June 2025 News
Taradakini: an appeal and rejoicing
Taradakini launching the Order Health Fund appeal
After 13 years of serving the Order through her work for the Abhayaratna Trust, Taradakini is leaving us this month.
She started as the charity’s secretary and later stepped into the director role before returning to the job she most loved - managing grants and appeals and co-ordinating care. During this time, she developed the grants, appeals, and the publicity for these, considerably.
When she first joined, the vision was to simply offer retreats to pioneering Order members. Now we also offer financial support worldwide to any Order member with health and living costs needs. It was Taradakini who suggested the Covid India appeal which raised over £200,000 to support the Order there. Her most recent innovation was livelihood training and start-up grants.
Taradakini is stepping down for health reasons – including some vision loss which makes screen work difficult.
We want her to have a good rest for six months without money worries, so we are launching this appeal as an opportunity to express our collective appreciation for all she has done.
If you would like to securely donate any amount, please click here. Thank you.
Rejoicing in Taradakini
Dharmashura writes, ‘It's hard to imagine the Abhayaratna Trust without Taradakini. For years she has been a key part of our work to support Order members around the world with their financial difficulties. So much of what we have been able to do has been thanks to her. It's not always easy to ask for help, but Taradakini's sensitive and helpful ways have, I'm sure, made it a little easier for people approach us when they need to do so.’
Mahasraddha writes: ‘Taradakini has been fundamental to the work of the Abhayaratna Trust. She is incredibly hard-working and deeply committed to the Trust's vision, assisting numerous Order members across our international Order. I am constantly impressed by the love, skill and dedication she demonstrates in helping Order members get the support they need, whether financial or otherwise.
Taradakini is ablaze with energy and ideas, and her keen eye for detail has ensured the production of high-quality communications from the Trust. Taradakini has been an outstanding asset to the Abhayaratna Trust, and, through the Trust's work, to the Order. Blaze on, Taradakini! With great respect and appreciation.’
Jinavamsa writes: ‘Working with Taradakini for the last eight years, I have seen how much pleasure she has taken in being able to respond to requests from Order members, often offering help beyond any remit of her role as grants co-ordinator. She has also ensured that the relationship the Trust has with its donors and its growing reputation has been friendly, clear and informative. Many of you will have benefitted from her care in responding to grant requests and organising appeals, and I’m sure there is a wealth of gratitude in the Order for what she has given.’
Good news about the appeal for Savika
Savika
In early June we emailed all our supporters for help with an appeal for Savika, a Venezuelan national living in Valencia with her husband and two children. She needed a financial boost after experiencing health and relocation setbacks.
We're pleased to say that we have hit the target of £6,500. Thank you to everyone who donated to this appeal.
Savika sent us these words of thanks:
'I write these few lines to express our most sincere gratitude to the whole Triratna Community for its generosity and economic support which my family and I have received.
It represents so much more than material relief, it has given us a sense of calm and hope that we can get through these troubled times and move forward once again, with the confidence that things will change and there will be better times for me and my family.
Just as a candle can light another without diminishing its own light, so too, kindness spreads its light. Infinite thanks for illuminating our path.'
Your legacy can help Order members across the world
It is true that we run many successful appeals and there are many of you who give generously to those. But the majority of the work of the Abhayaratna Trust relies on regular donations and on the several generous legacies that we have received over the years. Without those donations we wouldn’t be able to respond to the many requests that we receive from Order members for help with things they are unable to afford, including retreats, health costs, utility bills, or cover the running costs of having a small dedicated team.
So, please consider including the Abhayaratna Trust in your will. If you have already done so, it would help us to know that, and if you are considering us, get in touch to find out how or visitour legacies page here. Thank you for supporting the work of the Trust.
Contact Communications Support: jinavamsa@abhayaratnatrust.org with any questions or feedback.