Phuntsokling OPH residents receiving blessings from the His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India.

Since 2016, FPMT’s Social Services Fund has been providing essential support to Tibetan elder refugees living in homes across India and Nepal. Elderly individuals are especially vulnerable, many of these senior Tibetan citizens have no remaining family, and the help they receive through this fund ensures their most basic needs are met with dignity.

In 2025, through FPMT’s Social Services Fund, US$202,715 was granted to nine elderly homes in India. This year’s support includes not only food, accommodation, and medical care, but also upgrades to facilities and assistance to the most at risk in the settlements. 

This ongoing effort continues to be inspired by the profound great compassion and wisdom of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, whose vision was to care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of these elders. Rinpoche strongly emphasized that in addition to meeting material needs, we must also help create the conditions for spiritual practice, the accumulation of merit, and the purification of negative karma – especially at this precious time of life.

As we reflect on this year’s work, we also remember that this year is the year of compassion, in honor of the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on July 6, 2025. This historic milestone is a time for heartfelt celebration and deep gratitude for His Holiness’s tireless advocacy for the Tibetan people, global peace, and universal compassion. Many of the elders supported through this fund have drawn strength and inspiration from His Holiness throughout their entire lives. This year, our offerings are also dedicated to His Holiness – with prayers for His long life and continued flourishing of His vast activities.

The ability to offer this continued support is due to the kindness of our donors, and we are deeply grateful. As we look ahead, we remain committed to upholding this meaningful work and repaying the kindness of our elders for as long as we are able.

Jampaling – Dharamsala | Kalimpong | Dhonden – Kollegal | Lugsam Samduling – Bylakuppe | Doeguling – Mundgod |
Rabgayling – Hunsur | Dhondenling – Bir | Phuntsokling – Odisha | Dhargyeling – Tezu

Jampaling Old People’s Home joyful residents.

Jampaling Old People’s Home, located near the kora in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, has long served as a sanctuary for elderly Tibetan refugees. Established in 1991, it is the largest Tibetan elderly home, currently housing 75 residents and supported by 13 dedicated staff members. In 2025, with the continued support of FPMT’s Social Services Fund, the home was able to meet their running expenses – ensuring residents receive nutritious meals, medical care, and a spiritually enriched environment. The grant played a crucial role in maintaining stability and dignity for these elders.

Kalimpong Old People’s Home is located in a charming hill town nestled in the beautiful Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. Rich in history, it once served as a crucial trade hub connecting Tibet and India. Since 1950s many Tibetan refugees bravely crossed the Himalayas, seeking refuge in India, with a significant number finding a new home in Kalimpong.

Today, the town hosts over 3,000 Tibetan residents, yet their communities are spread out rather than organized in traditional, close-knit groups. Many of these individuals face economic hardships, struggling with unstable incomes and financial insecurity.

In response to the needs of the community, the Kalimpong elderly home was established in 2008. Opened in 2012, this home provides care for 12 elderly Tibetans who lack financial and family backing. The Old Age Home extends its reach to support elders from neighboring regions such as Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Bhutan, with the capacity to welcome 35 residents and a dedicated team of 5 staff members. The 2025 grant supported their annual running expenses, helping them maintain their high standards of care.

Dhonden elderly home residents.

Located in the picturesque Bir Tibetan settlement, Dhonden Old People’s Home cares for 18 elders and is staffed by five caregivers. In 2025, FPMT’s Social Service Fund supported both the running expenses and a special furniture upgrade project, enhancing communal spaces such as prayer and dining halls.

Here’s a glimpse of what the elders now enjoy:

• Kitchen shelves, utensil cabinets, and sink units for better organization and hygiene.
• Prayer shelves to support spiritual practice.
• A patient bed and office chairs for medical and administrative needs.
• A 25-liter geyser and pressure cooker for daily comfort.
• A big-screen TV in the dining hall for shared moments of joy and watching teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
• A computer to support the home’s operations.

The transformation is more than physical. Residents now live in a space that feels like home – organized, peaceful, and respectful of their needs. The upgraded prayer and dining halls have become places of meaningful connection and laughter. As the Department of Home (Central Tibetan Administration) beautifully put it in their gratitude note, this initiative has created a “dignified and nurturing environment for our senior citizens.”

Offerings in front of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s photo at Lugsam elderly home .

Residents of Lugsam elderly home offering their prayers.

At the heart of the Lugsam Tibetan Settlement in Bylakuppe, Lugsam Samduling Old People’s Home continues to be a sanctuary for 36 elders. This home employs 6 dedicated staff members who assist residents with daily tasks such as room cleaning, bathing, and laundry. Each day is structured with compassionate care – from nutritious meals to spiritual gatherings in the prayer hall at 4 PM.

Residents also benefit from weekly health check-ups, thanks to the collaboration with Men-Tse-Khang and Tso-Jhe Hospital. This holistic approach ensures both physical and emotional well-being.

The 2025 grant from the Social Services Fund covered their annual expenses, including food, medical support, salaries, and utilities. This contribution enabled them to continue providing this important aid while preparing to welcome more residents moving forward.

Doeguling Mundgod elderly home resident enjoying a meal.

