ANNUAL REPORT
2020
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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At Karuna-Shechen, we are convinced that altruistic love and compassion not only are the best means to ensure the wellbeing of others but also to live a meaningful life. MATTHIEU RICARD
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y r a m m u S
A Message from Matthieu Ricard page 4
4 Highlights page 12
8 Financial Summary page 32
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Towards a More Altruistic World page 6
5 Our Actions in the Field page 14
9 Joy and Recognition page 33
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A Human Adventure page 8
6 Tibet page 24
10 Gratitude page 34
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What Counted in 2020 page 10
7 Our Advocacy for Altruism page 26
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
s d n e i r f Dear
I wish to express my gratitude for your ongoing support and share with you some exciting news and achievements! I wish to express my gratitude for your ongoing support and share with you some exciting news and achievements! It is with great joy that I write to you alongside the release of Karuna-Shechen’s annual report. Our time is met with numerous challenges in reconciling the search for wellbeing, the protection of life, economic and social justice imperatives and meeting the needs of future generations. Altruism remains to this day one of the most concrete solutions to these challenges. It is with this idea in mind that, for the past 20 years, Karuna has been taking action and advocating for a more altruistic world. The year 2020, marked by the Covid-19 crisis, has revealed more than ever the importance of this value. Last year, Karuna helped over 400,000 vulnerable people in India and Nepal. We deployed a large-scale emergency program to address the consequences of the pandemic: food insecurity, loss of employment, migration, exclusion and extreme poverty. More than 7,000 families in Asia have benefited from our support through this program. Our humanitarian action would be nothing without inspiration, proper motivation and training of the heart and mind. That is why Karuna wishes to encourage each and every one to take action in their own way and cultivate an altruistic mindset. Since 2020, Karuna has shared material and tools to inspire, train the mind and to help people become more engaged. In 2020, our teams have grown and continued to work with joy and determination. The organization has structured itself under a new governance with my friends Jean Timsit acting as President, Quentin Durand as CEO, and “skills circles” managing field projects, advocacy, communication, fundraising and benefactor liaison. This management based on our shared knowledge allows us to achieve a better balance between effective action and the preservation of our values. The Karuna-Shechen adventure, founded on the vision of Compassion in Action, has led year after year to the creation of a chain of solidarity, of which you are an integral part. I am confident that with all of you, we can make progress towards creating a more altruistic world! With my warmest wishes and my profound gratitude,
Co-founder and Honorary President
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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TOWARDS A MORE WORLD
c i t s i altru
Karuna-Shechen unites all those who share a vision of a more altruistic world and who are driven by solidarity.
Convinced by the importance of cultivating this mindset within our heart and actions, we act wholeheartedly as one of the many relays of the altruism in action movement. We invite everyone to be inspired, train the mind and become engaged. For over twenty years, together we have helped break the cycle of poverty in Asia and helped reveal the full potential of the men, women and children we support. By accompanying them on their path to autonomy and reinforcing their resilience, underprivileged communities can progress towards a better future.
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The co-founding of Karuna with Rabjam Rinpoche is a wonderful accomplishment, and one of my greatest wishes is to see these actions continue beyond my humble person, thanks to all of you. MATTHIEU RICARD
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
T O W A R D S A M O R E A LT R U I S T I C W O R L D
20 years of Altruism in Action Inspired by his masters and driven by love and compassion, Matthieu Ricard and some friends set up humanitarian activities in the Himalayan regions at the end of the 1990s.
In 1997, Matthieu Ricard chose to use all the proceeds from his first book The Monk and the Philosopher to undertake humanitarian projects. Living among the Himalayan populations, he and Rabjam Rinpoche, abbot at the Shechen monastery, felt the need to tackle inequalities and alleviate the suffering they witnessed in the region. Inspired by the teachings of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and the secular ethics promoted by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Karuna-Shechen adventure began!
Matthieu Ricard’s and the local teams’ knowledge of the realities of the Himalayan regions have been essential to the success of Karuna-Shechen’s solidarity projects.
Together, and joined by generous benefactors, they initiated with joy and determination projects in Eastern Tibet: building schools, health posts, bridges, supporting craftsmanship and caring for the elderly.
For the last three years, the organization has been restructuring in order to constantly improve its efficiency and the sustainability of its programs, and to further carry the message of its founder. Today Matthieu Ricard is an honorary president so that he may, as he wished, dedicate more time to contemplative practices while continuing to participate in Karuna’s vision.
