Thinley, a seven-year-old girl, and Kalsang, a 12-year-old boy, were brought out of their home country – Tibet – to escape the suffering inflicted by the country's occupation by China.

Thinley's father disappeared in Tibet. Her mother scratches a living as a farmer, raising two other children. There was not enough food for them all so she was taken to India by friends.

Kalsang's father is dead, and his mother lives in similar circumstances to Thin-ley's. Kalsang too made the difficult journey from Tibet into northern India, to the Tibetan Children's Village of Chauntra.

One of the reasons for their evacuation was education. The Chinese authorities do not allow Tibetan children to be educated as Tibetans.

Even their language cannot be used in Chinese-run schools.

The Tibetan flag is banned. Possession of a picture of Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is punishable by prison.

But today the two youngsters are getting the education their families wanted for them. They are also well fed, loved, and cared for.
This winter they will have warm clothing and shoes.

Their improvement is partly due to Jodie Underhill and Richard Dalby, who live in Calderdale.

Jodie, 32, of Cornholme, Todmorden, and Richard, 40, of Warley, Halifax,

are the founders of the Love 4 Tibet group, which raises the
funds needed to pay for Thinley annd Kalsang's education, accommodation, food, clothing and care.

They have committed themselves to funding the children's welfare through to adulthood – and hopefully to the day when they can return to a free Tibet.

Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of other local people are involved in supporting their efforts, partly through donations, partly by attending regular fund-raising concerts at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.
Jodie and Richard came across each other by chance.

She works at Rossendale Hospice and learned of the situation in Tibet from a friend who is active in the international Free Tibet movement.
"The more I learned, the more I realised that I couldn't just sit idly by and so the campaigning began," she said. "I decided to raise awareness of the plight of the Tibetan people by organising a fund-raising event at Marshalls in Hebden Bridge."

She met Richard on the day of the event while she was collecting signatures for a petition about Tibet. They stayed in touch, and organised their first Concert for Tibet at the Trades Club.

"The event was an overwhelming success and completely sold out raising over £1,600," she said.

The money was given to charities helping Tibetans by providing medical, educational and cultural aid, and training for midwives.

Then they found out about the Tibetan Children's Village, and a scheme through which individual children can be sponsored.

Richard, who had been interested in Buddhism and attended a talk by the Dalai Lama in London, said: "We both wanted to raise funds through organising musical and cultural events. We wanted to help improve Tibetans' lives directly, and we wanted in particular to help improve the opportunities of children both within Tibet, and the exiled community.

"The Tibetan Children's Village provides much-needed care and education for destitute children living in exile," he said. "Many faced danger and death as they made secret jorneys to escape from Chinese-occupied Tibet, seeking a future in India."

Jodie said: "Now we are sponsoring Thinley and Kalsang. It's £190 per year to sponsor a child which is 52p per day. This helps to pay for one child to be fed, clothed and educated and brings stability into the life of that child, often traumatised from their journey from Tibet and the loss of their family.

"Having contact through writing plus the important fact that someone cares about them and their progress has an immense impact on their lives.

"It's a long-term commitment, not just something you would do for just a year or two.

"We send pocket money and we want to buy them shoes and a coat for winter. Their clothes are made in the school on ancient sewing machines.
"We have received lovely letters from the children. The children love to learn and the school motto is 'Others before self.'"

Richard is a musician and launched a CD Sugar Fire to raise funds. It included tracks recorded at the first Concert for Tibet at the Trades Club.

He and Jodie collected £200 at the World on Your Doorstep music festival in Hebden Bridge.

The next big fund-raiser is the third Concert for Tibet at the Trades Club at Hebden Bridge on Saturday, August 16. It features Francis Lickerish – guitarist and founder member of cult rock band The Enid – with support from Creedy and Nic Chapman.