In 2009, BCMT set a conservative goal of $25,000 for fund raising with something very specific in mind: take our service to the community global. Early in the year, we jumped on the bandwagon of an alumna, Maria August, who had been teaching massage to Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala, India – really making a difference in that community. Her students were learning quickly, getting jobs, and hungry for more.

So a team of us, 10 faculty, staff and alumni started fund raising to support her efforts on a larger scale. We raised funds individually and by participating in larger group efforts such as the Massage for Peace clinics in the spring. By September, we’d met our goal and were on our way to Dharamsala (via Chicago and Delhi) to teach 20 Tibetan refugees the basics of massage therapy.  I still can’t believe what we accomplished in such as short period of time. We raised enough to cover the trip and then some – a downpayment on giving back far into the future.

Crib in Baby Room, Tibetan Children's Village, Dharamsala, India

If there’s one thing I learned about this experience, it’s this: we all want to make a difference. It’s joyous to give back to the people, animals and plants we share the planet with. Given the opportunity and support, we can and do rise to the occasion. At BCMT, we’re looking at 2010 as another great year to serve locally and globally. Our latest local initiative is an internship at the Acorn School for Early Childhood Development. Students (supervised by Massage for Peace instructor, Gaye Franklin) will provide Peaceful Touch to little ones getting ready for nap time. Yup, getting a good night’s sleep or a siesta in after lunch, is yet another benefit of  receiving regular massage.

Sweet dreams,

Carol Brunelli, Massage for Peace Coordinator