Respect for the environment and community empowerment are at the heart of every project Karuna-Shechen implements. We strive to improve the livelihood options for vulnerable communities by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to make sustainable use of local resources.
The solutions and methods we use are always based on our commitment to the importance of preserving our planet for future generations.
Kitchen Gardens to Reverse Soil Depletion
In India, with environmental concerns in mind and to prevent malnutrition, we offer an alternative to mono-cultures that lead to soil depletion, by planting hundreds of organic kitchen gardens in villages. Poor rural communities in Bihar and Jharkhand now have access to nutritious and organic food that is grown locally and with sustainability in mind.
We teach participants how to grow and rotate different crops to naturally restore the nutrients and vitamins in the soil. To ensure the sustainability of this project, we distribute free organic seeds and seedlings from our nurseries and encourage communities to start their own local organic nursery.
Preserving Water Resources
Similarly, our access to water programs provide our beneficiaries with a reliable source of clean water that does not contribute to groundwater depletion.
Karuna-Shechen installs systems that allow villagers to collect rain water from roof tops and store it in large underground tanks for community use, or smaller tanks for private domestic use. Most regions where these are installed are drought-prone. Thus, it is crucial for the well-being of future generations to install these methods and to teach them how to manage local water resources for the long-term.
Our systems help prevent groundwater depletion caused by deep wells that eventually cause the drying up of natural springs. In certain villages, with the help of the local community, we also dig rainwater retention dams to allow water to seep into the soil instead of evaporating quickly.
These projects prove that there are alternatives that can greatly improve the living conditions of current generations without sacrificing future generations’ livelihoods.
October 16 2020
« One only needs to become conscious of the truth for error, no matter how deeply rooted, to disappear, just as one only needs to light a lamp for darkness to disperse in a cave, even if it has been...
September 30 2020
In the continuity of Yoga for Karuna, Karuna-Shechen, an association founded by Matthieu Ricard, launches Action for Karuna, to support humanitarian projects in Nepal. From November 2 to 8, 2020, use ...
September 2 2020
« Altruism is not a luxury, but a necessity. It is also the most pragmatic way to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Altruism is indeed not only the noblest state of mind of the human being, bu...
August 31 2020
Karuna-Shechen is committed, since 2000, to provide access to quality education to the greatest number of people. We believe in a more altruistic world and education is a tool of choice to encourage t...
August 31 2020
Karuna-Shechen integrates the practice of solidarity and compassion in its education programs. These are not only keys to solving many societal problems in the short, medium and long term, but also a ...
