CORD USA

Having worked with CORDUSA for the past 5 years, I have learned how a stellar organization is run. From the management side of 5K runs, to being involved on the corporate end of things to write grants, CORDUSA's mission statement has grown more and more inside of me to become my passion.

This is an outstanding non-profit organization. I've personally visited one of their sites in Sidhabari and I've seen how they have really uplifted women in the rural areas, giving them a chance to earn their own income, become independent and encourage them to pursue their innate greatness.

I have seen the money get to the affected people. Some volunteers donate /buy things from they money to the events, so more can be donated to the needy.

I have known CORD as a volunteer that raises funds for the most needy that live in the most rural areas. This is the organization that has very little overhead costs and more than 95% of funds collected are used for the benefit of the needy. More importantly this organization follows the philosophy of "if you teach a person to fish, that person will be self-sufficient". Their approach is very unique and it truly goes a long way to change the face of poverty with a very holistic approach of education, skills training to make a real difference to people.

CORD USA is a very noble organization. The village intervention programs organized by CORD are thoroughly organized and involve all populations...women, children and families.
These include women empowerment, youth self-help groups and early childhood education. In addition healthcare services are also provided for those less fortunate communities.
All events organized in the USA contribute greatly to allow these programs to continue in an effective way. Even in the USA all populations are encouraged to contribute their time and effort in sustaining these programs

Well run non-profit where it's very tangible where the money goes with transparency and effective leadership. The needs they serve are real as it's rewarding to see the various facets of what they aim for taken care of. Keep it up Cord Leadership Team!

I had the fortune of meeting Kshama Didi (the national director of CORD India) a few years back. It made me realize how the selfless work and compassion of one person can change so many lives for the better. It inspired me to volunteer for CORD. Through the years I have met other volunteers and leaders. The philosophy of the organization and it's volunteer and the impact that has been created is awe inspiring.

The work CORD does is inspirational. They design and implement a holistic model of development that delivers results! The beneficiaries are active participants -and take ownership of their own future.

Great work done under the banner of Chinmaya Mission.

Cord USA is a wonderful organization that is full of dedicated members who donate their time, resources and energy for nothing more than the possibility of empowering others. Their mission of not only helping the communities in need, but also teaching the communities how to be self sustaining and independent is inspiring! I would recommend anyone who is looking for a nonprofit group to volunteer with to contact Cord USA and ask them how you can help. I know they would appreciate it and I speak from experience, the time you donate to Cord USA gifts you with so much wisdom and compassion.

I love CORD USA as they have a strong mission to sustain social-help programs in local communities through the process of self-empowerment and enrichment. It is not a nonprofit which solely focuses on providing resources and walking away. it is a nonprofit which is committed to each individual's self-empowerment and takes the idea of 'don't give a man a fish to eat, teach a man to fish and he will never go hungry again' mentality.

As a volunteer for CORD USA, I was thrilled to find that this organization not only provides for South Asians in India, but looks for ways to benefit all those who come in contact with it. CORD set-up a Bhutanese Refugee wing that strives to find ways to help the Bhutanese feel welcome and gain agency in their new unfamiliar settings. CORD also works to have the South Asian communities around the world support their fellow South Asians who are impoverished or in need. Really, it's overall a wonderful organization that is moving in a continually upward direction.

I've been volunteering with this organization for the past two years and I have learned so much from it. It's sustainable and enriching programs go far to help those in need.

Cord USA granted me an opportunity to serve in Kaza, India at an all-girls orphanage for 2 weeks in 2012. The trip was immensely inspiring and completely changed me as an individual. I emerged from my service visit as a socially-aware, sensitive, inspired, and driven person. I went on to organize fundraisers, take active roles, and help my own community in the United States as a young high school student. I believe that this organization is truly selfless and is guided by sheer love for service and people. Its goal is to help rural communities in India thrive despite the rigors of life, competition, and nature. CORD has been able to link Indians in India and Indians around the globe, creating an international support system for those who need it most. The organization is also highly efficient and confident: it does not misuse money nor time. With the goal of service as its backing, CORD works for humanity, is inspired by humanity, and connects humanity.

