Drokpo

STRENGTHENING THE RESILIENCE OF TIBETAN AND HIMALYAN COMMUNITIES 

WHO WE ARE

Drokpo aims to create a community that prioritizes women’s health and mental well-being, empowers local businesses, promotes sustainability, and supports youth in building impactful careers in the Tibetan and Himalayan community.

Our Mission:
To empower local enterprises by providing resources along with guidance to foster resilience and sustainability in their livelihood 
To deliver women’s health services and comprehensive menstrual hygiene management training sessions
To provide a platform to youth in developing their careers in order to ensure their overall growth
To foster cross-cultural understanding

Our Team:
Nyima Dolkar, Phuntsok Tashi, Norbu Kalden

WHAT WE DO​

01

LIVELIHOOD AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Drokpo’s Livelihood Program empowers Tibetan and Himalayan communities in Nepal through micro and small business development.

We provide:
Business Development Training: Basic bookkeeping, business planning, and marketing techniques.
Financial Literacy Training: Savings strategies, budgeting, and investment.
Since 2018, we have partnered with Hope and Challenge to award seed grants to individuals, including ex-monks, nuns, and new refugees.

Our Approach: 
Customized vocational training
Business advisory support
Detailed business planning

Impact:
Over 150 families have benefited from the program
Increased income-generating opportunities
Enhanced economic self-sufficiency
Positive impact on the local economy
We remain committed to expanding our reach and empowering more individuals to create sustainable livelihoods and contribute to community development.

02

EMPOWERMENT OF ELDERS AND YOUTHS

Our intergenerational program fosters meaningful connections between elders (Polas and Molas) and youth. During yearly visits to sacred Buddhist sites, elders share their wisdom and stories, enriching cultural heritage and traditions.
Since 2017, we have organized regular trips to Tibetan and Himalayan old age homes in Kathmandu, bringing together elders and youth from the surrounding community.
These visits have fostered genuine bonds and facilitated the exchange of stories and experiences between generations. The program highlights the importance of intergenerational connections and its positive impact on both elders and youth.

Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering for our intergenerational trips to sacred sites, please contact us for more information and to express your interest. We welcome volunteers who are passionate about fostering connections between elders and youth, preserving cultural heritage, and making a positive impact in the community.

03

MENTAL WELLBEING

Drokpo prioritizes a supportive environment fostering open dialogue about mental health. We recognize cultural context and its impact on mental health perceptions and experiences.
We aim to:
Raise awareness about mental well-being
Facilitate constructive discussions
Address daily stressors facing students, youth, and the elderly
We believe in creating safe spaces where individuals can share concerns without judgment. 
Additionally, we offer:
Tailored stress management workshops
Practical tools and skills to empower individuals to:
Manage stress
Build resilience
Maintain positive mental health

04

WOMEN HEALTH & COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY AWARENESS

Our initiative empowers individuals who menstruate by:
Challenging societal stigmas and taboos
Addressing gender inequalities associated with menstruation

Our holistic approach includes:
Educational outreach
Distribution of menstrual products
Advocacy for diverse product choices
Promotion of sustainable alternatives (e.g., reusable sanitary – pads)
We have reached over 1500 young girls, nuns, and women in schools, nunneries, and refugee settlements across various districts.

We aim to:
Expand our reach
Cultivate positive change within communities
We believe that menstrual health empowers and dignifies individuals, driving lasting change through collective efforts.

05

STREET DOG CARE

In line with our humanitarian efforts, Drokpo extends its care to the furry friends on the streets by providing daily meals to around 150 dogs. Since 2015, we have been dedicated to supporting and nourishing these street dogs, recognizing the profound companionship they bring to our lives.
We believe that all animals deserve to be treated with compassion and respect, and we are committed to doing our part to help the street dogs in our community. We help neuter, provide them with food, water, and also work with partner organizations to educate the public about the importance of animal welfare.

How You Can Help
You can help us to continue our work by donating to our organization. Your donation will help us to neuter, provide food, and water to the street dogs in our community and beyond.

06

CULTURE PRESERVATION

At Drokpo, we believe that it is important to stay rooted and connected to our heritage. That is why we have organized the Losar Carnival annually since 2015 and pilgrimage trips for the elderly in old age homes around Kathmandu.

