Lynne’s story
“The children’s warmth and curiosity touched my heart deeply, and witnessing their humble living conditions ignited a desire to help. I resolved to raise funds for them, expecting the process to be arduous and challenging. However, it turned out to be an uplifting experience.…”
My life was forever transformed by New Futures Nepal – a change so profound that the term “life-changing” hardly does it justice. From my first visit to Nepal in 1989, I was captivated by the country and its people. Their resilience and generosity, despite the harshness of their circumstances and daily challenges, left me in awe. It was then, in middle age, that I discovered my purpose.
In the year 2000, during another trip to Nepal, fate led me to the Hope Centre family. The children’s warmth and curiosity touched my heart deeply, and witnessing their humble living conditions ignited a desire to help. I resolved to raise funds for them, expecting the process to be arduous and challenging. However, it turned out to be an uplifting experience. Sharing the Hope Centre’s story and the impact of even a small donation struck a chord with my friends, family and colleagues, who generously contributed.
Forming the charity and teaming up with like-minded individuals became a joyous endeavour. We often emphasised how far a pound could go in Nepal, and that truth was evident when we funded surgery for a young boy who was born with several problems including minor deformities in both feet which meant he could only walk on his tip toes. We raised £70 and the young boy had the surgery which remedied the problem and he could walk, run and play football with the other children. Seeing the positive transformation in his life for the first time made me fight back the tears.
Speaking to schoolchildren about the differences between their lives and those at the Hope Centre was enlightening. A Christmas surprise presentation with an empty box emphasised the disparity sparking great fundraising efforts amongst the young students.
Lynne McCutcheon
Over the past 20+ years my passion for this work has only grown stronger. It has forever altered my perspective on life and reaffirmed my belief in human nature. I consider myself privileged and honoured to work with friends and colleagues in UK and Asia and I know my love for what I do burns with a flame that will continue to guide me for a lifetime.
