| Dear hans, The situation in Tibet continues to change dramatically. Our work as advocates is more important than ever, and so is the support of special friends and allies like you. Your partnership is critical as we redouble our efforts to save Tibet and help the Tibetan people in this time of need.
As this year draws to a close, I hope we can count on your help once again because so many are counting on us. When I was last in Dharamsala, India, I had the privilege to meet with many recent refugees from Tibet. I spent long hours listening to their stories, each unique and heartbreaking in its own way. But most moving to me was the urgent desire of these new refugees to tell their stories and their unsinkable hope that the world will hear their words and take action on behalf of those still struggling against oppression inside Tibet.
Several of the new refugees I met had been in hiding, injured and half-starved, from the Chinese authorities for months in the mountains of Tibet because they had participated in the spring 2008 demonstrations. Had they been captured, they would have faced certain detention and probable torture. Their dangerous crossing into exile only sharpened their resolve to tell their stories.
I asked a young monk in the group of new refugees how he felt now that they had reached Dharamsala, and he said:
"We were given an audience with His Holiness, and that meeting brought us great joy. But we have no happiness about arriving safely in India because we can imagine how many brothers and sisters are still suffering under the Chinese in Tibet."
This young monk had fled Tibet for committing the "crime" of daring to speak out when foreign journalists were allowed a brief visit to the Labrang Monastery. He and some other monks had called out to the journalists, "We want human rights," "We need freedom of religion and freedom of speech," and "Let His Holiness the Dalai Lama return to Tibet!" They offered the journalists Tibetan flags.
Knowing that these simple acts would have grave consequences, the monks slipped away from the monastery and went into hiding. However, the security presence at Labrang continued and even after a year there was no chance to return. These young monks, like thousands of others, have been forced to choose between certain oppression and an uncertain future in exile.
Arriving Safely Is Not Enough
ICT has been asked by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile to do whatever we can to assist Tibetan refugees in transit, and in their lives as refugees. This request has become an essential part of our advocacy work - and one to which we attach hopeful faces and stories.
This work is essential, but it also places a heavy burden on our shoulders. Simply put, we need the help of all our supporters at this time of year.
Please respond today with a generous year end contribution to make sure we'll have the resources to battle the forces that endanger Tibetan refugees and secure humanitarian assistance for their immediate needs.
And, if you are able to make a gift of $100 or more, I'll also send you a copy of ICT's 2010 "Women in Tibet" calendar as an additional thank you for your commitment to Tibet and the Tibetan people.
But any donation, no matter the amount, will contribute to helping our Tibetan friends this winter. In thanks for your generosity and with best wishes for the New Year,
Mary Beth Markey
VP, International Advocacy
P.S. I am especially grateful for your support now when I know all of our budgets are tight. Even if you can only give $5, $10 or $25, your gift will be a lifeline to Tibetan refugees. Thank you.  
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