Dharmagiri Outreach
"The special challenge facing Buddhism in our age is to stand up
as an advocate for justice in the world, a voice of conscience for those victims of social, economic and political injustice who cannot stand up for themselves. This is a deeply ethical challenge marking a watershed in the modern expression of Buddhism"
as an advocate for justice in the world, a voice of conscience for those victims of social, economic and political injustice who cannot stand up for themselves. This is a deeply ethical challenge marking a watershed in the modern expression of Buddhism"
- Bhikkhu Bodhi
Dharmagiri Outreach was initiated in 1995 in the rural areas local to Dharmagiri and the Buddhist Retreat Centre. These are areas where social cohesion, economic empowerment and overall well being have been severely disrupted due to the brutal consequences of legislated Apartheid and a devastating turf war between the IFP & ANC leading up to the first free elections in 1994. The consequent break down of community and default to violence also laid the ground for this area to become one of the main epicentres of the HIV/Aids pandemic in South Africa and in the world. Much of the true impact of the pandemic is still hidden from public awareness; the ubiquitous funerals, the alarming increase of orphaned and vulnerable children, the lack of information, food security and access to basic facilities alongside the difficulty in accessing treatment and the ease with which the HIV virus spreads This is coupled with the numbing effect due to years of government denial, community stigma and deeply entrenched gender inequality. With the help of our many supporters, in particular San Francisco Insight, and London Insight, Dharmagiri Outreach has been able to make a difference.
Since 1995 Dharmagiri Outreach has initiated and supports:
- Khuphuka Project
- Woza Moya Project
- HIV/Aids educational workshops
- Prison meditation groups in South African Prisons
- Skills trainings & Student sponsorship,
- School computers, water systems, school building upgrades
- Land acquisition and a staff building at the Buddhist Retreat Centre
- Small loans for funerals, buildings and general welfare
Dharmagiri Outreach is currently supporting the Khuphuka Project: www.khuphuka.org
Khuphuka 3 year Strategic Plan:
The Khuphuka Project’s mission is to support and empower those living with and affected by HIV and AIDS using dynamic, innovative and compassionate responses. These responses include the delivery of high quality home based care, paralegal and youth services, child protection and HIV and AIDS awareness and education programmes. It operates in the KwaSani district KwaZulu Natal at mQuatsheni community on the border of Lesotho. To read more please go to www.khuphuka.org
Clowns Without Borders Visit Khuphuka Project
Khanyisa Project: Ubuntu and Spiritual Warriors in KwaZulu: http://vimeo.com/27334361
"How does the dharma teach the proper way of life? It shows us how to live. It has many ways of showing it - on roots or trees or just in front of you. It is a teaching but not in words. So still the mind, the heart, and learn to watch. You'll find the whole dharma revealing itself here and now. At what other time and place are you going to look?" Ajahn Chah
“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” Nelson Mandela
Woza Moya Project was co-founded by the Buddhist Retreat Centre, Dharmagiri Outreach and San Francisco Insight. It is currently directed and managed by Sue Hedden, Jane Nxsana and Benidicta Ndlovu, and operates out of Chibini Valley in the Ufafa region of Ixopo, KwaZulu Natal,next to the Buddhist Retreat Centre. It started in 2001 and has a highly trained team of 30+ Community Care Workers alongside a Paralegal service and service for Orphaned Vulnerable Children.
Prison Project
"It is said that no-one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” Nelson Mandela
"It is said that no-one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” Nelson Mandela
This is headed by Dharmagiri director JP Meyer who is developing a service that supports meditation groups within prisons. Currently he supports three groups in Baviaanspoort prison in Pretoria, Kutama prison in Louis Trichardt and Johannesburg Correctional Centre in Roodepoort by guiding through correspondence and providing Dharma materials and family packages. Currently JP is exploring the possibility of also providing meditation workshops.
The Nkululeko
Foundation
Over the years, DGO has supported a number of young people by helping them to access educational and skills training opportunities otherwise prohibited to them due to poverty. DGO is in the process of developing 'The Nkululeko Foundation' to empower young people in ways that enables them to fulfil their potential . The name of the foundation is in honour of a young man, Sydney Nkululeko Chagwe that Kittisaro and Thanissara supported and guided for 14 years until his untimely death due to being shot while on duty as a police cadet. Nkululeko means ‘Freedom.’