Dr. Kshama Metre is a living example of grace, leadership and untiring effort to solve tough issues through self help.This is one of the greatest inspiration for young minds to make a better world through their hard work. We have been fortunate to see cORD work through close quarters over a decade and only wish there were few more organizations with similar vision and leadership.

Narendra
Chicago, USA

Can I only provide 5 stars? :) Remember this charity has a very low overhead cost and over 95% of the donations go straight to the needy!

CORD as an organisation is engaged in the grass root level activities in the field of Rural Development in some of the most backward regions of India and Sri Lanka. They seek no publicity as they go on doing some real good work. Their work is aimed at making the communities they adopt as self sustained entities.

I have personally used some of the products manufactured/ produced by persons or entities supported by CORD.

I have found the staff, volunteers and office bearers of CORD to be the persons with high personal and professional integrity and as a donor this assures me that the funds that I donate have the correct end use. Because of their low overheads - the efficiency of funds utilisation is also very high.

it is encouraging to see a large number of youngsters getting associated with CORD - taking time off from their work or during their vacations to get associated with units of CORD for specific projects - an activity that provides two-way enrichment.

All the best to CORD in their endeavour.

I have all privilege and opportunity to drop in CORD Training Centre Sidhbari, Himchal Pradesh, India (from where the idea and inception of CORD happened and is a very well established model in comprehensive integrated rural development since 1985 with blessings of H.H Swami Chinmayananda and nurtured by Dr. Kshama Metre (National Director CORD in India) as a volunteer with my quest to work in my native state. Now CORD is a conviction and commitment for me as an individual and transformation for people being served under its various collaborative and participatory efforts/programs in 700 plus villages in rural India. Need of hour is to continue its depth and scale the heights of which it has potential to transform rural India.

For my past 12 plus years associations now, I see only solution for sustainable and self- reliant India is CORD. Since 2009 CORD USA has added support to CORD India and CORD Srilanka through its fund raising efforts and sending volunteers specially high school teenagers for their learning and transformation from US.

CORD USA has many projects that have genuine impact on those who need help. I am very impressed with the volunteers and everyone at CORD for the way they plan and execute programs to offer help.

How do you rate a charitable organization that gives 100% (OK, 99%) of its revenues directly to the targeted recipients? With 10 Stars, not 5!!

I have volunteered for this organization for the last 5 years and I can vouch for their honesty and their dedication to improving the lot of rural Indians and Sri Lankans.

I have been a volunteer with CORD for 2 years. CORD is an organization that works directly in the remote villages in India without any overhead costs to maintain an organization. What I like about CORD is the personal touch it provides the volunteers by putting them in contact with the people who are benefitting from CORD. I also like the youth service-visits that CORD organizes, and I have seen many high school students being inspired to help others and look at life with a different perspective. The mission and vision of CORD is truly inspiring.

In July 2013, I got the opportunity to volunteer at Sidhbari H.P. India. I really enjoyed this experience because it is unlike anything I have ever done before. Rather then donating money, the organization helps empower the underprivileged. They do not believe in handing out resources, but rather teach the skills to make people self-sufficient. This experience helped me realize that sometimes I take things for granted, and that I should appreciate and be grateful for everything around me. -Megan Mehta

CORD is a wonderful way to share our talents and resources with the underpriveleged. It uplifts both the giver and the receiver. i like CORD because, it is based on holistic principles and the volunteers are genuine and truly caring people. We need more and more volunteers so that we will have a world where no one is suffering.

In August 2013, I had the opportunity to volunteer at CORD's Chinmaya Vijaya Orphanage for GIrls. The experience truly changed my life. CORD does such incredible work for the orphaned girls by providing them with nutritious food, excellent education and healthcare, and many social/artistic opportunities. It was so heartening to see the girls thriving in CORD's outstanding facility. CORD deserves recognition for it's amazing service!

