Ottawa Friends of Tibet

Overview

The Ottawa Friends of Tibet (OFT) is a Canadian nonprofit organization founded in 1996 by Jurme and Angela Wangda along with a group of volunteers. It was registered as a federally recognized charity in 2001. The organization is dedicated to improving the health, education, and economic conditions of Tibetans and Tibetan refugees primarily in India and Nepal. OFT is a non-political entity that relies on a volunteer Board of Directors and other members to fulfill its mission.

Objectives and Activities

OFT focuses on several key objectives to support disadvantaged Tibetan communities:

• Basic Needs and Healthcare: Providing essential items such as food, clothing, and shelter to those in dire need, along with offering medical care and preventative health programs.
• Education and Scholarships: Awarding scholarships and grants for education and professional training to Tibetan students facing financial difficulties.
• Cultural Awareness: Increasing Canadian public awareness and appreciation of Tibetan culture.

Current and Completed Projects

• Nhenang Pawo Monastery Support: OFT provides support to the Nhenang Palden Pawo Monastery in Nepal.
• University Scholarships: The organization offers scholarships for college and university education to Tibetan students with financial needs.
• Maitreya Home: In partnership with Child Haven International, OFT funds the Maitreya Home, which serves as a hostel for Tibetan refugee students attending high school and university in Delhi, India, and provides scholarships for students residing in Tibet.
• Chyssem Project: OFT is involved in a grassroots effort to create an archival record about the first Tibetans who arrived in Canada in the early 1970s.
• Tara Mandala Seniors’ Home Project: Completed in 2014 after a 12-year fundraising effort, this project established a permanent home for 50 destitute Tibetan elders in Kalimpong, India.

Structure and Operations

The organization operates entirely through volunteer efforts, including a Board of Directors and additional member support. This volunteer-driven structure allows OFT to focus its resources directly on its humanitarian and educational aims.