FFM’s involvement with Bhutan began in 2011 following a meeting between FFM Exco members and Dr Tashi Zangmo, Founder of the Bhutan Nuns Foundation (BNF). Established in 2009, BNF seeks to improve the quality of life and education of all Buddhist nuns throughout Bhutan regardless of sectarian difference.
Since 2012, FFM in collaboration with BNF has participated in a number of initiatives including the Bhutan Nuns sponsorship programme and construction of nuns’ living quarters. FFM has also provided support through financial contributions for a number of projects in Bhutan including the 1st International Buddhist Nuns Conference held in Paro, Bhutan in December 2013 and the first ever large-scale Nuns ordination ceremony held in Punakha, Bhutan in May 2014.
FFM volunteers have made a total of three trips to Bhutan in 2013 and 2014 and experienced firsthand the challenges and difficulties in reaching nunneries located in remote areas. In addition to the difficult geographical terrain, there are also accommodation constraints, thus limiting humanitarian visits to Bhutan to small groups.
- Nuns Sponsorship Programme
- Construction of Nuns Living Quarters
- Support of projects on ad-hoc basis including 1st International Buddhist Nuns Conference in Bhutan and Nuns Ordination Ceremony
- Nuns Healthcare Fund
Project Updates & Recent News
Bhutan Humanitarian Trip
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Support Program for Children of the workers who help in building the Nuns Training Center (Bhutan)
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FFM Support building of the Bhutan Nuns Training Center
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Official handover of Anim (Nuns) Hostel @ the Samten Choling Nunnery
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Bhutan Nuns Sponsorship Programme
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[Bhutan] Nuns Healthcare Fund
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[Bhutan] Shedrup Choling Nunnery Construction
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[Bhutan] Upper Chothpo Goenpa Nunnery Construction
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[Bhutan] Nuns Ordination Ceremony
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[Bhutan] The First International Buddhist Nuns Conference
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Voices from the Heart
BABWO Founder President
Before did not meet with Firefly Mission, my orphanage children and I was in difficult condition. The condition of the Bangalhalia Agapara Buddhist Welfare Orphanage are changing since 2012 met the Firefly Mission in July 2011 though the Bro Mong Mong Thun Marma and receiving many kind of support from Firefly Mission such as 1st floor extended dormitory, children sponsorship program and in-kind donation; school uniform, blanket and jacket and education stationeries. It is happening by Bro Mong Mong Thun Marma for his gave built a bridge of relationship between BABWO and Firefly Mission unless still I have to live in difficult condition. I shall never forget it and blessing to all of you for your Metta.
Now I can live and looking after our orphanage children without any difficulties. Timely I can feed our children, with satisfactoriness our children are getting chance to study their education without any difficulties.
Through the BABWO the other three orphanages; Sanghamitta Saba Sangha Buddhist Orphanage, Buddha Shishu Ghar, and Buddhist Temple Orphanage are received support and donations from Firefly Mission. There are Residential Junior High School, Barbed wire fencing project and donation for foods, blankets, jacket and solar, water tank and generator. I am very happy for it. I sincerely gratitude and blessing to all of members of Firefly Mission including Swan fund, Donors, supporters and well-wishers of BABWO may happy, healthy, prosperous and live long.
Nibba Nassa Pachaya Hontu!
To keep running the nunnery is challenging. Some nuns get discouraged and leave. Likewise I get discouraged. Each time BNF came, the nuns and I are re-energized. I feel more encouraged with FFM’s support and in their valuing us. This has encouraged us and planted the seed in our mind to make the best of what we have …
--Head Monk Teacher Lama Yeshi Dorji of Shedrup Choling nunnery who founded the nunnery 10 years ago at the request of the local community, and who had compassionately donated one of his kidneys to his friend’s mother so that she could continue farming and earn a livelihood
See more voices here.