I volunteered with CORD at their Sidhbari center in November of 2011. I was there for just over a month. The work that CORD does in these rural areas of India is just incredible. I feel blessed to have been part of such inspiring work for even a small amount of time. I will definitely go back as soon as i get the chance.

CORD represents the ultimate in Chatitable work. It was inspired by the great saint master Chinmayananda Swamy forty years ago and has been serving the poor all over India. It has low overhead and uses the philosophy of teaching to fish instead of giving fish to eat. It empowers women by small loans, education, health care and many many ways. It has continued to grow in recent years.

CORD epitomizes what a charity should do. Specifically, its focus is to empower less fortunate people in rural India to raise their socioeconomic status. CORD helps them achieve these goals by assisting with education and self-sustaining cottage industries. The organization particularly emphasizes the education and training of women

I volunteered with CORD at the Sidhbari centre in Himachal Pradesh a few years ago as a high school senior. It was truly an amazing experience with an even more incredible organization. The group of volunteers were devoted to the cause and infused with positive energy, the various departments tackled the issues existing in rural development from many different angles, and most importantly, the nonprofit exemplified the long-standing sustainability concept: Don't give a man a fish, teach him how to. I can attest that their programs aim to help the populations with the greatest need--through the Community-Based Rehabilitation for the Disabled Department, teams of physiotherapists and social workers made weekly rounds of the surrounding villages for checkups with patients suffering from paraplegia, cerebral palsy, and skeletal deformities. CORD not only provided the necessary medical materials but also helped connect patients with hospitals and advocated for subsidized care from local hospitals and healthcare centers. CORD also successfully implemented microcredit theory for local women to support small business ventures, and even supplemented them with Mahila Mandals (groups designed to discuss women's issues in day-to-day life). As part of economics seminar for school I analyzed the work of CORD with Grameen Bank and found that CORD provided a much more supportive and sustainable structure for engaging local women in long-term business ventures. I was only in India for a month but I would gladly go back to spend more time with this amazing organization. Every person who worked there was inspiring in their goodness and the organization's aims are noble and well-executed. There were no internal politics; only people who strove to make a difference as best as they could.

CORD is a fantastic example of an organization that creates change by empowering people from their soul. They look at the most basic needs of a community and work to develop sustainable change. Especially in a country such as India, giving women their own resources through their microfinance programs strengthens the foundation of a family and breaks the cycle of illiteracy, thereby changing all of the social problems that accompany a lack of education.

I had the opportunity to visit two of the CORD sites in the north and south of India and have also spoken to the CORD leader in Sri Lanka. The work is truly transformative - providing sustainable solutions as opposed to handouts.

CORD is truly a life changing organization, both to those it serves and for the volunteers. Its fundamental values of core/grassroots efforts are the key to its sustainability, which is a central goal of the organization. Furthermore, this grassroots approach also helps enact change in a way that is valuable to the locals, rather than have an outsider say what is right and what is wrong. Thus, it allows villagers to cherish the characteristics of their culture that they value, and improve upon those that they see require change.

CMLA CORD has a very good understanding of the grass roots level needs of each community and serves accordingly to fulfill those needs in the least invasive way possible. They enhance the cultural and spiritual growth of the community, while lifting them up economically. They are sensitive to other groups who work with these communities in need and coordinate their giving to enhance opportunities in partnership.
We are proud to serve with CORD.

CORD USA is a great way of giving opportunities to people in the cities to contribute positively in various ways to people in remote parts of the world. It also encourages and inspires the youth of the world to think beyond themselves. They are encouraged to go and work in the remote areas and in the process they learn and grow much more. Also a wonderful way of making different people work together for a common cause.

CORDUSA's work has left permanent improvements in the people they serve.
The hallmark of success to me is when the recepient of help can be brought to a stage where help is no longer needed and the in turn can help others.
I have witnessed CORD accomplish this among the impoverished, turning lives around on a sustainble basis so that the improvement stays and the whole society benefits.