In 2000, Karuna built its first clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal, and deployed a mobile clinic in the Gaya district, India. Since 2004, friends and benefactors of Matthieu have helped contribute to the success of these projects from France, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. This has helped Karuna-Shechen to become more structured and its fields of intervention to widen. Little by little, its projects have started to multiply and spread.
Furthermore, for twenty years, Matthieu has been turning over all of income from his various activities (photographs, conferences, books) to Karuna-Shechen, thus covering the equivalent of all of the organization’s functioning costs.
The year 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the organization. Its ideals of compassion and kindness remain at the heart of our work and continue to unite and inspire donors, volunteers, staff and beneficiaries under a common vision: to put altruism into action.
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A HUMAN
e r u t n e v d a
From the very beginning, the human being has been at the heart of Karuna, a Sanskrit word meaning “compassion”.
Karuna-Shechen is first and foremost an alliance of people driven by solidarity and universal values such as love and compassion. Together they act to help the most destitute, inspired by the universal and secular ethics of Matthieu Ricard’s spiritual Buddhist masters. After two decades, the Karuna family continues to grow and to bring together thousands of individuals driven by altruism: volunteers, friends, field and office staff, donors and beneficiaries. Of different ages, genders, nationalities, they meet around a common goal: to work for a more altruistic world.
A DIVERSE STAFF INCLUDING
1 HEADQUARTER IN PARIS
167 MEMBERS from around the world
6 INTERNATIONAL BRANCHES
France, Hong Kong, India, Nepal, Switzerland, United States
3 OPERATION CENTERS in India and Nepal
109 LOCAL EMPLOYEES including 40 medical providers 45 VOLUNTEERS 8 EMPLOYEES 5 INTERNS 41 – average age among the staff
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
A HUMAN ADVENTURE
Cultivating harmony at work At Karuna, we strive to put into practice the values we promote. How do we reinforce our ties and our presence while maintaining impact and efficacy? Our organization is based on four principles: selfgovernance, reducing ego, social connections, and a capacity for self-criticism - which permeate into our tools and daily processes. Karuna members are invited to make these principles their own, grow and cultivate them, individually and collectively. This approach helps soften communication and promotes everyones wellbeing. At the beginning of every meeting, one of the participants leads a short meditation. This practice allows everyone a small break and an anchor into the present moment.
A meeting at Karuna Across the globe, Karuna teams regularly meet via videoconferencing. The “skills circles” are open to all, encouraging movement of information and enriching debates.
100% of donations go to projects
All of Karuna’s functioning costs are covered by the cumulated revenues generated by Matthieu Ricard’s various activities – books, photographs and conferences.
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At Karuna, we strive to adopt an innovative model, to break hierarchical or pyramid codes and to value collective intelligence in order to cooperate together with enthusiasm and determination. QUENTIN DURAND CEO KARUNA-SHECHEN
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WHAT COUNTED IN
0 2 0 2 IMPAC T
402,000 PEOPLE HELPED
US$ 1,4M
allocated to social missions
US$ 1,1M
postponed due to Covid-19
in India and Nepal
ADVOCACY
1 conference 2 round-table discussions 17 meditations
90,000 hours
of videos streamed on Facebook and YouTube
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
COVID EMERGENCY
9.87
Nearly
tons
of food distributed helping 7,451 households
50,000 people helped over the emergency and post-emergency phases, from May to December
FUNDRAISING
6,576
people donated in 2020, from 76 different countries!
197 corporate patrons committed to our programs
80 solidarity project leaders for Action for Karuna, bringing together 1,160 participants and donors
TEAM
3 new employees at the organization’s headquarters
21 nationalities within the Karuna family
78%
volunteers the headquarter
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THE HIGHLIGHTS MARCH
APRIL
MARCH 9 OPENING OF THE NEW CLINIC
LOCKDOWN LIFE MADE EASIER
After two years of construction, this building is inaugurated in the state of Jharkhand, where Karuna has been operating since 2014. With a surface of 1,200 sqm on three floors, it can deal with the increase of patients and activities in that area. Due to governmental restrictions during the Covid-19 crisis, the clinic starts to welcome patients in November.
With the desire to contribute in our humble capacity to alleviate the difficulties experienced during confinement, Karuna produces and shares content to foster inspiration, mind training, and daily engagement. Videos, blogs, quotes, reading suggestions, lectures: content that can be appreciated both physically and mentally during this difficult time, a time to rekindle and cultivate altruism.
MARCH 24 COVID AND THE STOP OF PROGRAMS The Covid-19 crisis slowly takes hold all over the world. The Indian and Nepalese governments impose national lockdowns for three months. Karuna is forced to close its clinics and stop all its programs throughout this period.
