The Global Mountain Fund Inc

Our son travelled to Nepal for a work experience placement with The Mountain Fund and associated Helping Hands Community Hospital. As an 18 year old, and just having left school, we were naturally extremely anxious about his safety but with the competitive nature of applying to medical school in the UK, we decided to go ahead. We needn't have worried: he was taken care of every step of the way from the airport meet to catering for his dietary needs and the invaluable experience he received by working/observing in the hospital. He also helped around the base and played with the local children before and after school. We believe that the whole experience had a huge beneficial effect on his character, confidence and understanding of under-developed countries and their culture. In addition, his experience in the community hospital must have helped as our son is now an FY1 Doctor in our home country of Scotland. I follow the charity now and I believe that they have come on leaps and bounds in recent years. I wish them every success for the future.

Fantastic nonprofit with impressive projects such as teaching local women to become photographers and building a new oxygen system for a Kathmandu hospital. Great efforts in community service!

A favorite of mine, the Mountain Fund gives me a brilliant view of Nepal and the work the Fund is doing. I regularly share the Fund on my page where I live in Kingston, NY and find, to my delight, that they now know the site and the fund.
The pictures that are created bring Nepal and the real people closer. And I can make contributions to the Fund and Nepal and Her Farm. medical, educational, and commerce simply and with confidence that the contribution is not being bankrolled but is being put into action immediately. That immediacy and personal connection Scott MacLennan changes the paradigm of contribution from sending things or trying to understand where and when any contribution of mine is a contribution to a reliable and active organization with frequent connection: that is a perfect model. The organization has a face and skills attached to it all the time: there is continuity which must be prized.

I was lucky enough to experience volunteering with them in the summer of 2018. Their hands on approach to farming and videography helped me and my team learn a lot about the region and the difference that they’re making for the women on the farm. I would definitely come visit again.

In 2016 I nervously hoped on a plane for my very first overseas trip with a small group of girls that I had never met before & we went to Nepal to stay at Her Farm for 3 weeks to help out & volunteer & to this day I still tell people that it was the most amazing experience of my life. Travelling anywhere for the first time is frightening, but to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language is incredible nerve wracking, however, everyone at Her Farm made me feel incredibly safe & welcomed. It was such an eye opening experience to see how these people live & to see how much we can take for granted. This is an incredible organisation & it gave me an experience that I will never forget, I can honestly say that it has completely changed my perspective on life.

Absolutely the best! I have been associated with this fine charity for at least 20 years and they do more for the people of Nepal than anything I have seen to date!

The Global Mountain Fund does amazing work for the communities it serves. They are often the initiators of important programs to better the lives of the people they impact. They have provided incredible responses to crises and disasters, helping to rebuild communities after the 2015 earthquakes and establishing important resources in response to the COVID pandemic. They lead by example and empower their members and communities to take the initiative in leading change.

Great NGO is doing one of the greatest jobs of spreading smiles among underprivileged people in Peru. The Mountain Fund is working for a good cause for society, the thought of this organization is incredible!

I'm pretty critical of nonprofits. The amount of good a nonprofit does for local communities truly comes down to good design and follow through, and many in Nepal are not good at that.

The Global Mountain Fund, however, works on local community levels and has community engagement and involvement in its projects. The way volunteers get to work with the village at Her Farm, for example, it much more meaningful and gives the volunteer a better experience without stunting the day to day of the farm. All the women involved with the farm are incredibly compassionate and welcoming, as well as being hilarious and goofy in the best way.

I've volunteered off and on for the Mountain Fund for over seven years now, and can confidently say that they are making a true difference.

Best idea to change lifestyle in rual village . Best organizer.

The Global Mountain Fund Inc has been effective in improving Nepali lives and responding to urgent humanitarian needs. I first encountered the Global Mountain Fund in 2006 when seeking guidance for support staff for a search and rescue of mountaineers. Since then I have been aware of their remarkable support of Nepali women's employment and empowerment. In the last months their fundraising and organization for medical oxygen to address the dire Nepali Covid-19 pandemic has been timely and very needed. The Global Mountain Fund is addressing urgent needs and deserves funding, support and promotion. Keith Brown

Absolute BEST organization to help women in Nepal go from child bride to professional career!

Grantwriter, strategic planner. They're a great organization. I wish more were like them.

Support growth and development of Nepalese small businesses, manufacturers, co-operatives, exports, wild harvesters, and family farm engaged in sustainable products and practices. To this end, we foster self-sufficiency and economic prosperity for both the current and future generations of Nepal.

Spent 2 weeks on her farm and it was a great experience that I highly recommend. The women on Her Farm are very welcoming and considering. Scott was very well organised and helpful when it came to undertaking the program. Overall I encourage people to do this program as it's a life changing experience.

My daughter was asked by a friend to join her on a trip to Nepal to volunteer at Her Farm in July 2019. Scott Maclennan, the director, was very responsive to our inquiries and made sure that the girls arrived and departed safely. The girls were welcomed into the Her Farm community and became fully immersed in the culture and rhythm of small farm life in Nepal. I get the feeling that you get back exactly what you put into Her Farm. My daughter and her friend embraced the opportunity to become part of the day to day function of Her Farm and they were rewarded with an immersive experience which jolted them out of their comfort zone and forever altered the way they think about how life is lived around the world.

My daughter and friend, both 18 years old, had an amazing life changing experience at Herfarm this past summer. I cannot express enough gratitude to Scott and everybody at Herfarm for giving these kids an experience of a lifetime. They are forever changed for the better and I hope that they can return one day.

Mountain Fund has been always my first and the foremost charity of choice in Nepal. These guys are truly hands down charity who actually do 110% charitable work vs NGO and INGOs in Nepal. I am super confident always when donating and know exactly where the money goes.

I had pleasure making a trip to Nepal last year and stayed in the ' Her Farm' where I had the first-hand experience of where all the donated money is going to build the society and empower women to become self-sustaining. I love the idea Scott and Sunita have created this ecosystem in the Mountains of Nepal and love to support more. Already started talking about training these women in Nepal on coding and technology training. Fortunate to be part of Mountain Fund family as a donor.

I spent two months living and working with the people at Her Farm during the spring and summer of 2015 when Nepal was devastated by an earthquake. The Mountain Fund's response to this disaster was beyond amazing, working to distribute resources where they were most needed and identifying the true needs of the community. Everyone at Her Farm is so kind and welcoming, and I will always consider them to be an extension of my family. The work that has been done by the Mountain Fund to provide a voice and economic opportunity for women who might not otherwise have these opportunities has been truly impactful and sets an example for the entire community to continue to promote positive change and empowerment for all individuals.

I met Scott shortly after he set up the Mountain Fund and have always been very impressed by the work he has done, not only at Her Farm but in many other areas before. He has always been an inspiration and introduced me to many very helpful people. Running a small charity that supports education and health in Nepal, I am always very keen to pass on information about The Global Mountain Fund to anyone who wants to help Nepal. I was very pleased when I found out that one of the volunteers who has worked for RAN went on later to spend time at Her Farm.

In the final weeks of 2018 I was lucky enough to spend 14 days at Her Farm in Nepal. The experience was unlike anything that I had prepared myself for. The focus on providing beneficial skill development and education for those living at Her Farm proved to be a unique and wonderful challenge for me during my stay. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that I had in visiting Her Farm and would recommend for anyone seeking an authentic volunteering experience.

The Global Mountain Fund is doing great work on the local level for communities in need. As opposed to many of the large NGOs, the work they do is focused on the real needs of the local community. Whether providing a home for abused women, rebuilding homes from earthquake damage, or building a road so that the locals have access to city markets and infrastructure, the Global Mountain Fund is doing work that matters.

Her farm is a community of strong, authentic and brilliant women, whom I will look up to for the rest of my life.

As a volunteer I got to help farm, help look after the children, teach at a nearby school and gain practical film and photography skills. However, most importantly as a volunteer, I went on a journey. I learnt how to love myself and the people around me, I learnt how to find happiness in simplicity and learnt what it was like to truly value and respect communities.

During my 8 weeks at Her Farm, every day was different and bought a new set of challenges and laughter. Everybody made me feel at ease from the very first day - I soon felt like a memeber of the big family and no longer a guest.

Thank you to everyone at Her Farm and to Scott and Sunita, because my experience was real and raw and something I would recommend to anybody wanting to grow, learn and love.

