西藏自治区潘得巴协会

On October 5^th, the QNNP Pendeba Society launched the first hospitality training program for local villagers in the QNNP. The opening ceremony for this 10 day program was attended by Mr. Sonam, the deputy director of the Dingri County Tourism Bureau. Mr. Sonam showed his support for the Pendeba Society through his opening remarks that highlighted the importance of such programs for harmonious development in QNNP.

Mr. Tsering Norbu the executive director of the Pendeba Society hosted the opening session and introduced the upcoming schedule. The goal of comprehensive Tibetan style hospitality training is supported by specific classes including cooking, tourism management, and sustainable development. Several local restaurants and hotels in Baibar Township will also be visited to demonstrate application of the topics learnt.

A well-known and qualified Tibetan cook Mr. Mima Tsering from Shigatse, who used to cook for the Tenth Panchen Lama has been invited to teach this cook training. Tibetan and Chinese style dishes will be taught to the participants by different methods and techniques. In total 15 participants from 6 village communities are attending the training program.

Staff from the QNNP Pendeba Society and Dingri County Tourism Bureau will conduct training and workshops on:

v Introduction of the QNNP                                          

v Concept of the Pendeba Program                    

v Conservation and Sustainable Development

v Community Involvement in Nature Preserves

v Tourism Development

v Hygiene and Sanitation

v Menu and Billing

v Restaurant Atmosphere and Environment

v Treatment of Guests

v Lodging Management

In order to achieve the long-term effects this training program will be given three times over the coming 7 months to three separate cohorts of 15 participants.  Each will receive intensive hospitality training in accordance with the shared goals of sustainable development.

This program is possible through the generous support of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. The Pendeba Society extends its deep appreciation to the Canada Fund for its support, appreciation not only from The Pendeba Society, but also the people of the QNNP for whom this support has provided an opportunity to realize their human potential.

[img_assist|nid=59|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=300|height=182]The Pendeba Society is pleased to announce the launch of a new seven-month training program with generous funding from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

The goals of the program are to help reduce local poverty and to increase local capacity by providing practical job skills training to women and men as needed by the communities.

The “Eco-Tourism Training Program” is designed as an intensive program that will provide vocational training to 65 women and men from the QNNP. The new Pendebas will receive new knowledge and skills through attending classes, industry networking events, and local study. The Pendeba Society also intends to build a network for community-based ecotourism operators in the QNNP.

Moreover participants will be recommended to join either intensive English language training for nature-guides or hospitality training . Courses will be taught by expert-related departments from local government, practitioners from the eco-tourism industry & relevant institutions, and Pendeba Society staff.

This Fund will also be used to create a permanent exhibition corridor for eco-tourism in the QNNP where locals can display the work of the Pendeba Society and partners.

Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the strong support from Qomolangma National Nature Preserve Management Bureau and Foreign Affairs Office of the Shigatse Prefecture Government. A special thanks goes to the kind support from our volunteers.

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Since May 6^th, 26 women from three towns in Dingri County have participated in “Pendeba” training, a training designed to educate locally elected village leaders on key health issues, the environment and sustainable development. On Saturday, May 8^th, Doctor Cirendawa from the local village clinic gave an introductory speech on women’s health, focusing on disease prevention and treatment. The morning workshop consisted of small group discussions and a question and answer session. Participants engaged enthusiastically in discussions and shared their personal experiences, as the topics related closely to their everyday lives.    

On May 9^th, Mr. Cirenduobujie of the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve (QNNP) Dingri Branch discussed management and protection of the Preserve. Mr. Cirenduonongjie hopes that when Pendebas return to their villages that they will be proactive, take responsibility for protecting the environment, and cooperate with the local government to educate others on the importance of conservation. He emphasized that environmental protection is not only the responsibility of the government, but of everyone living in the QNNP area.

[img_assist|nid=51|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=225]On the morning of May 7^th, prior to the start of the Pendeba Training, Deputy Director of Future Generations China, Cili Norbu and Director of the Pendeba Society, Tsering Norbu, organized a warm up activity for trainees. This was the first time that participants had ever taken part in such activities.

After the warm-up activity, Director Gama of the Dingri Tourism Bureau introduced the concept of eco-tourism to participants. Following the introduction, he gave a detailed introduction to eco-tourism development in the region, emphasizing the methods through which locals could and should participate in tourism development, how they can benefit from it, and simultaneously improve their lives.

During the workshop, Director Gama, together with trainees, identified the natural and cultural resources of Dingri County. Director Gama emphasized that protecting these resources and using them in a responsible fashion is the precondition for establishing a sustainable tourism industry in the area. He also pointed out that the Qomolangma Nature Preserve is Dingri County’s most famous tourist destination, a world-class natural resource, and that the local Buddhist temples and traditional Tibetan culture in the area are also rich and unique resources that could attract many tourists.

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The 2010 Pendeba Training began on Thursday, May 6^th.  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.