Also called Ama Lak, she is the first woman to become a Kalon (minister in the Tibetan cabinet). She was a member of one of the delegations to Tibet in early nineties.
She is currently the President of the Tibetan Children’s Village Schools, set up in 1960 as a nursery for the children of displaced Tibetan refugees, then under the care of Tsering Dolma, the eldest sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Today, the school has several branches in different parts of India and has till date enrolled more than 26000 Tibetan children.
” I believe it is a recognition of our dedication to work for the children of Tibet. I think it is a great honour to be even nominated amongst the three finalists for the award. This honour is deserved by my late sister Tsering Dolma la and all those individuals who have worked with me in nurturing the Tibetan children”, Jetsun Pema la told the Voice of Tibet radio service.
The award ceremony will be held in Ohio, United States. It carries a cash prize of US Dollar 100,000.
Kellogg’s 2003 Child Development Award Honorees
Fani Lerner
Parana, Brazil
During her terms as the Secretary for Children Affairs in Curitiba and Parana Brazil, Fani Lerner created 16 programs to assist millions of needy children and adolescents. Her programs provided vocational training, shelter, housing education and food for low-income, street, orphaned abandoned and disabled children. She also developed PROVOPAR, volunteers work program that served as a model throughout Brazil.
Claudia Gonzales Moreno
Murillo, Bolivia
Claudia Gonzales Moreno began Alalay, a home for the street children of Bolivia, when she was only 19. Each year through Alalay, nearly 12,000 children work to overcome a history of violence and abuse. They receive education and job training, and learn how to become contributing members of society. Soon, Gonzales will travel to Brazil to serve 3 million children living in Rio de Janeiro.
Jetsun Pema
Himachal Pradesh, India
Jetsun Pema has dedicated the last 40 years to the exiled children of Tibet. As president of the Tibetan Children’s Villages, she has grown the program from a bungalow housing 51 ill and malnourished children to a widely acclaimed social services organization alleviating poverty, providing shelter, improving living conditions and imparting educational opportunities to nearly 21,000 Tibetan refugee children in need.
