New Hamlet needs our loving care and attention
Currently, lay practitioners who come for retreats in New Hamlet are housed outside of the hamlet due to lack of space. However, travelling to and from New Hamlet every day breaks up the continuity of the retreat experience. The retreatants aren’t able to hear the bell and dwell in the peaceful atmosphere of the hamlet during the night. Our sisters wish to restore the powerful energy of living and practicing together, lay and monastic, as envisioned by Thay. With a new monastic residence, the sisters can open the rooms in the hamlet for lay practitioners again, thus answering to the need of so many who seek the peace, joy and refuge of Plum Village.
The revenue from retreats is just enough to support daily living needs of the community and cannot accommodate building and renovation projects.
New monastic residence construction phases and costs
Phase 1: Renovating the existing Plum Blossom House
Plum Blossom House will become a space for practicing, studying, and healing. The total cost estimate is €300.000. Generous friends have already given €25.000.
Plum Blossom House
Phase 2: Building a new monastic residence
The grounds next to New Hamlet are also the property of Plum Village. Here, four small houses will be built as nun’s quarters. These houses will be modest and efficient. The sisters have chosen to build in an eco-friendly and cost-efficient way – with straw bales.The cost estimate is €865.000, which includes the architectural design, administrative costs, and furnishings.
The total cost estimate for the new monastic residence in New Hamlet is €1.165.000.
The sisters are grateful for any contributions you can offer towards the new monastic residence. Each donation makes a difference.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our fundraising team. They will be happy to help.