October 2009

YOU ARE WARMLY INVITED BY THE TRANS-HIMALAYAN AID SOCIETY (TRAS) AND CANADA INDIA VILLAGE AID (CIVA)

TO A BOOK LAUNCH OF

TIBETANS IN EXILE: THE DALAI LAMA AND THE WOODCOCKS

A NEW BOOK ABOUT THE WOODCOCKS AND THE HISTORY OF TRAS AND CIVA

Please join TRAS and CIVA at a reception to honour author Alan Twigg and publisher Ron Hatch

 

DATE: Sunday October 18, 2009
TIME: 7:30 – 9:30pm
LOCATION: VANCOUVER RACQUETS CLUB LOUNGE,
4867 Ontario St., Vancouver (Ontario and 33rd – for parking directions, see below)

PLEASE RSVP TO TRAS: 604-224-5133 or tras@portal.ca by Tuesday October 13

Includes a special screening of George Woodcock: The Anarchist of Cherry Street, a short film by Alan Twigg

The Trans-Himalayan Aid Society (TRAS) and Canada India Village Aid (CIVA) are excited to announce the publication of a new book about George and Ingeborg Woodcock, who founded the Tibetan Refugee Aid Society (now Trans-Himalayan Aid Society) in 1962. In TIBETANS IN EXILE: THE DALAI LAMA AND THE WOODCOCKS, Vancouver author Alan Twigg has recovered the amazing story of how George and Inge, while travelling in northern India in 1961, encountered many of the Tibetan refugees who had recently fled over the mountain passes. Appalled by the condition of the children–huddled together with inadequate bedding and clothing, surviving on a diet of thin soup and steamed dumplings–the Woodcocks vowed to help. Hearing of this, one of the Tibetans said, “You absolutely must come and see uncle.” This was Khando Yapshi, the Dalai Lama’s niece. Among the first Westerners to meet with the Dalai Lama, the Woodcocks offered to campaign to provide humanitarian assistance. This was the genesis for TRAS, one of the two remarkable non-profit charities spearheaded by the Woodcocks–the other being Canada India Village Aid (CIVA)–that have touched the lives of millions.

TIBETANS IN EXILE is a fitting tribute to the Woodcocks. It puts a human face on grassroots international aid, while telling the story of this rather eccentric, extremely compassionate and generous couple. It is an inspiring example of the fact that, yes, one person can make a difference.

TIBETANS IN EXILE is now in print, available in person at the TRAS office (Mon-Thurs, 10:00am-4:00pm; phone first 604-224-5133), in bookstores, or online at www.ronsdalepress.com. 272 pp, 60 b&w photos.

Directions and Parking: The Vancouver Racquets Club is situated on the northwest corner of 33rd and Ontario. Plenty of street parking is available (the car park is for members only). Map: www.vrc.bc.ca/faqs.html

Light refreshments, cash bar available

We look forward to seeing you!

Trans-Himalayan Aid Society (TRAS) www.tras.ca
Canada India Village Aid (CIVA) www.civaid.ca