test – 2022-12-02

In response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, in June, 2022, three Washington, DC, area mindfulness communities (Still Water Mindfulness Practice Center, Washington Mindfulness Community, Opening Heart Mindfulness Community) practicing in the Plum Village tradition 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 $20,000 so far.

The onset of winter in Ukraine combined with disruptions to the power grid will create dire circumstances for many Ukrainian civilians.

OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE AN ADDITIONAL $14,000
By December 31, 2022.

(All donations are tax-deductible for U.S. citizens.)

The decision to focus on the Czech Republic was heavily influenced by the personal initiative of Order of Interbeing member Jindra Čekanová, who has been an active member of the Washington DC area mindfulness communities for over 25 years. She is now based in Prague. At the war’s start, Jindra and her neighbors and Sangha friends began helping some of 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 through Jindra 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.

Over the past months, Love in Action funds have gone toward the purchase of 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.

Jindra has been ably assisted in this work by her colleague Katerina Stiebitz, who has professional connections with a number of Czech humanitarian organizations working in the Czech Republic and Ukraine. Communicating with these groups has allowed Jindra and Katarina to flexibly address emerging needs in near real-time.

Warm wishes from the Love in Action Team: