A big thumbs up to all Shenphenites for doing it again !!! While the world was busy getting news bytes of Chinese oppression on Chinese occupied Tibet, we have silently taken another step in our
continuous efforts in ensuring better living facilities for our Tibetan friends in Kollegal .

It was a big task, procuring as many as 219 coconut trees, and then ensuring their proper distribution and planting in all the 22 villages of the settlement. Special thanks to Karma Chukdong, a student in Animation sponsored by Shenphen, and an active participant in the welfare activities carried on in Kollegal by Shenphen, for taking the responsibility of distributing the coconut trees on a pick-up truck to the villages. At least 9 coconut trees went to each of the 22 village leaders, who accepted them on behalf of their respective villages. The families of each of the 9 children sponsored by Shenphen also received a tree each. The response generated among the villagers for this campaign was overwhelming, who all gathered and cheered while the trees were planted.

The Shenphen walk, the cycling fundraisers, the flea-markets, and now the Coconut-tree project, great going Shenphenites !!!

Click here to see the pictures the trees arriving to the villages

On the 24th of February the Italian Shenphen sponsors and friends met to repeat last Autumn's hillwalk. Diana was over from Scotland for the occasion, so there were many introductions and friends made. The weather was wintery, gray but not cold, and eventually the sun shone through the clouds in the afternoon. Ten people participated altogether to the 10 km walk, with a great pick-nick at mid way and a nice hot cup of tea at the end.

It was a great occasion for an international meeting: ideas and opinions were exchanged during the walk, and an increased awareness achieved of what the Shenphen Aid Project does and stands for.

Many pictures were taken of the event which can be viewed at this link: the pics!

The 2007 fundraisers were very successfull in terms of number of participants and funds collected:
- Dundee, Scotland Pedal Power! bike tour (view the pictures)
- Hoechst i. Odw., Germany Fleemarket (view the pictures)
- Montecchio Maggiore, Italy hill walk (view the pictures)

Click the link here below to find out how many funds were collected.
You'll find out about our Coconut tree campaign


[Read More!]

Many of our members here have also become active for a secondary campaign which started in September and coincided with our fundraiser campaigns. This was especially meant for all those who are worried about their carbon-footprint.

There has been big debate whether it would not be more helpful to plant trees in tropical countries, which have lighter green in their leaves and reflect the light, instead of the darker green of trees in temperate climates that absorb light. We discussed this with villagers from the Kollegal/Dhondenling settlement and we now offer to plant coconut trees there. Coconut is a broadly commercial fruit in India with broad usage for fruit contents and shell. And the planting of trees on unmanaged rural land is benefiting against global emissions.
In this Tibetan settlement there are 22 villages and we have made arrangements to evenly distribute a number of trees to each village, where village leaders will take care of the trees and their healthy growth. The price per coconut tree is (UKP)£ 2.50.

At present (Oct. 25th) we have already sponsorship for 90 trees, but we keep this campaign running till early December. With some of the villagers with whom we discussed they are all extremely happy about this, as they really appreciate coconut trees and they are making preparations for the arrival of trees. At the same time the Representative office in the settlement has made progress to convert farmers to organic farmers, those who did, received a coconut tree as a gift. So our campaign fits in very well with all that is presently going on in Kollegal/Dhondenling.

SUPPORT Shenphen Aid Project with pedal power
SATURDAY September 29, 2007

Given the major success of recent years we again invite local sports cyclists to participate in this cycling fundraiser.

Start: 9.45 from Camperdown Gates, Dundee (Saturday 29.09.07)

I) Big cycling run: 100 miles (Stanley, Sma’ Glen, Loch na Creige, Aberfeldy, Dunkeld, Coupar Angus, Dundee).
II) Small run: 50 miles (Murthly, Dunkeld, Caputh, Blairgowrie, Alyth, Dundee). Average pace should be 16-17 mph for I and II.

Touring runs (at touring pace 8-10 mph):
III) big tour: ~ 50 miles (route around Perthshire).
IV) small tour: ~ 15 miles (Fowlis, Lundie, Birkhill, Camperdown).

Riders must have individual sponsor form and signed disclaimer.
Wearing of helmets is highly advised.

A cake stall will be at the start site. Everybody welcome!

The money raised is to support the Shenphen Aid Project, Scotland.
For further information please contact info@shenphen.org

In order to make space to new events in this website's photo gallery the pictures from 2004 to 2006 were relocated to an external website.
They can be easily viewed clicking on these links:

2004 Shenphen Games
2004 Fundraiser

2005 Shenphen Games
2005 visit to the Tibetan refugee settlements
2005 Shenphen Fundraiser

2006 Shenphen Fundraiser