Firstly I would love to thank Sunita didi and Scott for giving me such an golden opportunity to explore their beautiful village. Sunita didi
she is such an inspiration and most importantly wonderfulsoul. Talking to her made me realize how beautiful life is ? I was so amazed with all the incredible and wonderful work she has done for Nepal. Everyone here is very warm welcoming ,friendly and kindhearted .
Lastly I urge to everyone whoever wants to donate and volunteer in Nepal " Her farm Nepal" is the best place .

Her Farm is like no other in the world! I have done extensive volunteering throughout the world and this was definitely one of the best. They are making real change for the community and village. Change that I think will be long-lasting. The girls do their best to make you feel like family. I will definitely be going back. Thank you to all the girls and Scott and Sunita for this wonderful experience.

Volunteering at Her Farm in rural Nepal was nothing short of amazing. This place is really making a difference, providing a healthy, encouraging environment for woman to live and thrive. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work and live alongside these strong, inspiring woman that were so warm and welcoming. I learned so much in the short time I was there. So many laughs and heart warming moments- I loved every minute of it. Highly recommend volunteering at Her Farm. It is a truly life changing experience. I hope to return!

I've recently returned from a 2 week stay at Her Farm and absolutely couldn't fault it. I study International Development, and from a development point of view it was SO refreshing to see an organisation which main purpose is to benefit the lives of the women in the community, as apposed to meeting goals and targets. The organisation is beneficiary-led, meaning that it couldn't be more grassroots and bottom-up. I was fortunate enough to conduct post-graduate research whilst at Her Farm, and the success of the organisation was reflected in the unanimous happiness and contentment of all the women I interviewed. Was so uplifting to be witness to such an incredible movement and I couldn't recommend it more! To Sunita, Scott and the girls: keep up the good work!

This is a thank you letter I sent to those at Her Farm after my internship experience, that account for my feelings of their nonprofit and what they do.

Dear Scott MacLennan,

I am writing to thank you for the time you took to supervise me. You helped develop my interest volunteering into a passion by sharing your knowledge of the need for the services provided by Her Farm. This knowledge helped me understand the importance and impact of volunteering in your community. I have applied the feedback I received to increase my trust in my ability as a volunteer and as a professional. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity I was given to assist Deepa to improve her English. I learned many things working with her, both about myself and the Nepali culture, with regards to similarities and differences between us.

My internship at Her Farm has improved my cross-cultural understanding and developed my repertoire of interpersonal skills and strengths to apply in the diverse and challenging professional environment I aim to work in as a health professional. Working at Her Farm developed my understanding of the challenges involved with providing assistance in a cross-cultural environment such as ensuring to address the needs of those you are aiming to assist and not imposing one’s own will. Furthermore, I gained understanding of the psychological and health factors relating to those from diverse backgrounds, whom I aim to work with in my career, and the complexity of addressing such issues with respect to individual cultures, values and beliefs.

In summary, I wish to express my appreciation for your time and efforts as my supervisor. I wish you all the best for your future endeavours.

Sincerely,

Dana-Maree Buffett

Amazingly generous people, we felt like a part of the family. Shanti is an angel ❤️
Thanks to Scott and everyone for the incredible experience, the time spent at the hospital was great.

I spent two wonderful weeks here as soon as I arrived in Nepal for the first time. I felt immediately welcomed by the women and especially the beautiful and enigmatic children. I really felt a part of community efforts and was able to help gather bamboo trunks for Dashain celebrations. Helping in the school room in the mornings before school is a great opportunity to engage with the children and to witness their insatiable desire to learn and work hard.
I would thoroughly recommend the experience to anyone and rest assured you will be well looked after and leave with a plethora of fond memories.

Tom

We visited back in May and had an absolute amazing time. Though we did not get to meet Scott and Sunita because they were in the US, the girls at the farm and in Kathmandu took excellent care of us. Scott was also super helpful at answering our many questions before our trip and dealing patiently with us.

This is a great NGO to visit with a great mission. One of my best memories is the sunset hike which is a must do. Other than that the food is amazing and all locally grown. Try to make Momo's if you can.

The accommodations were super well kept and clean at the farm and in Kathmandu. My only comment is that it would be really nice to put some furniture up on the roof for a little stargazing place, but taking the mats and blankets in your room work just fine!

As a group of 4 young girls we felt very safe the entire time and well taken care of.

This NGO by far exceeded my expectations and it was a pleasure to experience Nepal with them.

Last year I was working in a documentary film in Nepal and I was so fortunate to meet Sunita dd, Scott and the wonderful women in Her Farm.

As well as providing a home for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, empowering these women to be independent, Her farm also has an incredible video & radio studio called Herfarmfilms, where they are inspired to learn filmmaking and radio hosting, to educate and share women's stories all over Nepal.

I learnt so much, met inspiring women, and I can't wait to visit them when I'm next in Nepal. I would highly recommend the voluntary experience and for people to support Scott and Sunita dd's wonderful organisation.

Many thanks to Mountain Fund for proving me with such a great opportunity to shadow doctors in Kathmandu's local hospital during a two-week Pre-med program. Doctors are willing to share their experience and explain students medical background of cases of numerous patients. You are allowed to attend various wards in the hospital and ask doctors about their profession. A simple motto applies there: The more you ask and the greater interest you demonstrate, the more you can learn. It is a great way to become aware of a health care system in a developing country and issues that Nepalese doctors face every day. Moreover, you get a chance to meet new people - both Nepalese and volunteers from other countries, which will make your horizons broader as well. I can only recommend joining Mountain Fund as a volunteer - I believe you will not regret it.

It's been three weeks now since I left the Her Farm in Nepal and every day since I have thought about those people kindly and my experience there fondly. These are truly humans chasing the good in life and finding happiness in helping others. There was not one day I spent in my two weeks at the Her Farm where I 1) wanted to leave or 2) felt unloved by these once strangers. I came there to help where I could but it paled in comparison to what these wonderful people did everyday for me. What a great organization and a hard working non-profit that truly makes the most of everything they have and everythings they're given. 10/10 would recommend again.

From the moment I got off the plane, the Nepali people made me feel as comfortable as possible. The sisters are very hospitable and make sure you always have enough to eat. They always try to plan a tour around their wonderful city and make sure you leave satisfied. Overall, my experience to Kathmandu through the Mountain Fund could not have been anymore thrilling.

It is because of the impeccable people working with The Global Mountain Fund that I had a remarkable experience in Nepal. Clearly an sane human being would be nervous packing their bag and heading halfway around the world to immerse themselves in an unknown culture, surrounding themselves with strangers, but once I got to nepal, these women made me feel like I had known them my whole lives. Each and every person at her farm and helping hands community hospital made me feel right at home, which made the experience that much more enjoyable. The program definitely returns as much as you give, meaning, the more you give, the more you get. It may not be returned in extravagant experiences, but you can learn more from these incredible women in one day than you can imagine. This experience has proven invaluable to me, not only for the impeccable medical experiences I gained, but for the memories I made with fabulous people from around the world and the knowledge I gained from the souls of truly wonderful people. Also exploring in Nepal wasn't half bad. Trekking was spectacular -- I went to EBC, but the annapurna circuit was wild apparently. Pokhara was beautiful and I did a 12 day meditation retreat that changed my life in more ways than I can explain.
Her Farm and the women that run it, truly have taught me more than I could learn in any classroom. Not only about myself but about the ebb and flow of life, and for that I am eternally grateful.

I honestly can't say enough good things about my experience with Her Farm. Going halfway around the world to stay with people who were basically strangers was nerve-wracking to say the least, but from the second I stepped foot on the grounds I felt like I was at home. The staff here are truly TRULY amazing, hardworking, and selfless people doing absolutely fantastic work for their community. The children and adults who live here are incredibly kind and accepting, and even on the days where I worked the hardest at the Farm I was so elated to be there with such caring people who could make even the most mundane task fun. Being here was a truly eye-opening and wonderful experience.

Being at the farm was a very unique experience. The people were very welcoming and hospitable at all times. It was a great place to stay and volunteer at.

It was my great opportunity to achieve best experiences and skills during my working period in The mountain fund as a staff.
Well I feel proud to be little part of the mountain fund because the mountain fund has been really big helping hand for all difficult lives in mountain.

I had an amazing time with everyone at the farm. We came as a big group and they were more than ready to deal with us. They had the projects ready and participated alongside us during every endeavor. You wont find another real life experience like this. They fed us well, took care of our stomachs and made sure we were fully rested throughout our time there. Would definitely recommend going to the farm for anyone who wants to get a better insight on the world!

Working with the Mountain Fund was an unforgettable experience. The people alone made the trip worth the while. Being at the Kathmandu house and Her Farm, it is hard to see the people who work there as an organization because they come off far more strongly as a family. Volunteering with them, I was able to become part of that family. The sisters are some of the most genuinely thoughtful and caring people I have met and it was always a pleasure to be around them. They took great care of me and accommodated me in every way possible.
The organization sets itself apart in a few ways. First, everyone who works there cares deeply for Nepal. I witnessed the love and concern for the country from everyone I spoke to. Second, the mission is gravely needed. The issues Mountain Fund address are serious and I'm glad people are making efforts to fix them. Admittedly, the organization is too small at the moment to attempt to change practices on a national level, but each person they help makes the effort worthwhile.
Being at Her Farm was a much needed change in perspective. It's hard to fathom what people in other countries go through and live like without experiencing it firsthand. The learning aspect alone made me appreciate my trip, but the opportunity to contribute to the cause as a volunteer made it all the better. I highly recommend the Mountain Fund and Her Farm in particular for anyone who wants to experience and/or help Nepal.

I volunteered with the Mountain Fund in 2015. The experiece was great. They were a small enough organization that things were not completely planned out, but they actually had work that you could help with. The staff and Nepali ladies living there made you feel incredibly welcome and were very kind and fun to live with. I felt that I actually helped (which, on other volunteering experiences, I haven't always) and I felt that they wanted to learn from me and teach me. It was a very good experience. Not too templated or organized but well enough managed and run that it was a very good experience. Thank you!

Volunteering with the Mountain Fund at Her Farm was a truly life changing event. The women are truly inspirational, and Sunita is one of the strongest, vivacious, innovative women I have ever met. She has inspired me to do so much, and her strength motivates me every day. She has the biggest heart, and more drive and resilience than any one I have ever met. Despite surviving the earthquake, and what felt like endless aftershocks in Nepal, I have never had a more amazing experience. Scott is fascinating to talk to, he has taught me so much about sustainable development, women's rights in third world countries, American Politics (I'm a Brit) and life in Nepal than I thought it possible. Three months at the Her Farm taught me more about humanity, and strength than anything else. The Mountain Fund is an example if an exemplary NGO, and despite volunteering with and meeting numerous NGO's in Sri Lanka and Cambodia, none of them have quite what Her Farm has.

I was terrified travelling to Nepal. I was 19 and it was my first trip alone, and my second time outside of Europe. Within about 30 seconds of meeting Shanti at the airport, I knew I had nothing to worry about. I loved teaching at the farm, there are children there with so much potential, who we have so much to learn from. Every day I miss Sagun (resident Her Farm genius child) and co. more and more. I cannot wait to go back. It's about more than just volunteering, it's about sharing our cultures, and becoming this strange, bizarre, but very functional family. Life there consists of teaching class to a group of around 25-30 village girls, some of whom, despite horrendous home lives, and unimaginable poverty, are so eager to learn, farming, and helping the sisters do whatever needs to be done. It is very much up to you to take the initiative and use whatever skills you have to in some way aid the development of the farm. I personally discovered that I love teaching.

The earthquake was a tragedy, but never have I met a more resourceful, courageous group than the Nepalese. I know it seems dangerous to go now, and as Scott liked to remind us "Geological time is now;" how right he was. Don't be put off by the earthquake and the aftermath, the shops are open, the buses are running, and there is plenty of food and water. I for one will be back as soon as the bank balance allows. Nepal needs help so badly and this is the best time to go. Even during the earthquake itself we were fantastically looked after, there was always food and water. Nepal is safe, and tourism and volunteering are the best ways to help.

Nepal is not an easy country, its poor in a way few countries are, it has issues so huge it's impossible to know where to start. Follow Stories of Nepal on Facebook for an insight into some of the problems Nepal faces, as well as the strength, resilience and beauty if its people. The Mountain Fund is a fantastic, life-changing, NGO committed to real, sustainable, rural, community development. Life is tough, but the Nepalese are strong.

I'm Shanti, one of the staff at Mountain Fund.

I thoroughly enjoy working with the mountain Fund. Once you are part of it, you are part of the mountain fund Family forever!
I started working with the organisation 8 years ago, as a shy young woman, with little English and unaware of the rest of the world. And now I feel like I found a second home.
Sunita is the matriarch of the Mountain Fund. Her strength, dedication and positive attitude are truly inspiring. She is the teacher, the mother, the mentor. She can be bossy at times but after all she has a good heart, always ready to forgive!

Being part of this amazing team taught so many new things, such as farming, Computer skills, teaching, and of course, English.
But most importantly I learned about life, the responsibilities, the importance of family, happiness, kindness and the joy of helping one another.


So thank you Mountain Fund! You'll be forever in my heart!

Dr. Rene' Hernandez
Saginaw Valley State University

It is indeed my pleasure to write this review of The Mountain Fund and its founder, Scott MacLennan. I was charged with planning a study abroad experience for a group of health professions students in 2014. At that time, I contacted the Mountain Fund for assistance as I had found a small bit of information regarding the organization online. To my pleasant surprise, I was assisted in every way imaginable from transportation to and from the airport to meaningful daily agendas for myself (and, eventually, students). The lodging in Kathmandu and at Her Farm is comfortable and the staff is more than welcoming. I have been involved with many educational and medical trips abroad, but have never had the support of such an organization. It is true that an organization is only as good as its people.....and so, I would say hands-down, The Mountain Fund wins!

I originally visited Nepal in December, 2014 with the sole purpose of arranging for a group of health care professional students to experience a study abroad trip (see above). The second time I visited, the university that I work for (Saginaw Valley State University) sent myself with a small group of health care providers to the region to join the humanitarian relief efforts following the April, 2015 earthquake. While the group I was with did not meet up with Scott and Sunita face-to-face due to the aftermath chaos, we stayed in Kathmandu at the Mountain Fund lodging and were delighted with our accommodations and the staff. No one could predict how difficult it would be navigating the town and securing all of the daily living needs a group of Americans might need during their stay, but Shanti and Asta were consistently there to anticipate our every need. We could not have asked for more. In addition, because of the close contact that Scott has with the Nepali system, he was instrumental in securing health benefits to a young woman living in a tent in Bhaktapur even while he was working at Her Farm to make sure that the village and his family were taken care of. Thank God for his ingenuity and technical expertise as I was able to reach him electronically for advise and reassurance. I cannot imagine going to Nepal for any reason without securing the Mountain Fund and its staff (along with Scott and Sunita) as my in-country coordinators and family. Thanks for all you do!

Volunteering at The Mountain Fund, I’ve got a lot more confidence. Working there has changed my way of doing things and helping people. I admire the work Scott and Sunita are doing there. All the sisters who work there are very cooperative and caring. They not only gave me a way to improve myself, but also gave me chance to learn different perspective of life. Working as a volunteer at Her Farm, completely changed my outlook on life and what I wanted to do as a career. I realised that I wanted to do a job that helps people. I am now more responsible than before, I am more aware that we make a better life by what we give.

As amazing the work they do is, the people behind it are the real heroes. I came to know GMF via a relative who was very heavily involved - and her drive and passion for the work, the almost superhuman zeal to help others and bring forth the wellness and happiness in people via work reflects the core of what it does. GMF is run by some of the most caring and well meaning people that I know. It is hands down the best non profit currently operating in Nepal.

I had been following Her Farm with great interest for almost a year. When the April 25th quake ended my climbing expedition in the Khumbu area, I contacted Sunita and Scott to see if I could be of some help. What I experienced was nothing less than amazing!

The women who manage the farm, the volunteers, and all the children are remarkable. Beyond this, I saw firsthand how they added a community outreach endeavor, providing earthquake relief to the 85% destroyed village.

Although I returned home after two weeks, a part of my heart will always be in Mankhu and I will continue to support and promote Her Farm and Mountain Fund Volunteers.

I highly recommend anyone of any age to support Sunita and Scott in the development of Her Farm, whether as a volunteer, a donor, or simply a few words of praise and thanks for their heart-warming compassion.