My friends and I were inspired by CORD and its mission so we started a youth seva group at our Chinmaya Balavihar organization in Pittsburgh. We had different events like a football game, a cupcake class, and a yearbook sale to raise money to donate to CORD at the end of the year. We worked really hard, especially on the yearbook, but we found that we had fun and it was completely worth it. We raised over $1000 and saw that through CORD we could make a real difference.

I have seen CORD activities in Siddhabari and I think what CORD does for women and families in need is a really great service.

Many think that Chinmaya mission is a spiritual organization and has nothing to do with social welfare. It's not easy to explain to them that spirituality and social welfare go hand-in-hand. But telling them about CORD has made them feel better about the mission. I haven't walked in any of the fundraising walks myself but my daughter does and says it's lots of fun. I cannot emphasize more the greatness of the service that CORD provides. Providing life sustaining skills to the needy in India is a great humanitarian cause. I would love to be able to go to Sidhabari one day and participate first hand in all that good work.

I have had the good fortune of being a parent chaperone for two service trips. I went to CORD Thamaraipakkam in Decemeber, 2009 and CORD Sidhbari in June, 2011. It was a wonderful experience for both my children and myself. We saw firsthand how the volunteers at CORD serve with such love, sincerity, and devotion that it was truly inspirational. CORD is an organization that believes in empowering the individual and gives them the tools to help themselves. It is an awesome to hear individuals tell their story about how CORD has helped them change their lives for the better! We have continued to be the Ambassadors of CORD after returning to the U.S. so that we can not only help raise funds, but to help bring awareness about CORD and its outreach programs.

Last summer I spent 1 week in Sidhabari and interacted with CORD volunteers and administrative staff at the training center. It was enough to see the commitment and determination in each of them and how inspiring it was for me. I met with Mahila Mandal health workers and answered their questions related to health issues and nutrition in young women. They were so engaging and could look into the practical aspect of things to make it a self sustaining and cost effective measure. I found my interaction to be fruitful as I was able to empower them with knowledge and they were going to empower the women with skills and means with in their reach to address their health and nutrition needs! It was truly a very fulfilling experience!

Empowering the women is the key to see the change we want (remembering Half the Sky). CORD does exactly that. CORD is an organization which is not about donating money to the needy, its about empowering rural communities and educating them with the end goal of independence. CORD is invested long-term in the communities it supports and has a huge army of volunteers dedicated to serve. I was looking for a worthy cause to donate to / volunteer for, and this is exactly what i was looking for. SO far, I have only done walkathons and donate very small amounts. I hope, one day to go to places where I can physically contribute.

CORD is an organization which is not about donating money to the needy, its about empowering rural communities and educating them with the end goal of independence. CORD is invested long-term in the communities it supports and has a huge army of volunteers dedicated to serve. If you're looking for a worthy cause to donate to / volunteer for, this is it.

During Tsunami many men and women lost their lives. Many teenage girls became orphans. These girls would have become beggars or prostitutes on the street. I was amazed to see these street girls getting education and going to become the future leaders of the nation. One has to listen to their stories and see their progress in life. CORD USA has done a tremendous work to up-lift the life of these innocent girls.

CORD USA has taken the village and uneducated ladies and training them to become nurses and other self-supporting members of the society. Again one has to experience this development to believe it.

CORD USA has taken a great task in doing a work in Rural and Women's development in the world.

Thank you.

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a group of us went to serve at cord in the villages of himachal pradesh. not one walked out without a life transformation. even those of us who didnt know the language made it work because the cord sidhbari volunteers worked with us and trained us so amazingly. and the villagers welcomed us with so much warmth that whatever we could offer they were happy to take. i've seen and helped at a lot of volunteer organizations. and i am so proud to have been able to participate in something so meaningful and life transforming as cord. i know so many who have been touched and changed by our visit to the projects of cord.

Taking a very unique and holistic approach to fight the vicious cycle of poverty and the many ills that it brings in it's wake, CORD serves as a lighthouse amongst NGOs to pave the way for a solution that is not only oriented towards self-reliance but also towards transformation and upliftment of the rural community as a whole. A one of a kind NGO!

best non profit organization.well run and 90 percent $ goes to needed cause.

