Who We Are

Pendebas, in Tibetan language, are "workers who benefit the village." In this program villages selected their representatives to begin with a sequence of training experiences in family health, entrepreneurship, reforestation, and agriculture. Pendebas, with their new skills, then help villagers improve village life, especially gathering villagers into "action groups" where they combine their energies and resources. The project was jointly initiated by the Future Generations and The Department of Forestry of TAR in 1994, and it ended in 2007 due to expiration of the agreement between the two parties. Fortunately, a locally owned organization, the Pendeba Society, was approved by the Shigatse Civil Affairs Bureau and was established in 2009, continuing to keep up the unique legacy from the Future Generations. And it is one of the first international programs that was localized as a Chinese local NGO.

Under Mr. Tsering Norbu's leadership, the Pendeba Society has flourished: the Society has earned support from and active participation of local communities as well as attention and recognition from the broader society, playing a leading role in charity and non-profit sector in the Tibet Autonomous Region. In 2012, the Pendeba Society was conferred as 5 A Grade (top grade) Social Organization of TAR. In September 2013, the Pendeba Society was approved as a provincial level social organization, and with this status programs can be carried out across the entire TAR, providing a strong driver for the organization's development in its future endeavors. Moreover, we also had the privilege to be selected as a winner of the Equator Prize 2014 by UNDP.