Varada Effort Project 2011 - A letter from one of our members posted in Dharma News

Dear friends of Varada Effort,

This year, our group intend to do something different for helping sentient beings. Instead of only helping children in Dharamsala area, we intend to raise funds to build 4 units (2 for men and 2 for women) of seated toilets fitted with grab bars for the wheelchair bound and those with legs problems in Namgyal Monastery.The estimated cost will be around the region of S$4,000/- to S$5,000/-depending on how much underground piping we must do and also the distance of the ramp leading to these toilets from the main gathering area. We will be discussing the details with the Monastery management regarding this in August.

Visiting Dharamsala for the first time last year, I saw a couple of times where people with leg problems struggled to get up from the floor during the teaching to go to the toilets. One was wheelchair bound and was being carried by his son up and down the stairs all the time. Those who have experience in helping this group of people will know that this needs strength and also technique, if not sprains can easily happen to both parties, more so the toilets in the Monastery are generally narrow and only accessible for one person.

Seeing the decades old toilet facilities in the Monastery made me feel that perhaps something should be done for these people so that they will have a better environment to come to learn dharma and also for the locals (many of them have injured themselves while crossing the Himalayas) to come to do their personal prayers.

The thought was in my mind since last year and this year I felt that we should not wait and let the place stays as it is. Some sort of progress should be done in order to bring a better living condition to the people there and perhaps educate the locals in progressing with time.Luckily my suggestion was being well supported by our members of Varada Effort and many of my friends.

I am writing to you to appeal for help in meeting the cost of the toilets as we are just trying to build 4 modest units with cement flooring without fancy tiling. Any amount is welcomed and I am sure for those of you who have been to Namgyal Monastery will understand how I feel. You may write to varada.effort@gmail.com regarding your gift.Thank you in advance for your act of generosity and I am sure your kindness will touch the hearts of the people in Dharamsala and those who travel there from all over the world.

With Metta,
Rita

Donors for Toilet Project in Namgyal Monastery 2011

Sher Poh Poh  $100/-

Tan Liang Thia $10/-

Pearlyn Wong $50/-

Lee Jing Yng $100/-

Deyki Tsering $100/-
Ng Bie Tin $100/-.
Jono Rusly $500/-
Ang Cheng San $20/-
Shi'An & Weiya $100/-
Natalie Hoh  $60/
Lee Keng Chua $500/-
Goh Yee Chin $50/-
Florence Lee Lian Guat $100/-
Melissa Koh $100/-.

Jaryn Boi $10/-
Tan Chiong Heng $10/-
Loh Boon Chong $10/-
Lam Peck Yong $10/-
Loh Sieu Bong $50/-
Cassell R Meyers $50/-
Ruoqi $50/-
Angeline Chan $100/-
Koh Zi Yen $200/-
Ang Kelly $50/-

Lew Siew Eng $20/-

Neo Wei Kwang $20/-
Darren Leow $200/-
Millie Phua $200/-
Liew Ngoh Mory $300/-

Ben & Kit $200/-

Tan Ming Shen $100/-

SST $30/-
Tan Hua Moy $200/-
Leau Seow Lee  $100/-
Anonymous $50/-
Joshua Tan $36/-