About Us

Siddhartha Foundation UK was set up in 2006 by a group of 5 friends who live in the county of Somerset and have been inspired by Lama Khenpo Chimed Rinpoche, a kind, wise, and compassionate Buddhist teacher from Kathmandu in Nepal.

Khenpo, as he is known to his friends and students, has brought peace and solace to many in both east and west with his Tibetan Buddhist teachings.

At the same time he has spread awareness of the plight of thousands of children of Tibetan origin in Nepal, where the extreme poverty prevents them from getting any form of education in their own tradition. With the help of a few generous benefactors Khenpo has purchased land near Kathmandu and has started construction of a school which will eventually be able to take in around 150 students.

Having seen the first buildings opened with an initial intake of 80 students, a decision was made to actively support the project, by setting up the Siddhartha Foundation UK to help fund the project on an ongoing basis.

Between them, the founders have skills in charity management, business, education, social work, culture and the arts, media and finance.

The Trustees are: Michael Orchard, Lynne Orchard, Dechen Chodron, Adrian Beckingham & Mick Ellison.

They are helped and supported by Rita Hraiz

We all give of our time for free, as do all the friends and supporters of the Foundation and our overheads are kept to a minimum, thus maximising the amount of your donation that goes straight into the welfare of the children in Nepal.