Mona Foundation has been such a crucial and amazing part of my high-school journey. This non profit has allowed me to help build a better community and work with other active members for the greater good. Furthermore it has helped me learn and grow in many different ways while also opening my eyes to Global problems. The team at Mona Foundation is incredibly helpful and supportive and I feel so blessed to be part of this organization!
I have been deeply inspired by their unwavering commitment to education and empowering communities, especially women and girls. What stands out most is their focus on grassroots initiatives that create lasting change, ensuring that every dollar truly makes an impact.
Supporting the Mona Foundation has been incredibly rewarding because they keep donors well-informed about the progress and tangible results of the programs they fund. Knowing that my contributions help provide opportunities for children and families worldwide fills me with gratitude and purpose.
This organization operates with transparency, integrity, and a genuine passion for uplifting others. I’m proud to be a part of their mission and would encourage anyone looking to make a meaningful difference to support the Mona Foundation.
Mona is a fantastic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of thousands of individuals around the world. Their unique approach of providing support to existing grass roots efforts that align with their values is incredibly efficient and allows actual members of the community to develop a deep understanding of the community's needs and lift up their neighbors. I believe that this approach is the future of international NGOs and is the best way to maximize the value of the funds that donors contribute. Go Mona!
Most GRATEFUL for the Mona Foundation ~ thoughtfully & lovingly providing education, especially for girl children, around the world!
Education is essential for the well being & healthy development of individuals, families, communities & nations! Very encouraging to me to hear about and see videos on FaceBook of Mona’s ongoing dedicated efforts! Cheers!
I have contributed to Mona Foundation for the past seven years and I recently committed to a 3-year pledge because Mona Foundation, in collaboration with its partner grassroots organizations, has proven year after year to have a real, meaningful, and profound impact on reducing poverty through the education of children, girls, and women. As a professional working in the mental health field, I have seen how essential education is in developing a young person's self-confidence as they increase their capacity to manifest change in their own lives, and Mona's unique focus on supporting young women to be agents of change, not only in their own lives, but in the lives of their families and communities is powerful. My own mother was denied the education she desired because her parents' had a limited vision of her potential. As a result, she never had a chance to pursue a career that would not only have been fulfilling for her, but would have allowed her to contribute to her community in ways she could only dream about.
Mona is a highly efficient and lean organization with intelligent and capable people of high integrity. I never doubt that my money is being efficiently managed. I also applaud their efforts to share their learning in the non-profit world with other organizations who see Mona as a model for financial stewardship and effectiveness. If you're considering how best to share your financial resources in a way that will be truly meaningful, I can't think of a better place to put your trust and dollars than the Mona Foundation.
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This is my 5th year donating to the Mona Foundation and I'm happy to do so because I can so directly feel the impact of my contributions on the betterment of the world. I especially appreciate Mona's approach which is unlike any other non-profit foundation I've seen: they identify grassroots programs that have been developed to effectively and usefully meet the educational needs of young people (primarily girls) in a region, then boost those programs through financial support that allows those programs to significantly increase their reach, scope, and effectiveness so many more girls and young women have the opportunity to develop their capacities through education and skills building, and feel empowered to pursue their futures with greater independence and confidence.
I strongly recommend the Mona Foundation to folks who are looking to see their contributions spent wisely, carefully, and with great impact.
Tuve la oportunidad de conocer a la Fundación Mona durante su visita a Guatemala y a MAIA en el año 2022. Fue altamente gratificante tener la oportunidad de compartir con los miembros de la Fundación entre ellos Laura y Mahnaz e intercambiar y compartir sobre la cultura y el contexto de Guatemala. Fue fundamental compartir sobre la importancia de la educación en Guatemala, empoderamiento de mujeres y liderazgo de mujeres indígenas. Ambas organizaciones trabajamos por el bien social y fue evidente que apreciaron el trabajo de MAIA, el empoderamiento de las Jóvenes Pioneras y sus familias al igual que cada una de las personas que trabajabamos ahí. Como mujer indígena me sentí altamente escuchada y apoyada durante los años que trabajamos juntas, una relación de mucho respeto, confianza y apoyo mutuo. Durante el tiempo que serví como Co- Directora Ejecutiva de MAIA, la Fundación Mona definitivamente fue una aliada clave, que ha confiado, apoyado y ha estado para la institución resaltando el trabajo de MAIA, pregutando que tipo de apoyo necesitabamos y como podian mejorar como aliados / donantes, no todos los aliados / donantes tienen este nivel de consciencia y apertura. Además nunca ha dudado de abrir puertas para la insitutución para hacer amplificar el impacto de MAIA. ¡Qué increible conectar y trabajar con aliadas de esta naturaleza, uniendo esfuerzos por el bien común!
