By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 26: The digital age has brought about a profound transformation in the way people engage in philanthropy, and this shift has become even more evident in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The adoption of digital solutions has reshaped the landscape of charitable giving, through crowdfunding via digital platforms, especially social media. The Tibetan diaspora have been quick to rely on this means to further their practice of charity.
When official channels and traditional mediums of help are unable to extend their reach, alternative methods and grassroot initiatives have been surprisingly efficient in saving the day and helping the needy.
Among many, grassroots organizations like the Jangsem Youth Club and Zamar Sponsors encapsulate a blend of grassroots initiative and digital innovation, while furthering their acts of social service . Additionally, Tibetan social media influencers, primarily YouTubers have joined the cause, using their clout to raise funds for the underprivileged and those in need.
However, within this bubble, there is a growing awareness on the importance of transparency and accountability to establish trust between donors and beneficiaries. When there are public funds involved, protocols and good practices must follow to ensure acts of goodwill are not overshadowed by fraudulent practices and misappropriation.
Riding the wave that is social media
The role of social media is essential for various organizations and individuals like Jangsem Youth Club, Zamar Sponsors, and Tibetan YouTubers like Abu Karma. They utilize platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram to seek financial support as they are not only an economical tool but also deeply embedded in the society. Their pleas can virtually be accessed by any users whether they is in a remote village of Bomdila or the bustling metropolitans like New York city. They employ an existing infrastructure network, as simple as a mobile phone to make their cases and seek help for the needy.
The utilization of social media increased notably, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when movement and interaction all over the world were greatly restricted and communication became limited to digital platforms. The Tibetan government in exile, too, has depended on crowdfunding in times of emergencies, such as when they publicly called for donations following the floods in Himachal Pradesh earlier this year.
In recent years, digital platforms, especially YouTube has been one of the most used online tools. Tibetan YouTubers have been successful in channelling resources to support vulnerable segments of society, such as the impoverished, the ailing, and the elderly. Speaking to Phayul, Abu Karma, a Tibetan YouTuber, said that he raised more than seventy lakh rupees (Approximately 85,000 USD) for people in need through crowdfunding. His sister, Kunsang Dolma, also a YouTuber, raised more than one crore rupees (Approximately 120,000 USD) for the sick and destitute in the community through crowdfunding. Numerous other YouTubers have similarly used crowdfunding to assist those in financial need. Through their content and appeals, they have generated multi-crore sums dedicated to alleviating the hardships faced by those in need. In some instances, as campaigns gain unexpected momentum, donors have exceedingly contributed to the needy resulting in surplus funds as evidenced from some cases in the Tibetan community.
Community impact of crowd funding
Through digital crowdfunding, social service outfit Zamar Sponsors said they have provided support to 150 Tibetan college students with scholarships. Additionally, they said that they provided 4,500 rupees to about 85 Tibetan students in Baroda, Gujarat during the COVID-19 crisis. These students from Tibet faced difficulties reaching their families. Furthermore, they’ve secured sponsors for elderly Tibetans in need. Dhundup, the founder of Zamar Sponsors, told Phayul that college students have been one of their target groups as they found a significant gap in financial support for college-bound Tibetan students, despite help from CTA or other institutions for further studies.
Similarly, Jangsem Youth Club has been instrumental in assisting elderly individuals with clothing and financial resources. The group’s primary focus as seen in their portfolio have been on elderly and the ailing who do not have support of family or friends. Various other groups and individuals, such as the Tibetan Children’s Project in the Tibetan community, have attempted to bridge the philanthropic void where the exile government falls short. The majority of the sponsors and contributors are from Tibetans living abroad, according to many of the fundraisers.
These acts of giving as well as receiving help has enforced the sense of connectedness with the diaspora community and fostered a sense of looking after one another within the community despite geographical expanse.
Challenges and Backlashes:
Numerous challenges and backlashes have emerged within various philanthropy platforms. Instances of fraudulent individuals approaching these platforms have become increasingly prevalent. For instance, Zamar sponsors told Phayul that they initially trusted students who concealed their identities in videos, with a substantial sum of money with the expectation that it would be distributed to other students. However, the recipient failed to pass on the funds, leaving no means of tracking the individual due to the concealed identity. Consequently, they now insist that beneficiaries reveal their identities.
YouTuber Gyalpo Production encountered similar issues, as some sought financial assistance for children while displaying their photos and then abruptly disappeared. To address these problems, they emphasize the importance of thoroughly investigating the cause as well as ascertaining the identity of beneficiaries before embarking on crowdfunding initiatives.
Additionally, some platforms struggle with the dilemma of receiving more funds than required, particularly when showcasing graphic and emotional videos of the needy. Gyalpo Production advocates setting a clear funding limits and shutting off the donation gateway once the target have been achieved.
Transparency and trust
Within the many multitude of individuals and organizations that are dependent on public funds, Phayul reached out to two groups and a Youtuber to assess their financial transparency practice.
Zamar Sponsors, based in New York, shares financial records with the United States government as a registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. Dhundup, the founder, mentioned that the initial public sharing of financial details had unintended consequences. Potential sponsors, upon seeing the organization’s balance sheet, believed it had sufficient funds, discouraging contributions. This hindered our growth and outreach to underprivileged individuals. To address this, he created a group chat for the fund recipients, including the sponsors, enabling sponsors to track their contributions and monitor the recipients.
Jangsem Youth Club, based in Deckyiling Tibetan settlement in Dehradun, India told Phayul that information and details of accounts are privy to only the executive members who pass on the information to a new executive members at the end of each term.
The two organization’s financial records are not accessible to the public but only within their executive and chosen circle.
On the other hand, YouTubers, Abu Karma and his sister Kunsang Dolma in their respective YouTube channels, openly disclose the received amounts and ensure funds reach their intended recipients. Abu Karma told Phayul that when the public sees the transparency, they are encouraged to give more and the culture of giving can be further established in the community.
However, questions remain as to whether these practices are enough and in the absence of a regulatory body to oversee funds changing hands in the proper manner, fundraisers without transparency mechanisms can manipulate and leech off people in the name of compassion and charity.
