Many people brought in pre-loved toys and one group even made new ones for the children.

Following this success the Wellington Buddhist Centre is now holding another toy drive and asking people to drop in small plush toys that can be easily posted to Nagpur where Tibetan Buddhist nun Ayya Yeshe works in the community.

There she runs programs on women's job training, tuition for children, a malnourishment program, counselling, school and university sponsorship for the poor, assisting with health care and housing, spiritual teachings, meditation and youth groups.

Many people would remember her visits to Wellington where she has held talks and workshops on caring for the community.

She is also the author of Everyday Enlightenment: How to be a Warrior at the Kitchen Sink which you can purchase at the Wellington Buddhist Centre.

The centre is currently running a new meditation course on Friday nights on the four immeasurable thoughts: equality, loving kindness, compassion and joy. 

Meditations and affirmations are used to focus on each of the four, which are considered the highest form of thought that can be had by any human being. 

For more information you can phone 68 45 4661.