Mandala Magic Charity Work
Many drops of water make a big ocean.
What began as a dream – the discovery of the magic in mandalas – has taken us on many adventures, both in the greater world and also in the world within ourselves. We been touched by the hundreds of people that mandalas have connected us with opening and expanding our hearts and the desire to give.

Mandala Magic has joined others in the art of giving. We give to benefit and contribute to the wellbeing for those less fortunate. Through the kindness and generosity of every person even the smallest gesture makes the world is a better place.
Donations of money, time and energy, have brought some BIG smiles and many happy hearts.
What begins as a small offering can grow into substantial support for those in need. A helping hand, like ripples in a pond radiates outwards to reach many.

What and who we support –

India –

• Education, full board and lodging of Indian girl (Muslim) in Bodh Gaya
• Purchase of bicycle so that she can ride to school
• Education, uniform and books for 5 children (Hindu) in Sarnath, India
  The Sarnath Children's Education Program
• Support and educate an Indian boy in Orissa State, India (7 years) through Plan
• 'OUR HOME' – (donation) a permanent home for homeless kids in Kerala, South India.
• Purchase of sewing machines for the Kusula centre
• Laptops x 2 for Kusula centre for women and children, Bihar, India
• Laptop to support education of youth in Dharamsala, India
  

Four children that we sponsor at the Sarnath Village School. Their names are Dilip who proudly holds one of my mandalas, Ajit who is next to him, Rekha is below and our newest student is Rita Bhardwaj, she is 13 years old and her dad works as a lobourer. Their income per month is $40 which is very low.

India has the largest illiterate population in the world. Caste disparities, gender discrimination (40% of girls drop out at secondary level) shortages of qualified teachers and absolute poverty are contributing factors. Rural areas are the worst affected.
It is very encouraging to know that five sponsored girls graduated from the Sarnath Village School in 2011 from year 12 and have commenced BA degrees. With the kind help from others they have been given an extraordinary chance in life.
Maths and English are not the only education – students have health and hygiene training to alleviate some of the issues around malnourishment, parasite infestations, and vaccination. It is sad to know that India is estimated to have 42% of children under 5 years that suffer from malnourishment. Hopefully this will make a difference.
Music and traditional dance are part of the daily curriculum.

It costs only a $150 a year to sponsor a child – something that changes a whole life!  

Nepal –

• Support 12 young monks, education and full board (Buddhist) in Nepal
• Manjushri Di-Chen Buddhist Learning Centre
• Support Mirge Village in Nepal with education, food, and other needs

Australia –

• Rotary Club
• Royal Children's Hospital
• Seeing Eye Dogs
• Yooralla
• Donation for 'Rebalance the Globe
• Donations and support to the fire appeal and CFA

Some ways in which we have raised funds or supported people :-

• Dinner by Donation - $1500 Dinner at Mandala magic Studios
• Coonara House selling jewelery and accessories $ 1200 n 2011 $2000 +
• Coonara Book Club – $55 Karen did a talk on Children at risk in the East
• Participants in Mandala magic tours $1000 +
• Personal donations from students of Mandala Magic $500 plus
• Royal Children's Hospital – framed icon painting for auction value to $500
• Rotary Club, Upwey – workshop voucher for value of $175
• Donating art works to different charities
• Personal donations
• Purchasing goods and supporting programs that protect children
• Purchase of goods from women with micro loans to establish small businesses
• Support eco friendly tourism and use facilities that employ local people in Asia
• Giving informal talks in schools on humanitarian issues in countries we visit
• Selling of handcrafts, jewelery, textiles and clothes to raise funds.
  

For charity work that we support overseas, ALL monies raised go directly to the children or cause. There are no administrative fees deducted. The cost of money transfers is included (usually $35) or we take and deliver the money, goods or services personally. Where possible we try and get the best exchange rate.

What is the money for and how does it help?
Manjushri Di Chen – Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Nepal.

Monasteries offer education and a safe place for young boys (nunneries for girls) to live where they receive an education, food and lodging from about 5 years of age. At the age of around 15 they can decide whether they wish to toke vows to become a novice monk or nun, or they may wish to return to their village or the wider world. The young boys that we support come from very remote and often very poor villages high up in the Himalayas near the Tibetan border. If you wish to volunteer your services teaching English, basic Maths or other, we would be happy to do so.
Below is an e-mail from Sangpo who is in charge of Manjushri Di-Chen Buddhist Learning Centre. Money donated contributes to books, clothes, food, medical and dental care, and education.

Respected Mandala Magic,
How are you in these days? We are very sorry for the long time silence that we couldn't be contact on time. because we don't have any e-mail id and also good writer. So once again i really want to say an extremely sorry for these. In every year we received your money that for the teachers fee. But now in this year we also received your money amount Austrian dollar One thousand and one hundred (1100). Your money can make a huge difference in the student's life. So we truly accepted your kindness. By the grace of your blessing our students level were reached at IV standard from the L.K.G. We have almost 12 students in our Gompa. All these are very interested in their studies and alone with this all the elders can understand and look after them. So far all the children were belonging to the poor family and same are orphan. But the behaviors of those students that the elders were more satisfy for the working in our society.
Every morning and evening we pray for the success of your association and the main sponsors.

Mahesh and Mirge Village
We first met Mahesh whilst taking a tour in Ledakh, India. He became friendly with a friend of Gary's, who was on our tour, asking for support for his village. Mahesh at that time was taking a group trekking in the area.
Since then we have met with him on several occasions in Nepal and have been astounded by what one man has achieved for his community. Mahesh is committed to his people and works tirelessly to improve their living standards, bringing better health and education to his village.
Laligurash Bright Future English School goes up to grade six and has 200 students. It is the only school in the area that teaches English – a language much sought after because there are many more job opportunities with this language.

The school is located in Mirge VDC, a remote village located at the eastern part of Nepal and 170 km from Kathmandu the capital city.

Mirge lies on the trekking route to the Everest base camp. The area is heavily treed and lies across some very steep mountain terrain. The population of Mirge VDC is about 4475. The village is in the central development region under Janakpur zone Dolakha, north-east of the district headquarters of Charikot.

Mahesh also purchased some lap top computers and is teaching Info. Technology so that more of the 'world' is opened up to the village. His next project is solar power to overcome chronic shortages and interruptions to power supplies. He hopes to open up a fish farm to improve the local diet.

'OUR HOME' – a permanent home for homeless kids in Kerala, South India.

UNICEF estimates that there are 25 million orphaned children in India in 2007….that is more than the population of Australia. Our home provides schooling and homes for 200 local children. Money donated goes to beds, linen, books, clothes, food, medical and dental care, and education.

'KUSUALA PROJECT' Bihar, India is a project founded by Chittapala. It supports the Elsa Primary School which has 60 students. www.kusalaprojects.org
Mandala Magic over some years has supported children to attend school as residents or semi – residents. Due to the changing nature of families we now have only one girl remaining. The strong effort and commitment of Chittapala to support children in this area continues. He is an inspiration to others demonstrating that the ripple effect can help many.