Being a part of Chinmaya Mission for the past three and half years Gurudev's vision continues to amaze and inspire me every moment in so many aspects and CORD USA is one of them. I have participated in walkathons organised for CORD, it is wonderful to be able to support and empower people and help them to be successful in all walks rather than just donate the money, this is the very vision that Gurudev had to help the villagers , their families and communities to be self-sufficient.

I have been working with CORDUSA since December 2012 towards developing the framework to allow university students to conduct public health research at a CORD site. CORDUSA's board has been exceptionally helpful with pointing us in the right direction, and providing us with the tools to build this initiative. I can confidently state that our partnership with CORDUSA is the beginning of a greater movement towards global public health work among the youth, as well as an in-depth engagement with rural communities in South Asia. In the process, CORDUSA has done a great service not only to rural communities within CORD sites, but to the future leaders in global public health, economics, and community-based initiatives. I am very excited to witness the magnitude of the movement that will be Colleges for CORDUSA!!

I am writing as a person who was inspired to contribute to this organization for a number of years now. CORD exemplifies the power of self-empowerment, and it is amazing to see the way CORD has impacted the lives of many people by giving them the skills to overcome their hardships and become more self-sufficient in their lives. I have had several high schoolers talk about their experiences volunteering at CORD supported sites, and it is clear that it is not only the people in need that are being helped, it is the volunteers themselves. There is a lot of value in being taught self-sufficiency, how to develop a positive attitude and outlook in life with what little you have, and how everyone can strive to uplift their fellow human beings as well as themselves.

To understand what Cord USA aims to achieve ... you need to understand the famous proverb. Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. CORD aims to teach individuals in rural villages to become self-sustaining. I feel knowledge and skill are the best gifts you can give to those who don't have much. It really builds on their confidence and reassures them that they can be successful and they must.

I have been involved with CORD since 2009. I have always found it to be an amazing organization. CORD focuses on empowering women, children, and communities. CORD assists people in the rural villages in India to develop skills that can help them to live better and more productive and satisfying lives. This is remarkable! CORD does not focus on only charitable giving but rather on helping people to have sustainable skills and sustainable prosperity. CORD is successful in its endeavors via literacy programs, empowerment groups, skills groups, microfinance, etcetera. The leader of CORD Dr. Kshama Metre is an inspiration for all those who come into contact with her, for she has dedicated her life to this cause.

I have been astounded by the impact that CORD has had on the lives of rural Indian villages. I walked in the August Walk-athon in Manhattan and the camaraderie and dedication of the organizers and volunteers was really inspiring.

I heard about CORD from a friend of mine. I ran my first half-marathon a couple months ago at the Chicago Half Marathon and one of the reasons I ran was the opportunity to raise funds for CORD which does inspiring work and has a great cause. I look forward to volunteering or being involved with local events at CORD in the future.

After visiting the villages in Tamilnadu for just a short while, I was both pleasantly and unpleasantly surprised. I was surprised by the smiles I was greeted with and the bursting potential of all of the village youth. Their energy, wit and enthusiasm was contagious. They were so much more wealthy than I originally imagined. I couldn't help but think how incredible it would be if their potential could all be channeled through the avenue of self-improvement. I was unpleasantly surprised to see a few basic problems that act as deadly parasites to the society. Ignorance of things like basic hygiene, where the villagers had never seen a toothbrush before of even heard of dental hygiene. Rampant alcoholism, where a man in his mid 50's stumbled into the middle of our cricket match at 12:00 noon. The villagers simply need a guiding hand that can lead them to self-sufficiency, that will allow them to productively harness their own potential. CORD USA is doing just that through things like the Mahila Mandil sessions specifically focus on empowering women because they are the anchors of the village. Through the heartwarming and selfless service of individuals such as Dr. Meera, CORD's mission of dynamic love is making a strong impact on village communities and I hope we can all help it to do so through our time and resourecs.