MARCH 8-16 GENERAL ASSEMBLY A new governance is instituted. International offices operate independently to accomplish a common mission. The International Council votes on the strategic plan, the annual budget and the election of the organization’s President. The President appoints an Executive Director to manage the organization, ensure its cohesion and promote its vision.
MAY ALTRUISM IN ACTION
MAY 4 THREE FRIENDS CONFERENCE
Motivated by a desire to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the pandemic, Karuna staff members in India personally donate money to organize food distributions to extremely poor families and people with disabilities. This pilot initiative is the basis of the vast emergency aid plan deployed for three months over the summer.
First online panel discussion, gathering nearly 70,000 people on social networks! Matthieu Ricard, Christophe André and Alexandre Jollien share keys to better understanding our mind and the suffering we feel, as well as practical exercises to free ourselves from it.
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JUNE
AUGUST
COVID EMERGENCY PLAN FIGHTING HUNGER
COVID EMERGENCY PLAN EXPANDING AID
As soon as government restrictions are lifted, Karuna deploys a vast emergency aid plan in India and Nepal! Main objective is to provide food aid and to fight against malnutrition, focusing also on health awareness and prevention. To finance these actions, Karuna launches an appeal for generosity which allows us to collect nearly US$125,000 thanks to the support of hundreds of donors.
The second phase of the emergency plan is deployed. The food distribution program is extended to urban areas and homeless people. Karuna also launches a program to encourage small business initiatives through microcredit.
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
SEPTEMBER 27 COMMITTED ALTRUISM
SUPPORT TO BHUTAN
The GoodPlanet Foundation welcomes Xavier Emmanuelli, founder of SamuSocial de Paris, Ilios Kotsou, co-founder of Émergences, Yann-Arthus Bertrand, president of the GoodPlanet Foundation and Matthieu Ricard, founder of Karuna-Shechen, to talk about committed altruism!
Karuna-Shechen provides financial support to two organizations: the Friends of Bhutan, which helps the most disadvantaged, and the Loden Foundation, which supports young entrepreneurs.
SEPTEMBER 28 IMAGINING OUR FUTURE ACTIONS IN FRANCE Mindfulness Solidaire, SamuSocial de Paris and Karuna-Shechen join forces with the objective of «taking care of those who care for us». Starting in 2021, the «Resilience» program will help the staff of the SamuSocial de Paris to overcome the difficulties of their jobs, notably through emotional intelligence, resilience and presence.
NOVEMBER
Together, they award zero-interest entrepreneurial grants to young people in rural areas who have no guarantors.
DECEMBER
NOVEMBER 2-8 ACTION FOR KARUNA
THE ORGANIZATION TURNS 20
The 3 edition of the solidarity movement brings together 80 project leaders and 1,160 participants and donors. The initiatives are varied: yoga, sports, meditation, vegan cooking, walking, conferences... It is met with great generosity, with US$ 120,000 collected for a solar panel electrification project of 600 homes in Nepal, installed and maintained by women trained by Karuna-Shechen.
The Karuna-Shechen team in France meets to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the organization! A tribal and unifying moment to return to the origin of the organization and of our motivation.
rd
DECEMBER 9 A PLEA FOR ANIMALS
NOVEMBER 9 THE ABC OF WISDOM The three friends meet again to distill the essence of their two collaborative books Three friends in search of wisdom and Freedom for all of us. 150 key notions to put meaning back into one’s daily life.
Live round-table discussion: committed altruism for animals! Matthieu Ricard, Brigitte Gothière, co-founder of L214, and Hugo Clément, journalist, meet to discuss the suffering that animals face and solutions for a better future.
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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05
s n o i OUR act
IN THE FIELD For 20 years, Karuna-Shechen has aimed to improve the living conditions of the most destitute in India, Nepal and Tibet.
In 2020, over 400,000 people benefited from our support across five major fields of intervention: health, education, women empowerment, environmental preservation and rural community development. 2020 was a challenging year for all, and the Covid-19 health crisis created greater pressures and requirements. Despite lockdowns and a three-month suspension of our programs, thanks to the devotion of our local teams and the resilience of those we help, we have been able to deploy in six months a large-scale emergency plan and to start programs that better prepare populations for the future.
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OUR AC TION IN THE FIELD
Start of the year taking care, educating, accompanying Since 2000, we have offered vulnerable and under-served populations access to care, schooling and professional training, clean and drinkable water, renewable energies and other sustainable solutions.
The majority of Karuna-Shechen beneficiaries live in isolated rural areas with very limited access to health care, quality education or economic opportunities.