I had the opportunity to meet members of the Mona Foundation team during its visit to Guatemala and MAIA in 2022. It was highly gratifying to have the chance to share with the members of the Foundation, Laura and Mahnaz. We had the space to share and learn about the culture and context of Guatemala. At MAIA, we felt that our work was important, especially the empowerment of the Girl Pioneers (students) and their families and everyone who worked there. As an indigenous woman, I felt truly heard and supported during the years we worked together, in a relationship of great respect, trust, and mutual support. During the years that I served as Co- ED Mona Foundation was a key ally. The Foundation has trusted, supported, and been there for the indigenous people, highlighting the work of MAIA, asking what kind of support we needed, and how they could improve as allies/donors.
Moreover, they have never hesitated to open doors for the institution to amplify its impact. "How incredible it is to connect and work with allies of this nature, joining efforts for the common good!" Gracias / Matyox and Thank you!
Partnering with the Mona Foundation has given me a renewed sense of purpose for my life. I was introduced to the Foundation through a podcast where Actor Rainn Wilson interviewed the founder and CEO, Dr. Mahnaz Javid. I was so impressed that I reached out to her and we have since developed a beautiful, collaborative relationship. My role was to be a member of their 25th Anniversary Planning Committee. In 2024, we developed a new documentary "Light And Air" to tell the story of 1 girl from India (1 out of the 4.2 million children we have provided access to education). I have included the movie poster and a photo of the documentary producer. We held documentary screening events across the United States to share our cause. Personally, I am also sharing the cause of the Mona Foundation with Rotary Clubs here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My presentation is entitled "My transition from private practice dentistry to a partnership with the Mona Foundation."
The Mona Foundation is such a wonderful organization and full of heart. The out reach throughout the world to the underserved children of the world is incredible. As a donor I am proud to give to a foundation where 100% of my donation goes to the children!
The Mona Foundation is an organization like no other! I have been involved with Mona for almost a year now, and the experience has been incredibly empowering. Through their Youth Ambassador program, I was able to do lots of service in my community, and inspire other youth to get involved too! The mentors from the Mona Foundation are such empathetic, encouraging and inspiring individuals, and I would never have been able to do this service if it wasn’t for their support and guidance. The purity behind their work is extremely inspiring, while still making a significant impact on the world. Overall an amazing organization, and can’t wait to see what they do next!
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I am in awe with the Mona Foundation. They have empowered over 100,000 girls, and have provided education for over 1,00,00 girls in 2022 alone. This is astonishing! I am a Mona Youth Ambassador, and what drew me to their foundation was their passion and dedication to supporting and empowering girls. Everyone works so hard, and they are contributing to the betterment of society, through the education of girls. I am so inspired by the Mona Foundation, and aim to implement service into my daily life, just as they have.
I am continually impressed by the impactful work of the Mona Foundation. Mona Foundation's dedication to supporting grassroots educational organizations around the world is truly inspiring. By focusing on educating children, empowering women and girls, and creating agents of positive change, Mona Foundation and their partner organizations are making a significant difference in not only the lives of individuals but entire communities. I wholeheartedly support Mona's mission and encourage others to do the same.
Mona Foundation is an inspiring organization dedicated to transforming lives through education, with a focus on women and girls. Through their grassroots approach, they are able to empower local leaders to implement effective solutions for their communities and foster real change. Working with Mona Foundation, it is clear that they have a strong commitment to transparency, ethical practices and spreading the power of education. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, joining Mona’s efforts is a wonderful opportunity.
The Mona Foundation is ethically sound and centers girls and women in its work. There is an emphasis on values as a means to promote gender equality, societal impact, holistic development, and the cultivation of responsible and compassionate individuals that will carry their learnings into their communities and the world to co-create a better more inclusive and just world.
