Social Services Fund News

FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund supports Namgyal Rinpoche’s efforts to provide short and long term aid to those devastated by the Nepal earthquakes. Photo courtesty of Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation Facebook page.

Losang Namgyal Rinpoche, a Rinpoche from Kopan Monastery and a high lama of the Tamang people, has been coordinating relief aid and leading efforts to provide much needed short and long term aid to victims of the earthquakes in Nepal which destroyed lives, property, and holy objects in 14 districts. 

Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation worked with Kopan Helping Hands in August to distribute food to villagers in need in Dhading District, Nepal. Photo courtesy of Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation Facebook page.

The first phase of relief offered to those devastated by the earthquake was in the form of essential food and medical supplies to 5,000 families. The Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation has been working with Kopan Helping Hands since the very beginning to provide food staples to families. This collaboration continues and with both organizations putting resources together, more benefit is offered to those in need. 

The second phase of aid was offering temporary shelter to villagers rendered homeless by earthquake destruction. The monsoon season brought great need, and also new challenges, in terms of providing temporary shelter so desperately needed by villagers who had not received any government assistance at the start of the heavy rain season. 

The Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation offering bundles of zinc sheets to Bhanjyang and Phedeghau villages in the Kavre District, Nepal. Photo courtesy of Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation Facebook page.

The third phase will be providing permanent shelter and helping to rebuild structures such as homes, gompas and schools. 

The Nepal Earthquake Support Fund, due to the kindness of many generous donors, has been able to contribute to these efforts, and will continue in the future if possible.  Please rejoice in the ongoing work of many from the Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation to provide this incredibly compassionate aid to those in need. 

To learn more and offer support to FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund: https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/

For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,”:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/

9,135 families and many individuals in the eleven most affected districts of Nepal have been assisted so far by Kopan Helping Hands.

Kopan Monastery and Nunnery have been actively involved since the very beginning with relief efforts for those devastated by the Nepal earthquake and subsequent aftershocks through Kopan Helping Hands. The Nepal Earthquake Support Fund has been able to offer grants to assist with this aid due to the kindness of many generous donors. 

Essential food items, shelter, blankets and clothing, along with medical attention have been offered to those in need by Kopan Helping Hands.

Incredibly, 9,135 families and many individuals in the eleven most affected districts of Nepal have been assisted so far by Kopan Helping Hands. Geshe Thubten Jinpa recently sent the below inspiring report of some highlights of aid and service that has been offered:

• 4,280 pieces of tarpaulin and zinc sheets have been offered for temporary shelters
• 580 tents
• Blankets and clothing for warmth
• 19,7200 kg of rice have been offered
• 20,010 kg of dahl have been offered
• 11,310 liters of cooking oil have been offered
• 4,390 packets of salt have been offered
• 3,840,000 packets of noodles have been offered for sustenance
• Many of the Sangha donated their blood at local hospitals and also Kopan set up a blood bank
• Sangha members were mobilized around Kopan to clear the debris which blocked the road so that the rescue operations could be performed
• Cooked meals were served to the patients and the families in the local hospitals following the earthquake
• Drinking water was supplied to the various parts of the city where the normal water supply had been disrupted
• Sangha members were mobilized to keep the surroundings free of garbage in order to eliminated post-earthquake health hazards
• Special prayer sessions were held every evening at the monastery for those who had lost their lives and for the grieving family members. (The first week of prayer prayer was led by Lama Zopa Rinpoche every evening.)
• An emergency medical team was airlifted to treat patients in critical condition. 
• Medical and sanitation facilities were provided to various temporary resettlements around Kathmandu
• Food and other facilities were offered to the Sangha community who came to resettle in Kathmandu after their monasteries were destroyed in the villages

In spite of danger and difficulty, Kopan Helping Hands has continued to offer aid to the eleven most affected districts of Nepal.

Kopan Helping Hands was able to reach eleven of the most affected areas:

1. Solukhumbu
2. Dolakha
3. Ramechap
4. Sindupalchok
5. Kavre
6. Nuwakot
7. Okhaldunga
8. Gorkha
9. Kathmandu
10. Lalitpur
11. Rasuwa

This aid was offered despite incredible challenges and potential danger and difficulty due to landslides, destroyed roads, heavy rains and constant aftershocks. For example, the Kopan Sangha traveled for many hours on the back of open trucks that were fully loaded with supplies to help. 

Please rejoice in the incredible and compassionate aid that has been offered by Kopan Helping Hands and thank you to the many people who have supported and made it possible for so much assistance to be given.

This aid will continue and now with the onset of monsoon season new challenges are presented. Repairs and rebuilding of Kopan Monastery and Nunnery have also started and support is still needed to complete these essential projects. 