I posted this same review on another site. I rate the experience hear as below expectations not because the experience was bad, but because the expectations for the programs gained from the descriptions on the Mountain Volunteer website set the bar far above what the administration, staff, and program seemed capable of actually providing. For instance, (1) despite what the staff tells you, the Kathmandu house is not in a nice part of town, it is in a safe but loud part of town. The ring road is nearby and the supermarket is just beyond the back fence. The house across the street has a dog that barks the whole day long. Needless to say, the time spent at the house is mostly without peace. What appeared to me and my fellow travelers to be the nice parts of town were seen from the cab when going near the zoo, and from the airplane window on departure over the southwest part of the city. (2) The Mountain Volunteer website description for the premed program at Helping Hands Hospital did not accurately portray my experience or observations. Doctors there work mostly from their OPD offices, and only one I shadowed did rounds on wards. A lot of a premed student's time is spent finding what doctors are in that day, and then hoping that the doctor will let him or her sit in, then hoping that the doctor will take the time to explain what is going on, and then deciding what to do when the doctor gets up and leaves unannounced and without instruction. It is a lesson unto itself, and I enjoyed it. However, it is not the delight that is described in the website description, and a timid or unexperienced student would not enjoy it much at all I suspect.

About my time and mission in Nepal: I was an undergraduate who went to Nepal to complete a global health ethics directed study. I signed up through Mountain Volunteer for two weeks of the Premed Experience, and an undetermined amount of time of the Global Health Internship. My total time in Nepal was 43 days; December 13, 2014 - January 25, 2015. I spent 10 days going to Helping Hands Hospital, and just 2 days at Her Farm. The rest of my time was spent either in Kathmandu at the house or around the city, in Chitwan, or in Pokhara.

The reason for the short stay at Her Farm is that I went the day before Christmas. The Global Health Internship "rural clinic" nearby was closed on the holiday, and closed the day after. Even had it been open, it was reported by other "volunteers" to be staffed only by CNA level workers, and saw just 4 patients/day. Instead of waiting for the clinic to open to see 4 patients/day with a CNA, or tolerating other "volunteers" and Her Farm staff staying up late drinking and having a dance party, the dogs barking all night, and a group of "volunteers" smoking marijuana many times per day, I returned to Kathmandu.

I put "volunteer" in parenthesis because I did not witness any "volunteering" in my six weeks. Mountain Volunteer "volunteers" ought to have been called donating be-ers. The Mountain Volunteer administrator talks about "being" in Nepal, and I agree that "being" is important. However, I can "be" in Nepal without Mountain Volunteer in the middle.

In fact, the best and most memorable activities of my six weeks in Nepal were all arranged without help from the Mountain Volunteer staff. The memorable activities were: USAID briefing at the US Embassy arranged by me; visit to the Nepal Leprosy Mission arranged by other students through Helping Hands Hospital administrator; visit to a government primary health clinic in Kathmandu arranged by other students through Helping Hands Hospital administrator; hiking in Shivapuri National Park; and many wonderful meals in Thamel despite the awful portrayal of Thamel given to me by the Mountain Volunteer administrator, and to other "volunteers" in the first-day orientation briefing (you will see what I mean if buy a Mountain Volunteer program and the orientation stays the same).

The Kathmandu house staff is fun, and friendly. I miss them, and if you go and spend much time around them with a respect for them as your equal, you will likely miss them when you leave too.

My recommendation: if you go to Nepal, "be" there, and stay with Mountain Volunteer for one or two weeks to get settled, and to know your way around. Then get a 1000NPR (10USD)/night hotel that offers a hot shower and travel services (many do). Arrange memorable activities yourself, or through your hotel. Remain flexible, and DO NOT think that things will go according to planned, or according to a schedule, or according to what you think SHOULD to be the case.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Sunita didi and Scott for giving me an opportunity to explore her beautiful village and making me realize what I can really do for my country. Being a Chiropractic student in US, I always wanted to help Nepalese in need but I didn't know how to start. After talking to Sunita didi, I felt like "YES!!! this is what I wanted to do." I must say Sunita didi is great. I was amazed with all the wonderful work she's done for the village. Sunita didi and Scott are sincerely devoted to their work. The staff members are awesome, they are very friendly and helpful. I can't wait for a Summer break. I am definitely going back to the Global Mountain Fund and start public awareness campaigns for Nutrition, ways of preventing Back Pain and Ergonomics. If anyone's interested to help us, please email Scott. If you have a sense of adventure, a passion for working with Nepalese, and the desire to have a real impact on their lives, then volunteering in the Global Mountain Fund might be ideal for you.
Yojana Shahi
Chiropractic Intern at the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic, CT, USA

I took a semester off before starting college. I have a deep passion for South Asia, and had spent a bit of time in India but had never been to Nepal before. I heard about The Mountain Fund from a friend who spent part of his gap year at Her Farm, and gave it glowing reviews. I decided that it sounded like a very solid organization, and Nepal sounded cool, so I went ahead and signed up for two months.

I had no idea what an incredible experience I was in for! I was so impressed by the staff (or, as they prefer to be called, "the sisters,") at Her Farm. They are all absolutely wonderful, and really go above and beyond to meet the needs of both volunteers and members of the local community. They were all exceedingly lovely, warm and welcoming right from the start.

I stayed at the Mountain Fund guesthouse in Kathmandu for my first couple of nights. Having a "home base" in the city was very convenient. It's like a little oasis in the midst of the chaos, and it's very easy to hop into a taxi or bus and go anywhere you want. Volunteers are free to come and go as they please, and the sisters provide a delicious breakfast and dinner each day.

On my third day in Nepal I left for the farm. As anyone who has been lucky enough to spend time there will tell you, the farm is an amazing place. It's only about an hour from Kathmandu, but it feels like a different world. The village is definitely an authentic representation of what most of rural Nepal is like, although the farm itself is equipped to support volunteers (there is wifi most of the time, and a couple of western toilets). Volunteers typically share simple but very clean and comfortable rooms. The sisters cook every meal, and the food is absolutely delicious. Most of it is locally produced and organic, and a lot of it comes from our own farm! They take extra care to wash and cook things properly, and I never had any stomach problems in the entire two months that I was in Nepal. Basically, while the farm is definitely not a fancy place, you well be exceptionally well taken care of.

The farm actually serves a number of functions. It is an organic farm, a women's shelter (only two women are using it as a shelter at the moment, but I believe that they are looking to expand their outreach), a school, an area for villagers to just come hang out, and (most recently) a clinic, with an emphasis on women's health. I worked as a teacher at the school on the farm, which is really more like a tutoring center. Most of the students do attend the local village school to fulfill their official education requirements, but they come to the farm for a few hours each day. I feel that the farm definitely plays a crucial role in their education, however, as it is their only chance to learn English and critical thinking skills, amongst other things. It’s also a great opportunity for them to have access to computers. During my time there, we had about 40-45 students showing up each day, ranging in age from two to thirteen or so. It was definitely overwhelming at first, but there are lots of resources in the classroom for both students and teachers. Previous teachers (myself included) have left behind some notes to help future teachers. I'm also more than willing to answer questions and give advice to anyone who is considering teaching at Her Farm. Just ask Mountain Fund to put you in touch with me. I didn't really have much teaching experience before I got there, and it was certainly a challenge at times, but it ended up being immensely fun and rewarding! The students are adorable. They are so earnest and eager to learn, and they pick things up quickly.

Nepal itself is an incredible country. One of the things I love about The Mountain Fund is how flexible they are in allowing volunteers to take time off to explore. They are very helpful if you should decide to take a few days off. They will even set up hotels, tours, or treks for you if you want! I highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity to explore a fascinating part of the world. There are definitely certain areas that are pretty full of tourists (the trekking industry and tourism in general has taken its toll on parts of Nepal, ever since it opened its borders in 1951). However, it’s not hard to get off the beaten path if you want to, and the sisters can definitely help you do that. I’m eighteen years old and this was my first time traveling on my own, so I was a little bit nervous at first, but I found that it’s very easy to get around in Nepal with minimal hassle. Although I obviously had to use common sense when travelling on my own, I never felt unsafe. I also got to travel with other volunteers on a couple of occasions, which was very fun! The Mountain Fund tends to attract really interesting, kind, and adventurous individuals. I met some wonderful people.

In short, Her Farm is an incredible project, in a wonderful and very close-knit community. The Her Farm family could not be more welcoming. Mountain Fund is a great organization overall, especially if you’re young and travelling by yourself. They are very flexible, and give volunteers as much or as little independence as you want/need.

So go spend some time at Her Farm. It will change your life!