I joined the Mona Foundation just prior to the pandemic, and have been so impressed by its responsiveness to the needs of its partner organizations. The Mona Foundation has an unwavering commitment to serving partners who are empowering women and girls and advancing society. I'm inspired by the devotion to the mission that anyone who works with and/or supports the Mona Foundation shares. Beyond any measurements, the organization's impact can be seen in the smiles of the children is serves.
Amazing Organization with an amazing cause! Mona Foundation has been an organized and dedicated organization that provides support to communities with less privilege and opportunity.
I am proud to be supporting Mona for the past four years. Mona is transparent, ethical and above all has empowered and lifted not only individual girls and women, but entire communities with its grassroots educational initiatives. I saw it firsthand in Panama and each time I hear of new schools and new areas it fills my heart with hopes knowing the impact that this amazing Organization has on transforming lives. Thank you Mona for the gifts that you give us in addition to the lives you change.
Serving this Foundation has been the bounty of my life.. visiting these schools that Mona partners with has shown me the incredible impact it has on entire villages and communities. They are honest, transparent and I have never seen an organization that operates as ethically as they do. I’m proud to serve Mona.
Mona Foundarion has had a great impact on my life as a woman & as a mother. My daughter & Sina are also involved & we see it as a blessing as they have both been empowered & have risen to help humanity. Thank you Mona Foundation for inspiring us all
Mona Foundation, led by the inimitable Mahnaz Javid, is doing strategic, innovative, and justice-oriented work to support grassroots educational initiatives around the world, especially those that intentionally empower women and girls. Many of my colleagues have traveled with Mona to see the work of Mona's partners first-hand, and they always comment about how powerful the trips are and how Mona trusts local leaders to create solutions indigenous to their communities instead of parachuting in with a prescribed plan.
This year I traveled with Mona Foundation board members and supporters to visit three schools in India funded by Mona to support education for women and girls of the Dalit castes. The Mona Foundation has an excellent reputation in India for its unwavering commitment to gender equality and universal education. Mona Foundation operates with the highest ethical standards and over 90% of its funds are distributed to support education projects in India, Africa and South America, among other places. Highly recommended.
Education and building people's capacity at the grassroots is the key to combatting social injustice. Social and economic development fails when made into a product one group delivers to another. The individual and the community transform when members have universal access to education in an environment that respects gender equality and diversity.
The Mona Foundation has a unique philanthropic approach of empowering partners to dream of and design their path to a better future. I know no other foundation that takes such a humble yet impacting role in supporting grassroots initiatives. I volunteer for the Foundation because their inspiring values align with their actions! Lisa Perskie
I start by stating that the biggest challenge with nonprofits is to show their impact. Once I interviewed with a Deputy Director for a significant position with a major nonprofit in Seattle. Everything went perfectly till I asked him how the role would show its impact. He said, "It doesn't." I thanked him for the opportunity and moved on. As an educator in the field with extensive leadership experience in business and government, I know how important evaluating and measuring impact is. Mona Foundation shows its impact with transparency and accountability. In fact, Mona Foundations's business model is as innovative as Uber where they bring donors and organizations together with an efficient and small administrative structure. It is important for me to know my contributions are investments that will have the highest positive impact on the people who need it the most. Thank you Mona Foundation for what you do for the world!
Mona Foundation is a truly exceptional nonprofit. There are many ways that philanthropy is done wrong, but this organization abides by a community-based approach that leaders in the foundation world should take notes from. Partnering with grassroots organizations and providing long-term support for capacity building disrupts the traditional power structure of philanthropy and paves a new, more equitable way to give back to communities that need it most. I am proud to be part of this community of global changemakers.
Mona Foundation truly makes a difference to
eliminate poverty and gender inequality
through educating women and children.
I am honored to be a part of Mona Foundation because of their support of meaningful change towards universal education and gender equality. I truly believe their focused initiatives to support educating women and children in countries where education is scarce will be a catalyst in alleviating poverty and injustice. I am excited about the social and economic change this organization will undoubtedly continue to ignite globally in making education a more easily attainable right.
There are three reasons that I've supported the Mona Foundation over the years. The first is the focus on education in general and girls in particular. A recent UNESCO study supports the validity of this approach to alleviating poverty. From a philosophical point of view, I support this approach.
