After a recent screening of the movie, filmmaker Frederick Marx received this email:

"It was great to meet you last weekend at the Lenz Foundation Conference and it was great to see your film. Those images have stayed with me a lot and I can't shake the idea about how, when committed to our higher goals, we can do amazing things. It really makes you think when you see what people will commit themselves to do, just for a simple education.

One thing that stuck with me is that this film isn't really about a Journey from Zanskar, it's about commitment. About making a decision and seeing it through. Geshe says it in the end and the beginning about not being able to save all beings, but maybe he can save a few."

They went on to suggest that people make their own vow. On behalf of Geshe Yonten, we invite you to visit http://www.savezanskar.org and submit your vow to make the world a better place. They will be updating the site regularly with your thoughts.

Many are doing their part, racing against the clock. The Dalai Lama has spoken out about the importance of protecting these remaining Tibetan cultures.

Helena Norberg Hodge has advocated tirelessly for these people with her book ANCIENT FUTURES and the NGO ISEC http://www.isec.org.uk/.

Two monks from Stongde village have promised the Dalai Lama they will do whatever they can in Zanskar. They have built a school in the 1,000 year old Stongde monastery. When complete, the curriculum will combine the best of modern Western education with Tibetan Buddhism. The monks are also building a museum to house their relics dating back 8,000 years and a guesthouse to accommodate tourists. In addition, they recently brought 17 children from poor families in surrounding villages to other Tibetan schools and monasteries in “India.”

What can we do? Encourage responsible investment in Zanskar: businesses that grow the fragile culture alongside profits, that protect the high desert ecosystem by adding useable water not reducing it. Support the monks’ efforts to maintain monasteries, to build schools and provide free education. Encourage the region’s few private schools a) to lower tuition so more can afford it, and b) to teach Tibetan language, culture, and history. Get the Indian government to officially recognize and protect the language.

What we can do may be as simple as not offering locals money when they graciously offer tea and barley wine to visitors on treks. Respect the beautiful abundant generosity of the culture and just say thank you. Or better yet, “Julay!”

Pennies for Peace, a program of the 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Central Asia Institute, was founded by Greg Mortenson. Greg is the co-founder and executive director of Central Asia Institute, and co-author of the #1 NY Times Best-seller, Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School At A Time.

The Pennies for Peace program is designed to help students broaden their cultural horizons and learn about their capacities as philanthropists. It educates students about the world beyond their experience and shows them that they can make a positive impact on a global scale, one penny at a time. Students learn the rewards of sharing and working together to bring hope and education opportunities to the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. While a penny is virtually worthless, in impoverished countries a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy.

Visit http://www.penniesforpeace.org for more information on this worthwhile project.