Arriving in Nepal from New Zealand at the end of November 2014 for 6 weeks I didn't really know what was in store. Having read reviews on Mountain Fund, and emailing Scott a fair bit I came up with a rough trip outline and set off. Now nearing the end of my trip I can honestly say my experience with Mountain Fund and Nepal has exceeded my expectations. I was met at the airport by the lovely Sante, arriving at the Kathmandu house where I meet Scott and Sunita along with a few of the Nepali sisters at Mountain Fund. From the first introductions the passion of everyone involved with the organisation was evident, expressing their passion and commitment to the visions of the fund in their own way. Some like Sunita gets stuck into daily happenings with energy and charisma, while others go quietly about their day engaging volunteers in running the farm, teaching at the school or showing volunteers the ins and outs of the local health clinic. I liked the variety of approaches and personalities amongst those running the fund as I meant the volunteers who stay at both the HerFarm and Kathmandu house also have a variety of personalities and experiences so there is something for everyone. The day to day experiences of Nepali life which the fund offers are varied from communicating with Nepali sisters learning about the culture along with the challenges women and children face, helping at the health clinic or getting stuck in to farm life carrying rice, gardening and cooking. What I also loved about the farm was the love and kindness which extends from the Nepali sisters to the volunteers. Not once did I feel alone or uncared for in a country so different from my own, with a common theme emerging from the farm of connectedness with one another which has made for an incredible experience. A wee bit of advice to future volunteers going to the HerFarm is take a pair of flip flops these come in handy, old clothes to work in for farm or maintanence work (painting, building ect) and a head torch for when the power goes out which it does often with the government load shedding. Also be prepared for a bit of culture shock, things at first can be overwhelming but everyone makes you feel as welcome as possible. Don't be shy to communicate with Scott, Sunita or the Nepali sisters at the Kathmandu house or HerFarm they incredibly hospitable and want you to enjoy Nepal as much as possible so ask questions, and get involved. It's totally worth it.

This is a wonderful group of people who are truly passionate about the work they do. In the summer of 2011 I volunteered in Nepal with The Mountain Fund at a school for street and slum kids. It was an eye-opening experience because The Mountain Fund family shared the truths about Nepal that most tourists fail to see. And tried explain us, the volunteers, what the real problems familys there face everyday and how The Mountain Fund is trying to conquer those battles. They are the strength for those family's that are too afraid to fight. They give a voice to the children that can't speak out.
The Mountain Fund family welcomed me and many volunteers into their home and showed us Nepalise culture and shared with us their values of love and family. They're beautiful people with a fantastic message and I and so greatful to have met them.

In November i made my first overseas trip to Nepal where myself and other students from Deakin University Australia volunteered at Her Farm for 3 weeks. By the end it felt as if we had gained a second family. I will not soon forget the great friends i made as we spent time on the farm building a cow shed, harvesting rice etc. An amazing experience that has changed my life, ideas and outlook for the furture.

My oldest son went to Nepal with the Mountain Fund in 2011 to serve as a medical trekker and to help with Her Farm. I can not say enough great things about this organization! - From the incredible, legitimate work they do to the way my son was well taken care of. At first I was worried, as all mothers would be, for one of their children to take such a far journey away from home. I soon realized that he was in safe hands. The experiences had and the memories he made during his 5 month stay has changed him for the better in unimaginable ways. My son left a boy, but came home a respectable and appreciative man. Thank you, Scott MacLennan!

I volunteered with the Mountain Fund as a premedical volunteer for about 2 months. It was a great time, I learned lots about medicine, and I was quite satisfied with my experience. Working in the hospital as a premed, you probably won't get much practical experience (besides occasionally taking someone's blood pressure), but you can learn a lot from the doctors there if you're enthusiastic and ask questions. Being able to scrub in for surgeries was a huge bonus. As far as actually doing things that are helpful for the community, going up to the farm and teaching local kids english and working on projects up there was really satisfying and a great option to enjoy an authentic, beautiful rural Nepal setting. The Mountain Fund staff (the sisters) were really friendly, the food was delicious, and the accommodations were clean. If you're alright with the occasional cold shower and you're looking for a volunteer program abroad I definitely recommend this one!

I am a 20 year old trainee teacher from worcester and I went for a month to teach. It was one of the most amazing experiences I can ever encounter. Words and pictures cannot describe how amazing it was. The family and mountain fund are extremely helpful and very caring. You become part of the family and felt safe and happy throughout my time there.
Personally, my favourite experience was 'Her Farm'. It was such so inspiring to work with the sisters there, preparing meals, farming and teaching. The children are brilliant. They are so willing to work and learn. The language barrier is hard but patience and persistence from both you and the children thrive with success.
Going there was very scary. I was very cautious and nervous as well as excited, but you get lots of reassurance and guidance.
I would highly recommend using the Mountain Fund, it's an experience I will always cherish. When people ask me how it was the only words I use is amazing. I miss the people I have met and the places I have visited. I will be returning to them in future years because a part of my heart now belongs there :) a must do experience!

I have just returned from the experience of my life. I haven't travelled a lot and as a 52 yr old (just single) woman thought it was all too late - but 'Mountain Fund' proved me very wrong indeed. I thought they'd laugh at me but I was welcomed and befriended like any other. I feel privileged and honoured to have been a part of the Farm family for two weeks. I cut and carried grass; I ploughed and prepared fields; I planted rice; I helped to graze the oxen; I sang Nepali songs and danced; I picked corn; I ate jack fruit, pears and mangoes straight from the trees; I ate freshly harvested and cooked food (of which the rice pudding deserves special mention) but most of all I met fantastic people up on the farm. I was truly inspired and motivated by all of you and your happy; hard working; never complaining; attitude to life. I will never forget you and will always have very special memories of my time on your farm. Thank you for making it special for me.

An amazing month thanks to all the Mountain Fund staff. They offered a great insight into Nepal life and had extensive knowledge of Kathmandu, you can ask them literally anything. Perfect accommodation and support for a genuine Nepal adventure. The staff leave an impression that makes you eager to return.

I went over to Nepal and volunteered with the mountain fund,being quite young i thought it would a somewhat scary experience but the staff at the mountain fund were very welcoming and helpful!

I would volunteer with mountain fund again in a heartbeat and am planning on going back to Nepal to volunteer with them in the next couple of years,i have recommended them to my friends and family.

I was in Nepal in a 60 days program with The Mountain Found at Her Farm. After that experience, I just dying to go back to spend more days there! It was so very special, learned so much and It was so amzing to make part of a great family; they made me feel that way. My days there are saved in my heart and in my memories.

I was in Nepal with this program for 3 months and had the time of my life. You become part of a family. My experiences with this organization have been wonderful, I have and will continue to recommend The Mountain Fund to everybody I know.

Along with 30 other people, students and teachers, I volunteered and traveled in Nepal with The Mountain Fund at Her Farm. Knowing just how important education and care is for single, widowed, or divorced women and their children, this project, and all the people involved, quickly wormed its way into my heart. The hard work I did everyday, though just for a short time, always contained an element of fun, as the women and children of Her Farm possessed unalterable high spirits. Though I'm back in Canada now, I'm always dreaming of Nepal and my family there, and I'm counting down the days until I go back.

I am a recent graduate of Stelly's Secondary School and a recent traveler to Nepal where a group of over 30 students, including myself, helped build a community centre at Her Farm through the Mountain Fund. Living in Nepal was one of the most life-changing experiences I've had and I would give anything to go back to see the beautiful children and the intricate culture. The Mountain Fund provided us with excellent care and truly gave us the opportunity to see Nepal from some amazing perspectives. As well as introducing us to the farm where our service and work was much needed and appreciated, we were introduced to the community where ceremonies and celebrations took place. I instantly fell in love with all the children and every day they are on my mind and in my heart. They are so very precious. Today I am still in contact with the wonderful people who run The Mountain Fund and I am blessed to call them my new family. There is a certain warmth and dedication about this organization that captivated me. I only hope that more people like me will one day discover all that Nepal has to offer through The Mountain Fund.

A group of eager secondary students and I came to Nepal in March of 2014 to continue a project at The Mountain Fund that my school, Stelly's Secondary started several years back to aid in the construction of a women's shelter. The people at the Mountain fund were amazing! They brought in over 30 outsiders and made us feel like members of a tight knit community. They made us feel like family. We had such a blast working with the volunteers from this amazing organization. They personally checked in on us often to see how we were doing, and the never once made us feel like a burden. I would certainly suggest the Moutain Fund to anyone looking to do volunteering work in Nepal, and I would most certainly go back to Nepal just to see those humble, incredible people again.

