2003 Fundraising Letter |
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December 23, 2003 Greetings to
family, friends, and other Arasmas supporters, I hope this
finds you well and enjoying a bright holiday season. I would like to take this opportunity to share some of the
exciting developments of Arasmas this past year and express my great
gratitude to each of you who have supported Arasmas in 2003. As of August,
there are two new students pursuing their educational dreams with Arasmas
funds in India. They were
painstakingly selected from a pool of 27 applicants -- at least ten of
which had exceptional grades through grade twelve, powerful
recommendations, and a notable commitment to pursue higher studies and
ultimately give back to the Tibetan Community in some way.
Both students
were born and raised in Tibet but eventually escaped to Dharamsala, India,
where they completed education through grade twelve. Neither of them have seen their families in at least eight
years. The first student,
Tenzin Norchung, is remarkable.
Before applying for Arasmas funds, he had already earned great
recognition from his peers, teachers, and employers, all reflected by his
grades, numerous academic awards, and glowing recommendations submitted
with his application. He is
now a full-time medical student at the Tibetan Medical and Astrological
Studies College affiliated with the Kashag (The seat of the Tibet
Government in Exile) in Dharamsala. His
annual expenses for all books, tuition, and other necessities amount to
less than $1000 a year (he is in a three year program). The second
student, Tenzin Soyang Londan, was referred to Arasmas by a Duke law
student who tutored Tenzin in English in India in 2002. Tenzin is a brightly spirited monk who is using his Arasmas
funds to pay for books and other materials he needs to pursue intensive
English studies in India. His
goal is to be a translator for the Tibetan Government in Exile. Because Tenzin is partially supported by the Tibetan monastic
community, Tenzin’s fees are minor.
His annual expenses for all books and other materials amount to
less than $350. Finally, on a
practical note, Arasmas was granted 501[c][3] tax exempt status by the IRS
on July 15, 2003. As a
result, all contributions to Arasmas from May 15, 2001, through the
present are 100% tax-deductible. In
conjunction, Arasmas obtained a tax-exempt non-profit business bank
account so contributions and disbursements are now made in the Arasmas
name. I have enclosed
a reply card with which you may indicate your level of interest in
continuing to hear about or support Arasmas.
While donations are a great help and of course necessary to keep
supporting Arasmas students (the more contributions the more students we
are able to help!), often just knowing there are people out there who
support us in any way is what has enabled Arasmas to touch the lives of
those it does. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to
learn more about Arasmas. It
is my great honor to share the students’ stories, letters, pictures, and
their progress with you, the people who have made this all possible. Please accept my
warm wishes for a bright 2004. Cecily Deane
Freyermuth |
Arasmas |