Earthquake Relief Fund: Rebuild Chanaute's Clinic

Our current volunteer is wrapping up her work at the Chanaute Clinic. Nicole Ruffalo has been working towards her Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago for the last four years. She finished her school work, took her licensing exams and left straight for Chanaute at the end of April. We are so happy and grateful that she has devoted two months to giving acupuncture and herbal formulas to patients in our clinic in Chanaute. We are also happy that she has been able to sleep in the new volunteer quarters in the newly built clinic. Nicole has followed in the footsteps of the previous talented and hard-working volunteers, Juliana King, Polet Noyez, and Sterling Davis. With so many career options facing young graduates of Chinese Medicine, I feel personally inspired by their decisions to travel to an unknown land, far from amenities, family and loved ones, and give their time in service to those most in need in the world. Having spoken with Nicole prior to her trip, I was greatly impressed with her focus and her anticipation that with each new challenge she encounters, she must become more grounded in her mindfulness and yoga practice. Nine years ago, when MMW first began, this level of commitment to internal and spiritual practice was not yet pervasive, particularly in the US. How incredible to see the growth of these practices as a means of being a better steward for humanity. I have no doubt that Nicole has had a transformative experience for both herself and the community of Chanaute, Nepal. Nicole, we are so grateful for your work.