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Update: A trek to Makalu and the House of Prosperity in Nepal
Incredible progress made, but some more steps needed to be taken
We are pleased to report that great progress has been made at the Samridhi Ghar (the House of Prosperity/Safe House) that many of you donated to in order to help women in the Makalu region of Nepal that are challenged by domestic abuse. Below is a letter from Deana Zabaldo and Nancy Porten, the foundesr and Directors of Changing Lives Nepal, who along with her amazing staff have been the driving force behind this project its success.
As we soon will be entering the third year of this project we are happy to have the continued support of All The Sky Foundation and a matching fund up to $15,000. With this additional funding and some good news below about resources for a permanent building; we hope that the Safe House will be self-sustaining moving forward into its fourth year of operation. To this end, support from the local government agencies has been positive. Read on about the trek, an update from Deana and help us reach our goal of raising $15,000.
Join the trek and Mountain Madness will match donations up to $1,500 total.
DONATE NOW
“Dear Mark,
Hope this finds you all well and enjoying the start of spring! We wanted to give you an update on our safe house activities over the last few months. Happy to say that everything is progressing very well! The number of women at Samridhi Ghar ebbs and flows, and right now we are supporting 5 women in need.
The Safe House recently brought in a trainer with 15 years experience at a central government women’s shelter for a 2‑day session with our staff, SODEC board members, and representatives from the local police, hospital, and municipality. She helped our team design and institute a case management system to begin tracking the women for 2 years after they leave our facility and provide them with greater follow-on resources. The training was a success and helped not only create the system but also developed relationships between our staff and all the necessary government officials. In addition, the local government allocated $7500 to be issued in small grants this year to support economic activities for women leaving the SH. These grants will help support our women in generating income by providing startup funds for them to develop a small business in areas like vegetable farming or opening a small sundry shop.
![Sharing meeting at DCC (Photo: Society Development Center)](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=2ad6d18e55e5892fd986904853c8b5b3 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=c984cf3f923b050c1fc0867ee727ff77 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=ad7c8c166445dd2ec332a7e10d72e352 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=b6e50b0e60e34df693249d8e0ebdaf37 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=b45ab7c1b74aebbcbf371765a8340674 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=ee4526db618c01f5cc89804dc8999744 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=2451e8cbce7f39012492f96188404129 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=d12ddf24d67d34ca856d16157e7af59f 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=d50d21e6d5a78f8a4019f22f1d01a08b 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=3f1131901f4d5723f71626b33ba5bfa8 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Sharing-meeting-at-DCC-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737665.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=1d66eaf7f2a8fd29fd593e9d35bae750 200w 167h)
![Mothers group meeting (Photo: Society Development Center)](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=bb1b6f59e237d00ad7242bb6e5230f84 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=851d30ab12f514632c88219540a62b4d 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=1e2ff920d5db6ce3dbd027fa5020c1ec 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=ecbdbd61a8edab406fff814e5fca73da 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=0d54569ebace9ef0b315ea1563aace93 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=025159ce04a613f73cc344a775949808 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=b9fc7f480ebb423b832a89db467859da 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=fe716fef4a1bd9b1946546232631f8a5 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=983edf0f2735b9a0b9352dcdb3dfe946 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=c191a077250cfd086c7728b23dcae981 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Mothers-group-meeting-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737716.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=c41a9874c7c97cec2c6897e7a6fcbd91 200w 167h)
![Safe House Case Management Training (Photo: Society Development Center)](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=72e4df7e97ce2fbfb554844ee9e78aca 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=a7c8ab04f7331d43233c3c5858247ac2 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=8ca82e34031ac52645a86d73e4735d61 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=55179f34818424c13c94fb9e355bb180 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=a7dff08c94e4605a2fb9c7db3a91c199 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=c95a4afe0742f66c0f10f9e267502543 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=573f4e487a3e82266555734320709641 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=a31506d53d6e4a1ab070f1ac63e8bfae 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=71ed3c50803f3d2c510c37d74c9756cd 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=f70b0cac2827cd19eee08bec14797202 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Safe-House-Case-Management-Training-Photo-Society-Development-Center.f1683737779.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=d974787afb18468e395248f60feeadb3 200w 167h)
In addition, we are hoping to start construction of a permanent building later this year or early next year! Just a few weeks ago, SODEC secured a land donation from the local Nepali government for a permanent building. Over the past 6 years, SODEC has also worked with a Canadian INGO, Another Brick in Nepal (ABIN), which has successfully built 4 schools in Sankhuwasabha District. ABIN has graciously offered to build and be the primary funder of a permanent safe house building for the women of Nepal- many thanks for this!