I'm a second year medical student who just returned back from Nepal for their Global Health program. I spent a month in this wonderful place during the Summer and would do so again in a heartbeat. Mountain Fund helped me organize a trekking trip up to the Gosaikunda lakes and it all worked out. They were able to arrange all the buses and places to stay with no problem.

I trekked for a week and then spent 3 weeks volunteering at the Rural hospital where I had the opportunity of observing Nepalese health care and the medical issues they face - many of which are very uncommon nowadays in the United States. The staff and the physician present were fantastic - they allowed me to be more hands on in addition to the shadowing. The hospital consists of a small ER, an OPD clinic, an X-ray machine, lab room, and a pharmacy - they are fully equipped. I saw things such as typhoid fever, gastroenteritis, gastritis, tumors, COPD, road accidents, and plenty head traumas. Although it was slow at times, it was still an enjoyable experience to see how things are run in this country and the many challenges they face.

I did have some issues at the place I stayed at during my time volunteering in the Rural hospital. I happened to be the first person who arrived to this house and who would volunteer at this hospital. The electricity in the bedroom did not work well and there would be no water in the mornings, or no water in the 3rd floor where I was staying at. I attribute this problem more to the owner of the house who wouldn't follow through, rather than Mountain Fund itself but I would have appreciated if this was addressed before I arrived. However, the staff from Mountain Fund worked daily to make things better and eventually fixed the problem by buying a huge tank of water. I appreciated that they would always be there and call to make sure that everything was alright. I believe this shouldn't be an issue anymore for any other volunteer since everything was working fine after that week.

Mountain Fund is a very flexible organization. Pretty much anything you want to experience they can help you arrange it. They let me spend couple days in the Helping Hands clinic to observe some surgeries - this is usually their pre-med program. I happened to see a hysterectomy and a skin graft on a patient who was recovering from Necrotizing fasciitis. They also helped me arrange a trip to Pokhara and that was a fantastic experience - highly recommend it.

I loved volunteering with Mountain Fund. Although I tend to be hesitant about doing things at the last minute and I'm a bit uncomfortable with not being able to plan ahead, I realized that this was something that happens to be common in developing countries. However, Mountain Fund was always flexible and never lost sight of what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. They always kept in contact with me wherever I was and I felt very safe as a solo female traveler. I think what makes Mountain Fund so unique is the people - the sisters who are your guides, help you settle in the house you're staying at, and cook some amazing food, are some of the most fantastic and bright young women you will ever meet. Scott MacLennan and Sunita Subedi were also amazing people to meet - I highly recommend you to chat with them if you happen to get a chance, they know so much about Nepal, the people, the culture, the politics, and also give great life advice. This is a wonderful organization that helps empower women and is giving a great contribution to the country. It gives a great opportunity for outsiders to learn and live the real Nepali life. I look forward to going back someday!

I am a med student who visited Nepal for a month between my first and second years. We wanted to do some trekking, get out and see the world and hopeful learn a little while helping a few people. Our experience with Mountain Fund was excellent. The trekking that they helped set up for us worked out so much better than we had hoped. Excellent guides and the weather did help by being better than expected. after the rain delays for our flight to the start were dealt with no extra hassle. The medical volunteering was more shadowing, but did provide an excellent glimpse of Nepalese health care at all levels. Often the doctors would let you get more involved but as we were a group of 4 that was a harder to manage. Volunteering at/visiting Her Farm was another of the highlights of the trip for me. The women and the other workers there were so much fun and welcoming and they work very hard to make sure that you have everything you need, while taking care of the farm and the herd of small children that come to learn english every day. As others have said you need to be flexible, Nepal(and most third world countries) run on their own schedule and as such can't be planned to the minute. But amazingly things just always seem to work out. Scott and Sunita are great at getting things done there and are amazing interesting people as well. Their plans for the future mean that their facilities will just keep getting better. I enjoyed every day of my time there and meeting all the warm welcoming Nepalese people.

I just got back from a month in Nepal where I stayed with the Mountain Fund organization for 2 of those weeks. The other 2 weeks I spent on the Everest base camp trail, which Scott had organized completely for us and it ran without a flaw!
The two weeks with Mountain Fund was incredible. I am a Medical Student in the US and was able to visit three different health care settings in Nepal while I was there. We saw surgeries in the helping hands hospital in Kathmandu, then were able to see rural care in a small hospital outside of Kathmandu and also a governmental health post in the mountains. Other time we spent helping out at a farm and enjoying the company of the Nepali people. I have never met such loving and caring people!!
The best part of this volunteer organization is how flexible they are and truly help you see as much as Nepal as possible!

I have worked for the Mountain Fund for 4 and a half months. I was in Nepal, located on a farm in the Dhading district, close to Kathmandu. I have had no bad experiences. Everyone who is located at the farm and in Kathmandu are helpful and friendly. I went to Nepal for 8 months, part of that time climbing, part of it volunteering with the Mountain Fund, and the volunteering has been, and will remain, the most memorable part of my time in Nepal. While teaching English at the farm, I truly felt I was making a difference to the community seeing improvements in the children's English skills. Not once have I felt lonely, scared, or in any way more of a burden than a help. You will always eat good food with the Mountain Fund, which has lead to me gaining a few pounds. If you have any problems, the girls will help fix those problems by any means they can. The Mountain Fund truly has been very influential to my life and has changed my life.

I volunteered at the Her Farm as an addition to a climbing trip that brought me to Nepal. The time I spent at the farm was the most enriching experience of a 8 month stint of travel in Asia. What made my time there so special was the enormous sense of community that radiated out from the farmhouse on the hill. I reccomend spending at least a few weeks and really embracing the subtle difference between the western world and the farm-life of Mankhu. Enjoy!

I just got back from almost 3 weeks in Nepal, part of which I spent with Mountain Fund volunteering my medical expertise. I am an ER doctor and, thanks to the organizers of Mountain Fund, I was able to bring basic medical care to 2 villages outside Kathmandu where there are no healthcare providers. First, Mountain Fund facilitated my meeting with a local doctor at a hospital in Kathmandu so that I could learn about the disease processes that are most commonly found in that region and determine what medications would be most useful to bring with me into the villages. I was given a tour of the small city hospital and it was interesting for me to watch the local doctor at work. In the villages, I was challenged by the lack of laboratory and radiology and I really got to use my clinical skills. My translator was a young Nepali woman currently in nursing school and it was fun to teach her a few clinical pearls while she taught me a wealth of cultural information about the patients. My greatest impact was probably just treating the majority of patients for worms; however, there were two children under 5 who likely had pneumonia and I was able to give them the antibiotics they needed. The experience I had in the villages was humbling and rewarding and gave me a renewed energy and love for my profession! I am thankful to Scott and Sunita, the organizers of Mountain Fund, for providing me with that opportunity and taking care of all of the logistics. They also took me out to the village of Mankhu to see Her Farm, a self-sustainable and safe place where women can live and work and have their children cared for and schooled. Eventually, there will also be a health clinic (run by the above-mentioned nursing student once she completes her degree!). I cannot say enough about the wonders of Her Farm! I spent 3 days there and wished it could've been more. Besides the obvious value of this project (i.e., allowing women in a country with limited women's rights to regain their dignity and independence and remain with their children) there is the gorgeous scenery, the fresh air, the stars like I have never seen, the just-picked guavas, the animals, the children, and the camaraderie of the volunteers and Mountain Fund staff. It was a mini-vacation all in itself. Had I not asked Scott to organize a trek for me and my niece (which he did, taking care of all the details before we left the US and accompanying us to the trekking company in Thamel to confirm arrangements), I would have stayed at Her Farm longer and helped out with the farm work and/or building projects (like my niece did after our trek). All in all, I have only glowing things to say about Mountain Fund, Scott, Sunita and all the young women in their support staff. I was made to feel welcome immediately and in a very short time felt almost like part of their family. The food that was prepared was delicious (especially the Nepalese dishes!) and the room/facilites were always clean. I am excited to follow this organization to see their progress and what new projects they come up with next. Some day I hope to return to Nepal and volunteer my time at Her Farm's health clinic!

The Mountain Fund made my trip to Nepal absolutely unforgettable. The whole trip was wonderfully planned. Thanks to the Mountain Fund we got to experience everything from Kathmandu life, to camping in the mountain sides, to living in a little mountain village and the touristy Chitwan national park. The volunteer project was extremely successful and it is all thanks to the lovely people behind The Mountain Fund.

