Tibetans In Diaspora | Abu Karma | EP 104Initiative of Stories of Tibetans | Interview 172

My name is Abu Karma, and I am a Tibetan born and raised in Bir, my hometown. I believe that I can achieve anything once I am mentally prepared. Although I am privileged to have my family with me, my story is not very different from that of other children.

I was well taken care of, but when I was in boarding school, I eagerly awaited the weekends when my mother would visit with a handful of snacks, which I shared with my friends. Like most kids, I was naughty back then. I traveled between Nepal and India, which was one of the key reasons I couldn’t speak Tibetan properly at the time.

Today, I am a YouTuber with 34.9k subscribers, a significant number of followers. I was inspired by Gyalpo Production, a YouTuber who is also a good friend of mine and was among the first Tibetan YouTubers in our community.

As an influencer or YouTuber, I believe we have a huge responsibility. With my channel, for example, I am able to help not only people in need but also animals. I never feel shy to ask for donations because it is to help others. Some people label me as a beggar, but I want to ask those people, have I ever asked for money for myself? No, never. It can be discouraging how people judge you even when you are doing good work, but it's alright. I will keep on doing good. Being a YouTuber carries significant responsibility, and it’s crucial to navigate it well to avoid disrupting the community we live in.

Interview: Kunsang Tenzing
Camera and Edit: Kunsang Tenzin

#Tibet #Bir #AbuKarma #GyalpoProduction #Tibetans #Refugee #DalaiLama