Triumph over prejudice and ignorance is a triumph for us all.

Dame Judi Dench / KARUNA PATRON

Karuna, a charity inspired by Buddhist values, works alongside the most excluded people in South Asia, overcoming discrimination with locally-led education, gender equality and sustainable livelihood projects.

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Our 3 areas of focus

education

Education for all

Historically, many of the communities Karuna works with have been denied education and suffered from high drop out rates. We work holistically with schools, parents and children, providing support structures to enable disadvantaged children to take full advantage of the mainstream school system. Karuna ensures that children are informed about their rights and can develop a sense of agency – becoming positive role models for one another and the change-makers for the next generation, taking their futures into their own hands.

education
96%
96% Of children in Karuna projects continue their education past the age of 14, almost double the national average
education
Education for all

Children from excluded communities will be worst affected by school closures, leading to increased inequality, early marriage and child labour. Help children in this crisis.

SUPPORT CHILDREN
livelihood

Sustainable Livelihoods

Karuna supports people to break out of degrading, caste-based occupations that get passed down from generation to generation. These projects first work with people to form a different vision for themselves, then develops that vision into reality through vocational and skills training. Building networks and fostering an enabling environment, together we can create a shift in mindset within the community as well the individual that supports sustainable, caste-free livelihoods.

livelihood
Quotation Marks
The result of our work ensures that the next generation becomes less affected by caste discrimination.
livelihood
Livelihoods

The pandemic has led to an unprecedented livelihoods crisis with millions of returned migrant labourers needing to find new and sustainable livelihoods. Help migrant labourers now.

SUPPORT RESILIENCE

Karuna supports people to break out of degrading, caste-based occupations that get passed down from generation to generation. These projects first work with people to form a different vision for themselves, then develops that vision into reality through vocational and skills training. Building networks and fostering an enabling environment, together we can create a shift in mindset within the community as well the individual that supports sustainable, caste-free livelihoods.

livelihood
Quotation Marks
The result of our work ensures that the next generation becomes less affected by caste discrimination.
gender equality

Gender Equality

Dalit women often face the “double discrimination” of both caste and gender. Working together, our projects make sure women are valued equally and can enjoy equal access to the full range of rights and opportunities needed to realise their potential. Leadership and skills training enable women to become leaders in their communities, asserting their own choices and empowering change in others. Likewise, we work with groups of men, encouraging them to become advocates for gender equality.

gender equality
Quotation Marks
If women can get independence they will face less harassment. I am capable and I want to prove it.
gender equality
Gender Equality

We will continue to focus relief efforts on women and girls, who are particularly vulnerable in times of crisis, ensuring they are protected from violence and trafficking as a result of reduced family incomes due to the pandemic.

SUPPORT EQUALITY

When an individual’s life changes, they can change their community. When a community changes, they can change society.