An emerging need in Tibetan communities is for housing and care of the elders. Many elders have neither social support nor families to care for them, and the need for housing for older Tibetans where their basic needs are met is becoming increasingly urgent. The Tibet Fund helped with the renovation and re-roofing of the Old People's Home in Mainpat Tibetan Settlement in India and provided clothing to the elders at Jawalakhel Tibetan Refugee Settlement's Old People's Home.

In response to a request from the Tibetan Welfare Office in Kathmandu, the Tibet Fund procured funding from the Flora Family Foundation to build a home for fifty older Tibetans in Kathmandu, Nepal. His Holiness the Dalai Lama provided the seed money to purchase land for the building, and the Tsering Old People's Home was inaugurated in November 2003.

The Tibet Fund has recently received a request for additional funding in the amount of $29,265 to cover clothing, food and bedding for the fifty residents, as well salary and housing costs for six staff. Currently we are in the process of finding sponsors for each of the individual elders. Donors can sponsor one Tibetan elder in the amount of $360 per year. To help, please print out the online form and send it with your donation to The Tibet Fund.