My Nonprofit Reviews
sarah72
Review for Fount of Mercy, New York, NY, USA
I interned with Fount of Mercy in Uganda for 6 months and it was honestly the best 6 months I've had in a long time. I grew a tremendous amount, not just because of the new culture, but because of the work Fount does. While in country I helped develop a new vocational program, a beginning sewing class. The basis behind this curriculum was to give students the basic sewing skills they need to start their own tailoring businesses. I trained two local tailors to as teachers for the future class. During the training I saw how how the class really will be something that can help people, as tailors will always be in demand. I think the teacher training would have been more beneficial had there been more time (it was a bit condensed in order to finish before my departure). Regardless of the time restraint the vocational classes Fount of Mercy offers provide not only skills but a personal satisfaction and pride in every student who completes them. Fount realizes what an accomplishment completing a skills course is and they recognize this achievement (and the students) with a graduation ceremony. This is just a small example of the incredible work Fount does and one of the few ways they continue to help others help themselves.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The Basic Business Classes and Beginning Sewing teacher training. I had the privilege of being involved with 2 Business Class graduations, which is a great accomplishment in itself. And the way Sarah and Margaret came through and finished all of their sample work, as well as following along with the contents of the curriculum book, made me feel so good! The success of the training made me confident that the classes themselves would run smoothly as well.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Hire me! Too bad you have to have the right amount of resources to do that...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
It certainly did! After working with Fount I had a very clear idea that I would like my career to take a path towards [vocational] program development and [life] skills training. It also helped me gain a different perspective on life in general as well as interactions between people, relationships, and social cues.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
It made me feel accomplished and empowered. I learned that with the limited knowledge I have, I can share it with others and help them out all the while I am learning from them. It made me very happy to be able to make connections and build relationships with the individuals I worked with.