To learn more and offer support to FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund: https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/id.

Kopan Monastery is accepting donations for their ongoing work, mention “Kopan Helping Hands” in the comments: http://www.kopanmonastery.com/earthquake

For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/

For continuing updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, please visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake”page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/

Ganden Yiga Chozin in Pokhara Nepal

On Saka Dawa this year, Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered US$6,000 to FPMT’s Ganden Yiga Chozin in Pokhara Nepal. The center was negatively impacted by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks which occurred right before the center’s busy tourist and visitor season. Fortunately, no structural or property damage was sustained by the center. However, due to damage in surrounding areas, and due to general fear among would-be tourists of Nepal, the center has experienced a drastic loss in visitors. Without the anticipated income from courses and teaching events, the center has struggled to meet immediate expenses. When Rinpoche heard about this he was immediately inspired to do something to help the center survive until visitors started returning to the area. Thubten Drolkar, the center director, said the following about this donation, “It was so unbelievably kind of Rinpoche to offer the money, kind of overwhelming, really.  I’d been so worried about how we were going to keep the center open and worrying that the staff would lose their jobs (which would be devastating for them, and us, as they are very good staff!) and then I heard that Rinpoche was coming to the rescue.  I still feel like I can’t believe how fortunate we are!” 

All are welcome to offer a donation of any amount directly to the center to help with this unexpected loss of income. 

The Lama Zopa Rinpoche Bodhichitta Fund enables Rinpoche’s compassionate service to others to flourish.You can learn more about other beneficial activities this fund supports. 

Root Institute in Bodhgaya, India, has been offering ongoing charity to the destitute of the area since 1991. Three onsite projects are now administered, bringing incalculable benefit to others. 

The Maitreya School currently educates 169 children.

Maitreya School 

• Free school benefiting local children from Bodhgaya and neighboring villages. 
• Currently educating 169 students and employing nine full-time teachers including a principal.
• The subjects taught are English, math, Hindi, buddhist principles, social science, arts & crafts, computer principles and physical education including Yoga. The main language medium for the school is English.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche visiting the Tara Children’s Project and making offerings to the children.

Shakyamuni Buddha Health Programme

• Currently visiting six villages.
• Exercise education to villagers.
• Health education to patients and villagers.
• Seven community health workers were trained for six months with health educators.
• Provides care in the medical clinic to nearly three thousand people monthly.

Tara Children’s Project cares for twenty-five children who are HIV-affected.

Tara Children’s Project

• Care for HIV-affected orphan children.
• Currently providing twenty-five children a safe and loving home, full medical care, and education.
• Children help with a vegetable garden.

Please watch this video about one boy’s journey to Tara Children’s Project. 

Due to the kindness of donors, the Social Services Fund was extremely happy to recently offer grants to all three areas of Root Institute’s charitable projects. This is the fourth year that the Social Services Fund has been able to offer grants to each project. 

Please rejoice in the amazing work Root Institute is doing for those who desperately need this level of compassion and care. 

You can learn more about the work of Root Institute and get involved today.
http://www.rootinstitute.ngo/

If you would like to help make sure the Social Services Fund is able to continue to offer beneficial grants to charitable activities like those of Root Institute, you may offer any amount to this fund. 

Mother Tara’s Children’s Camp, Mongolia. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.

Lamp of the Path NGO, part of FPMT Mongolia, offers social services to some of the poor and homeless living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It has three main programs: a soup kitchen, which offers about 80 meals five days a week; a health clinic, which offers free health services to the very poor; and a children’s program, which offers quality education to children. 

Lamp of the Path identifies its aims as:

• Supporting education, social development, the relief of poverty, health and environmental protection.
• Providing basic human requirements of food, clean water, shelter, medical care and clothing for the marginalized strata of the population.
• Fund raising among supporting donor organizations for charity and welfare activities dedicated to the poor and destitute.

To help with Lamp of the Path’s operating budget for 2015, the Social Services Fund recently offered US$39,200 for their extremely important charitable work in Mongolia.

The Soup Kitchen

Five days a week, The Soup Kitchen offers between 50 – 80 free meals to homeless and destitute individuals as well as warm clothing, footwear and bedding in the Winter when temperatures drop below freezing, and other resources for in-need families.

The Health Clinic

The Health Clinic provides free medical consultation and treatment to patrons of the soup kitchen as well as a hot shower for the homeless to use. 

Children Development Program

The Children Development Program incorporates the 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life to foster the development of moral values and self esteem in children. 

Community Center, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In 2004, the services offered by the community center were reorganized and are now overseen by Lamp of the Path NGO. Photo by Ueli Minder.

