I’m fundraising because this small school in Nepal has become a place that means a lot to me. Over the past three visits, I’ve seen how beautiful compassion and love can be in our lives by giving support to the little monks in the school.
At the same time, I’ve also seen the challenges they face—simple things that many of us take for granted are not always available to them. The land that the school is located at right now, is facing a challenge of being taken back.
This campaign is my way of giving back to a community that has welcomed me so warmly. I hope to help provide the boys with a safer, more comfortable, and more supportive environment to learn and grow.
I’m fundraising to support this great cause, for the little monks who are at risk of losing their home. This school provides shelter, education and a nurturing environment for young monks who live, study and grow there.
Through this fundraiser, I’m bringing together creative workshops as a way for people to both experience presence and support a cause that protects a safe and stable future for these children.
Je lance cette collecte de fonds car ce monastère-école au Népal a bouleversé ma vie. J’y ai séjourné à deux reprises, partageant pendant sept mois le quotidien de cette grande famille de jeunes moines. Leur rigueur d’apprentissage, leur joie rayonnante malgré la simplicité de leur vie, et cette atmosphère empreinte d’amour, de fraternité et de bienveillance m’ont profondément marquée. J’envisage d’y retourner très bientôt pour y enseigner, portée par le sentiment d’y être profondément utile.
Je suis particulièrement touchée par le dévouement absolu des encadrants et des enseignants. Jour après jour, ils accompagnent ces enfants avec patience et générosité, leur offrant une éducation solide couplée à une précieuse guidance spirituelle. L’étude du bouddhisme tibétain y est harmonieusement intégrée aux matières fondamentales comme les langues, les mathématiques et les sciences. Si j’ai toujours cru aux vertus de l’éducation, c’est à leurs côtés que cette conviction est devenue une certitude : je veux les aider à bâtir un avenir plein de sens.
Aujourd’hui, l’avenir de ce havre de paix est menacé. Pour pérenniser l’école, les fondateurs doivent impérativement acheter le terrain sur lequel elle est bâtie. Leur ambition de moderniser et d’agrandir les infrastructures pour accueillir davantage d’enfants témoigne d’une vision à long terme qui mérite tout notre soutien. Chaque contribution, même la plus modeste, permettra d’offrir à ces enfants la sécurité d’un lieu stable, des repas quotidiens et la chance de grandir sereinement. Merci du fond du cœur pour votre générosité. Ensemble, préservons cette lumière.
My name is Sara. I’m an Italian architect based in Paris.
Nepal had captured my attention for a long time: partly because of my passion for the mountains and for Asia, and partly thanks to the many photographs that have managed to capture the soul of this country. Smiling faces, strong and genuine people, capable of conveying an endless sense of kindness.
In October 2024, I decided to look for a volunteer opportunity in this place that seemed to be calling me from afar. I found this school and was overjoyed when I received a reply from Palden inviting me to spend a few weeks with them.
I left for Nepal without a detailed itinerary. The only things I knew were that my flight would land in Kathmandu and that the Nyingma Palyul Buddhist Basic School would be my home for two weeks.
From the moment I arrived in the school’s small courtyard, I was welcomed with affection by a few children who, without the slightest hesitation, made me feel part of their community even before they knew my name.
From that day on, my days were filled with early mornings, prayers, lessons, games, and countless shared moments, always accompanied by sincere smiles. Each of these young monks is a precious gem, and the memory of every one of them still fills me with joy.
They welcomed every small lesson I shared with curiosity, enthusiasm, and gratitude. Yet, at the end of those two weeks, I realized that the only person who truly had reason to be grateful was me.
For this reason, I decided to turn that gratitude into something tangible by participating in this fundraising project. It is my way of thanking these young monks for all the love, kindness, and joy they gave me in such a short time—gifts that I still carry with me every day and will forever hold close to my heart.