![Meeting with the partners hospital police and municipality](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1826&q=80&w=2200&s=65c4b6afb5624b030239105426e652c4 2200w 1826h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1660&q=80&w=2000&s=f66974a211bb51ce7961ef9716bebdb0 2000w 1660h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1494&q=80&w=1800&s=2ddededebd4c04d1008e71437558ef30 1800w 1494h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1328&q=80&w=1600&s=47d05307f9d5c6792bea44a41397e975 1600w 1328h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1162&q=80&w=1400&s=871642c329c1f0ac22c601e730e10b1a 1400w 1162h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=996&q=80&w=1200&s=f6d6a85a7bdbb7539f3ce4527f6ddcd0 1200w 996h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=830&q=80&w=1000&s=0acb3f7251621e0956ab4e1c6b2cc99a 1000w 830h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=664&q=80&w=800&s=68bb3cc549b357839c99558b3b4501ed 800w 664h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=498&q=80&w=600&s=a21bd847bd3b22c1d86de91182568476 600w 498h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=332&q=80&w=400&s=dd93734979b954277ac40cc681945149 400w 332h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/Meeting-with-the-partners-hospital-police-and-municipality.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=166&q=80&w=200&s=c508ee9a4ab6b34614ce70ed22259aa1 200w 166h)
![SH team in exposure to Biratnagar SH](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1826&q=80&w=2200&s=3168ee055a877f8d899ea55ad4321e82 2200w 1826h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1660&q=80&w=2000&s=d46c75fc2e4aaec213ff5f15b33347b0 2000w 1660h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1494&q=80&w=1800&s=4558eb4b10a57d44378e8687f8f9486f 1800w 1494h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1328&q=80&w=1600&s=eb7da4b58d58fe157e720d3a3244b745 1600w 1328h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1162&q=80&w=1400&s=1708301bd392a44b3b522ed8cdebfd57 1400w 1162h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=996&q=80&w=1200&s=aeca06af8e01f4c413d81ef9ffc32080 1200w 996h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=830&q=80&w=1000&s=54fe2503a83bfce9a2c97622b7dfe28a 1000w 830h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=664&q=80&w=800&s=dbcb2fd980279ae76b2b3081283385ca 800w 664h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=498&q=80&w=600&s=622f58777a084ac4ebe5c8d6b183f7e9 600w 498h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=332&q=80&w=400&s=5a190b9b561fdc474e019aeca0f652d0 400w 332h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/SH-team-in-exposure-to-Biratnagar-SH.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=166&q=80&w=200&s=487eff99f5c0f8afb342c84c525f9774 200w 166h)
All The Sky’s and Mountain Madness’ support in bringing this groundbreaking project into being has been essential! With the start-up grant and the 3‑year commitment of funds that you’ve provided, we’ve been able to prove the concept, establish operations, garner deeper commitment from the local government (including the recent land donation), and now secure a construction commitment from ABIN for a permanent home. We couldn’t have done all this without you!
So grateful for all of the support of your donors and MM in bringing this program to life and looking forward to another successful year!
Warmly,
Deana & Nancy/Changing Lives Nepal”
Photos: Society Development Center
Safe House Project Overview
Samridhi Ghar (House of Prosperity), is a collaborative project between Mountain Madness, Changing Lives Nepal, and All The Sky Foundation to serve the women of Nepal experiencing domestic violence and financial hardship. As a team we have a proven track record of successfully launching charitable programs with strong community support, and Mountain Madness Guide Deana Zabaldo will be bringing decades of regional expertise to establish the project. Our work continues with the local hospital, police, and community, and we are thrilled with the progress thus far. Survivors of domestic violence are also being offered counseling for emotional trauma, support for medical and legal services, and transition support to live independently.
The Safe House also promotes heightened awareness throughout the local communities about women’s rights as well as the underlying causes of violence against women. In alignment with All The Sky’s mission, awareness programs will include reaching men as well as women in order to increase the overall understanding of gender-based violence with the intention of addressing the root causes.
DONATE NOW
All donations are fully tax-deductible and will be matched up to $15,000 through a generous grant from All The Sky Foundation to ensure this program reaches the start-up goal of $30,000 and launches successfully!
Makalu Fundraiser Trek — 18 days including all travel time!
If you dream of returning to Nepal or visiting for the first time, join us on our fundraising trek to Makalu Base Camp (Nov 4 – 21, 2023), including a visit to the Safe House to see your donation at work if you donated. Donations are not required to join this trek, but encouraged. Trekking in the Makalu Barun National Park will be sure to provide adventure and amazing views of this massive peak, shown here on the left from our Gokyo Lakes Trek.