Humanitarian

Karuna-Shechen is a charitable non-profit association with branches throughout the world. "Karuna" means compassion in Sansktir, while Shechen is the name of a Buddhist monastery in eastern Tibet and in Nepal. We provide education, medical and social services, care of the elderly, and assistance to individuals in need.

Matthieu Ricard is the founder of Karuna-Shechen. He has lived in the Himalayan region for four decades and dedicates the proceeds from his books to humanitarian projects and to the preservation of the Tibetan spiritual heritage.

• 41 projects already completed in Tibet, Nepal and India: • 12 schools built in Tibet and 3 in Nepal, where 5000 children study • 14 clinics and small dispensaries built in Nepal, India and Tibet • 100,000 medical services given every year • 8 bridges built in Tibet, including 3 large suspension bridges • 3 elderly people’s home • 7 millions US dollars devoted to the projects from 2000 till 2009 • Annual turnover of ~1.2 M.US$ • Less than 5% overhead expenses

Twenty years of experience has allowed us to establish an effective collaborative team of reliable workers, trained from the local population, and qualified foreign volunteers. We directly interact with the community. This has proven to be an effective working model that has consistently and successfully overcome barriers of language and terrain.

Karuna-Shechen’s activities have a significant direct impact on individuals, families, and their communities. We are there to help with our professional experience and caring.

We have branches all around the world.

To learn more about Matthieu Ricard’s humanitarian projects, visit www.karuna-shechen.org.