My name is Sophie, and I’m a GISW Class of 2025 student. Alongside the Student Council's Environmental Committee, I’m organizing Project Windhorse—a fundraiser to support rural Tibetan women in beekeeping.

My connection with Tibet goes back to before I was born. As doctors, my parents went to Tibet to visit Machik.org’s school, that, similarly to the German school, is a mother tongue based bilingual school teaching Tibetan and Mandarin. The school revolutionized educational opportunities, especially for girls, in the rural community in which most people were illiterate.

The co-founders of Machik are two parents and their two daughters who are the first Tibetan Rhode and Commonwealth scholars respectively. For their work on projects like this school that highlight the importance of gender equity and education, they were given the Meritorious Service Cross by Governor General of Canada.

As the head of the student environmental committee, and someone who has primarily lived on a farm, I also deeply appreciate the importance of sustainability, especially sustainable agriculture. Education and sustainability are more related than we may think - improving women's education and family planning is estimated to draw down 85 gigatons of carbon. Donating to Project Wind horse is a way to be a part of the continued work for women's empowerment and sustainability.

Please join us by donating by the end of November to: Machik - Project Windhorse

Project Windhorse came together as a unique fundraiser seeking to empower rural Tibetan women through training in environmentally sustainable income generation. Educational opportunities are limited for many rural Tibetan women, and so, many seek new ways to improve their lives, and those of their families through agricultural alternatives. To support their dreams, the student environmental committee is setting up a fundraiser with a dedicated endurance ride.

The name Windhorse, or Lungta in Tibetan, is associated with the ancient Tibetan equine symbol at the center of the traditional prayer flag. The Icelandic horses we rode in the endurance ride, and the horses of Tibet, share gaitedness, size and the determined spirits.

The funding will support women already engaged in sustainable agriculture and are seeking training in adding value to the natural and organic honey and beeswax. The training will empower the participants to leverage their current skills and share their viewpoints and progress with others.  This program is in alignment with Tibetan traditional values of environmental sustainability and moves towards greater gender equity.

Our fundraising goal is $3000. Each $500 dollar increment enables a woman to participate fully in the training and grow their productivity.

Please join us by donating by the end of November to: Machik - Project Windhorse

We also invite you to tag us on your social media and share with your family, friends and community members.  

Let's stand with Tibetan women to strengthen their futures.

- Sophie and the Student Environmental Committee