Cheri's Story:

I was invited to Dolanji, India (HP) in 2006 to provide volunteer medical care, as a Nurse Practitioner, in a very small health clinic under the auspices of Menri Monastery (Medicine Mountain).  The health clinic provides basic health care to 350+ boys at the Bon Children's Welfare Center (BCWC), 150+ girls and nuns (Anis) of Redna Menling, the Tibetan refugee settlement community and Indian residents of the surrounding area.

During my first visit to Medicine Mountain in 2008, a very bright young monk named Yungdrung Woser was my interpreter and assistant at the health clinic.  We became instant friends with a deep heart connection.  He shared with me where he was born, a remote village in northern Upper Dolpo, Nepal, called Bhijer.  His mother had died when he was quite young and he arrived at Menri Monastery to become a monk and receive an education.  Yungdrung eventually became my son. 

At Medicine Mountain, I fell in love with the Tibetan & Indian community, and of course, all the children!  I immediately saw the health issues they faced and lack of some very basic needs.  I have returned to Dolanji many times and more recently, once or twice a year.  So many of my friends wanted to help and gave donations of all amounts for particular projects each year.  These donations provided medication, washing machines, beds, mattresses, solar panels and holding tanks for hot water and more.

I have taken friends with me on my visits to Dolanji and they have fallen in love, as I did.  Many of them became aware of particular needs of the Tibetan community and took on a projects or made donations.  I have also shared with people about the needs in Yungdrung's village in Upper Dolpo and the they have supported these projects with much enthusiasm .

Heart Mantra Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization,  allows us to share those projects with a wider audience, receive corporate & memorial contributions, matching employee donation gifts and provide a tax-deductible receipt.  Donations are never too small or too large as long as they come from the heart!

I realize many people want to help towards a good cause, but don't always know how and where to help. So this is where the idea of the Heart Mantra Foundation, Inc. came about.  I wanted to provide a charitable format in which people could become involved at all levels to make a difference and those making donations would receive a tax-deduction for their generous contributions.  Heart Mantra Foundation, Inc. provides the projects and then people can become involved at a level that is comfortable for them.  Heart Mantra Foundation, Inc. follows up closely on all projects to make sure the donations are received and utilized appropriately.

I have traveled to many impoverished areas in the world and have became aware of many worthwhile projects that I want to share through Heart Mantra Foundation, Inc.

Sara's Story:  She dreamed her dream! Now you can dream yours!

During our visit to India in 2015, my friend Sara Warner-Phillips became very interested in the need for a Calf Barn. She lives in Vermont and has a special interest and knowledge about cows.  The calves at the existing dairy farm were in danger of "hoof rot" due a lack of safe dry area for them during the monsoon rainy season.  Sara was provided with a proposed plan for an extensive addition to the existing cow barn which would provide an appropriate environment for the calves and housing for the caretakers.  Fast forward to 2017....she had raised $20,000 for this calf barn addition which houses the calves, feed/hay, and living quarters for the caretakers.  Sara had no fundraising experience.  She saw a need, had an open heart and took the first step to becoming a fundraising leader.  She is an example of what one person, reaching out to others, can accomplish.  She is my hero! She is my inspiration! The people who supported Sara's project with their generous donations are all Heros!!