Insight Meditation South Bay (IMSB) considers service and charity to be an integral part of a mature spiritual life. Engagement with service projects has the dual benefit of bringing material help to those in need, while cultivating qualities of compassion, patience, understanding, and generosity in volunteers and donors.

The three projects described below have each been initiated by members and friends of IMSB. IMSB supports the good work of these projects by organizing fundraising and inviting its members to contribute.

One World Children's Fund
www.owcf.org

1009 General Kennedy Ave., #2
San Francisco, CA 94129

Telephone: 415-255-3014
infoowcf.org

Through networking, One World Children’s Fund (OWCF) delivers aid to grassroots organizations that serve disadvantaged children. Projects are dedicated to making education, health care and other necessities available to children in need around the world. OWCF recognizes that local people know best how to solve problems in their own communities. The organization therefore provides resources directly to the local communities so that a sustainable future can be built for the children and their families.

One World Children’s Fund was founded by Michael Kilgroe and Patricia Burbank, long-time meditation practitioners and friends of IMSB. OWCF uses a unique model called The Champion Program. Champions are people from all walks of life living in the U.S. who personally support and serve a project they consider worthy.

Shaila Catherine has become a Champion for the Prajna Vihara School in Bodh Gaya, India. In the early 1990’s Shaila participated in a meditation retreat in Bodh Gaya taught by Christopher Titmuss. Each morning Christopher met with local children and told them stories while several meditation students passed out gifts of bananas, eggs, or rupee coins. The desperate poverty, illiteracy, and utter lack of healthcare were heart-wrenching. Shaila later learned that Rick Peterson, another participant in the retreat, had stayed in Bodh Gaya to see if he could help. Shaila was deeply impressed that Rick took the initiative to remain in the village and found the Prajna Vihara School. Shaila has followed the development of the school and has personally visited there five or six times during the last decade. She has witnessed the school’s development from merely a hope to a multistoried building serving the primary educational needs of hundreds of impoverished children. It is with full confidence in the integrity and value of this school that Shaila is championing this cause.

A recent expansion in commercial developments has caused changes in local drainage that have flooded a significant portion of the land surrounding the school. These conditions have caused a dangerous health situation--cholera is still common in the area during monsoon season. The Prajna Vihara School faces the additional challenge of improving drainage to protect the land and students. We are now raising funds to purchase and build a high school on another property that will serve the needs of older students and provide vocational training for the youth.

IMSB wishes to support these efforts to construct the new Prajna Vihara School. http://www.insightmeditation.org/index.php/welcome/eng/pragyaschool

Compassion Beyond Borders
P.O. Box 2991
Santa Fe, NM 87502

infocompassionbb.org

Compassion Beyond Borders (CBB) funds the education of impoverished girls and illiterate women in 115 communities of Latin America, South Asia, and East Africa. Educating girls and women is the single most cost-effective means for achieving human development and overcoming world poverty according to the United Nations and the World Bank.

CBB finances the education of orphans, refugees, squatters, Dalits ("untouchables"), Mayans and tribals (India), minorities, and other oppressed girls and women--the poorest of the poor. It works in partnership with local grassroots organizations that know the needs of their communities and how to meet them. The schools, education centers, and women's organizations that CBB funds become a resource to their community, transforming the lives not only of the girls and women, but of their families and neighborhoods as well. This unique organization is able to channel 100% of donations directly to projects since board members cover all administrative, fundraising and travel costs themselves.

CBB Founder and Executive Director, Lawrence Tharp, is a long-time meditator and student of Shaila Catherine. Lawrence, who received a Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University, served in the U.S. diplomatic corps in India and Vietnam. He is recently retired from college teaching.

Santa Maria Urban Ministry
778 South Almaden
San Jose, CA 95110-2919

Telephone: 408-292-3314
1urban1sbcglobal.net
www.smum.org

IMSB has supported a charity project associated with our meeting place, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, for the last two years. IMSB participates in the annual school supplies drive called FIRST STEP organized by the Santa Maria Urban Ministry (SMUM). FIRST STEP provides new clothing, backpacks and school supplies to San Jose children and youth at the start of the school year. Last year, SMUM provided backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies and at least one item of new clothing to over 700 San Jose inner city children. The program seeks to instill pride and a love of learning in children by easing their transition back to school.

SMUM is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real. Founded in 1983, SMUM partners with Second Harvest Food Bank to serve those in need within 8 Central San Jose zip codes. SMUM has developed additional transformative programs to meet the needs of the community and to promote self-sufficiency. Programs include ABC Playtime (prepares children ages 3-5 for kindergarten), Local Motion Ministry (provides emergency transportation and food deliveries to seniors), and Studio 17 (an after school program for youth aged 6-17). Those served report that SMUM provides a unique gathering place for those in the neighborhood, a place where they feel safe and can share their concerns with caring individuals.

Some important statistics:

• Most of the families served by SMUM have at least one adult member who has a full-time job. Yet, for many, the job is at minimum wage and with no medical coverage.
• More than 60% of those served are children.
• Almost 70% of each family’s income is spent on housing and shelter.
• Eighty-five to 88% are immigrants, both long-term residents and recent arrivals.
• As the number of homeless individuals increases, so does the need.