January 8, 2005

Welcome to the SHERPA-E-TALK. It is my pleasure to E-TALK with a uniquely energetic, dearly liked, and truly a great friend in need ---- SONAM GYALTSEN SHERPA. He is indeed like a brother to me and a person of great admiration for his friendship, truthfulness and devotion to the community he prides so greatly.

Sonam needs no introduction to the Nepalese and the Tibetan communities in New York. His dedication is found in every community and every community in turn loves him with deep appreciation. To those who may have heard of him, but do not know him as closely as I do, I take pride in introducing this remarkable person who is always ready to help others unconditionally.

Sonam was born in Loding, Solu-Khumbu in the heart of Sherpaland in the Himalayas of Nepal. He was educated in Buddhism, in India, the word's largest democracy. Now a Sherpa citizen of America, he currently works as Senior Treasury Analyst for Metro North Railroad, in the world's largest cosmopolitan city, New York.

Among many contributions Sonam has made, he served as a founding board member and later became President of the Tibetan Youth Congress in New York. He was instrumental in starting a Tibetan Dance Group, CHOLSUM. He served as a board member of the Tibetan Association of New York and New Jersey. He served twice as the most effective President of the Sherpa Kyidug; United Sherpa Association, of New York. He has been instrumental in the creation and upkeep of the SherpaKyidug.org web site. He is currently the chief coordinator of Sharwee Khangba, New York, the Joint Secretary of the Nepal Center, New York, and an advisor and contributor to the Migyul, a Himalayan Community magazine, published in New York. AND, too many other contributions and services to mention in one introduction.

Sonam is married and have two children, Dekyie and Urgen, with whom he spends as much time as he can, so that - in his own words -- “looking back in my old age I don’t want to regret not spending enough time with them”.

Sonam G. Sherpa: First of all, I’d like to congratulate you on the very successful and well-liked piece, Sherpa E-Talk on SherpaKyidug.org. It is entirely your hard work and vision that has brought success to the E-Talk and giving me any credit only speaks volume of what a generous person you are.

I thank you for your invitation to do this E-Talk with you. I’m rather perplexed yet grateful that you thought of me as a worthy subject to be featured on E-Talk. I accepted your invitation for two reasons.

First, as I have tried in my limited capacity to assist you in anyway with the E-Talk, I felt not accepting your invitation would be going against my will to give you a hand. So, I reluctantly accepted your command.

The second reason was a phone call a few weeks back from a Sherpa friend of mine. When he complained to me as to why he and other Sherpas had to read about me in a different publication, Migyul (Himalayan community magazine), and not on E-Talk, I thought if there are people like him interested in knowing more about me, then I should do it. So, here it is --- Dorjee.

And staying with that thought of reading about Sherpas in the E-Talk, one day, I’d like to return this favor to you by doing an E-Talk with you yourself. Knowing you as well as I do, I feel it would not be fair to others not to share your views, opinions, advice and experiences in a range of topics that matters to us all. So, I hope you will indulge me when I ask you to make me a guest interviewer and feature you in your own forum, “Tsewang Sherpalama presents E-Talk with Tsewang Sherpalama”.

Sonam G. Sherpa: I left my village when I was only seven years old. I had been living in Kathmandu ever since, attending various schools there and in India.

The thought of coming to the United States entered my mind in 1983 when I had one year of college left. Soon I would be out of college and it was time to go out into the real world. But the employment market in Nepal and India, as is the case even to this day, was very weak and I didn’t see a healthy future for myself. In the summer of 1984, while I was helping an uncle and an aunt in Leh, Laddakh, where life was slow, I sat down to write a long letter to an American friend of mine, asking for a sponsor letter. With a quick positive response from him, I headed back home to Kathmandu and asked for assistance from two of my sisters and their husbands. With their help, I came to New York in September 1984.

Not a fascinating journey, I think, but one of a need to make my own life a tad better, as in the case of many immigrants that come to the United States.

Sonam G. Sherpa: No, there is no logic in my education and the duties I perform now to make a living. It is a strange twist of fate, so to speak.

I'm not saying I wasn't religious but when you are thrust into a school where they don't teach you modern subjects such as Mathematics or Science, you tend to ask yourself what studying Buddhist philosophy will give you in life. Buddhism teaches you to think of what you can achieve in your next life by being virtuous in this one, but my question was always --- “what is it going to give me in this life?”

