ABOUT US
AMURTEL was founded in India in 1975 by philosopher and humanitarian P. R. Sarkar, with the mandate to respond specifically to the challenges faced by women and children in times of disaster, and in developing economic and social strength and purpose across all areas of life.
AMURTEL has established women-managed teams and partnerships across the globe to meet disaster and development needs. Along with addressing the immediate needs of individuals and communities following a disaster, longer term programs include schools, homes for abandoned children, health services, feeding programs, vocational training, self-help groups, and micro-credit lending cooperatives.
AMURTEL encourages local involvement within vulnerable communities to break the cycle of poverty and gain greater control over their lives. For us, development is a partnership- people sharing wisdom, knowledge and experience to build a more just and equitable world.
AMURTEL began its work by women who saw service and social change as a natural extension of their yoga and meditation practice. Although many of our program directors are women who continue to embrace the yogic lifestyle, AMURTEL maintains a deep commitment to honor and respect the choices and beliefs all members hold.
AMURTEL supports a decentralized approach to management with many of our programs having their own board of directors, and creating partnerships with sister AMURTEL organizations in other countries.
“We stand to create a powerful, dynamic and upsurging social consciousness, especially amongst women, so that they are inspired to rise, awake, abolish dogma, annihilate all symbols of slavery, and usher in a new era of coordinated cooperation and glorious achievement.”
P.R Sarkar, AMURTEL founder
MEET US
Joni Zweig, BA
President
Joni has worked with AMURTEL since it beginning in 1975. With a background in organizational development and non-profit management, Joni provides support and training for AMURTEL’s domestic and international programs. Joni lives in Vermont, and along with her work for AMURTEL, loves to spend time in nature, teaches meditation, and is a volunteer with the local ambulance service.
Lorraine Dutta, BA
Vice President
Lorraine is an Artist and an Art Educator with 36 years of experience teaching Art at the high school level. She lived in India for 3 years which focused her interest in helping women and children. She started an organization, “Love a Little One,” which continued for 15+ years to help children around the world. She has worked with local and national disaster organizations in her community opening shelters when needed and providing local relief. Lorraine has been an active volunteer and board member for AMURTEL for more than 20 years. She is presently living in Hawaii and is creating art in many mediums but is most interested in jewelry and pottery.
Diane Alcantara B.Ed.
Treasurer
Diane is a retired educator who taught World History to middle school students for 18 years. She has been active in AMURTEL for over 20 years. She is committed to helping support women and children in need. Diane is also a member of two service organizations in her community: the Woman’s Club and Rotary. Diane served in the Rotary as the International Committee chair in 2022. Diane has taught yoga classes to adults as well as children. She has a great love of the outdoors and a great respect for all of nature.
Anita Harshman, MSN, CNM, MPH
Secretary
Traveling in India in 1973, Anita first observed, and understood the importance of health care for women and children. Returning to the US she earned a degree in nursing and became a Certified Nurse Midwife. She was a women’s health practitioner for 25 years and then pursued a master’s degree in public health to increase her understanding of health needs from the individual level to the population level. In 2011 she was a USAID Global Health Fellow and worked in Uganda with an indigenous HIV organization. She first volunteered for an AMURTEL disaster relief program in 1978 and has been an active volunteer since.
Dr. Guldeniz Yucelen, Psy.D
Director
Dr Yucelen holds a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, specializing in healing from trauma. She also completed the community psychology track in her doctoral program. Dr. Yucelen contributed to program development for underserved communities in Haiti, Kenya, Turkey and the U.S. She worked as a volunteer specialist with UNICEF and conducted research on systems of care for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Kenya, supported by a research grant from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI).
Kathy Runde, BS, RN
Director
As a registered nurse, Kathy began working with AMURTEL shortly after its inception in the mid-1970s in medical relief programs in the U.S. and other countries. Her earliest work involved establishing a medical clinic in the barrios of Guatemala City after a major earthquake in 1976. In 2021 she joined the AMURTEL board of directors.
Mahajoy Laufer, LICSW
Social Media Manager
Mahajoy Laufer was born in the Philippines and grew up in Western Massachusetts, USA. She has an LICSW and works as a therapist in Massachusetts. Mahajoy has been the director of a service program in Lima, Peru since 2017. She enjoys writing, dancing, gardening, and playing with her cat.
