My Nonprofit Reviews
DeborahJ
Review for East Maui Animal Refuge, Haiku, HI, USA
This is the most amazing, wonderful animal rescue refuge I've ever known. Sylvan and Suzie who run the refuge 24/7 are true angels, they care for each and every rescued animal as their own children, knowing them by name and temperment, likes and dislikes. They call the EMAR The Boo Boo Zoo....orphaned and injured wildlife, birds of all kinds, cats, farm animals, you name it, they take care of them all, even endangered wildlife. They will cure and release back into the wild all the animals that are fit to return. Otherwise, they have separate living quarters designed to give safe access to the outdoors for all animals, even felines with AIDs, keeping them protected and the other animals protected as well. Instead of being rewarded for their efforts, however, Sylvan and Suzie get harassed by paper pushing, animal hating bureaucrats. These people deserve a medal of honor, the Nobel Peace Prize. Visiting their sanctuary is like visiting the Garden of Eden...lots of love and harmony. They are angels.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
when I visited them while I was in Maui. I met Sylvan and was so impressed by his dedication, constant work ethic (he worked the whole time he talked with us, introducing us to all the animals by name, telling us their stories and how he cared for them, who would be released to the wild soon, etc.).
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
get them more publicity within Hawaii and with all the tourists who visit the islands. I would love to see someone, a lawyer, lobby on their behalf for the work they do protecting wildlife and other animals at no cost to the government. They should somehow get taxpayer funding without the bureaucratic tomfoolery that currently exists. Sylvan's mission is to save animals and give them a high quality of life...he should be supported in any way to continue to run EMAR as a long-term sanctuary.
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
How did you learn about this organization?
I first heard of The Boo Boo Zoo when I read a children's book about the sanctuary and was so impressed. When I went to Maui, it was on my "must see" list and I'm so glad I did! I have supported The Boo Boo Zoo (East Maui Animal Refuge) ever since the early 1990s. I so enjoy their letters, photos, and kind words of gratitude. The world is really a better place because of amazing people like Sylvan and Suzie.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
Review for Nivasa Foundation, Merrimac, MA, USA
Nivasa Foundation helps stop human trafficking and seeks to end the cycle of slavery, one child at a time. Nivasa is a mighty little non-profit run by a mighty and wonderful woman, Beatrice Fernando. Beatrice has a heart for women who are caught in the cycle of poverty, human trafficking and slavery and she works tirelessly so that Nivasa can help as many families as possible on a shoe string budget.
Beatrice was once a victim of human trafficking in Lebanon. She survived the beatings and abuse by jumping off her captor's 4th floor balcony. Miraculously, she made back to her home in Sri Lanka and eventually came to America, but she did not stop there. Because other women in Sri Lanka continue to have trafficking and slavery horror stories like hers, many not surviving their ordeal, Beatrice began the non-profit Nivasa Foundation from her new home in Massachusetts. Nivasa serves to educate people at home and abroad about human trafficking and provides financial assistance to slavery survivors in Sri Lanka to enable them to stay home with their children and avoid the continuous dangers of trafficking and slavery. The Sponsor a Child program enables women to meet the basic education and welfare needs of their children so that they can stay home, conduct a modest home business if possible to supplement their income and not seek overseas employment which often leads to slavery and abuse.
It is a huge task. Nivasa needs more volunteers, more publicity, more sponsors and donors, and more people who would have Beatrice come as a guest speaker and eloquently and passionately describe her own experience while also seeking support for the countless other women who are trapped as she once was in the cycle of poverty and slavery.
The Nivasa Foundation is unique, it is committed to helping the voiceless, the women and children who have no means of support, no government assistance, no way to even pay for school uniforms or bus transportation. Nivasa has given hope and assistance to many families who only want to raise their children and provide education and nutrition so they can walk away from poverty and have a future.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have received lovely letters and photos from the child that I sponsor. I have read the reports from Nivasa's auditors and have first hand contact with them, so I know that Nivasa gives 100% of the sponsored money to the families and runs on a shoe string budget. There are no salaries, it is all volunteer run. We have held many fundraisers and many public speaking engagements from churches to colleges to public high schools.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More volunteers are needed to run events and have Beatrice come speak at a church, school, college, or other venue (she is adept at speaking to any age level, always holding everyone's rapt attention. It is difficult to not be moved when hearing Beatrice speak as she has the personal experience, the knowledge and a gift at touching people's hearts). Nivasa needs help with publicity (i.e.: for an upcoming play about human trafficking which is sure to be a very moving experience), college students, anyone.
