About US

Overview

About Us

MoH endeavors to leverage each dollar of working capital by involving community, school, organization
and business participants in the development and delivery of its programs. Volunteer contributions,
in-kind donations, and creative collaborations all combine to generate efficient and effective results.

The legal entity in Ecuador for MoH, Fundacion de Ayuda Social Montanas de Esperanza,
has managed two important grants from The Prem Rawat Foundation ; one for
humanitarian aid which delivered 35 tons of disaster food relief to 1500 families on the floods
ravaged coast of Ecuador in April 2008, and a second which focuses on translating
Prem Rawat's Message of Peace into the traditional Andean language, Kichwa.

Is Mountains of Hope affiliated with a religious or government organization?
Mountains of Hope is a non-governmental organization and is completely non-denominational.

What is the legal status of Mountains of Hope? MoH is filing a 501c3 application and expects approval in
2010. FOCUS International serves as our interim umbrella organization accepting tax deductible donations and
issuing receipts. MoH is a fully legal foundation in Ecuador recognized by the Ministry of Social Welfare under the
name Fundacion de Ayuda Social Montanas de Esperanza.

Why should I support this organization when there are people
in need in my own country? Supporting those in one's own country
is important. However in this global economy, it is equally important to
help others in the developing world. Providing a helping hand to those in need goes beyond national borders.
Because we work in a very poor country, we are able to create a great deal of positive impact with a relatively
small amount of money. For example, for only US$125 we fund year-long education for a girl - including tuition,
school supplies, bus fare, a meal and more -. For $100 we plant hundreds of trees and provide poor farmers with
viable seed. Because of our effective relationships, one donation can have a enduring impact on an entire Andean
community. If we worked domestically, we would not be able to leverage our donor resources nearly as effectively.

How do I stay updated on the work Mountains of Hope is doing?
We are enjoying wonderful success. The best way to keep abreast of our progress and to volunteer both stateside
and in Ecuador is to sign up for our quarterly email newsletter. We don't spam or beg for money, nor do we sell
your information to outside parties. We simply like to keep you up to date on everything that is going on and
occasionally email invitations for Mountains of Hope events in your area.
Another way to stay updated is to visit our website regularly. We frequently add new information, real-time stories
from our projects, update MoH photo albums and upload other content that we think might interest you.

How can I get my company involved?
There are multiple ways in which to engage your company in the work of Mountains of Hope. The following are a
few suggestions:
1. If your company has a corporate foundation, suggest Mountains of Hope for corporate funding or connect our
staff with the right people within the foundation department. We are always looking to expand and diversify our
funding base, and we would welcome introductions to any corporate foundation that is interested in supporting
educational projects in the developing world.
2. Start a corporate fundraiser. Many individuals working in both small and large corporations have decided to
launch fundraising campaigns within their corporations to support a Mountains of Hope project. (i.e. set-up
satellite libraries in rural schools or donate five computers or build a playground). These campaigns can occur
around holiday parties or perhaps a summer outing. Once the fundraising goal is reached, everyone who
participated gets the satisfaction of seeing a report on the given project. Each report comes complete with
photos of the children and community directly impacted by the project.
If you have another idea, please let us know! Contact us if you need additional information or have an idea on
how you want to get your workplace involved with Mountains of Hope.

If you would like to join us for an IntiJourney, please complete the Application page. Please send the
completed form at least three months in advance of the visit date. Space is limited and participation is based on a
first come, first served basis. We will follow up on your request as soon as possible. Of course, if you are getting
a last minute inspiration to come, email us and we can discuss it.

Can I volunteer or teach in Ecuador?
Mountains of Hope is collaborating with several communities and schools in northern Ecuador who welcome
volunteers and visiting teachers with ESL, artistic, science or social work backgrounds. For volunteer work, we
seek to empower the local people to work collectively to create change. Community residents participate in project
development and management. Our part is to contribute practical ideas, resources and expertise when applicable.

Mountains of Hope is collaborating with:
Educational institutions such as Seven Generations Charter
School, Emmaus High School, Universidad Technica Norte, Centro
Artesanal Rosa Zarate
Social Service Organizations - Rotary District #7430, FOCUS
International, The Linny Fowler Foundation, PASR, The Prem Rawat
Foundation, ALTSO, Fundacion Amor a la Vida, INNFA, AROIMBA
Businesses - Rodale Inc, Adrian's of Bethlehem, Conversational
Threads, Perk on Main, EcoLiving, EcoClassroom Journeys
and Individuals - students, teachers, social workers, artists,
musicians and families

The 2010 program year holds remarkable potential to further establish outstanding models
in educational enrichment, cultural exchange and sustainable community development.