Not getting a chance to study any modern subjects, I was at a disadvantage as far as choosing a career was concerned. I knew this fact when I was finishing up college in India and that kept me awake many nights wondering what I was going to do in my life.

Coming to this country, and seeing people using computers - which, by the way, I had never seen in my life - gave me a feeling that they must all be college graduates. Knowing that they weren't came as a great relief to me, and learning the trade and excelling in it through sheer will power, gave me the position I'm in right now. I feel I could do much more, had I gotten the education I should have, but hey --- as I say to my children --- "don't cry over spilled milk".

I feel that some of the dedication and loyalty that I have shown to others also brought me to the position I am at now. I'll never forget my bosses who literally kicked me out of janitorial jobs that I initially had at Metro-North Railroad, and when they made me practice my typing skills. I now have to give thanks to those same bosses and other very well intentioned co-workers that made me get the position I have today. For us, Sherpas who are sometimes too humble by nature, and don’t think of what we can achieve, have to be reminded by others of our ability.

Sonam G. Sherpa: My first experience with the Tibetan problem was when I was attending my school in Varanasi in India. Studying, hanging out, and living with many Tibetans, it was natural for me to be aware of Tibetan struggles.

But, as a young mindless person, I never took it seriously. I would go see Hindi movies on the days when all my Tibetan friends would go to demonstrate against the oppressive Chinese government.

Coming to the U.S., and learning of the many hardships felt by the blacks of South Africa, I went and demonstrated against the government that supported apartheid, a policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-European groups in South Africa, in front of the United Nations. While demonstrating for the blacks of South Africa, who had very legitimate reasons to do so, I thought of my Tibetan friends and my Tibetan mother, and wondered, "Don't I have nearer and dearer causes to speak out for?"

From here came my deep feelings towards Tibetans and the Tibetan causes. They have a legitimate right to get their own country back. They were forced out from their own country by the repressive Chinese government. I had a reason to work for my Tibetan friends. I had a reason to work for my Tibetan brothers and sisters. I had a reason to work for my "motherland", as my mother was from Tibet. And I had and continue to have many Tibetan friends.

Additionally, I came to realize that as a Sherpa, I (and all Sherpas) have something very precious to gain from an independent Tibet. When Tibet was free, many of our fellow Sherpa ancestors went to Tibet to get Buddhist education, as many do now by joining Tibetan Monasteries in India. When we Sherpas talk about preserving our culture and religion, it is very important to have the source (Tibet) free and strong. With an independent Tibet, we Sherpas have much to gain culturally and religiously, I feel.

Sonam G. Sherpa: When I first came to this country, there were only about four Sherpas (including you Tsewang dai) and about 75 Tibetans. We were all attending Losar Parties with Tibetan friends, and needless to say that was fun! As years went by, the Tibetan population in the US, and particularly in New York, grew by leaps and bounds and Sherpas grew considerably also.

As Sherpas wanting to celebrate our most important festival, Losar, we had a perfect alliance with Tibetans to celebrate together, since both communities partake in this festival in similar ways. Not including myself, some of our Sherpa brethren had a hard time understanding many speeches that were given at the Tibetan Losar Parties. To our non-Tibetan speaking Sherpas, at one Losar party, it was a bit too much when they were asked to leave the room when Tibetan was spoken discussing matters related to Tibet and Tibetan community in general.

"Why can't we have our own Losar Party?" was asked and together with that, “How about forming a group to do this?” So, it was born at a private party, raising a few dollars and agreeing to meet at Central Park in NY to form a group called Sherpa Kyidug.

I'm not sure what vision my Sherpa friends had in mind, but I just wanted to have a group where each one of us knew each other. Make all Sherpas to become as one big family. Try to take care of each other in the times of need.

Sonam G. Sherpa: As a board member of the TYC, I'd say, the most memorable was to be able to just get it started and getting a dance group, called Cholsum, started. Most bitter – at one time, when we announced for an election, there were only five people in the attendance for 11 posts.

As a member of the Sherpa Kydiug, just being involved with the formation of the organization is quite memorable. Secondly, in my last term, when we first started the celebration of the Buddha Jayanti (Saga Dawa) and held an education workshop, the outpourings of support received from general Sherpas were just outstanding. Kyidug had started these two functions as a public service and were totally willing to bear all costs. But, general members’ enthusiasm to be a part of them was so great that not only were the two events a great success, Kyidug ended up not spending much from its treasury at all. They were indeed very memorable in terms of how our community will come together when they see that the Kyidug is doing something worthwhile.

