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Karuna Trust healthcare worker and patient, India
Three FPMT centers in the United Kingdom joined together to helped those affected by the COVID-19 crisis in India and Nepal. Offering community and social service is one of FPMT’s Five Pillars of Service. Ven. Fabienne Pradelle, director of Jamyang London Buddhist Centre, shares the story:
Big problems require us to come together and work jointly to help others. It is in this spirit that the three main FPMT centers in the UK—Land of Joy, Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, and Jamyang Buddhist Centre London—came together to launch a joint appeal to help our brothers and sisters in India and Nepal.
The pressure was intense due to COVID-19 with medicines, oxygen, and medical care in short supply. Being the birthplace of Buddhism, our respective communities had a strong feeling of connection with India and the Himalayan communities, and therefore, an equally strong wish to help.
We launched our campaign in early May 2021 with a timeline of a month to send funds where they were urgently needed. We carefully selected three projects that we felt were directly helping communities in India and Nepal with the COVID-19 crisis. By the time the campaign closed, we had raised £14,151.34 (US$19,694). So we were able to send £4,717 (US$6,564) per project each.
Lelung Dharma Trust, India
Each of the three projects shared their thank yous, including photos of work supported by the donations, to our communities.
Lelung Rinpoche of the Lelung Dharma Trust, a UK charity that supports Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhism, wrote:
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those who have supported the COVID-19 second wave appeal for Tibetan communities in India. I would also like to extend thanks to all the FPMT centers in the UK for their support in helping raise funds for this crisis situation.”
From the Karuna Trust, a UK charity dedicated to ending caste-based discrimination, inequality, and poverty in India and Nepal:
“Karuna is grateful beyond measure to the community of friends and well-wishers around Jamyang Centre Leeds and London, and Land of Joy for their generosity and kindness in supporting our work in India at this crucial time.”
Karuna Trust ambulance project
From the Himalayan Trust UK, a UK charity that supports healthcare and education in the northeastern Himalayan regions of Nepal:
“Thank you for supporting the Himalayan Trust UK. With the re-emerging problems for the very poor remote mountain villagers, we will undertake to make the most of ‘every penny.’”
Packing PPE (personal protection equipment) for distribution in rural Himalayan Nepal, supported by Himalayan Trust UK
Hand washing practice, Nepal, from the Himalayan Trust UK
It was heart-warming to see so many people wanting to help and how this sense of deep connection and gratitude towards the Tibetan, Indian, and Nepali Himalayan communities translated into spontaneous action and generosity. The joining of efforts across FPMT UK centers was also deeply meaningful—working together to benefit others helps us have greater impact, but it also supports harmony in our communities and strengthens our sense of confidence and agency so that we create the causes for coming together again to help others. And how wonderful is that!
FPMT.org and Mandala Publications brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings, and events from over 160 FPMT centers, projects, and services around the globe. If you like what you read, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.
You can learn more about these UK centers—Land of Joy, Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, and Jamyang Buddhist Centre London—by visiting their respective websites.