Second, the approach has been successful. I am most familiar with the results in the Badi School in Panama and the New Horizon School in Haiti. In areas of the world where education presents serious challenges, students in both programs perform well above the average in those communities.
The third reason is that a very high percentage of my donations actually reach those in need. 78% of my donation either goes directly to the programs that the Mona Foundation supports or indirectly supports those programs. Of that, 58% goes directly to the programs.
The approach is grounded in sound principles, it has proved to be effective, and every dollar of your donation goes a long way to helping people.
Mona Foundation's impact is far-reaching. I personally love knowing that 100% of my donations goes directly to the educational initiatives they support. Mona also does not interfere and strives to support grassroots initiatives by trusting in their capacity. Every dollar donated to Mona is carefully spent on the education and empowerment of girls and boys around the world. If you visit their website, you can read countless stories of lives touched around the world.
What a great org! They raise money with a very small admin cost. Currently, a major donor pays for all those costs so all money raised goes to the projects they support all around the world. And who wouldn't be all for education? The projects supported all have a great track record and Mona doesn't tell them what to do and how to run themselves!
I was part of a group from Mona Foundation that travelled to Guatemala earlier this year to visit the MAIA Impact School, the first female, Indigenous-led secondary school in Central America serving the most marginalized segment of their society: indigenous Maya girls. The trip was part of Mona's due diligence in adopting MAIA as a new partner organization and to begin building the relationship of trust, mutual respect, reciprocity, and humble learning that characterizes Mona's approach to development. The visit was informative and inspirational on many levels but the opportunity to meet, visit, and learn with MAIA's leadership team in Guatemala was priceless. The friendships and collaborative spirit fostered by the visit set the stage for Mona and MAIA's new partnership to flourish in service to their collective mission for years to come. It was easy to see why Mona takes this step at the outset, and then continues to visit its partners in the field every few years. The impact is transformative. If you ever have an opportunity to join a Mona site visit, I highly recommend you go!
Mona helps me make an impact! I know when I give to Mona, I am helping to create a better world. They investigate and support global programs that tirelessly educate some of the world's most vulnerable children and they put a particular focus on the importance of gender equality to raise the status of women and girls.
If you want to understand the value that Mona Foundation creates for their partner projects around the world in Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Caribbean, just read some of the partners' comments on the Mona Foundation website (www.monafoundation.org). With Mona's support (which comes from donors like you and me), lives and communities change and flourish. It leads to a better world for us all.
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For over 20 years, Mona Foundation has dedicated its efforts to two things proven to transform communities: education and raising the status of women and girls. Through this focus they have seen individuals, communities and institutions at the grassroots lift themselves up and thrive in the face of enormous challenges. Mona Foundation serves communities worldwide and they deserve support.
The Mona Foundation’s mission of educating and empowering girls is a powerful one and the stories of impact described on their website are impressive. However, it was not until I had the bounty of accompanying a Mona team to Guatemala to explore the possibility of adding a new organization to the Mona family that I realized what a truly remarkable organization it is.
Mona partners with grassroots organizations to not only meet their needs but to help build their capacity. It does this by making them “part of the family” and establishing a close relationship that supports rather than dictates to them or requires cumbersome written reports of their actions that take away from doing the actual work. That is not to say that accountability is lacking, in fact, as members of the family I know that the atmosphere of trust and collaboration between Mona and its partners increases the likelihood that the resources provided will be used conscientiously and effectively. There are many organizations with wonderful missions, but I have no doubt that few are such good stewards of the money given by donors.
In fact, I am so impressed by the Mona model that I constantly look to it as I work with another fairly new non-profit where I am a member of the board. Thus, not only is Mona helping the educate and empower children of its member organizations, but is also helping the communities our group will be supporting in the area of community health. Can there be any greater testament to my high esteem of Mona than this?
I have been involved with this organization since 1999 and the adjectives that I would use to describe the culture and mission of this organization are:
1) Culture: transparent, committed, caring
2) Mission: impactful, relevant and transformative
Mona Foundation provides the highest "return on investment" for my donor dollars of any non-profit I have ever encountered. By making long-term commitments to thoroughly vetted grass-roots schools and other NGOs in some of the most under-resourced communities world-wide with a strong focus on capacity-building, Mona achieves an outsized positive impact with enduring results.
