A three-month course on the arts was initially requested by Rokpa and run by the director of arts at Spiny Babbler, Param Meyangbo. This course helped set-up Spiny Babbler's current program for people at risk. Spiny Babbler, in association with Rokpa, extended the program to include the arts. Children listen to stories, read, look at artwork, paint, and the older children have also learned to play music. Spiny Babbler volunteers have shared music with the youth, have painted and drawn, and discussed and encouraged creativity among the Rokpa children. With the help of Spiny Babbler volunteers the children have produced some beautiful art that is displayed around the shelter as a reminder to them of their capabilities. This can come as a great psychological boost for many of the children whose confidence may have been broken over past traumas. A recent field trip to the Kathmandu Zoo took place during which the children were able to learn about their country and its environment while also having enough time to play at the fair grounds. They look forward to their weekly interactions with Spiny Babbler volunteers who have been building close relationships with the children. An art show of the children's work inspired by their stories and what they have learned through the Spiny Babbler project is planned to be on display in Kathmandu by October of this year.

Rokpa means 'help' in Tibetan. Based in Switzerland, the Rokpa International organization has 18 branches around the world. Akong Tulku Rinpoche and Swiss actress Lea Wyler founded Rokpa in 1980. The branch in Boudha, Kathmandu, features a residence for children from the street, a soup kitchen that feeds the homeless during winter, a medical clinic, and a clothes depot. Rokpa has also initiated a sponsorship program within which children receive financial and material support to better provide for their living and education. The mother's of some such children take part in the Rokpa workshop to learn useful skills such as sewing in order to improve living situations at home. At this time, more than fifty children who were orphaned, working in carpet factories, begging, or starving on the streets are living at the Rokpa Nepal Children's Home. These children receive food and lodging, education, and health care at the residence and a project to develop a Rokpa village complete with workshops, housing, and a garden is ongoing.

If you are interested in Rokpa and its activities, email them at rokpa@swissonline.ch or visit their website at www.rokpa.org. You may choose to donate funds directly to the organization. Bank account details follow:

Rokpa International
Bank Leu AG, Bahnhofstr. 32, 8022 Zurich
Account number: Rokpa Nr. 0065-0455090-11-001
Postal account: Rokpa Nr. 80-19029-5