About Us
Our Story
Helping Others Grow Foundation was Founded in 2000 by Joanna Giles in memory of her grandfather, (Hew O’Halloran Giles 1889-1987).
Joanna is a highly passionate Australian who is inspired to make a difference in the lives of others. Having come from a long line of philanthropists Joanna does not fall far from the tree, she currently resides between Australia and the United States and has been in service to people all of her life.
In addition to the current project of “Greening One Village at a Time” in Nepal, Joanna is also the Patron of the Sapana Dreaming Children Centre *SAPANA DREAMING CENTRE FOR HUMANITY operated by World Youth International.
Her vision and support has changed the lives of thousands throughout Nepal and India none more than those who received “cleft lip & palate” and eye cataract surgeries. Joanna and her wonderful team support many deserving projects including other schools and orphanages in Nepal.
Joanna has a huge heart and a magnificent sense of humour, spending time with her, on one of her ‘Tours of a Lifetime’ will change your life forever – See Testimonials and it goes without saying that the love she has for the Nepali people, especially the poor and underprivileged will rub off on you. You too can be inspired and change your life by Helping Others Grow.
Your donation goes so much further in Nepal and makes such a difference in the lives of others. Please look at the Photo Gallery
To say that Joanna has travelled the World is an understatement and on these journeys she has had the privilege of meeting some incredibly talented people who have become great friends, hold the same vision and she considers herself truly blessed to now have them on the Board.
We would be nothing without those that support us and have our back.
Remember, What we do for ourselves, dies with us…
What we do for another lives on forever …
— Joanna Giles, Founder
Board Members
Joanna Giles – CEO, President, Chairman, Founder
William Newman – Vice President, USA
Daniel Grewal – Treasurer, UK
Josh Grewal – Secretary, USA
Lesley Hazelwood – Board Member, Australia
Nancy Jenkins – Board Member, USA
International Supporters
Lesley Hazelwood – Nepal Field Coordinator
Sue Silk New Zealand Knit for Nepal
Sanjaya Tripathee Sacred Journeys Nepal Treks
Sarita Chhetri
Jeremy McNamara
Justin McCarthy
Paul Williams
Our Mission & Approach
Our mission is HELPING OTHERS GROW, to encourage, educate and enhance living standards to create a brighter future for children and families worldwide.
Helping Others Grow is a non-religious, non-profit and non-political foundation and commits every cent of your Donations (less bank fees) to the dedicated project which effects real change in the lives of real people, who too aspire to make a difference by learning and in turn be able to give back to their community.
USA – Helping Others Grow Foundation Inc is a U.S. Government official 501(c)(3) status nonprofit organization – tax ID #27-0774198.
Donations are made through Paypal which provides complete payment security using any major credit card or PayPal account. You do NOT have to have a PayPal account to use this service.
History: Helping Others Grow initially started its fundraising efforts in Australia, with affiliates in South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and Sydney. When Joanna moved to the USA Helping Others Grow was registered as a 501c3 in the USA with officers in Sedona AZ, Sarasota Florida & NYC USA.
Hew O’Halloran Giles
(1889 – 1987)
My Grandfather Hew O’Halloran Giles (1889 – 1987) was descendent from a long line of Philanthropists & Pastoralists of South Australia.
Hew attended Cambridge University studying Law and whilst in the UK was enticed to spend winters in St Moritz, Switzerland. He became the first Australian World Champion of The Cresta Run, winning several cups including The Curzon Cup and The Grand National in the 1930’s. He thought the Cresta to be exhilarating and suspected few people would ever experience such a feeling.
On returning to Australia he married a magnificent woman, who bore him 3 children, he became a vigneron, a pastoralist and a keen golfer.
I was very close to my Grandfather in his later years and I wanted to create something wonderful in his memory to share with the World. Hence Helping Others Grow was created after his initials HOG.
To Those That Walked Before Us
I think its so important to remember who helped us on the Journey to where we find ourselves now.
This next section is in dedication to those beautiful souls who went before me.
They demonstrated what it is to be in service to mankind and opened me to all the love that I now hold for Nepal.
Mrs. Buvaneshwari Satyal was the first woman in Nepal to complete University. Her good name means “Goddess of earth” and could not have been more perfect for this woman of such great heart.
Mrs. Satyal was my Nepali Mother, Grandmother, sister and friend. I cannot express how much love I felt for her.
I interviewed her once asking if she had one wish what would she wish for?
She was so excited at the concept and laughed like a child who had just been given a thousand presents and replied
“With one wish I would wish to help all the women and the children”
You see its that simple – an 80 year old woman after all she has seen and been through, tells me we should help the women and the children.
CCSD (Centre for Childs Studies and Development) was indeed her baby and we at Helping others Grow have been visiting & supporting her beautiful Pre School with school supplies and Uniforms ever since.
Mrs. Buvaneshwari Satyal
Ms Susan Stenson
Ms. Susan Stenson went as a volunteer to Nepal and fell in love with the country and its people, she was completely devoted to Nepal for 15 years before falling ill and returning to Australia.
Susan was fearless in addressing physical abnormalities. Because of Susan ‘Helping Others Grow’ funded over 110 Cleft lip and palate surgeries in Kathmandu and remote Hospitals.
Radio announcements and Flyer drops from planes let the villagers know that a CLP Surgical Camp was coming to their nearest Hospital some would walk 3 days to attend with their child.
A Letter from the Past
Helping Others Grow has facilitated more than 111 cleft lip palate operations to date, installed over 20 Large Solar Panels for remote mountain area schools in Nepal, and installed 75 Solar Panels for homes with no electricity in Phoolbari village. We have donated many items of necessity, as well as comfort, to those who have little. The children are experiencing their first exposure to light bulbs in areas that are so remote they may never have had electricity.
We have purchased art supplies such as paper, paints, brushes, and water balloons for many schools including the Sapana Dreaming Centre for Humanity, where Joanna is the patron. In Sri Lanka, we visited a home for sexually abused girls, ages 11-18, and supplied them with sewing equipment and other necessities for their new home.
We distributed money to Sri Lanka for the devastating Tsunami for medical supplies and supplied reading glasses for 50 children. We visited a home in Sri Lanka which housed 70 very under-nourished children, including 20 babies. Many of these children are no longer with us.
Money was sent to Bangladesh for the purchase of land for a safe house for women and children.
In Kenya we purchased and supplied mosquito nets with funds from the sale of Blessing Bags. These are beautiful bags which are only $10 USD.
Helping Others Grow continues to promote sponsorship of children to attend school or an orphan to be loved through the generosity of our supporters. Annually, Joanna visits the Sapana Dreaming Centre for Humanity and has noted the many positive changes over the 18 years since the home was built. Each year Joanna visits many locations and projects witnessing first hand the difference that is being made in brightening the lives of others and indeed ‘Helping Others Grow’.
Since 2007, Helping Others Grow also supported $3,058 USD in Kiva Loans around the world resulting in $42,925 loans in circulation.
Joanna Giles
Joanna Giles (2011 letter)
Get In Touch
Attn: Joanna Giles
Address: 60 Chavez Ranch Road, Sedona, AZ 86336
Telephone: +1-928-301 2544