1. What is Karuna-Shechen?
We are supporting this organisation until 2015. Karuna-Shechen is
a non-profit humanitarian organization that provide education,
health care, and social services to the under-served populations
of the greater Himalayan region. They pay special attention to
the education and empowerment of women and girls.
Karuna-Shechen’s name expresses its mission and while pays
homage to its roots: Karuna is compassion in Sanskrit, and
Shechen is the name of a major monastery in Tibet. It was
Who is Shining Hope Foundation? founded by Matthieu Ricard in 2000.
The Shining Hope Foundation is a UK charity registered at the Who is Matthieu Ricard?
Charity Commission since July 2010. It was founded by a French
family: Serge, Astrid, Marie and Xavier Saint-Arnoult. Matthieu Ricard founded this organization with the inspiring ideal
It is a grant-making foundation which raises funds online and of “compassion in action.” He is a best-selling author, a Buddhist
supports organisations for a period of three years. Its mission is to monk, a humanitarian, and a world-acclaimed photographer
help local communities live in balance with nature and animals. who has been living in the Himalayan region for four decades.
What is our mission? What are the projects?
Our mission is support projects which help local communities live Supporting local communities by health care and education
in balance with nature and animals. We are convinced that all Allopathic clinic and dispensary
three must be in balance for the planet to have a sustainable Family planning, mother & child health outreach
future. Medical camps for the Dalits
We also act to raise public awareness through newsletters. We Health and outreach programs
believe that in our daily lives, many things we do can seriously Mobile clinics serving up to 12 villages
impact fragile ecosystems worldwide. Also, we are apolitical Tuberculosis center
and not affiliated with any religious organizations.

2. Environmental awarness by training illiterate grandmothers to solar
energy
Training illiterate grandmothers to solar energy at the
Barefoot College in Tilonia by Bunker Roy
Installation of solar power in 350 homes in 3 indian villages
Non-formal education classes for women
Compassion for animals
Matthieu Ricard has been vegetarian for many years.
Through his books he hopes to raise awareness
about animal rights and encourage us to be more
compassionate to them by avoiding eating them for
example.
Why did you choose Karuna-Shechen?
We chose Karuna-Shechen because we have known Matthieu
Ricard for quite some time and used to support his humanitarian
projects on a personal level before setting up this foundation.
Their organisation has always been very transparent, and we
have been lucky enough to follow its evolution for several years.
In addition, overhead costs are paid by a generous donor,
hence all donations go directly to the projects themselves.
Karuna-Shechen also falls in line with Shining Hope Foundation’s
mission which is to help local communities live in balance with
nature and animals.
* May altruism love reign in your hearts – Matthieu Ricard