Dear Friends: Anatta is very excited to announce our first "reverse scholarship" recipient. Natalie will be joining our Nepal trip this December to fulfill a dream and begin a lifelong adventure. Learn more about her and help us pay it forward! You can donate here.

Natalie Hernandez is a born humanitarian. Raised in what most would consider a disadvantaged urban environment, she has been through a lot in her 17 years. Natalie nevertheless has a kind, joyful nature, and a deep rooted desire to help others. She has already taken on a leadership role as part of the "Leaders in Training" program at the Trail Blazers Camp in Northern New Jersey for the past three summers. The program has a long history rooted in tradition and value building. Next year Natalie hopes to be a counselor. While she has no material possessions to give, she is ready to wholeheartedly devote her time and energy to relieve the suffering of those less fortunate.

Natalie shares her story:

My name is Natalie and I’m a 17-year-old senior in high school from Elizabeth, New Jersey. I have always had the desire to travel; to experience a new world. And as someone who immensely cares for global welfare, I’ve always felt the need to travel with a purpose. Helping members of a disadvantaged community and making a difference in their lives has been a mission in my life that I would like to accomplish. Unfortunately, because of critical financial reasons, my family has not been able to support me in a dream like this. It is something that my family has convinced me to believe that would just have to happen “someday”, when I have my own career and make enough money.

But that day could be now.

I’ve been given the incredible opportunity to volunteer in Nepal with Anatta World Health and Education Outreach in December. When I met with the founder of Anatta, and learned about the various projects and programs that Anatta has started and supports, I was hooked. I was amazed that this small, non-profit organization has dedicated efforts focused on education and healthcare, the most important necessities that many communities in Nepal lack. Every community should have the right to receive an education despite gender. And every community deserves to be provided with adequate health care. Anatta helps bring these needs into communities and it would be dream come true for me to help in these efforts.

Going to Nepal will allow me to directly help in activities and projects with the Peace Grove Nunnery, Karuna’s Girls College, and more in Lumbini, Nepal. As well as help in the capital, Kathmandu, with supporting earthquake relief projects and the Dadagaun Orphange for children.

It’s very surreal to think that it can actually happen; my vision of traveling to a country and helping in any and every way I could is finally here. I am certain that with this trip to Nepal I will bring all of my dedication, love and kindness to every person I encounter.