Pemakara

A monk’s life is dedicated to serving in Dharma. In addition, monks are also a major source and labour behind the preservation of prayers, practices, rituals and holy transmissions of precious teachers such as the Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava. Helping to sponsor little monks today will ensure that they can teach the dharma long into the future.

Free Clinic Project

Supporting this project will bring benefit to many poor people who have no access to basic medical and health care. Construction works on the clinic site is scheduled to be completed in 2007 and continuing assistance is required for Phase 2 of this project focusing on the equipping, staffing and operations of the clinic.

Dental Charity Trip 2006 [Read more]

Dental Charity Trip 2007 [Read more]

Building Fund for the Vajravarahi School Project

This project seeks to provide school facilities for the little monks who will be educated with Government-recognized syllabus as well as the monastic training required for monks. In the event the children opt not to become monks in the future, they will have some means to survive within the working community outside of the monastic tradition.

If you wish to support any of the above projects, please click here to download sponsorship form. Or you may enquire with Cheong Wai Fun at 012-3963883 or email wfcheong_2@hotmail.com today for a listing of the latest Pemakara projects which require your support.

Please note that anyone who are interested to join Pemakara as Member/Sponsor should send in the form or email before bank in the local account of MAYBANK.

Report: Dental Charity Trip Nepal 2006

Dr. Sapphire Gan Tsering

Team Leader

On 23^rd March 2006, a team of volunteers consisting of 7 dental surgeons and 1 engineer departed from Singapore to Kathmandu, Nepal for a 10-day dental charity trip. In Kathmandu, the team was joined by 1 Nepalese dental surgeon, 1 Croatian medical doctor, 1 American medical nurse as well as many local volunteers. The planning and coordination for this charity trip only started in mid-December 2005 and the smooth-running of this trip was amazing for such a short planning period. Under the invitation of Ka-Nying Shedrup Ling Monastery and Rangjung Yeshe Shenpen, Dental Charity Trip Nepal 2006 aims to provide free basic dental treatment to the rural villagers who have limited (if any) access to dental treatment; let alone have the financial means to afford it.

The dental camp was held at 3 villages: Shivapuri, Pharping and Vajra Varahi. The team spent 2 days at each of the villages with a rest day in between each village. The aim of the dental team is to provide basic dental treatment acute conditions. Thus, most of the treatment rendered was extractions and simple fillings. A number of minor oral surgeries were also performed.

At the more rural village of Shivapuri, most of the condition seen was generalized severe attrition with associated pain and sensitivity. In Pharping and Vajra Varahi, grossly carious lesions were seen in most cases. The patients were from all walks of life; from 3 year olds to those more than 80 years old and from monks to farmers to orphans. A total of 946 patients were seen in 6 working days. This dental camp was also featured in a number of local newspapers.

Aside from work, the team also managed to explore the local lifestyle during the rest days. Among many things, the team did yoga under the morning sun, sampled delectable local cuisine, watched sunrise over the Himalayas and, of course, shopped and shopped and shopped! The team also managed to visit a typical Newari household thanks to the invitation of the local dental surgeon, Dr Kranti Prajnapati. The warmth and hospitality of the locals touched us all.

We wish to thank His Holiness Phakchok Rinpoche and his family for being given the honour of conducting the dental camp. We also wish to thank Rangjung Yeshe Shenpen and especially Mr. Samten O’Sullivan, the coordinator from Nepal, for the countless hours spent in ensuring the dental camp ran smoothly from the preparation stage up until the end of the trip. Many thanks to the enthusiastic and ever-energetic local volunteers which includes the group of monks and nuns from Ka-Nying Shedrup Ling Monastery, Nagi Gomba, Asura Cave Temple and Palnyingda Zundrel Mindrol Norbuling Monastery.

Special thanks to: Dr Myra Elliot for generously lending us the dental equipment needed, Dr Kaan Sheung Kin for being such a staunch supporter of this trip and Singapore Dental Association for all the help and support in handling the donations. Not forgetting all the generous donors and well wishers who range from large associations to young teenagers. The team truly appreciates each and every contribution without which this trip would not have materialized.

Tashi Delek!

Report: Dental Charity Trip Nepal 2007

Dr. Sapphire Gan Tsering

Team Leader

The tinge of excitement in the air was unmistakable as the plane touched down in Kathmandu airport on 22^nd March 2007. Under the invitation of Ka-Nying Shedrup Ling Monastery and Ranjung Yeshe Shenpen, the Singapore team of 9 dental surgeons, 1 dental surgery assistant and 1 general volunteer arrived in Nepal for an 11-day dental charity trip. In Nepal, the group was joined by 2 Nepali dental surgeons, 1 Croatian medical doctor, 1 American nurse and many general volunteers from near and far. The aim of the trip was to provide free basic dental treatment to the underprivileged people of Nepal.

The dental camp was held for 2 days in each village: Boudha, Chapagaon and Bungamati.

Simple treatment such as scaling, fillings and extractions were done. A number of minor surgical operations were also performed. Aside from treatment per se, oral hygiene instructions were given as well. The most common oral lesions seen were gross caries, heavy tobacco stains and severe attrition. Patients from all walks of life stepped into the makeshift clinic; from farmers to beggars, from 3 year-olds to 92 year-olds. Approximately 1500 patients were seen over 6 working days, exceeding the estimated number of 1200 patients by far. The dental camp was also visited by the local journalists.

During the rest days, the team broke into groups to pursue their his/her own interests. Some chose to visit the holy land of Lumbhini, others trekked through the natural beauty of Shivapuri Nature Reserve. Most managed to explore the ancient cities of Patan and Bhaktapur. Of course, coming from Singapore, the whole team managed to shop and shop and shop!

The team wishes to thank His Holiness Phakchok Rinpoche, chairman of Ranjung Yeshe Shenpen, for being given the honour and privilege of conducting the dental camp for second year running. We would also like to thank the main coordinators from Nepal Saymola Dechen Paldron, Mr Sampanna Bajracharya and Mr Samten O’Sullivan for their invaluable help and effort in ensuring the entire camp runs smoothly from start until the end. Many thanks to the enthusiastic and ever-energetic local volunteers which includes the group of monks and nuns from Ka-Nying Shedrup Ling Monastery and Nagi Gomba. We were also very touched by the enthusiasm of the local laypeople who spontaneously volunteered to help out at the dental camp. The friendships forged would definitely be treasured.

Special thanks to Singapore Dental Association for all the help in handling the donations. Not forgetting all the generous donors and well wishers who range from large associations to young teenagers. The team truly appreciates each and every contribution without which this trip would not have been possible.

Tashi Delek!