At the beginning of the year, our programs continued to grow in our areas of intervention to meet the populations’ short-term needs and encourage long-term changes. Our activities have revolved around five main themes: Health: save lives, alleviate suffering, raise awareness and preserve the health of the most vulnerable. Education: develop access to quality education for all, young and old. Women empowerment: strengthen women’s ability to be actors of change.
Long-term development
Our teams implement interconnected programs and work hand in hand with the beneficiary populations. We promote active participation and local know-how to build a sustainable society together.
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Working for Karuna-Shechen brings me great satisfaction. I’m particularly fond of the mobile clinic. Cut-off from towns and health infrastructure, rural populations find it extremely hard to get medical help. So we come to them! RAKESH KUMAR CHANDEL DOCTOR, INDIA
Rural community development: work with the villagers to implement sustainable solutions. Environmental preservation: promote responsible behaviors and prepare against natural catastrophes.
30,900
people treated between January and March
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
OUR AC TION IN THE FIELD
March 2020 an uncertain future On March 24th, the governments of India and Nepal announced general lockdowns. As with everywhelse else in the world, their aim was to contain the pandemic to avoid a more critical situation. Karuna-Shechen was forced to stop its ongoing programs until further notice. Staff are trained in hygiene measures and to remotely monitor the situation of assisted families. Very quickly, our teams witness a deterioration in living conditions of the poorest families who are suffering from indirect consequences of the Covid-19 crisis.
LOSS OF WORK With a majority of daily workers in rural areas, many are put on standby by confinement. There is no possible remote work for farmers, delivery people, or construction workers. The result is a significant drop in household income, with severe consequences on other aspects of life.
FOOD CRISIS The closure of schools takes a daily meal away from all children, supply chains are quickly shut down, and farmers’ reserves are soon depleted with the start of the dry season. Millions of families find themselves in food distress, with a high risk of malnutrition for children, pregnant women and the elderly.
UNCONTROLLED MIGRATION Without work nor money, the poorest inhabitants of the cities have no other choice than to go back to their native villages, in the hope of finding a roof and some food. Large internal migration movements displace millions of people, exposing previously relatively spared rural areas.
Faced with these increasing difficulties and risks, and motivated by compassion, Karuna staff members in India contribute from their personal funds to distribute food to extremely poor families and people with disabilities in their neighborhood.
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There have been some decisive moments this year with the closure of the Shechen Clinic and the long lockdown that we experienced, but we have learned the most from these events; these moments will help us shape a better Karuna in Nepal, where we can work with care and compassion to help those most in need. SHALAV RANA NATIONAL DIRECTOR, NEPAL
Altruism in action All members of Karuna share and pursue the vision of creating a more altruistic world.
Together, they put «compassion into action», the thread of the organization since its beginnings. Good intentions are essential to altruism, but they are not enough. Action must be taken to contribute to the wellbeing of others.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
OUR AC TION IN THE FIELD
Three months of Covid emergency At the end of May, as soon as lockdowns are lifted and operations could be resumed, Karuna deployed a comprehensive emergency assistance plan in India and Nepal to address the most disastrous consequences of the Covid crisis.
THE OBJECTIVES?
To compensate for the lack of food with emergency and to prevent malnutrition by encouraging the planting of family vegetable gardens. More specific responses are also given to pregnant women, young children and the elderly.
1,160 people
respond to the call for donations
US$ 340,000
collected for emergency activities
“
My husband is a daily worker and the only member of our family of ten to earn a living. During the lockdown, he was out of work it was a nightmare! We were barely surviving before receiving help from Karuna: food, hygiene products, towels, and vegetable seeds to grow a regular source of food in the coming months. We are very grateful! SAVITA DEVI BENEFICIARY, INDIA
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The Nepalese government encourages wearing masks, but there is a stock shortage. Thanks to Karuna-Shechen, the whole village was able to have some and thus stay safe. SOM PRASAD BARA PROJECT LEADER, NEPAL
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Family food kit: 10kg of rice, 5kg of potatoes, 10kg of flour and 17 other items: soy, split peas, chickpeas, spices, oil, onions, sugar, but also cloth towels, liquid soap, laundry... Basic hygiene kit: traditional scarves that can be used as a mask, hydroalcoholic gel, first aid kit Kits for young mothers: baby hygiene products, diapers, suitable food, sanitary napkins Seeds and plants to grow a family vegetable garden and increase food self-sufficiency Raising awareness of barrier gestures and good practices against the virus
19,000 people
receive emergency assistance deployed for nearly three months
28 kg of seeds are distributed thanks to 500 farmers
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
OUR AC TION IN THE FIELD
Post-emergency helping and building resilience Since September and up until today, we remain engaged with those suffering from the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis by providing them with long-term assistance. The emergency assistance provided the most at risk families with essential, fast and pragmatic support for their main difficulty: hunger. With the crisis settling in over time, it was essential to continue our support to help a wider public and tackle other issues.