Incredible organization with integrity and passion with the mission to educate every child (especially girls) in every corner of the globe. A must foundation to be part of, giving each of u an opportunity to give back.
Mona Foundation is a phenomenal organization! With a focus on supporting educational projects around the world, Mona invests in strong, local, grassroots leadership in some of the most challenged places around the globe. The focus on girls and the development of economic opportunities in the community are a hallmark of what they do. I'm proud to be a supporter of this incredible foundation
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Mona Foundation is an exemplary organization serving nearly two dozen schools across the globe. Their specific focus is on alleviating poverty through education with a particular emphasis on women and girls. All of the projects supported start with local proven leadership on the ground and Mona serves to enable the objectives of these schools without imposing their own agenda and tools. Impacting more than a million people each year either directly or indirectly, Mona is a model of effectiveness with so many amazing projects making a huge difference in their supported communities
I found Mona over four years ago, and have never looked back since. Mona focuses on education for the youth and girls empowerment. Their approach is very thorough and important. Mona supports grassroots organizations long-term, and focuses on providing aid while letting the people decide what they need and how, as they know what is best for their community. I think this is part of what makes Mona truly special and effective. I'm proud to say I have been supporting Mona for four years and many more to come!
Mona Foundation is an incredible non profit organization focusing on the education of children especially girls. I was honored to travel to India with the founder of the Foundation and visit the project schools supported by Mona Foundation. I witnessed first hand the impact of this organization on the lives of the girls receiving education in these schools. They are transformed into hard working, spiritual and capable young ladies taking control of their lives and their destinies. This trip was an eye opener and a very uplifting experience for me personally to see that every single dollar of the donations are going to good use and the impact of these donations on the lives of so many girls. I am truly honored to be part of this fantastic organization!!
I give the Mona Foundation the highest possible rating. This is an incredible and exceptional non-profit . I have had the pleasure and honor to meet and get to know the founder and many of its members, and their genuine commitment to delivering what they promise along with their integrity and their passion is unlike any I have seen. Mona Foundation is fully transparent in the allocation of your generous funds, and you know exactly what it is you are supporting. They are fully committed in their mission of tackling the source of inequality and poverty and they do that by providing access to education in communities in need all over the world, by giving young girls and boys equal access to education so they can elevate themselves, their families and their communities out of poverty. Education after all is the most powerful weapon against poverty and inequality. Go Mona!!! You have my support and thank you for all you do.
Mona Foundation is the most transparent non-profit I have supported. I love how each area of need is supported by how our dollars will go to work immediately for that particular area. I 100% recommend and will continue to support Mona Foundation.
Mona Foundation supports grassroots educational initiatives around the globe. By partnering with local organizations, Mona supports access to education to children who otherwise would not have an opportunity. Mona focuses on capacity building in students with a focus on education for women and girls. I have traveled to see one of the schools that Mona supports in Panama. Through a long standing relationship with Badi school in Panama, Mona has empowered and transformed individual lives and the surrounding local community. This was very evident. Mona is a worthy charity to support because it is only with education that we can change lives out of poverty, inequality, disease and social injustice. Mona Foundation has demonstrated the highest integrity in offering their support to partner organizations since its inception.
If not for Mona Foundation, girls in India would not have been able to say no to child marriage. They would not have found a way to take control of their lives and to live lives of their own choosing. And I am talking about nearly 3 million girls. Because of Mona Foundation, Study Hall Educational Foundation has been able to scale the work of a small school to over a thousand schools. We have been able to touch nearly 20 million lives. We at Study Hall Educational Foundation are a huge fan of Mona Foundation. We are very grateful to have them with us because we think they are a very unique organisation. They are not just our funders, they are our partners and treat us with great dignity and respect. They are the most selfless, humble, and patient organization that we know. There's a relationship of trust. They believe in the cause and they fight for it alongside you. It's not about fame. I've been looking for years to find another organization like Mona Foundation. Thank you so much Mona Foundation.
Dr Urvashi Sahni, CEO
Study Hall Educational Foundation
Our family has been donating to Mona every year and we continue to be impressed with this organization. From top to bottom they do everything I want , and expect, from a nonprofit.
Introducing my children to the concept of giving to others is so important to me. Every Christmas we sit down and look at the many MONA projects that help other kids around the world. This resonates with my kids and with my family.
