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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 45

lower caste (Dalits). Upon understanding their situation Can you share with us an overview of the activities
and with the approval of their parents, these girls were under the Udumbara Mission?
brought by the local Buddhist group to Nagpur where
they were given the opportunity to further their studies Udumbara Mission focuses mainly on children and
with our support. The four girls have completed their youth education and training support in less privileged
studies and are now having a good career and personal Buddhist communities. Over the past ten years, we have
life. Some of them are also involved in social work as organized the following activities:
they have benefited from the support of others. The
experience with these four Bihar girls was such a • Construction of lodging (Kuti) for novices
beautiful story that with the little support we rendered, • Construction of school building
it contributed towards transforming their lives with • Annual education support (mainly funding for
greater hope and dignity. teachers’ salary)
• Annual distribution of scholarships
In late 2012, I was introduced to a Cambodian monk who • Annual distribution of stationeries
wanted to start a Buddhist primary school in Wat Kraya • Ad-hoc humanitarian support
at the Santuk District, Kg. Thom province, Cambodia. • Ad-hoc printing and distribution of Dharma books
I then paid them a visit in December the same year.
Despite Cambodia being a Buddhist country and the Many of your activities are focused on the monks of
Saṅgha expected to be well supported, the condition at Wat Kraya. Why this particular monastery?
Wat Kraya at that time was very bad. While the novices at
that time were staying, studying and eating in the same Over the last ten years, we have not only built the school
crumbling stilt house (kuti), there are some children in and kutis but most importantly building our relationships
the village who did not have the opportunity to study and common vision towards Buddhist education and the
even at the age of 12. These observations actually future of Buddhism in the country. To build a sustainable
motivated us to initiate a long-term educational support and long-term value creation educational model, we
program for the children in Cambodia. need to establish trust and collaboration with all the
key stakeholders within the community. We are indeed
How does the Udumbara Mission receive its grateful that our collaboration with the Abbot who is also
support, both locally and internationally? the Director of the Wat Kraya Primary School, Venerable

Treng Koemlaon, was so close and effective, and we
Over the years, we receive support from friends, mainly have received tremendous support from the authorities
Buddhist groups, in Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. and local community leaders. Without their support,
Normally, we will publish our program that is held twice we believe the program will not be as effective and
a year in Cambodia through social media and to pledge sustainable.
for support either monetary, goods, or volunteers.