Lama Zopa Rinpoche with the elders of Lugsam Samduling Home for the Aged and Disabled, Bylakuppe, India.

Since 2016, FPMT’s Social Services Fund has been offering vital support to elderly homes in India and Nepal that provide care for Tibetan refugee elders who have no one else to care for them.

In 2023, we granted US$169,067.19 to six different elderly homes. This support has benefited over 250 Tibetan senior citizens and includes a contribution for the renovation of three destitute families’ homes in Tibetan settlements in Himachal Pradesh and near the border of Assam and Bhutan.

Offering support to the elderly has been guided by the profound vision of our beloved teacher, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche’s vision continues to inspire us to help create a meaningful and compassionate environment for our elders and senior citizens and we are committed to continue to offer support as we can.

Rinpoche believed in going beyond the mere fulfillment of material needs and Rinpoche always emphasized the importance to also help create the causes for the elders to collect merits, purify negative karma, and when possible, practice and study the Buddhadharma and recently Rinpoche composed several practices and teachings in Tibetan for their daily use.

Upon receiving the heartbreaking news of Rinpoche’s passing, the residents of the elderly homes we have been supporting gathered to offer pujas and prayers beseeching the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Many of the homes sent messages expressing their profound sadness and how grateful they are for the care and support that Rinpoche has given them over the years, especially when it was so hard to find. 

We invite you to rejoice in our collective accomplishment this year, as we have make a real difference in the lives Tibetan refugee elders by providing essential needs such as food, shelter, and medical care.

Jampaling Elders Home, Dharamsala.

Jampaling Elders Home located in Dharamsala, Northern India, holds a special place just beneath the revered temple of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Operated by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), this home provides refuge for destitute individuals or those unable to care for their elderly family members due to difficult circumstances. With its serene surroundings, including beautiful pine trees, multiple prayer wheels, and vibrant prayer flags, Jampaling has become a genuine sanctuary for 76 elder Tibetans living in exile. These residents are accommodated in shared rooms, with each room housing two individuals. The home ensures they are provided with daily nutritional meals, clothing, and access to necessary medical facilities.

In 2023, FPMT’s Social Services Fund allocated a total of $34,447.28 to support Jampaling Elder’s Home. This contribution covered operational expenses, medical assistance, as well as vital improvements such as door replacements and repainting of the old building. At present, the home houses 76 elders, although its maximum capacity is designed to accommodate 156 individuals. 

Elders of Lugsam Samduling Home for the Aged and Disabled, Bylakuppe, India, receiving care.

Lugsam Samduling Home for the Aged and Disabled is in Bylakuppe, Southern India. It is recognized as one of the 14 homes operating under the governance of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). These homes play a vital role in providing accommodation and support to elderly, first-wave Tibetan refugees who often find themselves without families of their own. For those in need, such facilities offer a glimmer of hope and a sense of belonging. Recognizing the importance of supporting such endeavors, FPMT extends a helping hand, aiming to repay the kindness and bravery displayed by the Tibetan people. Over the years, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has graced Lugsam Samduling with His presence on numerous occasions. His visits have brought immense joy and inspiration to the residents and staff alike, further reinforcing the profound connection between Rinpoche and the home.

In 2023, the FPMT Social Services Fund took great pleasure in providing an offering of US$19,603.03 to support the well-being of 38 elders residing at Lugsam Samduling. This contribution ensures that these individuals receive the care, assistance, and companionship they require in their later years.

Residents of Doeguling Home for Elderly and Disabled, Mundgod, India, with nurses.

Doeguling Home for Elderly and Disabled, nestled within the Doeguling Tibetan Refugee Settlement in Mundgod, has been a valued beneficiary of FPMT Charitable Funds since 2016. This year, we are delighted to announce that we have provided a contribution of US$57,451.62 to support their crucial work. In addition to the ongoing support for their annual expenses, we are dedicated to ensuring that individuals in need of surgeries also receive the necessary assistance. In collaboration with the private Suchirayu Hospital in Hubballi, Doeguling Home has arranged for eight patients to undergo various surgeries. These procedures will include knee replacements, spine surgery with fusion, and hip replacements. Recognizing that these individuals are of senior age and require additional care during the postoperative stage, they have also arranged for daily visits from physiotherapists. The primary objective is to prioritize their comfort and holistic recovery. At Doeguling Home, the well-being and smooth recovery of the patients remain their utmost priority and through this support we are ensuring that they can receive the necessary medical care and rehabilitation resources.

Residents of the Rabgayling Tibetan Family Welfare Association, Hunsur.

