"Everyday Exile," New Non-Profit Project in India/Nepal Supporting Tibetan Exiles

Orlando, FL, September 30, 2010 --(PR.com)-- US citizen Tammy Winand will return to McleodGanj, Himachal Pradesh, India, capital of the Tibetan government in exile, on October 25 to lead the Everyday Exile Project. She will spend five months in McleodGanj, followed by an extended visit to Tibetan communities in Nepal.

Interviews with Tibetan individuals, as well as western volunteers who work with/for Tibetans, will present the evolving story of a nation and culture in danger of disappearing.

Tammy Winand first volunteered with the Tibetan community in McleodGanj as a conversational English teacher from December 2, 2009 through March 1, 2010.

During her first visit, Tammy's students, including several former political prisoners, monks and nuns, shared stories of survival and hopes for the future which moved her deeply. Upon return to the United States, speaking to others about her experiences in India, the lack of general knowledge about these issues inspired her to create a project to make Tibetan voices heard.

McleodGanj, also known as Upper Dharamsala, is a hill station in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, located in the foothills of the Himalayan Dhauladhar Range. It became the capital of the Tibetan government in exile in 1960 and is the official residence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. An estimated 60,000 Tibetan exiles live in the immediate area.

Everyday Exile is an on-going internet project with the goal of producing at least one book regarding Tibetan exile experience. Tammy will remain in McleodGanj through March 2011 before moving on to the Tibetan community of Boudhanath, outside Kathmandu, Nepal. She may also visit the ethnically Tibetan area of Leh in the Indian state of Ladakh. She plans to return to the United States in late 2011.

Everyday Exile will conduct verbal and written interviews with members of the Tibetan exile community, covering various age groups and social strata. Video interviews and footage of local Tibetan agencies and organizations will also be presented.

Interested Tibetan individuals and groups as well as interested western volunteers are encouraged to contact us to get involved.

Everyday Exile Project is a platform for Tibetans to tell their personal stories of life in exile in their own words and art. Interviews and video reports will be shared online at the project blog and YouTube account. Tammy is funding the majority of project expenses, with the remainder from sponsors and online fundraisers.

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