Great Love Village rises in Buddha’s homeland

Poverty in Nepal is mostly prevalent in the Himalayan country’s rural areas. The Buddhist humanitarian organization Tzu Chi Foundation helps alleviate the living condition of poor locals by building schools, providing scholarships, providing free medical aid, distributing medical supplies, providing aid and support after natural disasters, and conducting livelihood skills training and income-generating activities for women.

In 1993, the foundation constructed 1,800 permanent houses for flood victims, and in 2015, they responded to the earthquake with medical care and emergency supplies. Recently, it conducted a women’s health free clinic in Lumbini province, providing essential healthcare to nearly 250 women.

One Tzu Chi beneficiary, Bechu Lodh, was assisted in opening a small grocery store to become self-reliant. 

While its efforts are making a difference, the overall living standard in Lumbini still needs improvement.

Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddhism founder Siddhartha Gautama. There in Kapilvastu, the land where the Buddha grew up, many families still live in fragile thatched huts, a reality that has changed little since Buddha’s birth 2,500 years ago. 

But a new chapter of hope has begun. On a misty December morning, residents and volunteers gathered for the groundbreaking of a new Great Love Village in Kapilvastu. The Tzu Chi housing project that is also found in the Philippines will provide 200 families with safe, sturdy homes. A kindergarten, market and vocational training center will also be built to help ensure residents’ self-reliant future.

The project was built on years of trust. After seeing volunteers consistently providing aid, mobile health checks, and skills training, Kapilvastu Mayor Sudeep Poudel shared his confidence in the partnership with Tzu Chi Foundation. The local ward leader, Ramjeet Prasad Kurmi, added that because of the humanitarian efforts, “the villagers are happy and feel a sense of peace.” 

Days later, in nearby Lumbini, another milestone was reached with the topping off for the new Jing Si Hall, which will serve as a spiritual home and a hub for local volunteers. 

“This will be our home, where we can help our own people,” said newly certified volunteer Rishikesh Mourya, according to the Foundation.

From homes that offer dignity to a center that empowers local volunteers, these efforts are a shared promise and a commitment to continue the Buddha’s vow of compassion, nurturing hope and empowering the people of his homeland to create their own lasting change.