Doeguling Old and Infirm People’s Home, located within the Doeguling Tibetan Settlement in Mundgod, has been a recipient of FPMT’s Social Services Fund for many years. In 2025, the home continues to provide essential care to 50 elderly residents – 27 men and 23 women – with the dedicated support of eight staff members.

Among the residents, 28 are over the age of 80, and nine are bedridden, requiring 24-hour assistance. The home is able to offer daily sunbathing sessions and social interaction for these individuals, ensuring they remain connected and comforted. Many residents are managing chronic conditions such as carcinoma, HIV, hepatitis, diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis, and receive both allopathic and homeopathic treatments tailored to their needs.

This year, several residents underwent critical medical procedures, including cataract surgeries and radiation therapy for cancer. The home also provided palliative care for elders who can pass away peacefully after battling serious illnesses.

In January 2025, 46 residents were taken on a spiritually enriching journey to Bylakuppe to receive blessings from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The trip, supported by individual sponsors and the local settlement office, brought immense joy and fulfillment to the elders, many of whom described it as a deeply meaningful experience.

The 2025 grant offered supported both their daily operating needs and building maintenance.

Residents of Rabgayling elderly home posing in front of inauguration plaque commemorating Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s support

Rabgayling Old People’s Home, located within the Rabgayling Tibetan Settlement in South India, has been a recipient of Social Services Funds since 2015. As of January 2025, the home cares for 12 elders. The home remains committed to providing essential support and a sense of belonging to each individual.

This year has also brought some changes in leadership and operations. Ms. Tenzin Nordon now serves as the in-charge of the home. Under her guidance, the home continues to uphold its mission with renewed dedication. In accordance with updated guidelines from the Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC), staff salaries have been revised, resulting in an increase in recurring expenses. The  grant provided the costs for food, medical care, staff wages, and administration costs. This support ensures these seniors living peacefully, with dedicated care tailored to their needs.

Dhondenling elderly home residents in Bylakuppe.

Dhondenling Old People’s Home, located in the heart of the Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement in Kollegal, continues to provide consistent, high-quality care for its elderly residents. With the steadfast support from FPMT and other partners, the home has made significant strides in improving both the quality of life for elders and the infrastructure that supports them.

In 2025, the grant offered enabled the successful completion of several impactful projects:

• A new concrete road was constructed, enhancing safety and accessibility for residents and staff, especially during the monsoon season.
• A nutrition program provided fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein-rich foods, boosting immunity, energy, and overall well-being for 20 residents.
• Urgent building maintenance, including kitchen drainage repairs and repainting of prayer wheel railings, helped preserve hygiene and safety.

These improvements have not only enhanced daily life but also reduced long-term maintenance needs – laying the groundwork for a more resilient future. Additionally, they are looking at taking bold steps toward long-term sustainability. A generous community member has offered land previously used as a student hostel for commercial development. Plans are underway to build a shopping complex and restaurant, with the goal of generating sustainable income to support the home’s operations for years to come. 

Phuntsokling elderly home resident with local children.

The Old People’s Home in Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlement, Odisha, continues to be a place of warmth and deep community connection for its elderly residents – from enabling elders to receive blessings from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, to supporting cultural exchanges with local schoolchildren, and providing regular health checkups and vaccinations through Menlha Hospital. Currently, the home cares for 13 elders, including four residents who are bedridden and require extensive daily assistance. A dedicated team of five staff members ensures that each elder receives the attention and care they deserve.

In May 2025, the home faced a sudden and severe challenge. A powerful rainstorm tore through the settlement, ripping open the roof of the elders’ residence and bathrooms – structures last renovated in 2016. Though no one was injured, the incident underscored the urgent need for a more durable, cyclone-resistant roofing solution in this vulnerable region.

In light of this emergency, the Phuntsokling Settlement Office has respectfully requested to reallocate the previously approved grant from FPMT which was for much needed renovation, to be now used toward the immediate roof repairs and reinforcement. This shift in priority is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of the elders, many of whom are frail and highly susceptible to environmental hazards.

Dhargeyling residents enjoying their lunch together.

Dhargyeling Old People’s Home is nestled in the Dhargyeling Tibetan Settlement in Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh. This home is undergoing a vital transformation to ensure the health, safety, and comfort of its elderly residents. With 16 elders currently residing at the facility – and more expected as the region becomes a central hub for elder care – the need for a secure and climate-resilient living environment has never been more urgent.

In 2025, the home began reconstruction with support from the Department of Home and the Tibetan Administration’s Welfare Society. However, the intense summer heat in Tezu, combined with prolonged monsoon rains, has made it clear that the existing concrete structure requires additional protection. Without proper roofing, residents face serious risks such as heatstroke, dehydration, and respiratory issues.

To address this, the settlement office proposed the installation of Corrugated Galvanized Iron (CGI) sheet roofing – a durable, cost-effective solution that will significantly reduce indoor temperatures and protect the building from water damage. The roofing will cover an area of 12,348 square feet. The grant from FPMT is covering the cost of this roofing project, to protect the residents from extreme heat and monsoon damage, dramatically improving their quality of life.

We deeply appreciate your support, together, we can help these resilient communities build stronger and safer environments, ensuring that the Tibetan elders continue to live with dignity and peace. 

Your continued support to the Social Services Fund, helps ensure continuous assistance for elderly homes and those who are in need.