We are proud and enthusiastic supporters of MONA and would encourage others to consider supporting this fine and worthy organization.
Mona's impact around the world is phenomenal. I'm very carefully with both my time and my philanthropic contributions, seeking out those organizations that have the highest impact, and do so in a way that empowers local populations to be the protagonists of their own change. Mona Foundation is a thought leader (and an action leader) in this area. I'm thankful to have found Mona.
I've been a long time supporter of Mona Foundation, who has year in and year out been a reliable and effective organization to empower education for women and children. Learning about their mission and their work has motivated me to become more involved, and Mona serves as a beacon of leadership in the nonprofit world.
Mona Foundation's focus on grassroots initiatives sets it apart from other non-profit organizations. Their efforts to build capacity for and with the schools and programs they partner with make evident that the organization is committed to support those they serve for the long-run while maintaining local community members as leaders. Mona Foundation is truly an example of bottom up philanthropy done right.
I really just stumbled on this organization. I knew nothing of them or the story of Mona. As time has gone by (5 years) and I have learned more about this wonderful organization, I am more impressed with their model. So often, the typical American plan is to go overseas and tell others how they should live and behave. To the foundations' credit, they do not do that. They reach out to these "Partner projects" and ask what do you need and how can we help get you there. Mona partners with them for the "long run" and has the 20 year+ history to show the success!
Incredible organization, beautiful philosophy and most trusted operation. Life changing experience for whoever gets involved with MONA”s mission and function.
They are honest, transparent and use the best methods to empower our children around the globe. It is an honor to donate to them. I have yet to come across any other non-profit that operates in the efficient way they do.
There are a lot of organizations dedicated to promoting girls' education around the world. What distinguishes Mona Foundation from the rest is the integrity of the people behind Mona and their sincere commitment to the principle that we are all one people, not imposing our values but learning from one another. It feels wonderful to support an organization that together with its partners achieves such incredible outcomes. Better yet, supporting the Mona Foundation is like being a part of a really big family (without any of the drama).
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In August 2016, my daughter Anna (age 15) and I traveled with the Mona Foundation to India, where we visited several of the grassroots education initiatives that Mona supports, which serve women and girls living in extreme poverty. It was not the easiest trip that we have taken, but it was without a doubt one of the best experiences of our lives. Not only were we impressed with the level of academic rigor in each of the classrooms that we visited, but we were blown away by the way in which each of the schools that we visited are changing the hearts and minds of whole communities not only about girls' education, but about gender equality more generally. It means the world to me to have had that opportunity. This trip enriched our lives and recharged us in a way that no luxury vacation could.
I choose to support the Mona Foundation because of its proven track record of success, which is a function of both the culture of the organization and its philosophy toward development.
With regard to culture, the Mona Foundation enjoys the support of a very diverse community of people. Despite their diversity, however, the Foundation's board, its staff and long-time supporters share several important things in common. They are genuinely people who care deeply about children and believe believe whole-heartedly that access to education, regardless of gender is the key to addressing global poverty. They give very selflessly. They work very collaboratively, and they are totally dedicated to the work of the Mona Foundation.
Also key to the success of the Mona Foundation is its approach to development. Many non-profits see a problem in the developing world and rush in to solve it, applying solutions that may or may not be effective for the particular community. The Mona Foundation seeks out grassroots organizations that already have a proven track record of success and a strong potential for growth. These organizations are run by truly exceptional, local leaders who have first hand knowledge of their communities, which enables them build a local network of support. It is this understanding of the local context and ability to establish sustainable community partnerships that so well positions these organizations to expand upon their prior success.
Having identified such special projects, the Mona Foundation sticks with them. Understanding that development takes time, the Mona Foundation commits to long-term partnerships with these organizations. This allows them to expand upon their reach without fear of losing funding as soon as they get started. Some foundations are leery of long-term commitments like this. Having picked its partners so carefully, however, the Mona Foundation has has tremendous success with this strategy.
Review from #MyGivingStory
Education is a right for all children. In Haiti, only those who can afford the $35/month tuition can attend a school of some quality, one without 40-50 children in a classroom. Offering more children a chance to learn is what will bring Haiti to a place of self-sufficiency and develop the country in moral, social and economic ways.