During my visit to this monk school, I witnessed a beautiful harmony—the vibrant joy of children at play, alongside the peaceful discipline of their studies and prayers. These young boys are rewriting their futures, but to continue this journey, they need a permanent home.
I am humbled to support this fundraising effort to secure the land for the school, creating a strong foundation where they can learn, grow, stay safe, and one day uplift their communities. Every contribution is more than a donation; it is an act of compassion and a shared opportunity to serve. Perhaps there is a beautiful connection of fate that has brought this opportunity to them—and to us. As a yoga and sound healing practitioner, I am using my work and community events to help raise funds for this cause. Through yoga classes, sound bath sessions, and fundraising initiatives, I hope to bring people together in service of something greater than ourselves.
Together, we can help build not just a school, but a place of hope, belonging, and possibility for generations to come
I am fundraising because I never imagined that one day I would visit Nepal and have the opportunity to visit this small school . When I entered the school and met the young monks, I was deeply touched. The monks are pure-hearted, always smiling, and genuinely happy despite having very little. This small school provides them with a safe place to stay, education, and daily meals. I have always believed that education is something everyone naturally has access to. However, after meeting these monks, I realized how precious and meaningful education truly is. They study with dedication and appreciate every meal they receive, even when it is simply rice, vegetables, and sauce.
I hope this fundraising campaign can help provide these monks with a safer living environment, meals, and continued access to education. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a meaningful difference and help create a brighter future for them. I am currently a full-time employee. I have also been actively sharing my fundraising campaign with friends, family, and colleagues. Every contribution, no matter the amount, brings me one step closer to achieving this goal, and I am truly grateful for all the support I receive.
Thank you for your kindness and support. Together, we can bring hope and opportunity to these young monks.
Pour soutenir cette cause qui me tient tant à cœur, j’ai déjà commencé à me mobiliser à mon échelle. Avec l’aide mon amie Karine LELAIZANT, j’ai organisé une vente solidaire de bijoux artisanaux que je fabrique moi-même. Grâce à l’élan de solidarité de mon entourage, mon amie Marie-Reine a proposé d’animer des cours de danse, dont l’intégralité des inscriptions a été reversée à l’association. Enfin, pour sensibiliser et partager un bout de leur quotidien, Karine et moi avons mis en place une exposition photo des enfants au sein de mon école de yoga. Chacune de ces actions a permis de semer de précieuses graines, mais aujourd’hui, nous devons voir plus grand car l’avenir de ce havre de paix est menacé!
A Safe Sanctuary: Securing a Future for Nepal’s Young Monks
By May Yeen
During a short volunteering trip to the monastery, I had the privilege of living alongside the community. Interacting closely with the pure-hearted young monks, the founder Palden, and his dedicated team showed me that this space is far more than a school—it is a true home.However, daily living conditions are difficult, and the school lacks stability because they do not own the property. Securing permanent land is critical for a sustainable future, providing a long-term benefit that ensures the boys can grow up in a safe, permanent sanctuary
I first heard about Nepal many years ago, but I never thought I would actually visit this beautiful country. That changed when I had the chance to attend a friend’s wedding in Kathmandu. What started as a short trip became a life-changing experience. Beyond the stunning scenery and rich culture, it was the kindness, warmth, and genuine smiles of the Nepalese people that touched me the most.
During my visit, I was introduced to this little monk school and saw firsthand how much it means to the children who live and study there. I was especially inspired by Palden Moktan, who took on the responsibility of leading the school at such a young age. His dedication to the children and his commitment to giving them a better future left a deep impression on me. Seeing the happiness, resilience, and hope in the young monks despite their humble surroundings was both moving and inspiring.
This school holds a very special place in my heart. I hope to help raise funds to secure the land where the school stands, so that these young monks can continue to have a place they call home, a place where they can learn, grow, and build a better future. I will continue sharing their story with my family, friends, and colleagues, and encourage others to support this meaningful cause. My hope is that together, we can help ensure that this school continues to provide a safe home and education for generations of children to come.
