Speaking about the work of the non-profit organization Lotus Outreach International, which runs a series of projects for the education, health and safety of vulnerable women and girls in developing countries, the famous lama, Bhutanese filmmaker and author Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche recently shared a message about the importance of giving to change lives, even as little as the price of a cup of coffee.
Lotus Outreach focuses on improving the lives of women and girls in developing countries, particularly in Cambodia and India. Founded by Rinpoche in 1993 and working on issues such as education, health and human trafficking, Lotus Outreach International programs aim to empower girls and women to break the cycle of poverty and improve their communities.
"Sometimes it's really frustrating that it takes so much effort and energy and time to really ruin the world, but we kind of do it, you know, non-stop," Dzongsar Khyentse noted. Rinpoche in a post shared on social media. .
“And then there are the little good things. Very, very small good things. So small that we sometimes underestimate them, sometimes not; all the time,” Rinpoche continued. “We can do a lot of good things, like sacrificing a cup of cappuccino could actually change the life of a girl somewhere in Cambodia. . . that's it. »
Lotus Outreach International launched the 1 Coffees campaign as a fundraising initiative to engage individuals and communities to support their education programs for girls in Cambodia and India. Funds raised through the campaign are intended for scholarships, school supplies and other educational resources. Since its launch, the campaign has successfully raised awareness of the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty.
Lotus Outreach empowers students and families experiencing poverty around the world, in parts of India and Cambodia, and through partnerships in Brazil, Guatemala, Vietnam and the United States, ensuring access to education, clean water, counseling and health and nutrition support in the future. Some of Lotus Outreach's outreach programs include providing scholarships for girls to attend school, building schools and community centers, and providing vocational training and micro-business opportunities. finance for women.
“In 2022, 1 Coffee supported 000 girls with safe and reliable transportation to school on our Blossom Bus! Lotus Outreach explained in a separate statement. “On behalf of those girls and young women who otherwise would not go to school, thank you to the more than 150 people who drop out of cafes each month for Lotus Outreach's access to education programs. Donate today to support more Blossom runners in rural India and many more LO programs in 230!
Born in Bhutan in 1961, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche is the son of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and was a close student of master Nyingma Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991). It is recognized as the third incarnation of 19th century Tibetan terton Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892), founder of the Khyentse lineage, and the immediate incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö (1893–1959).
In addition to Lotus Outreach, Rinpoche's projects include the Khyentse Foundation, established in 2001 to promote the teachings of the Buddha and support all traditions of Buddhist study and practice; 84000, a global non-profit initiative to translate the words of the Buddha and make them accessible to everyone; Siddhartha's Intent, an international collective of Buddhist groups supporting Rinpoche's Buddhadharma activities by organizing teachings and retreats, distributing and archiving recorded teachings, and transcribing, editing and translating manuscripts and practice texts; and Lhomon Society, which promotes sustainable development in Bhutan through education.
Sacrifice a cappuccino. Yeah, spending that money to change a girl's life for her whole life. I'm not even exaggerating. It's not a metaphor, it's a reality.
(Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche)