For twenty years Karuna-Shechen has been committed to providing access to quality education to as many people as possible. We believe in a more altruistic world and education is a powerful tool to encourage the younger generations to be more peaceful, more ethical and more devoted to the needs of their fellow human beings.
Education is not just about imparting knowledge and skills to achieve limited goals. It is also about opening children’s eyes to the rights and needs of others.
Matthieu Ricard, A plea for altruism
Beyond the curriculum to a more altruistic world
Educational programs focus on instruction and often they do not address the development and happiness of the child.
Emotional intelligence, compassion for oneself and others, awareness of interdependence, empathy, and non-discrimination are essential human qualities that enable people to become more altruistic.. Matthieu Ricard says: “The use we make of our intelligence depends entirely on the human values that inspire our existence”. When these qualities are instilled in children during their early education research suggests that as adults they will be more likely to feel connected to others compared to adults who have received a more individualistic and competitive education who are less likely to empathize with the needs of r others..
By training young people to become better human beings, Karuna-Shechen encourages the commitment of new generations to be the driving force behind a better society.
Passing on altruism from an early age
Through our various programs, we are involved with children throughout their development, from early childhood to adolescence.
Since 2014, Karuna-Shechen has been working to enhance early childhood education. Currently we participate in kindergarten programs that educate 6,000 children aged 3 to 6 years. Before our intervention, these classes had no equipment,the teaching methods were unsuitable for young children and the classrooms were overcrowded.. Many of these children were emotionally insecure and had significant delays in their cognitive and social development.. Our objective has been to train educators in positive pedagogy and the use of play to improve and promote the children’s motor, language, cognitive, emotional and social skills.
I am very happy with the help of Karuna-Shechen. Until now, we had no materials. Now I can spend more time playing with the children. I am sure they will enjoy the new activities !
Daulaut Kumari, educator from Baglati village
We have observed that the children quickly regain their natural zest for life, play together and cooperate. They develop their empathy and their imagination, thanks to reading and drawing, and they get exercise with outdoor games. The 200 kindergartens that we are now involved with have become living places full of smiles.
Co-constructing a more altruistic society with adolescents
The values of altruism instilled in young children are fundamental elements of their education, and we continue to spread them through extra-curricular courses that we give to teenagers in 6 schools in Nepal. This is the “Better Living Option” programme.
With the development of social networks and an increasingly fast-paced world, young people can sometimes feel malaise and difficulty in finding their place in society. In response to this difficult reality, we organize extra-curricular courses, which provide an opportunity to address social issues that are not part of the classic school curriculum, such as managing one’s self image and what is projected to others, sexual health education, children’s rights, harassment, domestic violence, relationships with parents and many other subjects. Students find a place where they can express their concerns, personal challenges, dreams for the future and develop as capable human beings.
Knowledge brings the power to understand and act for oneself, one’s neighbors, and the planet. Through our education interventions , we want to enhance traditional school programs. By helping young people become more aware of the world around them and accustomed to cooperation, we hope for a brighter future for everyone.
Education cannot be neutral. [If we inspire children to develop altruistic love and engage in cooperation, we are more likely to foster a more compassionate, open and tolerant society.
Matthieu Ricard – Blog post Education as an instrument of good