The Rabgayling Tibetan Family Welfare Association, situated in Hunsur, Southern India, is a dedicated NGO that provides vital assistance to impoverished and needy families, as well as elderly individuals and children from the Tibetan refugee community. This support is extended to the village of Gurupura, located 12 kilometers away from Hunsur Town and 60 kilometers away from Mysore City in the state of Karnataka. Within this community, the Hunsur Old Age Home serves as a safe place for six male and seven female elders. The oldest resident, Mr. Karmi, is 99 years old, while the youngest, Mr. Gyamtso, is 79 years old.

It is our privilege to offer a contribution of US$28,123.98 this year to support their operational expenses. Through this financial support, we strive to alleviate the burdens faced by the Rabgayling Tibetan Family Welfare Association and enable them to continue providing essential care to those in need.

Elders of The Old Age Home in Kalimpong, India.

The Old Age Home in Kalimpong, managed by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), provides essential care and support to elderly individuals. This year, a monetary contribution of US$6,125.94 has been allocated to cover food and medical expenses for 25 elders. Additionally, efforts have been made to improve the facility by repainting the old building.

Kalimpong is a scenic hilly town located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. Historically, it served as a significant trading center between Tibet and India. However, following the Chinese invasion in 1959, thousands of Tibetan refugees fled across the Himalayas, often using the same trade route. Many found their way to Kalimpong, seeking safety and shelter. The Kalimpong Old People Home was constructed in 2012 as a response to the growing needs of the Tibetan refugee community. The home has a maximum capacity of 40 elders, and at present, it is providing a caring environment for 25 elderly individuals.

Elders and others in Odisha Phuntsokling Settlement gathered to offer mass prayers for the swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Located in Odisha, Eastern India, Odisha Phuntsokling Settlement Old People’s Home (OPH) is an establishment managed by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Since 2021, we have been providing continuous support to this facility.

In 2023 we contributed a total of US$18,377.84 for the well-being of 17 elderly individuals. The OPH was established in 1974 with the aim of providing care and support to elderly members of the community. At present, they have 17 residents, six of whom are above 90 years old, and the remaining 11 are above 75 years old. Regrettably, one of the elders recently passed away due to old age, but three new members joined OPH this year. In their daily routine, many of the residents find immense joy in attending both morning and evening prayers in the prayer hall. They also take pleasure in sharing meals together in the dining hall, where they enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a community. Additionally, OPH organizes visits from spiritual teachers who deliver short discourses on the teachings of Buddha. These sessions aim to alleviate negative emotions such as anger and fear and instead foster positive emotions such as love and compassion among the residents. Each year, they arrange visits from school students who volunteer to assist and entertain the elderly residents. They perform Tibetan songs and dances, and everyone gathers to share a meal together, fostering a sense of community and connection.

Destitute family dwellings in need of repair.

Tenzingang Settlement, situated in the sub-himalayan range in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh in India. Tenzingang is situated on a hilly area and operates under the governance of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The CTA plays a crucial role in overseeing and supporting the ongoing efforts to assist destitute families and facilitate the necessary renovations. Their involvement ensures that the process is carried out efficiently and in accordance with established guidelines. For nearly a year, the CTA has conducted a destitute survey, and they are nearing completion, with only the Nepal settlements remaining.

Throughout the survey, they discovered that many destitute families were living in extremely poor conditions and lacked the means to renovate their houses due to their economic circumstances. Their houses are in dire need of repair and renovation.

Responding to the request made by the CTA, FPMT Social Services Fund has allocated US$1,801.02 to facilitate the renovation of the roofs for the two destitute families. Each of these families consists of three members, and this contribution will go directly towards the improvement of their living conditions. It’s important to note that CTA does not distribute funds directly to the families. Instead, they coordinate with the settlement office to carry out the necessary renovations for them.

Established in 1967, Kamrao became a registered society with an initial population of 469 settlers. The settlement is situated in  Himachal Pradesh, close to Paonta Sahib. Currently, the settlement has a population of 173 individuals and does not have any Old People’s Homes. Kamrao consists of a single village comprised of 45 families. Addressing the urgent housing renovation needs of two destitute families, FPMT Social Services Fund has granted US$3,136.48 to the Kamrao Settlement for the rebuilding of a house of one family living in very poor conditions. This collaboration between the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and FPMT exemplifies their shared dedication to enhance the living conditions of those in need.

We are humbled and grateful for the ongoing opportunity to support these homes. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors whose unwavering support has made these grants possible. Your compassion and commitment have truly made a profound impact in many people’s lives.

All are welcome to contribute any amount to the Social Services Fund, helping us ensure continuous support for elderly homes and those who are truly vulnerable and in need

The Social Services Fund, established to support Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization, focuses efforts primarily in India, Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. Funds help children, the elderly, sick, and very poor.