“
When the crisis was prolonged, we used all our savings. We needed other sources of income to make ends meet, so I came up with the idea of selling homemade snacks. Without the help of Karuna-Shechen, we would not have been able to launch our business. TULSI PURTI RECIPIENT, INDIA
OUR POST-EMERGENCY ACTIONS INCLUDED Food aid We have extended this support to urban homes, marginalised communities and people with disabilities. In addition to providing food, we continue to plant vegetable gardens.
Distance Education We have supported schools in rural areas to ensure continuity of courses and prepared them to receive students safely.
Support for entrepreneurship We have accompanied men and women in the creation of micro-companies to ensure additional income for families, particularly through microcredit.
Health care facilities We trained people to produce hydroalcoholic gel and masks, and to promote preventive measures and therefore a healthier life.
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THE IMPACT IN NEPAL
THE IMPACT IN INDIA
8,360 people supported
22,600 people supported
1,500 children
4,520 families
received supplies and individualized home schooling
received food packages and seeds to grow vegetables
10 women trained to sew 7,800 masks
150 blankets
and hundreds of sanitary napkins
distributed to homeless people
600 pregnant women and 1,200 infants
153 people
received a nutrition kit specific to their diet
benefited from small business initiative support
“
It was essential that children did not lose touch with their studies. So we brought the school home, with homework and activities delivered to their door. Among teenagers, online courses via WhatsApp have been a huge success! Online training for our social worker teams has ensured the deployment of tools and working methods to overcome the challenges of a pandemic. SHAMSUL AKHTAR NATIONAL DIRECTOR, INDIA
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OUR AC TION IN THE FIELD
End of year resuming our programs In parallel with the post-emergency programs, the end of the year marks the gradual resumption of activities in our usual areas of intervention. Health, education, women’s empowerment, environmental preservation and support for rural communities - our programs are interconnected and operate together to deliver what people need most in the short term while promoting long-term change. Here are three examples of our thirty ongoing programs.
SOLAR ELECTRIFICATION BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS NEPAL To provide rural people with a sustainable solution, respectful of the environment and of health, through the economic empowerment of women. ACTIVITIES •T raining women in solar electrification and entrepreneurship • Manufacturing and installing of solar panels •S etting up maintenance and repair workshops
12
women trained from 6 villages
600 homes equipped with solar panels
6
workshops for repairing and maintenance
CARING FOR CHILDREN AND MOTHERS INDIA To improve the health of mothers and their children. To promote the healthy development of toddlers. ACTIVITIES • Awareness programs on pregnancy, the child’s first years, and malnutrition • Menstrual hygiene awareness and pad distribution • Kindergarten teacher training and supply of toys
163,532 sanitary pads distributed
38 menstrual hygiene awareness sessions
6,840
children in 191 accompanied kindergartens
ORGANIC VEGETABLE GARDENS INDIA To provide access to quality food that respects the environment and generates additional income. ACTIVITIES •D istribution of vegetable seeds and fruit trees • I nstallation of drip irrigation and rainwater collection systems •T raining in vermicomposting and organic farming techniques
45,279 households grow a vegetable garden
352
homes use drip irrigation
203 vermicomposting kits
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
OUR AC TION IN THE FIELD
An unprecedented year to prepare for the future The year 2020 was exceptional. Despite the difficulties encountered by all, we learned a lot during this period. The health crisis has forced everyone to act immediately and adapt over time. The circumstances played a catalytic role, accelerating reflections and actions, and also creating opportunities to imagine the future. Karuna-Shechen took advantage of this pivotal period to assess and deepen the impact of its programs, imagine new activities and clarify its vision.
TAKING TIME TO RETHINK OUR IMPACT At the end of the year, we took the time to study all of our programs, to question our methods of action and results, and also to analyze our strengths and weaknesses. During several strategic reflection sessions, the field teams, with members of our office headquarters, shared their views on the past, present and future of the organization. From these exchanges emerged a global vision that will guide all our interventions in Nepal, India, France and elsewhere for the next three years.
FUTURE ACTIONS IN FRANCE In 2020, we initiated a reflection to act outside Asia. Within the «Resilience» project, Mindfulness Solidaire, the SamuSocial de Paris and Karuna-Shechen joined forces to “take care of those who care for us”. From 2021, social workers, doctors and administrative staff of the SamuSocial de Paris will be accompanied to overcome the daily difficulties of their jobs, notably through emotional intelligence, resilience and presence.
A NEW VISUAL IDENTITY For the past three years, the association has continued its efforts to constantly improve the effectiveness and sustainability of its programs, and to further spread the message of its founder. The clarification of our vision, values and commitments led us to define a new visual identity and develop a new website, still to come.
Holistic and local approach
Our approach is focused on the beneficiaries and on local knowledge. Our programs are based on the active participation of communities. Our teams in Asia are made up of local professionals only.
“
Karuna-Shechen is at a turning point in its evolution cycle. Strategic thinking sessions provide a unique opportunity for all field staff to express themselves and contribute to overall improvement. We were delighted to have a very participative exchange and a strong commitment from the local people in the areas we want to support. JAVED MIRI INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR
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TIBET Since the beginning of Karuna-Shechen, we have been working in Eastern Tibet to help nomadic people and the most disadvantaged. Our projects in this region provide local people with access to education, medical services, care for the elderly, infrastructure and cultural preservation initiatives. The general situation in Tibet still presents many challenges for humanitarian organizations, especially for local teams. That is why we are voluntarily limiting our reporting on this region.
“
We live in a fundamentally interdependent world. Our wellbeing and our ill-being are built with others, through others. MATTHIEU RICARD
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y c a c o v d OUR a
FOR ALTRUISM Karuna is one of the many service relays of the altruism in action movement. By changing our view on the world and on all sentient beings, we can change ourselves and then act to improve the living conditions of all. In 2020, Karuna initiated advocacy actions for altruism: round tables, conferences, exhibitions, meditations, spaces of expression, personal initiatives projects, etc. We invite everyone to be inspired, to cultivate altruism and to engage.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
O U R A D V O C A C Y F O R A LT R U I S M
Getting inspired changing your view of the world Wonder is a positive feeling that allows us to be inspired, to change the way we look at the world and to become aware of the beauty of the environment that surrounds us and of all the living beings who share the planet with us.
“
The idea of paying tribute to the wonders of our world, to the inner qualities of beings and to the beauty of life in all its forms can be a constant source of inspiration. MATTHIEU RICARD
■ April 22th - Earth Day! Karuna reaffirms its commitment to raising awareness of the role of our daily actions in environmental degradation. Inspired by the beauty of all beings and nature, wonder motivates our actions.
For one year, the GoodPlanet Foundation hosted an outdoor photographic exhibition on the occasion of the release of Matthieu Ricard’s book Wonderment.
■ A round-table talk on commitment to animal welfare with Brigitte Gothière, founder of the animal welfare organization L214 and Hugo Clément, journalist and international reporter.
#KarunaWonder
everyone is invited to share a photo of their vision of wonder on social media.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
O U R A D V O C A C Y F O R A LT R U I S M
Training changing yourself Karuna-Shechen offers resources for understanding and tools for training our hearts and minds to cultivate our altruistic potential. Inspired by Matthieu Ricard and nurtured by a network of friends, we invite you to take care of yourself and others. Through the training of the mind, we can free ourselves from the causes of suffering and strive for inner freedom. Studies show that only five minutes of meditation a day already have a positive effect. ■ May 4th - First round-table talk organized by Karuna bringing together Matthieu Ricard, Christophe André and Alexandre Jollien. In a discussion hosted by Ilios Kotsou, the three friends share tools to better cope with suffering and make us discover meditation. More than 70,000 spectators and 8,000 comments on social networks. Watch in replay!
Seventeen live meditations on Karuna’s Facebook page, guided by friends of the organization, on the themes of self-compassion, kindness, altruism and many others, for young and old!
“ VIDEOS We regularly broadcast meditations and philosophical reflections to understand and train our minds.
We can practice altruism like we learn to play the piano, like any other ability we are used to cultivating in life. Both the contemplative sciences and neuroscience show us that this is feasible, because these qualities are innate abilities that can be developed through regular practice. MATTHIEU RICARD
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
O U R A D V O C A C Y F O R A LT R U I S M
Getting involved changing the world Karuna-Shechen offers concrete initiatives to encourage all those who want to put altruism into action on a daily basis - whether to support Karuna-Shechen, another association or any individual.
“
When altruists join forces, they can generate a tremendous power for good. Everyone can mobilize in their own way and cultivate an altruistic mindset to become a link in the immense chain of solidarity that transcends borders, castes, genders and religions. MATTHIEU RICARD
MAKE A DONATION Each year, Karuna-Shechen counts on the generosity of thousands of benefactors. Their support is invaluable and vital to the continuation of our activities. ■A ccording to their abilities, everyone can participate in Karuna-Shechen’s projects. Donations can be made online on our 100% secure platform. We are committed to transferring each donation entirely to our activities, to providing regular proof of their proper use - in complete transparency - and to measuring our impact. ■K aruna-Shechen is also able to receive bequests, donations and life insurance policies, regardless of the country of origin, for people who wish to include the association in their will.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
INFORMING, SHARING, RAISING AWARENESS Everyone can be a transmitter of altruism by participating in spreading this state of mind. ■ Getting informed, sharing what inspires us with others, and discussing it, is also taking action! Articles, thoughts, testimonies, videos, meditations... our content can easily be shared thanks to digital tools, especially via social networks. ■ In 2021, we will deploy a new website, to centralise resources on altruism, meditation, and our humanitarian actions.
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By donating every month, Karuna-Shechen is able to carry out its work in the long term. This is essential to help more and more people to become autonomous and actors of their own development. THIERRY B. REGULAR DONOR
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Fondée par Matthieu Ricard en 2000, Karuna-Shechen agit et plaide pour un monde plus altruiste
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“ Education
Environnement
Développement
Développer les capacités des femmes à devenir vecteur de changement
We believe that a company not only can, but should, be a good corporate citizen. Karuna works in Nepal, a country Nos missions close to our hearts where tea is synonymous with renewal and hope. Palais des Thés and its employees are happy to contribute to a project Se transformer S’inspirer Agir that promotes the pour mieux autonomy de la beauté du monde pour un monde changer le monde pour agir plus altruiste of the Nepalese population. Autonomisation
More than 350 people have already set up a solidarity project: yoga classes, meditation, photo sales, a plantbased cooking workshop, a concert, etc. Everyone can act according to their means and invite their friends and family to participate by making a donation. In 2020, for its third edition, Action For Karuna brought together more than 80 project leaders and more than 1,200 participants and donors during a week of solidarity. Together, they raised US$42,500 to support a solar electrification project in Nepal!
Découvrir
Résilience
S’émerveiller
Alone or in a group, by joining the Action For Karuna movement, everyone can deploy their creativity and talents for the benefit of solidarity.
S'entraîner
S’engager
FRANÇOIS-XAVIER DELMAS PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER, PALAIS DES THÉS
Nos actualités
Restez informés En vous inscrivant à la Newsletter, vous recevrez nos dernières actualités.
BEING A VOLUNTEER Everyone’s time and skills are precious for building a better world. ■K aruna-Shechen cannot accommodate volunteers on its missions in India and Nepal. We therefore invite everyone to get involved and become a volunteer for the cause that is close to their heart. All over the world, many organizations are looking for volunteers. Acting locally is often the best way to have a real impact!
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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l a SUMMARY i c n a fin In 2020, Karuna-Shechen benefited from the generosity of thousands of benefactors around the world.
Karuna-Shechen’s overall budget in 2020 was US$3.3M, of which US$1.4M was dedicated to our social missions in India and Nepal. Administrative and operating costs accounted for 20% of the overall budget, entirely covered by cumulated revenues from Matthieu Ricard’s activities over several years.
OVERALL BUDGET US$ 3,3M
RESOURCES US$ 3,9M
Missions deployed in India 30.0% Missions postponed in India* 10.2% Missions deployed in Nepal 12.9% Missions postponed in Nepal* 24.7% Missions in France 1.0% Missions in Buthan 0.8% Operating costs 11.6% Communication and collection costs 8.9%
Individual donors 63.7% Grants from associations and foundations 17.0% Corporate sponsorship 7.4% Matthieu Ricard's activities and copyright 5.7% Local partners 3.9% Contributions from beneficiaries 2.3%
* Many programmes could not be deployed due to the Covid-19 crisis, including government lockdowns and restrictions. This represents a budget of US$1.14M which will be carried forward when the situation allows.
PROJECTS IN INDIA US$ 1,0M
PROJECTS IN NEPAL US$ 0,4M
Health 17.4% Jharkhand Clinic Construction 15.2%
Health 54.1%
Covid Emergency 14.3%
Covid Emergency 9.6%
Community Development & Environment 37.4%
Community Development & Women Empowerment 17.1%
Woman & Child Development 7.8% Running Costs 8.0%
Education 13.7% Running Costs 5.5%
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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n o i t i n recog
JOY AND
Our hearts are filled with gratitude for all those who make our solidarity actions possible through their generosity and loyalty.
