A collection of links to websites of Theravada Social Welfare Organisations

This page is a collection of web-pages of Theravada Buddhist organisations or NGOs working with Theravada Buddhists in welfare or social projects. It came about as I was surfing the web for such organisations and being aware that many others have also been looking for such resources, I decided to put them here together to facilitate any future research.

There are many social welfare organisations run by Buddhists; many of them run by Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhist groups. I have only listed the Theravada ones here. Generally, they tend to be relatively small scale and low profile and are often overlooked by the media.  But these represent only a tiny fraction of Theravada welfare activity. My research indicates many temples, monasteries and societies have a welfare and charitable arm which were set up to address a temporary need (such as Tsunami relief) or to meet local needs in their community. These have been omitted from the list as they are ubiquitous and their impact is very localized. Obviously organisations which do not have a proper web-site are not included here too.

International

• Bhante Wimala – based in Czech rep., supporting the work of Bhante Wimala
• Buddhist Global Relief – based in USA, founded by Bhikkhu Bodhi with global projects
• Buddhist Relief Mission – based in Sri Lanka, founded by Ken and Visakha Kawasaki with projects in Asia
• Firefly Mission – based in Singapore, with missions to Asian countries
• Foundation for Global Harmony – based in US and Japan, supporting the work of Gayuna Cealo aka Karuna Sayadaw
• Theravada Samadhi Education Association – based in Taiwan, with projects in Sri Lanka and other Asian countries

Bangladesh

• Bangalhalia Agapara Buddhist Welfare Orphanage  – Orphanage and community support
• Parbatya Bouddha Mission – Orphanage, community development

Cambodia

• Association of Buddhists for Environment – Environmental protection and conservation
• Brahmavihara – Support for victims of HIV and AIDS
• Buddhism and Society Development Association – Community Development
• Buddhism for Development – Community Development
• Child and Youth Education Organisation – Community Development
• Khmer-Buddhist Education Assistance Project – Cultural and Religious renewal
• Khmer Buddhist Relief – Welfare and relief work
• Life and Hope Association – Care for orphans, vulnerable children and disadvantaged peoples
• Project Cambodia – Health care and education, managed by Buddhist Library, Australia
• Salvation Centre Cambodia – AIDS prevention and care
• Volunteer Development Children’s Association –  a school for disadvantaged children and orphans
• Wat Opot Children’s Community – Orphanage caring for children, many with HIV

India

• Mahabodhi Ladakh – Community development, religious training, healthcare
• Young Buddhist Student Literacy Mission – Community development, religious training, healthcare

Malaysia

• Ti-ratana Welfare Society – Community welfare services

Myanmar

• Compassionate Hands Foundation – Community and humanitarian aid in the delta region
• Foundation for the People of Burma – Humanitarian aid, healthcare, education
• Sitagu Association’s Projects – Healthcare and infrastructure support to monastic community in Sagaing hills area

Nepal

• Buddhist Education and Social Development Centre – Educational and social development activities
• Dhamma Moli – Protection of vulnerable girls
• Metta School – Providing primary schooling in Lumbini area

Sri Lanka

• Dhammadeepa Foundation – Promotes Education and community development
• Karuna Trust – Educational assistance
• Sarvodaya – Community development, Sri Lanka’s largest charity

Thailand

• Blood Foundation – on the Thai-Burma border to assist Burmese refugees, hill tribes and local villagers
• Dhammagiri Foundation – working with hill tribes at the Thai-Myanmar border
• Sangha Metta Project – HIV/AIDS prevention and care
• Sathira-Dhammasathan – Women’s welfare
• Students Education Trust – Scholarships for rural children
• Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu (The Aids Temple) – Care for AIDS victims
• Wat Thamkrabok – Drug addiction recovery

United Kingdom

• Angulimala – Prison chaplaincy

Vietnam

• Khmer Krom Children Foundation – Community development for the ethnic Khmer