Bitter experience comes from my last term again, and that had to do with loosing Kyidug’s money when we held a fundraising party in the form of ‘Talent Night’. How ironic that we lost money when we were attempting to make more! I was quite devastated for the next few days and so were my fellow board members.

Sonam G. Sherpa: Sherpas are known to spread rumors. We should stop that. (Ha Ha Ha.)

But, in all seriousness, here at Sherpa E-Talk, I'd like to announce my candidacy to run for one of the eleven board members of the Sherpa Kyidug, United Sherpa Association of New York. As soon as I'm finished with answering your questions and they appear on the SherpaKyidug.org, I'll be filling out my candidacy form and send it to the Sherpa Kyidug's election committee.

When I encourage others to get involved in Sherpa matters and to get involved with Sherpa Kyidug, it seems hypocritical of me not to get involved myself. So, yes I will tender my name for the next election. With the help of not only my fellow 10 board members, but with the help of many other able Sherpas, I'd like to work for our community once again as a board member. Please remember that this is not an organization of one Sherpa. This is not an organization of eleven Sherpas. This is an organization of ALL SHERPAS. Each and every one of us has to get involved, if you want to see any success amongst ourselves. Don't think of someone else succeeding – but think of it, with all your help, as ALL OF US SUCCEEDING.

Tsewang Sherpalama: If you do run for the next election of the Sherpa Kyidug Board member, what one thing will you work to accomplish that has not been done so far by the Kyidug, but could have done? You may add more than one thing that you will work to accomplish when elected.

Sonam G. Sherpa: Now this is a loaded question as if you are asking to two (or three) U.S. presidential candidates. There's nothing for me to gain for volunteering my service to the community. I will not promise anything.

But, it is of utmost importance that we bring more unity among all the Sherpas from various walks of life and from various regions of Solukhumbu. I will definitely try to do that – but, PLEASE, don't think of this as a campaign slogan. I'd be happy and will do anything I can in my capacity, if I'm elected as one of your eleven board members or even if NOT elected.

Sonam G. Sherpa: I do not want to pick and choose members from our community and I do not want to have a preconceived notion of a “Team”. As long as any Sherpa wants to serve, I am willing to work with him or her. As long as they are willing, what more can I ask?

To me, every Sherpa in our community is a TEAM. Who wants to serve as a board member of the Sherpa Kyidug is their choice. I can and am willing to work hard to work with any or ALL SHERPAS. So, I personally don't want to name a team. As long as you are willing to work for the community, I am willing to work with YOU.

Having said that, I will request each and everyone, who can, to give their names to work for the Kyidug and work with me – assuming I am elected as well. Some say, ‘social work is a thankless job’ and I vehemently disagree with that notion. Social work is done in a clear conscience with nothing expected in return. But many intelligent people in the community will always be there to not only thank you for your service, but also to give you a helping hand anytime it is needed.

Needless to say many will complain. But to them, all I can say is, hey, the one who does something may make mistakes but at least he or she did ‘something’. The ones who don’t do anything are faultless and perfect, because he or she DIDN’T DO ANYTHING? So whom should you support? Someone who does something or someone who does nothing?

Sonam G. Sherpa: Having gone to the immigration offices a few times as an interpreter for some Sherpas who applied for asylum in this country, I am aware of the plight that many of our Sherpa people face. It was heart wrenching for me to be interpreting some of the atrocities these Sherpas had to endure under the threat of guns.

But dai, speaking about this subject here may give wrong ideas to many who are clinging on straws, so to speak, about their status in this country. If there are any possibilities going the route you suggested, we all should surely look into it, whether we are in the Kyidug’s board or not.

Sonam G. Sherpa: : As someone who has been with this endeavor from the very beginning, like you alluded to, I have seen many wonderful contributions from very many Sherpas to this web site. Initially, it was the brainwork of one Sangay from Brooklyn and very hard work of another Sange, now in Nepal. As I wrote to them at an early stage of SherpaKyidug.org, it was an easy task for me to just give suggestions. Not having to actually work on it (and not knowing how to do it didn’t particularly help even if I wanted to do something) made it a whole lot easier for me to “get involved”. But when a vehicle was launched, in the form of a web site, by Sherpas and for all Sherpas from around the world, I couldn’t help but be part of it. If we don’t encourage and get involved in such undertakings, who will?

