Karuna-Shechen – Mobile Clinics Documented by Varial

Karuna-Shechen — Compassion in Action

Karuna-Shechen is an international non-profit organization which provides health care, education, community development and women empowerment services in India, Nepal and Tibet. It was co-founded in 2000 by Matthieu Ricard, a French Buddhist monk and author, and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist monk.

Two Decades of Work in Vulnerable Communities

For more than two decades, Karuna-Shechen has been working alongside some of the most vulnerable communities across India, Nepal, and Tibet, developing long-term programs focused on health, education, food security, economic development, and environmental preservation.

Founded by Matthieu Ricard, the organization follows a holistic approach rooted in dignity, empowerment, and local participation. In remote rural regions where access to healthcare, education, and basic infrastructure remains extremely limited, Karuna-Shechen helps communities build sustainable solutions adapted to their realities — from medical clinics and women's health programs to water access, sanitation, education, and environmental initiatives.

A Photographic Documentary

This photographic documentary project explores the human dimension behind these efforts: the lives, faces, landscapes, and everyday realities of the communities supported by Karuna-Shechen. Beyond statistics and development programs, the work seeks to capture moments of resilience, dignity, care, and human connection within regions often overlooked by the outside world.

Preserving Dignity & Cultural Identity

Through this visual journey, the project highlights the organization's commitment to creating lasting change while preserving cultural identity, local knowledge, and the fundamental dignity of the people it serves.