US$ 50,000 AND MORE
Anonymous François Bovey (Switzerland) Maryse Goeminne-Bernabé (Belgium) The Hawk Rock Foundation (USA) Hershey Family Foundation (USA) Huang Yu Zi and Huang Chen Mei Yu (Taiwan) Anne-Sophie Pastel Dubanton (Portugal) Association Santé Éducation Recherche - SER (Switzerland)
US$ 20,000 TO US$ 49,999
Anonymous Allary Editions (France) American Himalayan Foundation (United States) Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg (USA) Claire Barnes (Malaysia) Ganesha Foundation (Switzerland) The George Family Foundation (USA) Rajiv and Latika Jain - GQG Partners (USA) Madeleine and Jacques Maire (Switzerland) XBG Consulting Partners (Switzerland)
US$ 5,000 TO US$ 19,999
Anonymous Azure Wealth Switzerland (Switzerland) Aliette and Jérôme Balladur, Ayovie (Austria) Marie Baudron (United Kingdom) Laure Brolliet (Switzerland) Jean-Michel Cayla (France) Kepler Cheuvreux (France) Bruno Corre (France) Marie-Christine Couderc (France) Crossknowledge (France) Susan and Richard Davidson (United States) Christine and Jean-Michel Denis (France) Mariam Diaz Garcia (Switzerland) Emergences (Belgium) Viviane and Gaëtan Flipo (France) Cristina Funes-Noppen (Belgium) Thomas Gerber Neidhart (Switzerland) Véronique de Germond (Switzerland) Geneviève Hubert (France) Matthias Kilburg (Germany) Thomas McCoy (United States) Michael J. and Alexandra Palko Foundation (USA) Michèle and Bertrand Piccard (Switzerland) Isabelle and Denis Pierron (France) Marc Poncin (France) Louis-Pierre Porte (France) Brigitte Van Klaveren (Monaco) Robert Wallstein (France)
“
It is with great joy that I am committed with you, dear benefactors, to the mission of Karuna-Shechen. I am deeply grateful for the support you provide us day after day. Your presence carries a strong message of encouragement for the communities we support and for our volunteers. By wholeheartedly supporting them, we cultivate this precious bond of friendship and trust that unites us to one another. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. CATHERINE LALIVE D’EPINAY COORDINATOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CIRCLE OF PHILANTHROPISTS AND DIRECTOR OR KARUNA-SHECHEN SWITZERLAND
■ A special thanks to our anonymous donors around the world, and to all our dear friends for their precious support: Laurence d’Aboville, Guillaume Allary, Christophe André, Yann Arthus-Bertrand & the GoodPlanet Foundation, Séverine B. who inspired us so much, Patrice Géraudie, Fleur Gimond, Alexandre Jollien, Caroline Lesire, Ilios Kotsou & Emergences, Catherine Meyer, Pierre Planté, EPSON, the Jane Goodall Institute, L214, Mindfulness Solidaire, Minimento, One Action, Rencontres Perspectives, SamuSocial de Paris, and Studio Avenir. ■ Heartfelt thoughts for the benefactors who left us in 2020: Claire, Ellen and Stephano, Marie-Noëlle.
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GRATITUDE Since 2000, Karuna-Shechen, based on the vision of Compassion in Action, has carried out hundreds of projects benefiting millions of people. This adventure is possible only thanks to the interdependence that unites the beneficiaries, donors, volunteers, friends and teams. Only together can we accomplish even more and move towards a more altruistic world!
u o y k n T ha
e c n e s e r p r u o all for y by our side
This activity report is dedicated to our friend Jean-Pierre, whose sudden passing saddened the whole Karuna family. We pay tribute to his commitment for so many years, to his giant heart, his humility and his joviality.
ANNUAL REPORT
2020
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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 not only the noblest state of mind of the human being, but also the only concept which reconciles the requirements of the short, medium and long terms, in order to shift towards a solidarity economy, for the wellbeing of citizens and a much greater consideration of the fate of future generations and of the eight million species with which we share the biosphere. MATTHIEU RICARD
CONTACT DONATION@KARUNA-SHECHEN.ORG COPYRIGHT PHOTOS KARUNA-SHECHEN, MATTHIEU RICARD, OLIVIER ADAM, JON SCHMIDT, DELPHINE JOLY GRAPHIC DESIGN &ESPERLUETTE (FLEUR GIMOND GRAPHISME) WRITING MORGANE, MANON, SÉBASTIEN PRINTING DU PONT DE CLAIX PRINTING COMPANY, IMPRIM’VERT LABEL, ON RECYCLED SEMI-MAT COATED PAPER
WWW.KARUNA-SHECHEN.ORG