Dharamshala point of view

In Dharamshala, you can indulge in shopping for a good cause. While it’s easy to accumulate good merits, let’s don’t forget not to overbuy and not knowing how to fully utilize our purchases when we get home. Also, Tibetans are one of the nicest people I’ve ever come across so please leave your brutal bargaining skill to someone. Moreover, the price they offer is extremely low-priced.

Here are some of my best recommendations;

Stitches of Tibet

SOT initiative offers women living in exile the goal to become self-reliant and have control over their own lives. The Stitches of Tibet provide training to unskilled and economically disadvantaged Tibetan women, many of whom escaped from Tibet where educational and employment opportunities for women are minimal.

You can tailor-made a traditional Tibetan costume for souvenir or sponsor a SOT student.

http://www.tibetanwomen.org/projects/sot/

Rogpa Café and shop

Rogpa: Tibetan for trusted friends and assistant

Rogpa is a nonprofit shop dedicated to preserving Tibetan culture and empowering low-income Tibetan refugees to become self-sufficient. ROGPA has an interconnected ideology "where one gets help and another gets the chance to help', stemming from the ideal of a self-sufficient Tibetan community, that is not over dependent upon outside assistance to preserve Tibetan culture and identity.

How you can help;

You can patronize the café for scrumptious munchies or a invigorating ginger honey lemon tea.

Work as a volunteer at the Rogpa Café or Baby Care Centre (Minimum 15 days)

Donate your unwanted clothing or sellable items to Rogpa shop. (Hint: No one likes to use old, dirty and rugged items, use your own discretion)

http://www.tibetrogpa.org/home.php

Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) Handicraft centre

"The children are the seeds of future Tibet."

The proceeds from the sale of the handicraft go towards the educational fund of Tibetan refugee children. From hand phone pouches, bags, mala to exquisite Buddha sculptures. This shops offer a wide variety of merchandise which you shouldn’t leave the shop without purchasing.

http://www.tcv.org.in/