Out of Darkness, Exchange Light

-- Volunteering for Love Without Borders Tibet 2024

On January 8, 2024, at 10:30 am, a new chapter of "Love Without Borders" unfolded in Lhasa, Tibet. This volunteer program is dedicated to illuminating the beacon of hope for visually impaired children in Tibet. Spearheaded by a dedicated team consisting of Kerry from Kent High School in Connecticut, Sean from Hoehne High School in New Jersey, Yvan from Pace University in New York, Oscar from the University of Pennsylvania, Leo from Sacred Heart School in Princeton, Martin from Harewood in Florida, and Yannis from Wenlan Middle School in Hangzhou, this initiative has a profound mission: to touch hearts and impart knowledge.

In collaboration with Mr. Nyima Wangdu, a passionate blind Tibetan activist, our collective effort is focused on raising funds to acquire 20,000 sheets of Braille printing paper. With these materials, we aim to create engaging Braille children's books. Our goal is to distribute these invaluable books free of charge to more than a thousand visually impaired Tibetan children, coinciding with the celebration of the Tibetan New Year. By doing so, we hope to provide these young minds with fresh knowledge and the courage they need to navigate their unique journeys through darkness.

Braille books present significant challenges in production, have extended publication timelines, contain limited information, and are susceptible to wear and tear. In the case of Tibet, where the language is a minority one, and the population of blind children is limited, there is currently no publication of Tibetan Braille resources tailored for the Tibetan community. Based on incomplete data, the rate of blindness in Tibet is twice the global average.

Volunteer Yvan Yifan was among the first to arrive at the event, setting the stage for an enthusiastic kickoff. Yvan, along with Sean, delivered a passionate opening speech both on-site and online. Their dedication to this cause spans over 13 years of volunteer work in Tibet, during which the journey has been marked by emotions and unwavering determination. Together, they have witnessed the emergence of numerous miracles.The online hosts, Sean and Kerry, and fellow volunteers Martin, Oscar, and Leo, even though far from their homes, exhibited remarkable enthusiasm and wholeheartedly contributed to the success of this event.

We were truly honored to have the school for the blind's principal, Mr. Nima Wangdu, as our special guest. During the event, he delivered an unexpected and heartfelt speech in fluent English, expressing his profound gratitude for the students' generous donation. In a touching gesture, Mr. Nima personally signed 100 copies of his own book, "I Don't Want Three Days of Light," and presented them to the students. These books will be donated to libraries through our dedicated volunteers. Mr. Nima also presented volunteer certificates to the students who played pivotal roles in this donation activity. Notably, he handwrote a Braille volunteer certificate on Braille paper, symbolizing a significant and lasting memento for our volunteers, while also inspiring these young minds to continue their journey of volunteerism.

One of the event's most remarkable highlights was the captivating performance by the blind band. As we closed our eyes, their melodious music and songs enveloped us, evoking deep emotions and conveying a sense of hope that seemed to emanate from the darkness itself.

In a heartwarming moment, Ms. Yang Yifan, representing the volunteers and Principal Nima, awarded 3,000 RMB scholarships to representatives of the blind students, recognizing their determination and providing support for their educational pursuits.

The event not only instilled a stronger sense of purpose in the students but also served as a poignant reminder that in the act of giving, they receive far more than they could ever envision. Many volunteers, alongside our Tibetan friends, have embarked on journeys that span from nurturing the growth of blind children to providing compassionate care and medical support to leprosy patients. With the power of a single act of kindness, they have sown seeds of boundless love.

We are committed to perpetuating this love, and "Light up the Blind" marks a new beginning for the New Year. Our mission is to ensure that every blind child can access equal opportunities to embrace literature and knowledge. Through the tireless efforts of countless volunteers, we aim to illuminate the path forward, even in the darkest of times, with the radiant light of love. It is our fervent hope that every blind child can step out of the shadows and into the embrace of knowledge and culture, guided by the enduring beacon of love.