TD: I think Canadian Experience means you know people. Once you know people you get the lead in. That's what I'm told. This is what I feel now. Even this University Settlement Job, I don't know anybody, but I took a clerical course, and through that course there was a connection through to a job advertisement. So I applied. Connections, that's how I got this job.

Drumcultures: You were a school teacher before.

TD: Yes, I was. I taught for five years. I taught grades five to eight in English and Social Science. This was in India. Then my school was flooded so we were supposed to move to another location. But meanwhile someone asked me to teach English in a nunnery. In that time I took a few computer courses and was asked to work with some unemployed youth due to my experience as a good teacher - I received some awards - and the fact that I had a rapport with students who had grown up after 5 years. I was asked to lead an initiative that the Tibetan Government In Exile had started. Like I said, it was an unemployment project and my role was to help youths from the streets to know who they are and do needs assessment with each of them, then give them training according to their skills, and send them to training centers. After that get them loans and help them to set up small enterprises.

Drumcultures: This was for Tibetan youths in India. Where you born there? Are you a citizen or do you have special status?

TD: No. I was not a citizen of India. We had no status at all. We are stateless in India. Every year you have to go to the foreign department in each zone, you have to present yourself and have your stay extended every year. You have no status at all, that's why I came to Canada. I had past half of my life. With the job I had I needed to travel. I had been traveling to England, and in that time I realized that it was difficult to be a stateless person. In Canada too, I came here twice while I was studying in the US, and I got pulled aside twice because they don't understand who I was. When I told them they don't get it. I was even put in a small cell. Once back in India India I tried to get my son an Indian Citizenship card but I couldn't - they were charging a lot. Then the next time I came to the USA, where my husband was, I though that I would go to Canada. I felt there I could be somebody so my son could get a good education and wouldn't go through the things we went through. That's why we came here. Just recently we became Canadian Citizens!

Drumcultures: Congratulations!

TD: I was so happy. I thought that at last I was somebody! (laughter)

Drumcultures: (laughter) What's your connection to the Tibetan community here in Toronto?

TD: When I first came to Toronto I volunteered to teach English to elderly women who do not know English. They don't know how to use the TTC or how to do shopping. Twice a week and two hours each I had a class where I taught them English. Sometimes when they had trouble I went to their homes. I did this for a year. After that I was elected as the Tibetan Women's Association's Vice President. The purpose of that group was to help the Tibetan Community in the social area, especially the youths when they have problems. We speak to them. Actually we speak to everyone. Its a women's association but it helps everybody. Every week we have meetings with the Tibetan women to teach them about Canadian culture, you know, how to move around. I'm helping others. This keeps me happy.

Drumcultures: As a mother you balance your home life with your very busy work life. How do you deal with this challenge?

TD: It is a challenge. In India I had my support system. I had my family, I had my husband's family, its a big family. So it was very easy. My mother-in-law was taking care of my son so I had no problem. I didn't work for three and a half years, though I was working at home. But here you cannot do that. You have to pay the bills. So its difficult to keep the balance. As soon as you get back home from work you're busy with the kids, the home life, you have to cook, its really challenging. Sometimes I'm just tired.

Drumcultures: The other day when I walked into your office and you told me your job was eliminated I was shocked.

TD: Yes. It's difficult. My husband has just started his own business which is not well established at the moment. I was the one my family depended on. But now there is no one to depend. We have two kids so I'm desperately looking for a part time job to feed my kids. But I'm only looking for part time job so that I could also work on my own vision, my own business... But at the University Settlement many people have come up to me to say that they'll miss the interesting projects I've been doing with the community. Even clients came to say that they enjoyed our programs which made the University Settlement better. I feel that all my projects and programs are not mine alone but they came out of the needs of the community.

Drumcultures: Would you sat that program cuts are hurting the community?

TD: For some clients it's very difficult. I don't know how to approach them and tell them that the funds are being cut. I don't want to upset them. I'm trying to find the right time to tell them about what is going to happen. I know they'll be shocked.

Drumcultures: So no more of your creative programs.

TD: You know I do a lot of outreach for University Settlement.

Drumcultures: What do you mean by that?

TD: Well, I tell people about University Settlement. I found that not many people know about us. They think that University Settlement is a part of the University of Toronto. I have to tell people about the pool and the programs. Even people who pass through Grange Park don't know about us. So whoever gets to do this work when I'm gone will have a lot of responsibility to bring in clients. I can say that I brought in so many clients here.

Drumcultures: Right.

TD: You know that when I first came here I didn't have a work permit. So in the mean time I had to keep busy, I'm not one to just sit still. I began to volunteer here and there. As soon as I put my son in the school I would volunteer as a shelter home helping with the dishes, with the cooking. Then twice a day I volunteered in a school from 8:30 to 3:30. I kept going and going. People told me, "You're on a wheel."

Drumcultures: (laughter)

TD: Then in 2010 I got the New Pioneers Award.

Drumcultures: Is that from the city?

TD: No, its from the Province of Ontario.

Drumcultures: What is it for?

TD: Its for outstanding contribution to the community. I got this award.

Drumcultures: Who do you admire? Who's your hero?

TD: My hero is the Dalai Lama's sister Jetsun Pema. She's started so many schools. She's the director of these schools. She works so hard for the kids. She's always on the go raising money for the schools. She's always compassionate. When I was the director of an office in India, Youth Opportunity Trust Asia, her husband was on our board of directors. So we always got to meet Jetsun Pema. We lived close to her. She always invited me to her home. She always told me, Dolma I'm so happy so see you working so hard. I told her once, I'm following your steps.

Drumcultures: That's beautiful!

TD: She told me, Dolma, I may not be able to pay you a lot, but you're always welcomed to come and work as a community development worker. She's a real inspiration.

Drumcultures: What is your vision? What would you like to achieve?

TD: In Canada I find that a lot of new immigrants are facing problems with their jobs, many are not fluent in English, and I know that they have the capability to do something good. I know that most of them are honest and have brought skills to this country. These can be utilized. I feel that I can help them with their jobs, finding jobs according to their interest so that they could have a better life. Because if you don't know somebody its very difficult to get ahead. Once I stabilize, I will do more volunteering, and I will help these people get into what they're looking for. You know it's hard even to get a volunteer position? You have to go to a lot of interviews. When I got the New Pioneers award I was asked, What would you like to say as a bit of advice? I said that I'd like people to know that volunteering is a good way to get a foot in the door. But when I speak to people one to one they tell me that its even difficult to get into a volunteer position.

Drumcultures: Difficult.

TD: Some people who come to Canada, not as a refugee but as a skilled laborer, still they don't get good jobs.

Drumcultures: That's often the case. What's been your biggest challenge in adapting to Canadian life?

TD: My biggest challenge has been getting to know people. When you don't know people you don't get into a stream. At University Settlement I worked hard and even got the Staff Appreciation Award. My director tells me that everyone appreciates my work and that I am energetic, but I know that I have even more skills that I'm presently using. I can do more.

Drumcultures: So you want to contribute more?

TD: I can contribute more with my skills.

Drumcultures: How long have you been in Canada?

TD: Just five years.

Drumcultures: Wow.

TD: I got the New Pioneer Award when I was just three years here.

Drumcultures: Pretty dynamic! (laughter)

TD: I get things done. I think that if you do things with your heart anything is possible. I have a passion.

Drumcultures: I can see that.

TD: I get excited about what I do. This is why I'm sad to leave my job at University Settlement. I enjoy this work and there is always a lot of excitement. I got to meet a lot of people and help a lot of people. What more can I ask? Money is important but happiness is important too.