Konchog Gelek, Rima Clinic Administrator, inspects the new solar array

We made our goal of $25,000–and more– in only 4 weeks!

Due to the generosity of so many supporters our GlobalGiving Safe Childbirth in Rural Tibet project was fully funded in less than one month. We raised $26,151 in donations and received bonuses totaling $4,500 from GlobalGiving during the June Challenge. We are so grateful to everyone for making it possible to pay our doctors’ and midwife’s salary for one year and to install electricity in our clinic in Tibet. The electricity will bring light and heat to the clinic, make it possible to freeze and store vaccines and other medicines safely, and to run the ultrasound and other medical equipment. The clinic serves 30-50 people per day, or nearly 15,000 patients annually.

Any additional donations can be made directly to Amitabha Foundation and will go towards further training for our new midwife, clean birthing kits (which cost approximately $50 each, and include soap and a towel for the birth attendant, clean plastic sheet for the mother to lie on, clean blade and string for cutting and tying the umbilical cord, towels to dry the newborn, hat and blanket for the baby, and a 9 month supply of prenatal vitamins.), and a 4-wheel-drive vehicle to replace the ambulance that has served the community since 2007. The vehicle and registration fees will cost approximately $20,000. Having a reliable source of transportation to hospital has already saved several mothers’ and infants’ lives in our community.

We sincerely thank the 250 people who donated and many others who spread our story through Facebook and their other social networks for helping us reach and surpass our $25,000 goal so quickly. Check out photos of the new solar electricity installation here. Because of GlobalGiving and YOU we will be able to pay the balance due for the installation, and get caught up with salaries for our clinic staff.

Nomad parents with newborn visiting our clinic in Rima, Tibet

We are using Global Giving, an international fundraising platform for nonprofit organizations, to raise money for our clinic and safe childbirth program in Tibet. Because of everyone’s generosity, we will now be listed as a permanent partner with Global Giving. We have already raised a total of $22,194 toward our goal of $25,000. We are currently in first place among all the projects, so we have a good chance to receive an additional $5,000 in bonuses. You can check the Leaderboard to follow our progress. Make a donation online by June 30, 2014, or by check or wire transfer, to help take us to the goal!!

Make checks payable to GlobalGiving Foundation, put “Amitabha Foundation Project #17151” in the memo line, and mail it to: GlobalGiving, 1110 Vermont Ave NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20005

Click here to read about our project and to help! Your donation and support by sharing the project with your Facebook network benefits the Tibetan nomads in Ayang Rinpoche’s birthplace area immediately, and also gives us access to corporate sponsorship and grants, and a broader base of donors for our public health work. Make a donation in someone’s name and they will receive a card acknowledging your gift.

THANK YOU!