I volunteered with The Mountain Fund from Jan. 2012 - Jun. 2012 mostly in Helping Hands Community Hospital and several remote villages in the surrounding countryside. It is an amazing charity doing real, lasting good for the Nepali people. Scott and his wife Sunita devote immense time to researching and determining the validity of the groups that The Mountain Fund is involved with so that volunteers can be confident they are actively participating in worthwhile causes. And because they offer so many avenues through which someone may work, a person would be hard-pressed to stay with Scott and not feel like they've accomplished something. As an example, I would balance my extra time either assisting a nearby school (Orchid Garden), helping beginning construction of their abused women's coop farm/housing project (Her Farm), running small clinics throughout the country, or just traveling and exploring. The experience I gained while working with Scott was invaluable and I would thoroughly recommend The Mountain Fund to anyone who wants to do real charity work in an area that desperately needs it.

That being said, I have two warnings for new volunteers in Nepal:

- First, be prepared to live in a third world country while you're there. Nepal, although safe, is limited in it's modern conveniences. Pack appropriately and research the area, climate, etc.

- Second and most importantly, do not come here expecting to be spoon fed opportunities. Although Scott and Sunita work very, VERY hard to meet everyone's expectations during their stay there, ultimately what you get out of the program comes down to you. Be proactive, jump at opportunities when they arise, and I guarantee you'll get more from The Mountain Fund than you can imagine.

I came to Nepal with my Global Perspectives 12 group during spring break of 2013 and without the Mountain fund, the trip wouldn't have been the same. They really made us feel at home and gave us the opportunity to volunteer on a life changing project and explore the beautiful country of Nepal.

This organization devotes so much time and energy into making things better for those who could use a hand. I felt very safe with them, and when you spend enough time with these wonderful people they become your second family. The Global Mountain Fund concentrates their efforts on issues that aren't well known for those of us who live a good distance from any 3rd world country. I volunteered with the mountain fund with a school group in March 2012 and it was by far the best experience I've ever had. Scott and Sunita are truly inspirational people who not only made the work we did more fun but also comfortable. Nepal was completely awe-inspiring and to be able to interact with the families we were affecting was something I'll never forget.

It is now only two weeks before I fly to Nepal and join the Mountain Fund team at Her Farm. I would just like to say a big thank you to Scott for matching me up with this project, fully answering all my questions so promptly and sending out tips and ideas before we start. As well as the great admin and support, Scott has arranged for contact with the other two volunteers who will be there at the same time, so I am really looking forward to finally meeting with them and bringing our little part of this big Mountain Fund to life. Great work being done by the team and proud to be able to say I'm a Mountain Volunteer.

I was a medical volunteer with the Mountain Fund back in 2006 (was it that long ago?) on one of the earliest versions of what have become amazingly organized and effective 'moving medical camps'. The experience did change my life-the cliche is appropriate here, the story long and as beautiful as the Nepali people we met. I have watched Scott and his team work to develop an organization that is in tune with the culture, true to the ultimate goals of self sufficiency and empowerment and pretty much absent ego (not easy to achieve as a "well- to -do" western charity in asia). I returned for another trek/medical mission in 2010 with a friend who also had an amazing experience-a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream of doing medical volunteer work as well as see the majestic Himalaya. ( A win-win win for him as he also returned with photos that took multiple awards in professional shows). I continue to keep in touch with the staff at the KTM office on my frequent returns to Nepal.

So that was my personal experience-as a 50 something woman I always felt safe and free to experience what I had come to do. I strongly encourage anyone who wants to see Nepal for real, to see what your heart looks like (for real), to check out the volunteer opportunities with the Mountain Fund. Scott, Sunita and the organization they work so hard to support are what non profits should be.

I went to Nepal to work with the Mountain Fund with a class of about 30 students, and the experience was far beyond what I expected. Scott and Sunita are kind, genuine people, and did a great job in informing us as to exactly what kind of impact we were making with our work in the community. By staying in the village we were able to interact with the women and kids who were going to be living in the structure we were building, making our efforts feel personal and rewarding. The whole setup was extremely well organized, from the worksite to mealtimes, and this made it easy to feel comfortable in the routine and much less homesick for western amenities. The village was very welcoming to our presence, and the kids were absolutely adorable to play with! Everything about the experience was fun, challenging and moving.

I became involved with The Mountain Fund through my high school in a class called Global Perspectives, in March of 2013. Our trip was so enjoyable and that was largely due to all the work Scott, Sunita and the rest of the Mountain Fund contributed! Our travels throughout the country went smoothly and I actually felt that the work I did made an impact. Not only did we build a shelter for families, but we also met the families that were going to be living there, which was quite amazing.

In 2011, I travelled to Nepal to work in an orphanage. I taught English and other subjects in English to these children of all ages. We were given weekends to travel around Nepal and evenings to explore the city. This was always a safe environment where I felt secure. The Mountain Fund is truly sensational.

Came to Nepal with a school group, Scott and Sunita welcomed us with open arms. All the staff and guides were extremely fun and nice. We all had a great time helping construct a shelter for women of domestic abuse in the mountain village of Mankhu. They also offered wonderful visits to many sightseeing locations with local guides. (Made communicating very easy). Everyone spoke very good English and we had absolutely no problems. You can tell Scott and Sunita are dedicated to helping people and it's close to their hearts. Definitely would go through the mountain fund again!

I volunteered with Mountain Fund in March of 2013. It was the most incredible experience of my life! We built a shelter for women called Her Farm.
Mountain Fund changed my life.

Wasn't too happy with the mountain fund experience. Hospital placement isn't even a placement it's just a building in which they set you free and no doctors want to talk to you so it's pretty unfulfilling. Very disorganised. Honestly, there weren't doctors who wanted to help you understand what they were doing. And it wasn't just me... There were probably 10, maybe 15, other medical volunteers there while I was and all of them felt pretty jipped. There's no consistency between what they advertise and what the experience is actually like. Luckily Nepal is a really exciting place and lots to do!

I volunteered for mountain fund last October and was so impressed with the whole organization. They immediately make you feel like family and their compassion and caring for the plight of the Nepali women and children is moving. Scott has made it his mission to prove the conditions for women and children and his deeds back up his words. He has been a positive impact on the lives on countless number of women and children. I would volunteer again for the organization. They have integrity and vision that will change many lives in the future of Nepal and hopefully impact the nation for positive change.

I volunteered with The Mountain Fund in 2011 for four weeks at Helping Hands Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. It was such an amazing opportunity! I was able to observe various medical departments such as emergency room, obstetrics/gynecology, radiology, surgery and pathology. The doctors spoke English and discussed the procedures, diagnosis and treatment options. On the weekends, the Nepalese girls who lived with us gave us so many different options on what to do. Our group went to Nagarkot (a village in the mountains) and spend the night at a small hotel/house to wake up before the sunset and see Mt. Everest. I also took dance lessons after volunteering twice a week to learn Bharat Natyum (an Indian dance style). Scott and Sunita were very accommodating and are very passionate about their non-profit organization.

Everyone working with The Mountain Fund was amazingly friendly and helpful! My time in Nepal volunteering through The Mountain Fund was out of this world phenomenal! Everyone was welcoming, friendly and helpful! Amazing!

My wife and I had 2 weeks of extremely rewarding experiences in the high stress environment of a low cost private Kathmandu Hospital (Helping Hands Community Hospital). It was an incredible yet eye opening experience. if you are planning to volunteer in the big city of Kathmandu, a trek of any length is a must do if you want to get a more complete vision of the stunning country of Nepal. The medical trek would be ideal, but our timing was a little bit off.

Scott from Mountain Fund was more than generous with his time and expertise on trekking and, after deciphering what was and wasn’t sarcasm, we felt he was truly encouraging us to embark on this journey even though it wasn’t traditionally the best time to go. Because of the revolving door of people coming and going and departing and arriving we were able to talk to other people who had completed treks and we were even able to meet some of the guides they employed. The hike beyond description and was the icing on the cake to a great volunteer experience.

We WILL BE BACK because Mountain Fund is doing EXACTLY what they claim they are doing. Help them make a difference.

