Tibetan Aid Project Blog

The Nyingma Center Amsterdam recently hosted its 5th Annual Tibetan Aid Project Benefit Dinner!  Around 50 generous Tibetan Aid Project supporters attended the event, held on the 21st of Novemeber, 2009.  The evening began with a screening of Wellspring of Hope, a short film documenting TAP’s work to rebuild, preserve and perpetuate the cultural and spiritual heritage of Tibet.

For dinner, the guests enjoyed a delicious Indonesian meal prepared by Nyingma Center Amsterdam’s dedicated volunteer chef.  Pauline Bonthuis, director of TAP Netherlands, praised the chef for his spectacular dinner and aesthetic approach to food, claiming that “the guests savored the smell, taste and even the sight of the food - our chef took the time to decorate each plate with banana leaves.  For the past three years he has been making this meal for us, and I can say that the meal this year was by far his best!”

A wonderful jazz band donated its time and musical talent to the event, giving an intimate performance described by those in attendance as “fragile and beautiful.”  The band, a trio consisting of a father, daughter and one other member, entertained the guests as they ate and drank to their hearts’ content!

Following the performance, TAP supporters participated in a silent auction, which, for the first time ever, included 21 articles up for bid.  One of the most surprising and heartwarming donations to the silent auction came from a lady in her eighties who insisted upon donating her Yves St. Laurent imitation pearl necklace, Bally high heels and matching purse.  Guests also bid on a variety of Dharma Publishing books, all donated by Tibetan Aid Project in Berkeley!

We at Tibetan Aid Project Berkeley congratulate TAP Netherlands for what looks and sounds like an enchanting and incredibly successful evening!  Thank you, Pauline Bonthuis, for sending your description of the event, including all of your wonderful photos!