MISSION

The mission of the Bay Area Friends of Tibet is to study, promote interest in, and actively preserve Tibetan culture in all its aspects; to educate the general public in matters pertaining to Tibet and the Tibetan people, and to provide assistance to Tibetans.

Support Chinese American Outreach
Since 2003 BAFoT has aimed to follow His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s guidance to attempt to bridge the gap in understanding that exists between the Chinese and the Tibetan peoples.

Educational Outreach
BAFoT organizes special events that introduce hundreds of people to Tibetan issues. Tibet Day cultural fairs have been held annually, since 1984, in San Francisco, the East Bay, and Santa Cruz. Plans to extend Tibet Day into the North Bay are underway.

Grassroots Action
BAFoT works with other Tibet support groups such as the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) to organize activities on behalf of Tibet’s struggle for human rights and self-determination and takes part in events that promote Tibetan culture, such as the Pacifica Tibetan Arts Festival.

Work with the Tibetan Resettlement Project
In the early 1990s, BAFoT facilitated the immigration of 60 Tibetans to the Bay Area. Since that time, BAFoT has helped these Tibetans to reunify with their families. With a dedicated group of volunteers, BAFoT continues to help the Tibetan community with employment and English skills