Tibetan Families traditionally provide for their old and sick. Cases constantly arise however where the family itself lives in deep poverty, or where an aged person is alone and without the support of family. Help is urgently needed

The Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) of the Home Department, Tibetan Government in Exile in Dharamsala, enrolls aged people in need in a program for which sponsors are sought. A social worker in each Tibetan settlement tends cases of hardship and communicates them to the CTRC, so that the affected persons may be included in the program of assistance.

We have worked CTRC for some years, and so with the assignment of sponsorships been able to help numbers of aged persons live the evening of their life without financial problems. Those assisted in this way live in homes for the old or in a simple lodging of their own.

Cases not yet sponsored are provisionally covered by the Poverty Alleviation Scheme of the CTRC. An annual pension from the CTRC allows needy people in advanced age to enjoy their last years without anxiety.