Our Board
In April 2010, a devastating earthquake struck the Yuyhu Province in Qinghai, leaving countless people in dire need. Out of this disaster, the idea for a sustainable relief project was born, aimed at providing support to the affected Tibetan population. Our board is made up of dedicated individuals with diverse skills and experiences, all united by the belief that humanitarian projects can not only offer support but also create hope and opportunities. Together, they bring their expertise to realize our vision of a better and fairer world.
Board
President of the association
Dechen Kaning-Emchi
Dechen Emchi Kaning was born in Tingri, Tibet, and is the president of the Tibet Aid Project Switzerland (Tschutig Gyatso) association. She has been committed to the promotion of Tibetan culture and humanitarian work in various organizations since 1991. She is also committed to interreligious cooperation in the Zurich Forum of Religions of the City of Zurich.
As a founding member of the Tibetan-Asian Cultural Center, which was established in 1997, she is still active today as Vice President.
Social Media
Tenzin Khando Kayta
Tenzin Khando Kayta is 22 years old and studies International Management in Geneva. She is passionate about human rights and languages and is involved in several Tibetan associations.
In her free time, she enjoys working on various personal projects.
Treasurer
Röne Rüegg
As a retired project manager in construction, he would like to use his expertise to plan and implement suitable and effective protective measures against rockfall at Phuktal Monastery. It is important to him to contribute to the preservation of this extraordinary Buddhist monastery due to his spiritual affinity and cultural awareness. It is important to him to preserve the valuable Phuktal monastery complex and its spiritual significance for the people of Ladakh and to improve their living conditions.
Actuary, Member Administration
Anke Regli
Anke Regli has been committed to Tschutig Gyatso for quite some time. She is currently the secretary. She feels particularly connected to Tibetan culture through her yaks, which she keeps with her husband Adrian.
Team Phuktal
We are the Phuktal Team, a passionate and committed group focused on supporting the Phuktal Monastery and its surrounding community. Our team traveled to the site to assess the challenges the monastery faces firsthand. Through a thoughtful and compelling film, we aim to raise awareness of the critical situation and the urgent need for assistance. Our mission is to bring attention to these pressing issues and, alongside supporters, work to find solutions.
President of the association
Dechen Kaning-Emchi
Dechen Emchi Kaning was born in Tingri, Tibet, and is the president of the Tibet Aid Project Switzerland (Tschutig Gyatso) association. She has been committed to the promotion of Tibetan culture and humanitarian work in various organizations since 1991. She is also committed to interreligious cooperation in the Zurich Forum of Religions of the City of Zurich.
As a founding member of the Tibetan-Asian Cultural Center, which was established in 1997, she is still active today as Vice President.
-2.jpg)
Documantary Filmmaker
Stéphane Kleeb
In February 2023, Stéphane Kleeb was asked by Dechen Kaning whether he would be interested in taking part in a film project in Ladakh. The high Lama Tsewang had just visited and described the dramatic situation of the Phuktal monastery. A possible involvement in a film project was discussed in joint talks. Stéphane Kleeb has already made several documentary films in Asia, including the film ‘There is no turning back’ about Tibetan refugees, which he realised in Tibet. Both the project and the challenge of shooting a film at an altitude of 4,000 metres sparked his enthusiasm. He spontaneously decided to realise this film project free of charge to support the monastery. His commitment serves to highlight the precarious situation, document its support and use the film to raise funds to save the monastery at screenings.
​
Civil Engineer
Hans Matthias Liechti
Following an enquiry from Röne at Gasser Felstechnik AG, Hans-Matthias joined the team almost by chance.
After the first reconnaissance tour in 2023, he took part in the second trip to the Phuktal Monastery in the summer of 2024.
As a civil engineer, he was an expert and took a close look at the situation on site.
He was deeply impressed by what was built there 1400 years ago with the simplest of means.
He sees the planning and execution of the safeguarding work as a challenge and would like to campaign for the preservation of this monastery complex.
​
Treasurer
Röne Rüegg
As a retired project manager in construction, he would like to use his expertise to plan and implement suitable and effective protective measures against rockfall at Phuktal Monastery. It is important to him to contribute to the preservation of this extraordinary Buddhist monastery due to his spiritual affinity and cultural awareness. It is important to him to preserve the valuable Phuktal monastery complex and its spiritual significance for the people of Ladakh and to improve their living conditions.
Film Assistant
Silvia Gertsch
Silvia came to this project via Stéphane. As his partner, she has already had the opportunity to accompany and assist him several times on his film projects in distant countries. Her job is to supervise the sound recordings during filming. She also helps with archiving the material.
The trip to Ladakh was intense for Silvia, and the magic of the Phuktal monastery made a deep impression on her. However, she did not always feel comfortable due to the altitude, which is why she is now happy to continue supporting the project from Switzerland. She is responsible for designing the flyers and maintaining this website.
Silvia originally trained as a nurse and has been working as an independent craniosacral therapist with her own practice in Horgen for several years.
​