About Us

Karuna-Shechen is a non-profit humanitarian organization that works with a network of local partners and volunteers to provide education, health care, and social services to the under-served populations in our target area, the greater Himalayan region.

Our programs are developed in direct response to the needs and aspirations of the local communities we serve, respecting our beneficiaries' unique cultural heritages. We pay special attention to the education and empowerment of women and girls.

Since 2000, Karuna-Shechen has initiated and managed over 111 humanitarian projects in India, Nepal and Tibet with the conviction that no one should be denied vital educational and medical services because of their inability to afford them.

Over 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. Directly interacting with the community has proven to be an effective working model that has consistently and successfully overcome barriers of language and terrain. Our operating overhead is 6% of the annual budget of 1.20 million USD. It is paid for by a generous donor's grant so one hundred percent of all donations goes directly to our projects.

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.

Karuna-Shechen has its origins in the inspiration and activities of Shechen Projects, co-founded by Rabjam Rinpoche. Its name expresses its mission while paying homage to its roots: Karuna is compassion in Sanskrit, and Shechen is the name of a major monastery in Tibet.

Matthieu Ricard founded the organization with the inspiring ideal of “compassion in action.” He is a best-selling author, a Buddhist monk, a humanitarian, and a world-acclaimed photographer who has been living in the Himalayan region for four decades.

We have branches around the world that host events and work on donor development and communication. 

You can get more detailed information on individual projects in Reports.

Please contact us for further information.