As an economist I believe that the true source of development is empowerment. Not recognizing it and giving funds to those in power was the major error in international aid in the post-War years. Economic growth in the long run occurs only when society breaks the chains that were holding it back. I had the fortune of growing up in India when a shift in power from the upper cast to all Hindus, from landlords to tenants and from a few industrialist to many occurred. I support CORD as it empowers those who are caught in a social trap.

CORD is 'a bond of Love' as swami Tejomayananda ,present Global Head of the Orgniztion puts it. CORD is a bond beween the beneficieries in need of support and the dedicated voluteers who desire to give back to the Society the benefits enjoyed by them. It is not charity doled out. CORD works for sustainable skill building among the vast population of Villagers in India and elsewhere to make them stand on their own using the skills acquired thanks to cORD's training. CORD USA supports the development work carried out globally and in India in particular.. when the Sunami struck the east coast of Srilanka CORD was there to help the victims..The undrerprivilaged women of in the backward villeges of Himachal Pradesh in Nort Western India are enriched by CORD work to speak up for their rights and coime out theircocons ofmale dominated society. In the remote villages of Odissa in eastern india CORD is bringing in much needed Medical support & expanding their knowledge of hygine & nutrition.In the better off villages of Tamil nadu ,CORD is leading the women force to greater role in Rural governance. To be part of this organization really satisfying for me.:: CA.P.N..Kannan ( A Chartetred accountant from chennai,Tamil Nadu,India)

I volunteered with this organization in college for six months and was so inspired that I went back as a physician to see how I could make an impact. The beauty of this organization is its mission statement and its emphasis on becoming a comprehensive program that enables people to enable themselves. I look forward to going back and working with the National Director and the CORD workers.

I came to know about CORD a few months ago thru a friend. I was amazed by the good work they do. What most interests me is that they empower women in rural areas so its not giving money or food to them but making them independent so they can take care of themselves. Another thing that is very impressive is that they develop the women who have benefitted by CORD into future leaders, creating a exponential impact in the areas. Keep up the good work!!!

CORD is an organization which is not about donating money to the needy, its about empowering rural communities and educating them with the end goal of independence. CORD is invested long-term in the communities it supports and has a huge army of volunteers dedicated to serve. If you're looking for a worthy cause to donate to / volunteer for, this is it.

This non-profit has been a boon to many of the most under served people in India. Protecting families, giving independence to the ladies who are many times the backbone of the family is wonderful. They provide education and guidance at no cost and encourage families to provide same opportunities for education that have been long since traditionally reserved for boys/men. Additionally, for the children that are born and brought up in other countries, the volunteers provide an excellent opportunity to experience the things we take for granted here has an unbelievable value. How the people in remote areas have to struggle for even the basic of the amenities. This way they help expand the horizon of the children as they grow and make an indelible connection with world far beyond. The kinship built through goes far and help generate enthusiasm for volunteering to better the world in general. Thus I fully support this "truly" non-profit organization and commend them for all their efforts.

I work in international development and feel that CORD is a unique charity that focuses on brining real holistic results to poor people in Rural India. it is a great example of long term sustainable development by empowering the poorest to help themselves develop sustainable livelihoods with a measurable demonstration impact. CORD works to tackle rural poverty addresses corruption through empowerment at the grassroots level, healthcare and nutrition, micro-banking and income generation, rehabilitation of children with disabilities, and natural resource management. CORD has impacted close to 700 remote villages, provided income generation activities for 13,000 underprivileged villagers and created several programmes that have reached around 50,000 people directly and 500,000 indirectly.

i did my internship at Cord, sidbari during my MBA at SPJIMR Mumbai. It was one of the most memorable experience I had. From the hustle and bustle of the city,its businesses and corporate life, here was a place which was doing a very meaningful work in a calm, organized and a very effective way. Their holistic approach towards any activity which they take up is what impressed me the most. It was just not about helping the villagers with material benefits but making them empowered from the core to make them self sustainable. As the saying goes - " If you feed a man a fish, you eliminate his hunger for a day. If you teach him how to fish, you eliminate his hunger forever". Cord was a perfect testimony to this saying.

