we have Nancy Sherpa's fine Nepalese jewelry on sale and crafts from the Trans Himalayan Aid Society and Nepal Libraries Foundation. This years speaker is Kevin Vallely, who is one of the three Canadians who have just recently returned from their record setting, self powered trek to the South Pole. For an evening of great food, inspirational adventures and perhaps some very early Christmas shopping, why not drop by Argyle and have a great evening while supporting a worth cause. All funds raised by this event help sponsor two Nepalese orphans at the Buddha Academy in Katmandu. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday March 10th in the Argyle library."

Community Events: Tibet: Murder in the Snow

Film presentation: Tibet: Murder in the Snow
Friday March 20, 7:30 pm
Langara College, Theatre A130
100 W. 49th Ave.
Suggested donation $10

"In September 2006, international mountain climbers witnessed and recorded Chinese border police as they opened fire on a group of unarmed Tibetan pilgrims escaping to Nepal . Using the original climber footage, reenactments and interviews with Witnesses and survivors, Tibet: Murder in the Snow tells of young Tibetans who risk their lives each year to illegally cross the rugged Himalaya Mountains in an attempt to see their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, or attend school in India."

A special film presentation by Langara College Continuing Studies and The Canada Tibet Committee.

Nepali Film Festival: March 29, 2009

The 4th annual Nepali Film Festival will take place this year on Sunday March 29, 2009 from 11 am to 6:30 pm at Langara College.

Come and explore the many facets of Nepal through the eyes of talented Nepali filmmakers. The one-day festival will be a fundraiser for TRAS-funded projects supporting the health and education of children and youth in Nepal.

We hope to see you there! If you would like to help out, please let us know.

TRAS Nepali Film Festival Committee
tras@portal.ca
604-224-5133

Posted 28 December 2008; updated 4 March 2009

Community Events: Talk by Dr. Tsering Shakya

Tibet 50 Years on: 1959-2009
Monday March 2, 7pm
Cafe Kathmandu, 2779 Commercial Dr. (at 12th Avenue), Vancouver

"A world renowned expert on contemporary Tibet, Tsering Shakya will share his knowledge and insights into the challenges faced by Tibetans, and the rhythms, passions, and motivations that have sustained them for the past five decades. His research and collaborative work with Tibetans from all walks of life has provided him rare windows into the lived experiences, hopes and dreams of Tibetans in Tibet. In this talk he will discuss contemporary contexts and conditions within Tibet, 50 years after the momentous 1959 uprising that led to the Dalai LamaÎéÎ÷s escape to India, and the exodus of over 80 000 refugees, on foot over the Himalayas.

"Dr. Tsering Shakya is Canadian Research Chair in Religion and Contemporary Society in Asia, Institute for Asian Research, UBC. His published works include The Dragon in the Land of Snows: A History of Modern Tibet Since 1947 (Pimlico, London 1999) which was acclaimed as "the definitive history of modern Tibet" by the New York Times. The book is the first comprehensive account of Tibet's recent history. He is also author of Fire Under the Snow: The Testimony of a Tibetan Prisoner--Palden Gyatso (Harvill Press, London, 1998)."

This event launches Canada Tibet Committee's "Tibet Month", Vancouver, 2009.
For information on other Tibet Month events: www.tibet.ca/en/vancouver

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