Frequent Questions

What is your mission?
Mountains of Hope provides opportunities for intercultural discovery
and creative expression by bringing benefits of literacy, quality
education and the arts to the lives of children and community
members. People experience fulfillment through active participation
in inner peace, traditional and expressive arts, music and dance,
reading inspiring stories, and caring for family, community and the
environment. MoH is a bridge of exchange for dynamic sharing
between peoples of the Andes and international neighbors. We
believe that hands-on education and appreciation for life is a lifelong
gift that empowers people to ultimately break the cycle of poverty
and provide sustainable benefits for their families, communities,
environment and future generations.

How can I learn more about Mountains of Hope?
Our website is the most comprehensive source of information about Mountains of Hope. Here you can find a wealth
of information on our programs and the Andean peoples we work with.
You can also see photo essays of our projects to date at Our Photo Gallery
If you'd like to receive updates on our work, stories from the field, information regarding events in your area and other
interesting news, please sign up for our quarterly email newsletter.

When and where did Mountains of Hope start?
In 2005, Paul Murtha was invited to Pimampiro to evaluate the feasibility of
establishing a women's cooperative giving micro-credit loans to local women.
It became readily apparent to Paul that the area's educational system lacked
the most basic resources and that investment in children's literacy and
educational enrichment would acheive the most sustainable benefits.
Information on a website about Paul's efforts caught the interest of "teacher of
the gifted" Sue Brown of Emmaus, PA. Sue had visited several Latin
American countries and was inspired to apply her talents with children in
South America. Sue proposed a special project - that her gifted elementary
students share letters, photos and creative puppet theater with elementary
students in the Andes. Responding to this innovative idea for global exchange,
Pimampiro teachers selected rural El Alisal School as the "sister school".
Soon Andean students had photos of their US "buddies" and were sending
letters to the East Penn schools.

How can my school partner with you to help promote your work?
Our collaboration with US schools has fostered global awareness and
social entrepreneurship in the hearts and minds of students. Schools have
held book drives for the village libraries, fund raisers for tuition, school
supplies, and tree planting, and engaged in web conferencing with students
in Ecuador. Global exchange, particularly programs that include social
service, are a valuable part of a student's development as an international
citizen. Through our IntiJourney programs, visiting students witness the
positive affect their humanitarian assistance is having and they appreciate
that their efforts go directly, effectively and efficiently to those in need.

Can I visit Mountains of Hope projects?
Yes! One of the best ways to see the benefit that Mountains of Hope is having on
the lives of children and the Andean peoples is to visit Pimampiro. Our
IntiJourneys offer the opportunity to come, see, participate and enjoy the
beautiful people and land of the Andes. We can arrange special tours for small
and large groups, custom planned to meet specific needs such as an educational,
artistic or ecological focus. For individuals there is ample opportunity for
immersion in beneficial social service. And comfortable lodging, "eternal Spring"
conditions and clean, tranquil surroundings make any visit user-friendly.

In 2008-'09 MoH developed and managed a comprehensive educational enrichment program
titled Intiligencia funded by Rotary International. This successful initiative provides the
materials and training necessary to assist children and their teachers to attain a more
creative and fulfilling educational experience. In response to this model achievement,
MoH has been awarded a second grant from Rotary International.
The 2009-'10 Intiligencia Program Plan.

Mountains of Hope(MoH) partners with schools and social service
organizations to promote educational enrichment, global exchange
and sustainable community development for the children and people
of Ecuador. Creating a bridge of sharing and creative collaboration
between communities in the US and Ecuador, MoH:
~ sponsors student groups and individuals in social service projects
~ is creating a community library and satellite libraries in rural villages
~ sponsors education for girls in a textile trade school
~ supports needy families and orphans
~ promotes organic agriculture programs and tree planting
~ produces and donates educational games to schools
~ offers teacher training workshops and donates teaching aids
~ presents classes in creative arts and puppetry including special
summer arts' camps