Making a difference
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Home / What We Do / Helping the Community
We hope to create a more compassionate world
HELPING THE VULNERABLE
Soup Kitchen
We believe that food inequality, poverty and homelessness are real social issues that can be alleviated through genuine effort and compassion. Towards this end, and inspired by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s experiences of homelessness and hunger in his youth, we serve the homeless, urban poor and marginalised communities of Malaysia through our non-profit charitable arm, Kechara Soup Kitchen.
We assist the most vulnerable people in our community regardless of race or religion through three complementary initiatives.
Soup Kitchen
Soup Kitchen
1.3 million
meals
15,000
deserving recipients
9,500
homeless helped
Food Bank
Food Bank
2.2 million
kgs of food
17,500
families
146,000
people
Empowerment
Empowerment
150
participants
RM85,000
income
Our work is made possible with the incredible support we receive from our corporate partners and dedicated volunteers. By joining forces, we’re able to sustain our efforts for the betterment of communities through our nationwide network of soup kitchens, food banks and community empowerment centres.
In less than 15 years, we have provided the equivalent of RM43 million in food, assistance and income.
Most of all, our reward is the hope and dignity that we offer to those so often forgotten by society
Awards
Our efforts have not gone unnoticed and our work has been recognised globally.
Malaysian NGO Award, 2012
Europa Sustainability Award, 2012
Iskandar Malaysia Social Heroes Award, 2016
World CSR Leadership Award, 2018
Brand Laureate Award, 2019
HELPING THE VOICELESS
Animal Welfare
Animal Liberation
Animal Liberation
Another way in which we help animals is through animal liberation. In the Buddhist tradition, this is the practice of saving an animal from impending death, such as an animal destined to be killed for human consumption.
This benefits not only the animals, but also those doing the liberating. It brings spiritual merit (good karma), aids the development of kindness and compassion, and can be helpful in removing life obstacles caused by illness.
We engage in regular animal liberation at multiple locations around Malaysia. During these monthly sessions, we chant prayers to bless the rescued animals with the causes for a higher rebirth before releasing them in safe areas where they will not be harmed nor harm others.
Going Vegetarian
Going Vegetarian
We believe that compassion for animals can be incorporated in our daily lives, starting with what we choose to eat. That’s why we advocate a plant-based lifestyle built on a foundation of love and respect for all beings.
By making an active choice to lessen our contribution to animal husbandry and slaughter, we can reduce the suffering that arises from our meals. This also lessens the karma of killing accumulated by others.
A Refuge of Hope
Rinpoche always wanted to have an animal sanctuary to provide food, shelter, medical attention and companionship for neglected, abused and abandoned animals, especially dogs and cats.
However, due to limited resources, expertise and lack of proper premises, we haven’t been able to do this.
On occasion, we rescue stray dogs and cats but we can only work with a few at a time and we try to find them forever homes as quickly as possible. If they are not adopted, we cannot help any newcomers. There is currently no room for people to bring other animals.
If you can help us achieve Rinpoche’s vision of a refuge for animals, please contact us.
HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT
Saving the Planet
Buddhism has always advocated respect for nature and sentient life. Buddhist monks and nuns traditionally abide by precepts that respect the environment, protect its purity and prohibit its harm.
We bring these ancient principles to contemporary spirituality through our green initiatives to safeguard the planet for future generations.
After all, Buddha taught that all things are interdependent and we share a very close relationship with our environment.
We carry out monthly recycling activities at various locations to bring green awareness and green action to the people.
We accept most recyclables — from paper, plastic and metal to electronics and batteries. Sorting is done on site too, as it helps contributors understand what is recyclable and what is not.
We hope that greater awareness will eventually translate into reduced usage of non-recyclable items and packaging.
Recycling Categories
- Carton boxes
- Newspapers
- Black and white paper
- Magazines
- Books
- ET (01) Polyethylene terephthalate
- PE-HD (02) High-density polyethylene
- PVC (03) Polyvinyl chloride
- PE-LD (04) Low-density polyethylene
- PP (05) Polypropylene
- Thick plastic wrapping on drink cans
- Aluminum cans
- Scrap metal
- Copper wires
- Electrical appliances
- Electronic gadgets
- Non-rechargeable batteries
- Rechargeable batteries
- Vehicle batteries
- Rubber/tyres
- Glass
- Styrofoam
- Clothing
- Fabric furnishings
We advocate for reduced consumption of single-use items, encourage the adoption of recycling and upcycling, and do our best to increase public awareness of humanity’s impact on the planet. We also encourage greening projects — from urban gardens of edibles and flowers to reforesting efforts to contain soil erosion.
If you’d like to volunteer as a green warrior in any of our initiatives, please contact us.
FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
Tsem Rinpoche Foundation
The Tsem Rinpoche Foundation (Yayasan Tsem Rinpoche) is a tax-exempt charitable foundation that focuses primarily on the areas of education assistance for the underprivileged, care for neglected animals and environmental issues.