I was a volunteer with the Mountain Fund in Nepal 4 years ago. It was an incredible experience. I worked with The Women's Foundation of Nepal which is partially funded by the Mountain Fund. I wanted to work with women, so The Mountain Fund suggested this group. Scott MacLennan and his wife, Sunita, and their lovely team prepared me for my stay, helped me with practical details, and gave me an understanding of the political culture, and the mission of the organization and those that it funds. I had a life-changing experience being in Nepal and working with the beautiful, courageous women involved with the Women's Foundation. The Women's Foundation provides a safe haven for women and children who are fleeing domestic violence and/or abandonment. The plight of women in Nepal is dire for many, to the point that suicide is the leading form of death for women between the ages of 18-35. Many women have no documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.), no money, few skills, and children in tow. The Women's Foundation, a Mountain Fund beneficiary, provides legal aide, shelter, food, skill training/employment, education for children, and a path to a life of independence and dignity for women and their children. All of this is done with joy, generosity, and love by the Women's Foundation. The Mountain Fund and the well selected smaller groups it funds, knows where the need is, and fills it, but with the goal of empowering those that are being helped to help themselves. The medical treks that the Mountain Fund leads bring medical teams and care to for people in remote villages in Nepal. Although I did not participate in that experience, I did speak with one of the doctors and nurses who did participate (volunteers from the U.S.). Their passion for the mission and their respect and support of Scott MacLennan were evident. Scott MacLennan has built deep relationships with the people of Nepal and grass-roots leaders who know what needs to be done and how best to do it, with the least amount of money. There's no waste, or bureaucracy in the Mountain Fund. They are defined by intelligence and action. In a country where the government does not choose to take care of its people, the Mountain Fund provides a model for how to help those in need in a deep and transformational way.

We had a wouderfoul experience in Nepal meeting Nanda Kulu and all the family. The Mountain Fund and Mitrata org are doing a excelent work. We're proud to help you. This world needs poeple like you. Namaste!

I will be volunteering with the Mountain Fund because they are doing outstanding work in a nation that is in great need of adequate medical care. It is a well run organization and provides opportunities for medical professionals to volunteer in a majestic setting. I am looking forward to many years of service with The Mountain Fund.

I had an experience of a life time while in Nepal as part of the Mountain Fund organization. I meet a wide range of people both in the Mountain Fund Volunteer House and in the Kathmandu Community. My placement was visiting an orphanage each day and helping with homework etc. The opportunity to get to know the kids was incredible and is one of the most enjoyable things I have done. I also had the opportunity to go on a Medical trek with a group of amazing people that, with limited supplies, make a difference in small remote communities. The memories I have from my experience always put a smile on my face and make me want to go back. I think what Mountain Fund is achieving in Kathmandu is incredible. It allows two worlds to connect which can only be a positive thing.

The Mountain Fund is doing an amazing job with limited funds. The Women's Farm in Nepal is one example of how your donation can make a huge impact in the lives of people that really need it.

I had an amazing time volunteering with the Mountain Fund for a month last year. Not only was it the experience of a lifetime but I made many life long friends. I can't wait for my next trip!

From my own personal experiences and also from what I have researched the Global Mountain Fund is an incredible resource for the development of farming, teaching and medical assistance. Under the leadership of Mr Scott MacLennan the Mountain Fund has continually grown to be able to helping folks who would otherwise struggle.

Phenomenal organization! They are very aware of what needs to be done, and know how to make an impact in the lives of those in need. They take time to get to know those who they help very well, and continue to build relationships. I had a wonderful time volunteering along side this organization and noticed that not only was I changing the lives of those in need, but my life would also be changed forever.

The Global Mountain Fund has been committed to making a real-life difference in Nepal for a number of years. They are particularly interested in improving living conditions for children and women, plus developing sustainable livelihood for women. They have developed valuable projects to this end. Their website contains details about their projects: www.mountainfund.org. I do not work for this organization, but have watched them move the mountain of poverty in Nepal. They have an extensive volunteer program which helps to fund their projects, so that 100% of your donation is used on the ground in Nepal. If you have funds to give, I have 110% confidence that the Global Mountain Fund will use them wisely to create positive change for those they serve in Nepal. Cheers!

Being a volunteer in my local community, but also internationally I'm often weary of organizations who claim to help, but in the end not all resources that could have go to people in need. The mountain fund however is one of the most caring honesty, and just all around good heart groups of individuals I have ever had the distinct pleasure to have worked with. I can't say enough good things about the folks involved. I can only hope that other follow suit of all the great work done in Nepal, and around the world.

I am an expat. who lives in Kathmandu part of the year and own tourist base businesses in Nepal. I have seen and heard from many volunteers in Nepal over the years and have worked with some of the local volunteer organizations. I have to say I am most impressed with the work being done at the Mountain Fund. Scott and his team look for meaningful projects in Nepal and then call on volunteers to help meet the goals he sees will truly help Nepali people. The Mountain Fund is one of the only volunteer organizations in Nepal that I truly believe in and would feel happy recommending to anyone interested in volunteering here. They are small, genuine, accountable and really care that each volunteer has a wonderful experience while doing some much needed service for Nepali people.

I have traveled to Nepal 8 times since 2005 to facilitate humanitarian work and decided to stay at Mountain Fund this year. I worked with and for some of their long term projects andI stayed for 8 weeks, off and on from Feb 18th- April 17th ( 5 weeks there). I was able to know this organization well. In order to be effective in Nepal one has to love the country and it's people. In my experience I have come to understand that most Nepali people want to leave Nepal and not return and many NGO'scollect funds to enhance their own lives first and others second. To my delight I found Mountain Fund to be genuine in their concern for others first. Scott and Sunita and their staff are people who are "in love" with the Nepali people and have a heart to help them to be lifted up from the burdens they carry in this impoverished country. Mountain Fund supports many organizations in Nepal who have excellent reputations. They keep well informed on the progress of projects in order to keep funding going where it is said to be going. The Women's coop ,one of their new projects in a very rural area, completely satisfied me that Mountain Fund will be able to help impoverished families and women with the careful structure that Sunita has put in place from the Nepali side while Scott has worked on the Western side to get this up and running. The Mountain Fund facilities are well located and are as good if not better than frequented hotels. The staff are kind, well informed, friendly and very willing to help in any way they can. I would highly recommend this Organization to facilitate Volunteers and donations.

I've been working with Scott at the Mountain Fund for years, and I'm constantly amazed at the number of great projects he has going for the Mountain Fund at any given time. The work they do is pretty amazing, and seeing all the pictures of good results is always great. Someday I hope to actually manage to volunteer and make a trip over to see things first hand.

I have a passion for photojournalism and my initial goal was to travel to Nepal and capture the essence of the people there. My experience with Mountain Fund was inspiring, not only was I able to get in touch directly with the people MAKING the difference and capture the photos I wanted, but most importantly I learned how we as humanity can TRULY help and change a life. Thank you Mountain Fund for making this experience memorable and providing such a hospitable home. I will surely return as my work in Nepal isnt finished.

I worked through the Mountain Fund in the summer of 2010, and it was the greatest experience of my life. Their houses are safe and welcoming, for those who experience some culture shock when they first arrive to Kathmandu. The local guide in collaboration with The Mountain Fund is next to perfect! The houses are situated in a great spot within the city, and nothing so too far to see. Their work with orphanages and local hospitals is key to the learning of those who wish to partake in the life-changing endeavour. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to make a difference, and have an amazing adventure at the same time.

I went to Nepal in October of 2010 in my second year of internal medicine residency. I went w my husband and another resident - who had been to Peru w Scott in medical school. We volunteered for the medical trek, expecting great vistas, busy clinics, and some hiking. What we received was far more than that. Yes we had amazing vistas, incredible villages, generous villagers, and great hiking, but it was the overall finely coordinated trek that made the experience wonderful. Our cook was fantastic, the porters amazing, and the support staff incredibly fun and helpful. The tea houses and tents we slept in were sparse - but clean and safe and served to get the job done. the bookends of the trip - the few days before and after - were spent in kathmandu at the volunteer house - and the girls there are phenomenal. all our needs were met and they were fun to be around. Coordinated trips to the tourist must-sees around town were provided, and it was an easy way to see a magnificently complex city. We can't wait to go back - it was worth every penny!

The Mountain Fund is doing a great job in Nepal! They are one of the few I would entrust my money with. "Women's Farming Cooperative" initiative is a TERRIFIC and a very concrete one!

The Mountain Fund supports local development initiatives in mountain communities and connects volunteers to worthwhile opportunity. This small NGO focuses on doable projects that generate real results, and invests both resources and personal commitment into every community in which they work. I am proud to have volunteered with the Mountain Fund in 2010 and look forward to my second stint in Summer of 2012.