Tibetan Schools in Switzerland & Liechtenstein and Europe honored Jetsun Pema with Light of Education (Sherig Donmay) Award on Sunday evening in Uzwil Gemeindesaal Hall. Jetsun Pema who is the younger sister of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama{ famously known by the name Amala (Respected Mother) in Tibetan}, began working in 1964 after His Holiness asked her to take care of Tibetan Schools TCV’s started in 1960. Under her 42-year leadership Nursery evolved into Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) and has expanded and grown into one the most successful flourishing educational institutions in exile. More than 40000 students have passed through Tibetan Children village.
The TCV press release in Dharamsala say that The President of Tibetan Community in Swiss and Liechtenstein, Gangshontsang Lobsang and Head of Tibetan Schools, Dotchung Gonpo Namgyal presented the award to Jetsun Pema in a full packed Hall.In her acceptance speech, she said, “I accept this honor on behalf of all the co-workers of Tibetan Children’s Village”. Dalai Lama’s sister Pema has received many international recognition for her service to the well being of the Tibetan refugee children. She received the Glory of India Award in 2008, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) medal in 1999.She has also been honored in Italy with the 2006 World’s Children Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC), the 2002 Woman of Courage Award and the 2000 International Montessori Award for Education and Peace. Tibetan Parliament in exile awarded her the title “Mother of Tibet” in 1995. She was also awarded honorary doctorate degree by University of San Francisco in 2012.She was also the first women minister in the Central Tibetan Administration.