In Response to H.E. Garchen Rinpoche's Request:

Dear Dharma friends,

This heartfelt plea arises from the devotion to see the accomplishment
of His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche's aspiration prayer.  As you have read in
his urgent letter, he is requesting the establishment of a health care clinic in
his village (Gargon Monastery, Eastern Tibet); the medical training of
five women from Gargon to begin as soon as possible; and continued
basic maternal and child health educational outreach for all local women
and families.

Gar Tibet Health Project (GTHP), directed by Garchen Rinpoche, has been
established for the accomplishment of the above goals.  GTHP was
developed from two successful visits to Gargon, where assessment, treatment
and training was carried out. To learn more about the midwifery training classes
conducted and the current initiatives in Gargon please visit the GTHP website at:
www.vermontintegrativemedicine.com/gargonhealthcare/gargon.html

During the next two years, GTHP will launch two
major initiatives: 
- a two-year training program of five women to be local healthcare providers; and
- the establishment of a healthcare clinic in Gargon, which will be supplied with
Tibetan, Chinese and basic western medicines to serve the local population.  
The people of Gargon have expressed their deep desire to have such a clinic
accessible.
 
To achieve these initiatives and ensure that these efforts are sustained, we
need to raise $100,000 for the funding of the ! healthcare training, the clinic
and educational outreach programs.

The immediate priority is fundraising for the two year medical training program
for five women who have been chosen by Garchen Rinpoche.  Two nuns
and three female students are ready to begin their training under the direct
guidance of a Tibetan medical doctor in Nangchen as soon as adequate
funding is available.  The cost for training the five women, plus their food and
shared lodging, will be approximately $735 per month, for a total of
$17,640 for the two year program. Donations are needed in order
for this training to begin.
 
Garchen Rinpoche and the Gargon community need our support
to fulfill their hope and need for available healthcare. 

Please help fulfill Garchen Rinpoche's request by making a contribution to
support this vision. In addition, you can help by fundraising or by hosting a
fund raiser event in your community. We welcome any other skills and
abilities that you can co! ntribute to the GTHP.  Please contact us.

The Drikung Mahayana Center, one of Garchen Rinpoche's centers in
the U.S.A., is generously accepting tax-deductible donations for
the Gar Tibet Health Project. 

Please send your donation check (made payable to Drikung Mahayana Center
and earmarked Gar Tibet Health Project) to:
Drikung Mahayana Center
14905 Coles Chance Road
North Potomac, MD 20878
U.S.A.

For those residing in countries outside of the United States, please contact
us for information if you wish to make your donation tax-deductible.
 
If you have interest or inspiration to help the GTHP,
please contact me at Gargonhp@sover.net

Thank you for your support and good will,

Donna Caplan
Gar Tibet Health Project