Projects in Tibet and India

The Red Thread Between the Dolomites and the Himalayas: Our Bond with Tibet

It's here, amidst the majestic peaks of the Dolomites, that our story began. From here, a red thread started, inextricably linking us to the foothills of the Himalayas. Two peoples, two minorities, two geographically distant territories, yet profoundly united by a common history and shared values. On one side, the Ladin minority of the Dolomites; on the other, the Tibetan minority of the Himalayas. This is how the Costa Family Foundation was born, with the strong desire to create a bridge between these two populations, so similar in their resilient spirit yet so geographically far apart.

Since 1959, the Tibetan people have lived through the experience of diaspora, forced to leave their homeland and their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to seek refuge in India. It is from one minority to another, from one mountain to another, that we feel a deep connection to the Tibetan people. For over 17 years, we've supported the preservation of their history and culture, an invaluable heritage that would otherwise risk disappearing.

From 2007, the year the Foundation was established, a series of projects brought this special relationship to life: child sponsorships, the creation of clinics, dispensaries, schools, and institutions. Many of the projects we funded in the early years are now self-sufficient and no longer require our support, such as the Institute of Higher Education in Bangalore, one of the most significant projects ever undertaken by TCV (Tibetan Children's Village), the largest charitable organization supporting Tibetan exiles.

However, the need continues, and many children and other realities still require our contribution. That's why, with pride, we accompanied Thupten's growth from 2007 to 2022, watching him transform from a child into a young man. Today, a new red ribbon has appeared at Casa CFF: since 2023, little Lham Drema, hosted at the "Garden of Love and Compassion" (Jhamtse Gatsal), a community for Tibetan orphans founded by the monk-educator Lobsang Phuntsok, has become part of our Family.