Gyaltsen Dolkar is a 33-year-old nun from Garu Nunnery. On August 22, 1990 she took part in a peaceful demonstration with 12 other nuns from Garu. She was arrested and sentenced to 4 years imprisonment. In October 1993, while at Drapchi prison, she and 13 other nuns, recorded songs about their love for their homeland and for that she was tortured and her 4-year sentence was increased to 12 years.
Gyaltsen Dolkar escaped from Tibet with a group of Tibetans, walking non-stop for 16 days and reached Nepal on October 22, 2004. They entered Nepal through Solukhumbu. The long treacherous journey from Lhasa was physically demanding for Gyaltsen Dolkar. After an injury to her ankle en route, she insisted that the group advance with their journey and leave her behind. For two days she struggled alone until the group doubled back to find a boy who had gone missing in the snow and consequently met with Gyaltsen Dolkar again.
Gyaltsen Dolkar achieved her release from Drapchi prison in March 2002, 5 months before completing her sentence. The many years in prison had weakened her considerably. She was in great need of medical assistance at the time of her release but was denied any help. Chinese officials watched her closely in her hometown and restricted her movements. Because of these conditions, she decided to escape to Lhasa. It was there that she met her former Drapchi prison inmate, Ngawang Sangdrol. Sangrol remembers meeting with Gyaltsen Dolkar. She recalls Dolkar as weakened and remembers she did not even have enough money to pay for her medical treatment.
“I am happy that my friend has finally managed to escape Chinese brutality,” Sangdrol said, “but now she must try to find a new home in exile.” The challenges for Gyaltsen Dolkar are not over. Hopefully, outside of Tibet and Chinese control, Dolkar will have the opportunity to explore the boundaries of freedom.
