My Nonprofit Reviews
Margie
Review for United By Friendship Inc, Espanola, NM, USA
Since I first wrote a review in 2010 I have been intimately involved with the function of United by Friendship as a board member. I have helped develop the annual teams which travel to Guatemala to evaluate completed projects for auto-sustainability, accept and evaluate new project proposals from the villagers and visit work sites in progress. There have been several successful projects including more clean water sytems, construction of classrooms, repair and furnishing supplies to medical clinics and a budding weaving program where villagers are learning to create textiles that will sell successfully. The resulting health, economic and education improvement is very evident. I will travel again to Guatemala in 2013 and can report further at that time. Meanwhile, support is gratefully accepted and funds are used carefully. Every dollar is accounted for. and
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Review for United By Friendship Inc, Espanola, NM, USA
United by Friendship is an amazingly effective organization that is led by a small group of people who believe that a real difference can be made by impacting clean water delivery, education, and medical services in Latin America. Since the organization's founding in 2004 the concentration has been on the small, remote villages in the Guatemalan central highlands where desperate poverty results in dismal living conditions. Projects that are requested by the villagers themselves. A United by Friendship group visits annually to assess the many requests for help. Projects are chosen based on maximum effect, likelihood of success and ability of the villagers to organize themselves and complete the labor portion of the project. Funding is usually for materials. Local elected officials guide the projects with frequent contact from UbF. This method has been very successful as can be seen in the list of accomplishments in the UbF information. The scope of success is truly remarkable.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen first hand the improved living conditions of those who now have actual running clean water, medical services and a place for education. These are very remote villages, difficult to access, and the poverty is severe. Lives are truly changed for the better by direct, basic intervention and the joy and thanks of the people is so evident.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
None. It is an impressive organization that I am proud to be involved with.
