the Program Booklet - IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology ...

Village Foundation USA (www.basavillagefoundationusa.org). After two visits
(and 44 days total) in Nepal, he fell in love with the village Basa that sourced all
the porters for the trekking and mountain climbing expedition he was on. What
was amazing to him was the connection they had with their families and
community and how open they were to outsiders. Joel realized there is a lot we
can learn from these rural indigenous people.
During an expedition to reach the top of Mera Peak in October 2011, huddled at
16,000 feet in a low-ceilinged tea house one evening, he and 5 other people
decided to form the nonprofit to support the village of Mera and continue the
work one member had started in village improvements. Since getting involved
Joel has helped support various projects, for example, a hydro-electric turbine
installation to bring electricity to all 70 family homes in Basa, contributing and
delivering 11 laptop computers to the school, building a safety retaining wall in
the village central square, building a composting toilet for the school, and
funding the materials and training for each family to build a smokeless stove for
their homes. Many project ideas are in development with the current fundraising
effort going to bringing fresh running water to each home.
Joel has faced many victories and many challenges being part of BVF USA.
Primarily he continually asks the question and evaluates to what level of
responsibility do we have as westerners in influencing this small corner of the
world with our ideas and technology? How can we help the village help
themselves lift up their living conditions and opportunities without destroying
the wonderful culture they have?
2012 GHTC Page 68