I was introduced to Mona Foundation, an educational world-wide NGO, just after it became a viable organization in 1999. I began volunteering as office help because I had time in the evenings, believed in its mission, and knew the organization needed assistance. As a classroom teacher myself, I strongly believe that everyone has the right to learning, especially those in developing countries. I enjoyed the work and felt I was participating towards positive change.
I first visited Anis Zunuzi School in Haiti on a site visit several years before the 2010 earthquake. After the crowded, noisy, dirty and almost frantic streets of Port-au-Prince, I found the school to be an island of calm, on seven acres of shaded acreage. The staff was welcoming and capable, meeting with us on several occasions to share their vision and hopes for the future. At that time, flush toilets and showers were a priority, neither of which they had. Also, they were seeking more classroom space as the school was growing and more students wanted to enroll. Over time, Mona Foundation supporters generously funded these requests. After the massive earthquake in 2010 that devastated the country, I volunteered my services with an emergency medical team. The requested showers and toilets had just been constructed a month before! School was closed so we camped on the soccer field along with some of the staff while we held clinics in classrooms during the day. Those showers and toilets were the only ones working for miles around and were most welcome by us visitors! Many of the school staff served as volunteers to help their injured community during this time, and together with the doctors and others on the medical team, we attended about 450 people a day who came with various injuries. Members of this team returned to Haiti several times over the next few months until the need for emergency medical help had been reduced.
When medical attention was no longer needed and the school reopened, I asked what else I could do to further assist. Their answer was “an art program,” since there was no art training available. So I came home and wrote an art curriculum for kindergarten through fourth grade, and incorporated as much of the vibrant Haitian art mediums as possible. I returned several times after that, taking art supplies, conducting teacher training sessions, and sharing ways to incorporate art activities to support their existing curriculum. Many of the ideas were “hands-on” which they seemed to enjoy since most of the teaching/learning in Haiti is done by rote memory. Most teachers themselves did not understand what a color wheel was or had ever held a paintbrush!
Over time I saw changes in the classroom atmosphere, some new ideas being tried and this is exciting. One teacher even stepped in to offer classes in making paper mache animals so they could be sold in the US for scholarship money for other students. I realize that what is common in US classrooms may not be comfortable for those in Haitian classrooms, but the need for creative expression is universal. When given a chance, students anywhere will happily choose color and art materials to express themselves and their subjects. Sustaining a program like this is a personal challenge but well worth it to see the teachers’ and students’ growth. Each year I return with consumable art supplies and offer workshops with additional art ideas to support their curriculum.
I will continue to visit and support Anis Zunuzi Baha'i School as much as I can when they ask for help. I feel it’s important to wait for their direction to prioritize needs for the growth of their school. Anis Zunuzi provides a quality, loving and moral education for children living in insecure situations and true poverty. This education is their path to a brighter future than they would have otherwise and in my opinion should be made available to as many children as possible. Many of the students could not attend without scholarship help because their families truly can’t afford the $35/month.
I would encourage those who can to support Anis Zunuzi Baha'i School scholarship program. I have seen such positive change in students over the years I have been visiting Haiti, and how education makes the difference between opportunity in life and becoming a victim of poor environment and life circumstance. It is a child’s right to learn and sadly not every child in Haiti can exercise that right.
In communicating recently with a young man I met during my work as a volunteer in Haiti, I asked how his siblings were doing. He said school was no longer an option, because their mom could not make enough selling in the market to send all four children to school. He was on scholarship to university but the other three had to stay home. Quickly I connected with others who had worked in Haiti with me and soon we gathered scholarship support for these three children for the year, including books, uniforms and exam fees. But what of others? Many children in Haiti need financial support for their education. Thirty-five dollars a month will make a world of difference to those who have few options for school.
Review from #MyGivingStory
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This educational foundation is an amazing composite of hard-working volunteers, dedicated to supporting the mission and goals of its founding members. Thousands of children around the globe have been allowed educational opportunities where there were few available to them before. Hope for a better future has been given to those who had little. As a volunteer/staff member who had the privilege to travel to Mona supported projects both in Panama and Haiti, I can more fully understand and appreciate the impact of the project improvements in each country. By encouraging the directors of each project to outline their own development choices, the Mona Foundation builds capacity within each project, from the ground up. 100% of designated contributed funds go directly to the project and 97% of general fund contributions are sent to the projects. This foundation can be trusted to do what it says it will do--support and educate marginalized children and improve their life-long opportunities because of it.
