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The 2010 Pendeba Training began on Thursday, May 6th. Participants in this year’s training include 26 Tibetan women from villages in Dingri County. Ms. Cirenlamu, Chairwoman of Zhage Village, is this year’s oldest trainee. Ms. Baimaquji, Chairwoman of Jeiluo Village in Dingri County, is the youngest. Twelve participants have attended previous training sessions.
Tsering Norbu, Director of the Pendeba Society, Cili Norbu, Deputy Director of Future Generations China, and local trainees enjoyed a festive welcome banquet yesterday evening during which locals performed traditional Tibetan song and dance.
Tsering Norbu was the facilitator of today’s opening ceremony events, and Ms. Micang, Deputy Director of the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve Dingri County Branch, was also in attendance.
Following the Opening Ceremony, Director Tsering Norbu lead participants to a sand table model of the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve (QNNP) to give them a bird’s eye view of the Preserve and explain the importance of establishing the QNNP. During the introduction, Tsering Norbu explained the differences between the core zone, buffer zones and economic development zones of the Preserve. Trainees stared fixedly at the table, observing the jagged mountain ranges and the crisscrossed gorges. Amazed at the sight, they eagerly located their villages on the map and pointed them out to their fellow classmates.
At the end of the day, QNNP Dingri County Deputy Director, Ms. Micang said, “This kind of training session is a wonderful opportunity for locals. This introduction will encourage them to take advantage of all they learn during the course. When they return to their respective villages they won’t forget to share the information and understanding that they have gained here with others.”