You can watch a video about the conditions of homelessness in Mongolia, to better understand how essential the Lamp of the Path services are for destitute families. 

This is the third year the Social Services Fund has been able to offer support to the incredible charitable work happening in Mongolia thanks to Lamp of the Path NGO. Thanks to all of the kind donors and supporters who make this offering possible.

The Social Services Fund contributes to many beneficial charitable projects as funds allow. You can learn more about these activities, or make a donation of any amount. 

You can offer directly to FPMT Mongolia to help ensure services such as these continue in Mongolia in the future. 

You can read an article from Mandala Publications, “A Day in the Life in Mongolia” by Massimo Corona, which outlines the importance of the Lamp of the Path NGO activities. 

On World Leprosy Day 2014, Adriana Ferranti (at right with blue bag) works with MAITRI staff and volunteers, January 2014. Photo courtesy of Adriana Ferranti.

For over twenty-five years, Adriana Ferranti, through MAITRI Charitable Trust, has provided essential education, medical care, aid to mothers and children, animal care, and various forms of charitable service to the destitute in Bodhgaya, India, which is the poorest and most densely populated area in India. 

You can learn about the the history of MAITRI and some of the work offered in this informative video. 

The Social Services Fund was very pleased to recently offer US$78,400 to MAITRI toward annual expenses and to assist with the purchase of a new jeep needed to assist with the services offered. This is the fourth year that the Social Services Fund has been able to support the work of MAITRI at this level. 

Aid, education and medical care from MAITRI is offered to India’s poorest and most densely populated area in Bodhgaya. Photo by Adriana Ferranti.

The accomplishments and charitable aid offered by MAITRI in 2014 was astounding. Some of the assistance offered to leprosy and tuberculosis patients included:

• Five leprosy patients were offered reconstructive surgery for deformities with five additional patients assessed for surgery and scheduled.
• 617 new leprosy patience were registered
• 440 disabled patients were given care at the hospital
• 320 pairs of sandals and 250 blankets were offered to leprosy patients
• 485 tuberculosis patients were assisted through outreach
• 187 tuberculosis patients were offered food and supplements
• 297 tuberculosis patients were offered blankets
• Sputum collection and testing was performed on over 1,300 individuals at the MAITRI campus, lab and in the field
• Plastic surgery was offered to individuals with cleft lip and/or cleft palate

As MAITRI explains, “The provision of support to patients is an important component of their recovery, particularly to the very poor. Blankets help reduce the risk of illness and food and medicinal supplements ensure that poverty, a poor diet and other health issues will not hamper recovery. In order to stop drug resistance it is imperative that patients take the full course of medication and keep their health up and MAITRI provides constant monitoring of patients and hospitalization if required.”

Destitute children (this child’s mother passed away from TB when she was two months old) are offered powdered milk and supplements by MAITRI Charitable Trust.

MAITRI specializes in several areas of programming. You can learn more about the services offered in each area by clicking on it:

• Leprosy Program
• Physical Rehabilitation for Disabled People
• Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program
• Mother and Child Care
• HIV/AIDS Awareness
• Education in Villages
• Environment
• Humanitarian Aid
• Animal Care

In this short video, “Seven Days of MAITRI,” you can see a brief outline of the services offered every day of the week. Please rejoice in twenty-five years of this amazing and compassionate work for those who truly need it. Tremendous thanks to all who have contributed to MAITRI over the years and enabled this ongoing charitable activity to continue. 

You can donate directly to MAITRI’s incredible work:
https://my.fpmt.org/donate/maitri

By offering to the Social Services Fund, you help enable the continuation of essential grants, such as the recent offering to MAITRI.
https://my.fpmt.org/donate/socialservices

Samadhi the goat at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary being held by the caretaker (who’s from Tsum) while Pema (the manager) treats him, Kathmandu, Nepal, April 28, 2015. Photo by Phil Hunt.

In June the Animal Liberation Fund was happy to offer a US$9,800 grant to the Animal Liberation Sanctuary in Nepal in support of their incredibly compassionate work providing shelter and care for animals rescued from being killed, so that they may live out their natural lives in peace and attain a higher rebirth. The Sanctuary benefits rescued animals, not only by freeing them from impending death, but also by exposing them to the Dharma. The animals regularly hear mantras and are led around holy objects. This way they create merit and gain the opportunity to escape the lower realms. they are cared for by a manager and a veterinary assistant, with an experienced vet on call when needed. 

This goat, Dzambhala, benefited from Animal Liberation Sanctuary until his death in March 2013. Photo courtesy of Animal Liberation Sanctuary.

