Venerable Ani Choying Drolma

Nepal

Venerable Ani Choying Drolma

Nepal

Venerable Ani Choying Drolma is a Nepalese Buddhist nun renowned for her numerous humanitarian efforts, including the education of young girls, care of older people, and providing medical services for the underprivileged and dispossessed. Her efforts have been constantly praised and emulated, and her autobiography, [Singing for Freedom]{.underline}, has been published in 14 languages and listed as an international best seller.

To support her many charitable activities, Ani performs worldwide singing traditional and modernized Buddhist chants, as well as, Nepali and Tibetan songs. She has performed to countless fans and has numerous albums.

Ani believes, if given equal opportunities, nuns have the potential to make the world a better place. One of her great and early accomplishments was the creation of the Arya Tara School, which opened in 2000. The school aims to equip nuns with the abilities and skills necessary to professionally serve their communities in a humanitarian capacity.

In 2006, she built drinking water facilities for 250 houses in the village of Arya Tara School. In 2010, she started Aarogya Foundation to provide high-quality yet low-cost dialysis services, and improving medical facilities in Nepal. In 2013, she shed light and love upon single mothers and established the Aarya Tara Pre School to care for children of single mothers during working hours.

In 2016, so many children were impacted by the earthquake and schools were damaged. Venerable Ani Choying Drolma, she started the Stars of Hope Scholarship Program for children who are earthquake victims, orphans or experiencing extreme poverty. She rebuilt the Gothandevi Primary School in Tipling Dhading and helped rebuild the Shree Tarevir Primary School in Gokarneshwor Municipality. She even helped financially in the construction of a suspension bridge in Baruwa Sunchour.

In 2019, she started a financial support program for treating severe burn patients, and in 2021 established a Day Care for the Elderly along with the local government of Kritipur. In 2023, she donated significantly to the construction of a Children's Hospital.

Ani Choying Drolma since 2014 has been appointed as the first UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador for Nepal for two terms.