Many Sherpas have now registered as members of this web site. Many new features have been added. Web masters, along with the web committee, are constantly looking to make the site better.

In coming months and years, what I’d like to see is that more elder Sherpas from around the world to get involved in this site by registering and by writing their views, opinions, advice and experiences etc. Youngsters by their sheer way of life of growing up with Internet are not bashful to log on to web sites. So this is not to discourage the youngsters. They are always welcome to the site and infuse it with new ideas etc. But, we should never discard the old ideas that are gained from much longer lives of the elders Sherpas’ experiences. As Internet is a fairly new phenomena for many of the older generation, they should be encouraged to use it not only to share their views on this site but for many other benefits that the world wide web provides.

So, we, the “computer savvy” people have a duty to teach these people how to use it. Or the least we can do is to ask for their opinions and put on this site for them. And most importantly, we ALL have a responsibility to spread the word about the existence of this web site and encourage all Sherpas to get involved.

Tsewang Sherpalama: A group called Sherpa Cultural Center Committee was set up to build a “Sherwee Khangba” in New York some three years ago. Not much, to say the least, has been achieved by this committee. As a chief-coordinator of this committee would you update our readers about it?

Sonam G. Sherpa: Three years ago, under the then Sherpa Kyidug, of which I was a board member, a committee was set up with many Sherpas from our community in New York area. This committee was envisioned to work under the umbrella of Sherpa Kyidug for seven years as to bring permanence to the goal of achieving the dream of owning a building of our own for social gatherings, religious and cultural meetings etc.

You are absolutely right in saying that not much has achieved. I’d actually go a step further and declare that NOTHING has been achieved. I will take the full responsibility for the failure so far on not being able to move forward with this grand project of Sherpas in the New York Area.

Three years ago, when this committee was formed and officially introduced to the community on the Buddha Jayanti celebration, I personally had a vision of working together with all Sherpas in our community in achieving our common goal. But, in reality, it wasn’t as easy as I expected. It was my fault that I wasn’t able to explain our goal and how we will function clearly to all.

But, without dwelling on our failures so far and the reasons behind them, what I’d like to request each and every Sherpa of New York area is to keep this dream alive. In a few months, with the help of the next Kyidug, we will all meet in one place, in a mass meeting of sorts, where we will discuss and present our plans. From the duration of seven years we were given, we still have four years left, and with the help and involvement of all our members in the community, I’d like to achieve our dream in less than that time.

Tsewang Sherpalama: How do you manage your time for social obligations, social work, job, family, business and so on? *

Sonam G. Sherpa: Question raised by others about how I manage my time is something that has always fascinated me. Yes, I do have a family and a full time job. Just as I mentioned those two things, my priorities are of that order also. And the social work, if you see it that way, which falls in my list of priorities as number three, is something I enjoy tremendously. Being able to help someone and getting the appreciation from those whom I was able to assist, I think that this is the fuel that keeps me going and wanting to do more.

Surely we can all make time for all sorts of things from our busy schedule of family and work. If one looks at his or her daily schedule, there are some times one can squeeze to do other things. That’s all I am doing, and really, there’s no magic wand to create more time.

The most difficult thing I face in my involvement with social work is balancing my time between it and my children. While showing my children the importance of volunteerism, I don’t want them to feel that I spend too much time away from them, and give them even an iota of feeling that they are somehow neglected. If that were to happen, it would beat the whole purpose of my volunteering. I have always told them that making a living for oneself is very important yet quite easy, but trying to help make someone else’s life better is also very important. And we must do that at every chance we get. When they get older, I want them to volunteer for their own worthy causes and would love to hear them say that they learned some of it from their dad. But if they felt I gave too much time volunteering and they were neglected, they may decide not to do any of it, in fear of depriving their own children of the time that is needed to spend with them. So, sometimes, I feel like I am walking on a tightrope, trying to do my best to balance my interest of volunteerism and immense love of my children, who are more than anything else in this world for me.

* - These questions were taken from the discussion thread “E-Talk” on SherpaKyidug.org. Registered members of SherpaKyidug.org suggested I should ask these questions to my guests. I thank you for not only making this e-talk successful but also advising me at “E-Talk” thread on the range of questions you suggested me to ask. Please keep them coming.