The Golden Sufi Center UK Charitable Trust Annual Christmas Collection
For over forty years, we have contributed a Christmas Collection for charities in India. The funds have been divided between The Kiran Society, The Leprosy Rehabilitation Center (KKM), and The Heart of Asia. We have received so much from India through Bhai Sahib and Mrs. Tweedie that we wish to continue our annual Christmas contribution.
If you have any questions about how to offer a donation to the annual Christmas Collection, please contact:
In the UK: ukoffice@goldensufi.org, in Europe: euoffice@goldensufi.org, and in North America: contact@goldensufi.org.
KIRAN Society
A Centre for Inclusive and Special Education, Therapeutic Rehabilitation, Skill Training, and Holistic Development
The word KIRAN literally means “ray of light.” KIRAN Society is a non-profit, non-political organization working in an inclusive way for the holistic development of children and persons with and without disabilities, and from marginalized sections of the society so that they are able to take care of their social, physical, and spiritual needs and thereby become fully integrated into society.
Founded in 1990 by a small group of people from various social, cultural, and religious backgrounds, KIRAN Society has continued to work based on the idea of togetherness, enriching everyone’s talents and abilities. In 1994, KIRAN Society was registered under the Societies Registration Act. As the small rooms of the ashram in Nagwa were becoming too cramped and insufficient, planning began for the KIRAN Village. In 1998, the KIRAN Village was established in the village of Madhopur, where KIRAN Society found its new home.
KIRAN Foundation Switzerland, was founded in 2003. Through the Foundation, KIRAN has been able to find donors and supporters to provide many of the necessities to run the KIRAN Village and the KIRAN Society successfully in all of its endeavors.
Additional Resources
KKM Handweaving
KKM Handweaving was established in the early 1960’s by Agnes, Mrs. Tweedie’s friend, to create self-sufficient settlements and community for lepers in India. They continue in their commitment to providing medical care, education, work, and self-reliance for the various KKM Handweaving Member communities. In recent years our contributions have assisted with much needed maintenance of older buildings, including adding solar power, hand-pumps for clean water, and telephone lines. Even simple computers have been installed, which are solar powered, and aid in tracking their production and shipping. One community wrote to say that this year their old cow died, and the KKM was able to provide money for a new cow, which has already started giving milk. Overall the member-workers are getting on in age and their capacity is limited, but they still wish to contribute to the handweaving work as is possible. Continuing their work aids in their self dignity, as it enables them to be self-earning. Our donations helped support their aging member-worker’s medical needs, and allows them to continue to work and support themselves as they are able.
Additional Resources
Video: A visit to KKM (opens in YouTube, 2 minutes)
Blog with Photos: A historic outline with early photos of the founding of KKM, including with Agnes: http://kkmhandweaving.blogspot.com/
Photos: Through their website, KKM offers an extensive photo gallery from over many decades: KKM Photo Gallery.
The Heart of Asia
Supporting Vulnerable Communities in Tibet
Heart of Asia is a small, dynamic British charity, run entirely by volunteers, dedicated to providing much needed support for vulnerable communities in remote areas of Asia. Heart of Asia’s goal is to support vulnerable communities through working with, and empowering, local people. Among other things, we support two small orphanages, and we have funded simple accredited health care training in both Tibetan herbal and allopathic medicine, provided small medical emergency funds and distributed basic health care books and simple birth-packs. They work primarily in the environmentally challenging conditions of Derge County, Kandze Prefecture, Yushu and Nangchen in eastern Tibet. They also respond to needs in other Himalayan regions. Please visit the website for further information: www.heartofasia.org
Update, Winter 2025
The Newsletter Heart of Asia 2025 (PDF, opens from Website) includes descriptions of activities and projects in 2024.
Current Projects: Click for details on HOA’s current projects, which include Return to Nomad Life, Yushu Earthquake Orphans, and the Gebchak Nunnery Food and Health Care Fund.
Additional Resources
Heart of Asia on Instagram