Since the Nepal earthquake, animals have been suffering in unimaginable ways and the need for injured animals is great. The Animal Liberation Sanctuary has been working hard to offer support to these animals and also with  compassionate disaster relief.

You can watch a short and moving video about the Animal Liberation Sanctuary. 

You can donate to the Animal Liberation Sanctuary or learn more about the work being done for animals in Nepal.
http://kopanmonastery.com/charitable/animal-sanctuary-nepal

The Animal Liberation Fund supports weekly animal liberations and extensive dedications offered by Sangha at the residences of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. When funds allow, additional animal liberations conducted in Singapore and Hong Kong are supported, as well as efforts to save the lives of animals at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary in Nepal, MAITRI Charitable Trust in India and elsewhere. You are welcome to offer any amount toward this ongoing work. 
//fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/alf/

School children and staff of the Rolwaling Sangag Choling Monastery School.

After receiving an appeal (below) from the Rolwaling Sangag Choling Monastery School, the Social Services Fund raised $US39,200 to assist with a desperately needed hostel for young Nepali school  children. After raising this money to help, Nepal suffered the 7.9 magnitude earthquake and the school also endured considerable damage. The grant offered to the school will now, not only need to assist with the hostel, but also to help with repairs needed elsewhere on the property. 

The school put together a beautiful video about the school, its history, aims, and needs.

Report from Rolwaling Sangag Choling Monastery School

In the remote mountainous areas of Nepal, such as Rolwaling, many children are sadly deprived of a crucial and empowering education. Ngawang Lapsam Rinpoche was inspired to address this problem, establishing a free school with a special philosophy for children in the remote Dolakha District to attend. The school aims to provide a quality education, covering general academic and life skills through a traditional Buddhist education.

Starting with six children and one teacher in 2010, the school now successfully educates 15 children from poor families across the Dolakha District of Nepal at the primary school level and provides free boarding, medical attention, clothing and other needs to its students.

Children living as far away as Kathmandu (three days walk and 10 hour bus journey) where schools are numerous, live away from home in order to receive this special education which follows a curriculum approved by the government enables them to pursue further studies if they wish.

The school is currently managing its operation using limited Nepalese Government support which covers only staff wages, donations from the villagers, and some other support from sponsors.

However, these funds only cover the children’s food, clothing and medical care, leaving the school and its community with huge challenges while trying to provide an education to these children who are attempting to break the cycle of poverty.

The building for the Rolwaling Sangag Choling Monastery School is need of a hostel and repair due to the earthquake.

Initial funding for building work only covered the school building itself. By adding the classrooms, an office and a very small (and cramped kitchen/dining hall) there is currently nowhere for the children to sleep as all but one live away from home to attend the school.

Arrangements for them to sleep with local families and then in a local house sadly didn’t work out for a number of reasons, so the children now need to sleep on classroom floor and kitchen floors if they wish to continue to receive a quality education.

These children and their families know this is the best education they can receive in the district so the children endure these difficult circumstances to keep their dreams of a better future for themselves and their families alive.

Besides the obvious discomfort caused by needing to sleep on floors while living in such a harsh remote Himalayan environment, it also poses other problems for the school. Girls are currently unable to attend if they don’t live in the nearest village (which no primary school age girls currently do) as there is no room for them to have their own private space in which to sleep, essential at their age and when living away from home.

In addition to the school being unable to teach girls, using two classrooms as bedrooms with mats on the floors for sleeping means they cannot be used for teaching. In turn, this limits the number of students which can be accepted by the school despite a current waiting list of over 20 children from across the district wanting to attend.

The school aims to provide a quality education, covering general academic and life skills through a traditional Buddhist education.

The inability to accept new students also poses the risk of being unable to meet government targets of a new intake of students each year. If this target isn’t met, staff funding could be stopped resulting in closure of the school.

A new hostel and kitchen/dining hall will solve many of these problems providing the students with a warmer, and therefore more comfortable and safer place to sleep while freeing up classroom space to enable the school to accept new students. This can mean a quality education for girls in the district while accepting new students from their waiting list each year helping to ensure government the continuation of government funding, securing the future of the school.

You can support the Rolwaling Sangag Choling Monastery School directly:http://www.rolwalingmonastery.org/support-us

The Social Services Fund contributes, as funds allow, to many charitable and beneficial activities, particularly in India, Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. You can support this work or learn more about previous grants and support offered. 

Extensive damage to the Lawudo Gompa was sustained due to the 7.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks of April.

For students of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lawudo, which is situated high in the Himalayan mountains of eastern Nepal, holds particular significance. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the reincarnation of the Lawudo Lama, Lama Kunzang Yeshe, who lived and practiced in Lawudo until his passing at age 81. The Lawudo Retreat Centre was built over several years and completed in 1972 under direction from Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The gompa was built so that young monks in the area could receive a good education with favorable conditions. Since that time, Rinpoche’s mother (who passed away in 1991), sister Anila Ngawang Samten, and brother Sangay Sherpa have cared for the Lawudo Lawudo Retreat Centre and welcomed pilgrims, retreatants and locals to this extremely blessed and remote place. 

The Lawudo Library is in desperate need of repair.

The property, which includes the gompa as well as a retreat houses, a library and prayer wheel, suffered extensive damage from the 7.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks in April of this year. Fortunately, those living at Lawudo are all okay. They have been living in tents outside. However, it is getting very cold and proper accommodation will be required as soon as possible. 

Renovations need to be completed as soon as possible so that those living in Lawudo have protection from the monsoon season’s extreme weather.

When Sangay Sherpa surveyed the damage at the end of May he reported:

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s brother, Sangay Sherpa in Solu Khumbu, Nepal. Photo by Ven. Katy Cole.

I have inspected all the damages in Lawudo and am ready to start renovation work. Due to damages from the earthquake it is very difficult to find workers but I luckily found a builder and carpenter so I have booked them. 

I am rushing to do the renovation work because in monsoon season, due to heavy rain, the damaged parts will be made worse and may collapsed more. Then, after monsoon season, the Winter starts and as you know in Winter no work can be done in Lawudo. So I should finish the renovation work as soon as possible. I have targeted to finish the renovation of retreat houses. I am planning to renovate all damages very finely so it cannot be damaged by upcoming normal disasters. So we don’t have any problems in future. Due to the remoteness of Lawudo we can’t organize renovation work again and again. We should be confident about the strength of this renovation work.

The Nepal Earthquake Support Fund offered US$50,000 toward this much-needed renovation work in Lawudo. So many generous donors have contributed to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund making this offering possible. Additionally, Australian nun Ven. Katy Cole recently traveled to Lawudo to help facilitate this work and thanks to the kindness of Effie Fletcher and Amber Bamjan Tamang, a kitchen tent, tarp and rope were brought to Lawudo by helicopter. Please rejoice in the kindness offered by many to help rebuild from damages sustained. 

All are welcome to donate to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund. 
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/

You can learn more about Lawudo Gompa and the history of Lawudo. 
http://www.lawudo.com/About.html

The young children of Central School for Tibetans are offered a healthy vegetarian meal for lunch every day, offered through the Social Services Fund.

For the second year in a row, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, through the Social Services Fund, offered US$8,242 for lunch for all of the young children attending the Central School for Tibetans in Bylakuppe, South India.

In addition to this same offering last year of daily lunch, in April 2013 Rinpoche also offered US$30,000 for the complete renovation of this school’s kitchen. The children are offered a healthy vegetarian lunch that is prepared on-site in the renovated kitchen.

Please rejoice in this incredible offering which benefits young Tibetan children and their education. 

You can learn more about the Social Services Fund and its various beneficial offerings or keep up on news and updates from this fund. 
https://fpmt.org/projects/fpmt/social-services-fund/

Kopan monks and nuns worked with several charities and individuals to distribute much needed aid to villagers in upper Tsum.

The Tsum Valley, which is located in the northern border area of Nepal close to Tibet, was badly affected by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks that struck Nepal earlier this year that toppled homes, temples and other buildings, resulting in the death of over 9,000 people across the country. Many charities have formed to help care and provide for those in need following the destruction. Recently, several individual charities have been working together to provide aid for the Tsum region of Nepal. 

Villagers in Tsum Valley experienced extreme devastation and this aid provided to them will make a huge impact on over 500 families’ ability to survive.

Aid of tents, sleeping bags, and cash were arranged for over 500 families in upper Tsum. The monks and nuns of Kopan have helped distribute this aid from Rachen Nunnery with the help of several charities including 16 Navigators Nepal Earthquake Relief Mission and individuals including Geshe Tenzin Zopa, Geshe Tenzin Lundrup, Dhawa Gyanjen Tsumba, and others. 

Please rejoice in this incredible collective effort of generosity and kindness.

With many contributing to a collective effort of aid, over 500 families from Tsum were supported.

You can offer your support to Kopan Helping Hands so that the monks and nuns can contribute to help distribute aid to those in Tsum Valley: http://www.kopanmonastery.com/earthquake

To learn more and offer support to FPMT’s Nepal Earthquake Support Fund, which will be used for immediate relief and rebuilding: https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/

For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/

For continuing updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, please visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page:
https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/