My Nonprofit Reviews

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.

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