Monthly Calendar

Love in Action — Supporting those harmed by the war in Ukraine

Thu, December 1 – Sun, December 31

Thu, December 1, –

Thu, December 1, 12:00 am – Sun, December 31, 11:59 pm

In response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, in June, 2022, three Washington, DC, area mindfulness communities practicing in the Plum Village tradition (Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center, Washington Mindfulness Community, Opening Heart Mindfulness Community) came together to establish Love in Action, a project that is a concrete manifestation of their engaged practice. The initial focus was on refugees from Ukraine who have fled to the Czech Republic. Since September, the Love in Action focus has expanded to include Ukrainian civilians in Ukraine who are receiving medical, food, and other assistance from organizations based in the Czech Republic.

Through the generosity of many, Love in Action has raised $30,000 in 2022.

OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE AN ADDITIONAL $30,000 in 2023.
The need in the Czech Republic and
in Ukraine continues to be great.

Please donate what you can.

The decision to focus on the Czech Republic was heavily influenced by the personal initiative of Order of Interbeing member Jindra Čekan/ová, who has been an active member of the Washington DC area mindfulness communities for over 28 years. Now based in Prague, Jindra continues to work for international non-profit organizations, as she has for the past 30 years. At the war’s start, Jindra, along with Sangha friends, and many others, began helping those forced to flee from Ukraine, using only their own resources. The demand was far greater than their capacity to assist. Donations to Love in Action are sent through Jindra to our Czech partners providing assistance to Ukraine. Though the need is still great, the infusion of funds has dramatically increased their ability to help those in need.

Donations to Love in Action are sent to Jindra and then through her to our Czech sangha partners. Though the need is still great, the infusion of funds has dramatically increased their ability to help those in need. (Under the terms of a contract with Still Water, Jindra and our Czech partners provide regular written reports on their work and spending.)

Over the past months, Love in Action funds have provided assistance to the African students described above and a great many Ukrainians in the Czech Republic and in Ukraine. Love in Action has provided strollers and car seats, baby formula, backpacks and school supplies for children, basic medical supplies and toiletries, shelf-stable groceries, lactation counseling for new mothers with post-traumatic stress disorder, and much more. (A detailed Donor Report is also available.)

Jindra has been ably assisted in this work by her niece, Katerina Stiebitz, a fellow non-profit professional, who has personal connections with many Czech volunteers and humanitarian organizations working in the Czech Republic and Ukraine. Communicating with these groups has allowed Jindra and Katerina to flexibly address emerging needs in near real-time.

The onset of winter in Ukraine combined with the merciless bombing of the power grid will create dire circumstances for many Ukrainian civilians. The Love in Action team is working with our partners to provide heating and food assistance, which are especially needed.

HELP US TO RAISE $30,000 in 2023.

Please donate what you can.

(Donations are tax-deductible for US tax-payers to the fullest extent allowed by law.)

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Warm wishes from the Love in Action Team: