About Karuna Trust

Since 1980 the Karuna Trust has worked with some of India's most disadvantaged people. Most come from the communities which, under the caste system, used to be called 'untouchable'. These people are now usually referred to as dalits, or oppressed people. Traditionally they were considered so inherently inferior that the merest contact with them would pollute those of higher caste. Forced to live apart from other communities, dalits were allowed to do only the filthiest and most menial jobs and for thousands of years were denied access to culture and education.

Today, more than 150 million of India's population come from these extremely poor communities and the vast majority still lack proper housing, medical care, education and employment prospects. Karuna funds projects such as slum kindergartens, educational hostels and adult literacy classes that are making lasting improvements to thousands of people's lives.

Karuna was established and is administered by Western Buddhists. Its projects promote dignity and self-confidence, and the breaking down of caste and religious barriers. It is open to anyone in need regardless of their background. Karuna is a Sanskrit word meaning 'Compassionate Action Based on Wisdom'.

Our history

In the late 1970s members of the Western Buddhist Order were teaching Buddhism in Pune, India. It was clear that many people living in the slums of Pune had a strong aspiration to make a better life for themselves, yet were struggling to overcome the effects of extreme poverty and caste prejudice.

Therefore, in 1980, Aid for India (now Karuna Trust) was established to raise funds in the UK to support health and educational projects to help these communities. Child health was the initial focus. Local women were recruited and trained to work as health workers, offering vaccination, nutrition and family planning advice to their neighbours. Kindergartens, educational hostels and after-school study classes were then begun to help slum children to gain access to the educational system.

Today Karuna funds a wide range of health, educational and cultural projects amongst many communities in urban and rural settings in India. Over the past 20 years thousands of people from low caste backgrounds have had the benefit of a good education and the perspective and independence that this brings. However, poverty and social disadvantage are still realities for millions of India. The charity's challenge is to help even more of these people to take the first steps out of poverty towards lives of greater dignity and freedom.