ART
REFUGE
REPORT
2002

Winter Journey:
The Reception Centers
in Nepal and India







In the winter months the Reception Center in Kathmandu overflows with new arrivals from Tibet. Many of them are children, headed for India and schools run by the Tibetan government in exile. Although winter makes for an easing of border patrols, conditions on the Himalayan passes can be life-threatening and many arrive exhausted, hungry and frightened. Some are as young as ten years old, entrusted to a guardian to deliver them safely to school. Last year, over 1000 children passed through the center.

During a two-week stay at the Katmandu Reception Center for New Arrivals From Tibet, young refugees receive food, clothing, medical attention and identification papers before boarding a bus for India. They are invited to visit Art Refuge in a large classroom on the second floor.

The classroom contains trunks of art supplies, toys, costumes and musical instruments. Two teachers, Tibetan women, oversee a safe environment where the children can paint and play. Morning activities are art oriented, in the afternoons games and guided activities such as doll-making take place.

At the Reception Center in Dharamsala, India, the same children are greeted by Ama Adhe and an assistant who oversee daily activities of Art Refuge there. This is the next leg of the journey before being enrolled in school where they will receive an education that includes Tibetan tradition, religion and culture.