Losar Carnival
Losar is the Tibetan New Year, and it is one of the most important holidays in Tibetan culture. Our Losar Carnival is a celebration of Tibetan and Himalayan culture and traditions. The carnival features traditional Tibetan, Himalayan and Nepali music, dance, food, and games. It is a great opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their shared heritage.

Pilgrimage Trips
We also organize pilgrimage trips for the elderly in old age homes. These trips are a way for the elderly to visit sacred sites and to connect with their culture and traditions. We believe that it is important to honor and respect the elderly, and these trips are a way for us to show our appreciation for them.

Our Impact
Our culture preservation programs have had a positive impact on the lives of many people. For example, one of the elderly participants in our pilgrimage trip said that it was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.” He was grateful for the opportunity to visit sacred sites and to connect with his culture and traditions.
We are also proud of the work that we have done to organize the Losar Carnival. The carnival has become a popular event in the Kathmandu Valley, and it is a great way to celebrate Tibetan and Himalayan culture and traditions.

How You Can Help
You can help us to continue our work by donating and giving your time to our organization. Your donation will help us to organize more culture preservation programs and to reach more people.

07

HUMANITARIAN WORK

“A friend in need is a friend indeed” is the slogan that Drokpo abides by since our inception in 2004. We are committed to providing assistance to those in need, regardless of their race, religion, or nationality.
Over the years, we have responded to a variety of emergencies, including natural disasters, human-caused crises, and health-related emergencies and pandemics. For example, we provided support to the Tibetan Reception Center in 2004, 2005 and aided during the Covid-19 pandemic.
We believe that it is important to be there for those who are in need, and we are committed to doing whatever we can to help them.

Our Impact
Our humanitarian work has had a positive impact on the lives of many people. During the peak of Covid-19 pandemic, we provided food and supplies to families who were struggling to make ends meet. We also provided support to frontline healthcare workers.
We are proud of the work that we have done to help those in need, and we are committed to continuing our work in the future.

How You Can Help
You can help us to continue our work by donating to our organization. Your donation will help us to provide assistance to those in need during times of crisis.

08

EDUCATION

Language and Literacy 
Drokpo’s language and literacy classes are open to a wide variety of participants, including homemakers, monks, nuns, and residents from the Himalayan region who relocate to the Kathmandu Valley during the winter months. Our primary objective is to provide fundamental English courses that help bridge the communication divide, empowering individuals to effectively handle important tasks like filling out banking forms, registering at hospitals, and accessing various services without any hindrances.
During the winter season, we provided training to women who are small business owners and housewives residing in Samdo and Samagoan. The training focused on enhancing their English-speaking abilities, basic financial knowledge, as well as English reading and writing skills. We divided the participants into two groups. The first group focused on learning the alphabets, while the second group has the chance to practice their communication skills and expand their vocabulary.
Sponsorship to Students from the Himalayas
Drokpo supports students who come from remote Himalayan communities. We provide these students with financial assistance, academic support, and mentorship. We believe that education is the key to a better future for these students and their communities.

Our Impact
Our language and literacy programs have had a positive impact on the lives of many people. For example, one of our students, a young woman named Tenzin, was able to get a job at a local hotel after completing our English course. She is now able to support herself and her family.
We are also proud of the work that we have done to support students from remote Himalayan communities. Many of these students are the first in their families to attend college. We are committed to helping them succeed in their studies and achieve their dreams.

How You Can Help
You can help us to continue our work by donating to our organization. Your donation will help us to provide scholarships to students, purchase supplies for our classes, and expand our programs to reach more people.

SUPPORT DROKPO

DONATE

When you donate to Drokpo, 99% of your contribution goes directly to our programs, guaranteeing your gift is used as intended. Your support plays a crucial role in strengthening the resilience and preserving the culture and traditions of the Tibetan and Himalayan communities.

VOLUNTEER

Planning a trip to Kathmandu, Nepal? Contact us for details on volunteer opportunities, including events like the ‘Losar Carnival,’ ‘Pilgrimage Tours with Polas and Molas,’ and ‘Area Cleaning Activities

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

You can support Drokpo’s work in many cost-free ways—subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on social media, share our stories with friends and family, learn about the Tibetan and Himalayan regions, and support our partner organizations.

PARTNERS