I recently started getting to know about CORD. More and more I come to know about their activities, I feel very positive about them as an organization. Empowerment of people is their main goal and it really works in the rural projects they have undertaken in India. They operate in a structured way to channelize the funds and make sure it helps empowering people who need the support most. I feel confident that My little contribution would be well spent.

CORD USA is one of the very few organizations that I know of that has almost ZERO overhead. All the donations directly benefit the recipients. The recipients include deprived women, orphaned children, and the most downtrodden in society.

i have visited CORD branches in both Coimbatore and Siddhbari, and my experience of this organisation is beyond words. This organisation has succeeded in enabling people to help themselves. It goes beyond providing people materially with food, shelter, etc., to empowering them to be more, to grow, to sustain themselves independently, to form their own strong, positive communities, and to fight for change in order to carve out the society THEY want to live in - rather than being passive recipients of external aid. The most significant and BEST experience I want to share here is that at every CORD centre, you don't see foreigners running CORD - CORD is more of a vehicle for social improvement directed and sustained by the members of the community themselves. One example is the collective women's groups (within each village) which have empowered many women to collectively fight against discrimination and injustice experienced by individual women on a day to day basis, and even enable members of their groups to start their own business (through microfinancing). I strongly recommend this fantastic organisation :)

I am part of a community service team in the Boston chapter for CORD and we do an annual Walkathon to raise funds for CORD. CORD-USA has been instrumental in raising awareness for the incredible, 100% volunteer driven work done by CORD to help rural villagers in India. Our team has been inspired through the efforts of CORD-USA and our service team team has grown and our Walkathon now has 250 participants. CORD-USA provides a tremendous variety of information about CORD and the specific projects in India, including project vision, results, videos, etc. This helps motivate the chapters in USA to raise funds for CORD. Another program from CORD-USA is the Annual Service Project that allows youth from each of the local chapters to volunteer for onsite visits to various CORD projects in India. These young adults are able to volunteer and work with CORD project field workers to gain hands-on experience in the challenges of implementing programs in rural areas. In working with non-profit organizations it is often difficult to understand the impact that funds/efforts are making. However, both myself and the Boston chapter volunteers can sincerely give 100% support for CORD due to CORD-USA creating awareness around problems in rural villages and providing detailed information about CORD projects so that we can clearly see the impact of our efforts.

My son volunteered at a CORD orphanage in Vijayawada a couple of years ago. It was a well organized and clean atmosphere for young girls to grow up in. The girls are raised, not with the hope that someone will adopt soon, but with the idea that these girls should be raised with confidence and leave the orphanage as productive members of society. Many of the CORD activities are focused on empowering a person with life skills that can help them change their current situation as oppose to just handing out money and goods to poor people.

I have been associated with CORD for several years. Ever year, I diligently put in effort to raise money for CORD, as I strongly believe in the cause. Besides raising money, I also try and spread awareness about the organization. I am very impressed by which CORD runs the orphanage for girls in India. The Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD) empowers abused women and children in the Indian Subcontinent. The organization teaches the necessary skills to make them independent. The organization conducts holistic programs for self-upliftment for the rural and impoverished women of India without social, economic, and political boundaries. Several programs are run by CORD. Programs provide healthcare, promote literacy, and facilitate social justice. The mission of CORD is to reduce poverty and increase self-reliance.

CORD (Chinmaya Organisation of Rural Development) is a brilliant example of holistic development, that works from the grassroots level and has efffected long-lasting change in the lives of thousands of India's poorest communities. The brilliance of CORD lies in its leadership, spearheaded by the dynamic Dr Kshama Metre who began by offering health services to poor villagers - she realised poverty in rural India is complex and multi-layered and it is only by addressing its root causes that it can be eliminated for good. For example, building a school in a rural remote area is no good if people do not understand the benefit education can bring to their lives, so motivate them to lobby their local government to build a school in their local area so that they truly value and make the most of the facility. CORD works across women's empowerment, legal rights, healthcare, education, disability rights and natural resource management - it addresses the causes of poverty, not the symptoms - and it builds leaders; that is what makes it such a worthy cause.