Cynthia Shanti Moralez Garcidueñas, BA
Web Designer
Cynthia is a designer based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She received her degree in Graphic Design at Queens College, NY. Currently, she specializes in the industrial design of small glass pieces manufactured in the Czech Republic and as a web designer. She has been an active volunteer in AMURTEL for several years.
PROGRAM COORDINATORS
Here is a chance to meet some of the amazing women who help to keep AMURTEL programs running around the world. With a commitment to vibrant, relevant partnerships, based on mutual respect and shared vision, these women are on the ones who make it happen!
Sherlda Philogene
Haiti
Sherlda has been working with AMURTEL since 2010, when she joined the team coordinating AMURTEL’s work in the camps for displaced persons after the earthquake. Trained by the MPP (The Papaye Peasant Movement, Mouvman Peyizan Papay (MPP)) as a grassroots organizer, Sherlda oversees AMURTEL’s programs for teenage girls, micro credit and self-help women’s programs, literacy programs, and community relations with IDP camps in the surrounding Port au Prince area. Even with the civil unrest and violence that is rocking this area, Sherlda always manages to find a way to reach the various groups of women she mentors, and brings a much looked-to leadership and partnership among the women working so hard to break the cycle of poverty.
Rana Abdel Samad
Greece
Rana Abdel Samad is the Operations Manager at AMURTEL Greece. Besides handling many administrative duties, she is also an Arabic and French interpreter and facilitates mothers’ groups in infant/toddler care, infant nutrition, parenting and peer-to-peer support. Rana has a BSC in Physiotherapy with a specialization in women’s health, an MS in Quality in Health Care and is trained in breastfeeding support. She is Lebanese, living in Greece with her husband and two small sons.
Rachael Mutinda Masaku
Kenya
Rachael Mutinda Masaku is Program Supervisor for the implementation of the Spirulina Nutrition Program, located in Kambimawe village, Makueni County. She oversees the accounts and verifies all aspects of the program, ensuring their proper implementation. Rachel studied homeopathy and Naturopathic therapies with the Abha Light Foundation (ALF), and has had a keen interest in the role nutrition plays in treating malnutrition and illness. Over the past 20+ years Rachel has used her training to set up successful programs treating malnourished children and HIV patients. Along with her work overseeing the Spirulina program, she also manages her own clinic in Nairobi.
“I feel honored and motivated to cooperatively work together with AMURTEL in support of the community work we do. I am open minded to all new ideas in forging ahead to achieve our goals.”
Melinda Endrefy
Romania
Melinda Endrefy, a Psychologist specializing in emotional emergency response, is originally from Romania and part of AMURTEL Romania. She has led the training of 500 mental health professionals in the slavic conflict and has been involved in the refugee response to the war since its outbreak. Melinda has also given similar capacity building trainings in Turkey following the earthquake, and will be forming an international team of AMURTEL emergency response prepared psychologists.Melinda is known for her tremendous compassion and willingness to travel within disaster sites to bring psychological support and comfort to those most in need.
Amah Esther Oluchukwu
Nigeria
My name is Amah Esther Oluchukwu. I have a Master of Science (MSc.) degree in Epidemiology and Public Health. I started working with AMURTEL/AMURT (Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Department) in 2020. Prior before that time, I had worked as an Adolescent Health Counsellor and Peer Educator Trainer in various schools, both in the rural and urban areas. This has given me the opportunity to positively touch and affect the lives of so many adolescents/young people, including those who had given up on life. Knowing full well that adolescent age is full of experiments, they really need proper care and guidance. I have an inner joy following up these young ones and seeing their lives change remarkably over a period of time. I am highly motivated by the testimonies of these girls and young women.
Afuluenu Onu
Nigeria
Afuluenu Onu has been with AMURTEL/AMURT Nigeria since 2011. She is the director of AMURTEL/AMURT’s Economic Empowerment program, which directly benefs widows and women who are the sole breadwinners in their family. Afuluenu has national certificate on Education (NCE) and a degree on public administration. Afuluenu receives deep satisfaction and joy when she sees rural women improve their economic situation through the skills she has taught them and through the growth of the cooperative efforts of the women groups.
OUR PRINCIPLES
- Every human being has the right to the basic necessities of life: food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education.
- The resources of this earth should be utilized in a just and responsible manner to meet those needs.
- Every human being, regardless of race, creed, gender, color, or social status is a dignified member of the human family and should be treated with respect and compassion.
- It is only by showing respect for women and ensuring their integration and active participation in the development process that harmonious growth in the family, community, and society can be achieved.
PAST AND PRESENT PARTNERS
AFFILIATES