The Anis Zunuzi school struggled for years to make a plan and achieve it but never realised its plans because it lacked a lot of funding to make those changes. With the help of the Mona Foundation long cherished dreams became a reality and new classrooms, basketball court, dining room and kitchen, and bahtrooms were all completed. This grealty uplifted the staff who work hard to provide an above average education for its students who are mostly very poor.
I am the Treasurer of a school in Haiti that has received assistance from the Mona Foundation over the last few years. Their understanding of the slow process of development assistance and the benefits of local implementation, coupled with their patience and extraordinary generosity, is extremely rare. After the terrible earthquake of 12 January 2010, the Mona Foundation immediately responded with funds and volunteers and has made a real difference in the area. Working with Mona is a pleasure for us. They require a sensible amount of accountability and reporting and are flexible when circumstances change, all of which makes our job easier. An exemplary organization.
It is rare to see an organization that has the insights into development as Mona Foundation does. It truly understands what 'grassroots' means by supporting projects that are started by the community themselves and then it helps them develop the skills to help themselves. Now that is sustainability! The Mona Foundation also fully understands the power of education, especially that of girls, in combating poverty. And when do you have 100% of your donation go directly to the project and not to administrative overhead? There is so much integrity at this foundation.
I have known about the Mona Foundation for the past 2 years, and I have recently become involved as a supporter of the organization. The Mona Foundation believes in empowering individuals through educational initiatives and raising the status of women and girls around the world. The most important issue for me was to see how this plan was placed into action. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Haiti with members of the Mona Foundation and see firsthand the work that the organization is doing there. I was extremely impressed with the dedication and sacrifice that the people involved in the projects in Haiti are making. The teachers, administrators and volunteers in Haiti were all committed to assuring that children receive an education, who would have otherwise not been given this opportunity. They were also concerned with providing these children a character building program or moral education, as well. The moral education, in turn, provides children with a feeling of self-worth, integrity and personal accountability, which when repeated over time, will hopefully, become incorporated into their way of life.The other aspect of the process that was impressive to see was that the Mona Foundation uses grassroots initiatives in all their projects. The Mona Foundation encourages local community members to direct projects and to make decisions, in turn empowering the local population and maintaining sustainability. I find the values and mission of the Mona Foundation are in line with what I believe will help make the world a better place to live in.
What attracted me most to the Mona Foundation as a volunteer was being able to put my professional talents to use for the betterment of the world. What kept me coming back was having the vantage point of seeing first hand how the Mona Foundation lovingly accompanies the organizations they work with -- in a learning mode and through consultation. I was amazed at the level of deep trust and respect that has been cultivated as a result. Also the caliber of people who literally toil in service to their communities at project sites around the globe -- to bring about universal educate -- to raise the status of women and girls -- truly touched my very soul. My life is changed for being part of the Mona Foundation and I will always be grateful.
My wife and I have been involved with Mona Foundation since 2005. I'm a firm believer in education as a sustainable tool for lifting people out of poverty. Mona's focus on supporting projects established by the people who live in the actual communities, projects that are already self sustained ensures that with or without outside help these worthy efforts will continue to benefit the people they are meant to serve.
I have been involved with the Mona Foundation for almost three years. I began as an attendee at the annual fundraiser and immediately was touched by the incredible, personal stories of children in developing countries whose lives had been directly touched by the support the foundation gives in the area of education and skills development. The following year I was able to champion a corporate sponsorship for a table at the annual event, and the associates who joined me were equally impressed. This year, I have deepened my commitment to this amazing organization by helping plan their fundraising activities, do e-outreach, and identify other individuals who have skillsets the foundation can use to grow. Mona Foundation is incredibly unique in that the projects that are invested in are "grassroots" endevours...they are started and nurtured by native leaders in each country, and Mona serves as a consultant and monetary support in areas that are driven by the project/program leaders themselves. The priorities are set by those running the educational programs - not by an outside organization. It is a partnership that is based on long term commitment, building on trust and deepening relationships. The opportunities to help through the Mona Foundation are endless and exciting. The people associated with Mona are from many backgrounds, and it is a non-sectarian organization.