I love their work...n I love what they do.. Its inspiring .. to know so many are helping out at CORDUSA.. n its all going for SUCH GOOD CAUSES.

I am one of the writers for the CORD USA newsletter and their work never ceases to amaze me! We are sometimes so caught up in our lives that we don't realize that there are people out there who do not have the things that we have. There are some people who have no families and as a result no place to live. There are some who do not have sources of livelihood because they never got an education. There are some who are afraid to speak out because they never had their voices heard. From adopting schools, holding medical camps, educating farmers, empowering women to housing children in an orphanage, CORD reaches out to these people in need and inspire us to do the same.

I'm very selective about where I donate. CORD is one of the very few organizations which has really caught my attention over the last few years. I met Dr. Kshama, the founder in New York and was very inspired by the work she has been doing over the last several decades. This organization doesn't give charity. It helps people stand on their feet.. it transforms the villagers to transform villages! What a unique concept! A sense of empowerment, confidence, and determination is generated through CORDs support in the villagers who have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to transform themselves and their villages. I look forward to an opportunity to go volunteer with this organization in the future.

CORD is a truly inspirational organisation which embodies the ideals of sincere self-less service. The organisation's dedicated workers relentlessly strive to facilitate holistic and sustainable self-upliftment, maintaining a positive attitude while doing so. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity serve with CORD, an organisation which has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands from every section of society, and continues to work hand-in-hand with communities to empower them to improve their circumstances.

I always wanted to help rural people in world. I came across CORD and have seen the activities done by them for rural people. They not only help them for once but CORD teaches to rural communities how to self-sustain themselves and live independently. Not only that, they impart some very good values to communities which is very essential in today's world. I have also witnessed lot of my friends have gone to villages where CORD is active. I was totally convinced and impressed by the efforts put by CORD organizers for their selfless service. I started volunteering for CORD events since beginning of this year and also decided to donate on monthly basis. I highly recommend to any volunteer / donor to participate in such noble cause. Its totally worth it.

I came across CORD USA whilst travelling in South India last year and after seeing the positive changes this organisation has made in the rural villages of many parts of India, I too decided to join forces and became a donor. CORD USA particularly empowers and changes lives of women of rural India. In my view, women are the biggest victims of poverty. I highly encourage anyone interested in development whether it be as a student, volunteer or donor; to get behind this great organisation.

Learning and participating in the work of CORD has been tremendously inspiring. The key differentiating factor is CORD's emphasis on self empowerment - supporting individuals and communities to reach their potential. This approach results in a sustainable, wholesome, and integrated program that is truly enriching.

CORD USA is a very unique non-profit with their focus on women. There is a sanskrit saying in India that goes thus, "yatra yatra naareestu poojyantE tatra tatra devataah nivasah santi"...translated as "Where women are worshiped, there angels reside". Unfortunately, in the contradiction that India is, the plight of the women and therefore the country has nothing to write home about. Not many non-profits focus on women. As they say, if the women are educated, entire family is educated. So, there begins the story of any development. By focusing at the foundations that lead to a well developed society, CORD is doing a wonderful job. The other aspect of CORD USA is the fact that it is the brain child of Pujya Swami Chinmayananda, a leader, a mentor, a sage whose unparalleled wisdom inspired millions to wake up from the slumber of ignorance. It is therefore fitting that I am proud to write this review on Deepaavali day. I would highly recommend CORD USA to anyone who would like to get involved with development work. Inspite of the policy disasters that keep India in the darkness of perpetual poverty, it is organizations like CORD (and CORD USA) who light the candle of hope through their self-less service and I pray and hope on this Deepaavali day that this light will never lose its shine much like the wisdom of her founding father Pujya Chinmayananda.