Members & Volunteers
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama
These are the people who volunteer for Org4Peace International Helpers and make anything we do possible. Thanks to all their hard work and contributions.
Joanna Bryniarska
Founder & Director, Org4Peace International Helpers
Honorary Patron, Gaurishankar English School, Nepal
Canada
Joanna has worked across the high-tech, legal and nonprofit sectors in Toronto, Vancouver and internationally. Her background spans customer service, data management, e-commerce, CRM systems and software, with a focus on improving processes, managing relationships and turning data into useful—and occasionally pretty—information.
She has also worked with an open-source software company, where she managed customer relationships and helped increase software renewals.
Joanna holds a BA in Sociology and Anthropology from McMaster University and completed coursework in Criminology and Law at Douglas College, along with numerous professional development courses.
Having travelled extensively throughout her life, Joanna is comfortable working across cultures and environments around the world. These days, she is happiest working behind a screen, turning ideas, information and data into something useful.
Scott Morgan
Founder & Director, Org4Peace International Helpers
International Education Consultant
Scott is currently an international education consultant, but has also been a counsellor and community development professional, spending several years in Thailand as a Community Service and Experiential Education Program Coordinator. Before that, he taught at an international school in Korea.
Scott holds a BA from McMaster University and a teaching degree from the University of Toronto.
Surya Krishna Shrestha, Educationist
Titles, Achievements and Awards:
Chairman: Organization for Peace, Nepal
Founder / Principal: Gaurishankar English Boarding School
Member: District Education Council, Nepal Government
Member: District Mediation Council, Nepal Government
Secretary: PABSON, District Chapter, Nepal
Education Light Medal Recipient, Nepal Government
Proprietor: Gaurishankar Resort, Dolakha
Before founding Gaurishankar English School, also known as the School on the Mountain, Surya Krishna Shrestha operated a school serving underprivileged children. Surya, who is now the school’s Principal and Chairman of Org4Peace International Helpers in Nepal, was forced to close the school during Nepal’s 10-year Maoist insurgency, when widespread conflict, intimidation and violence disrupted education across the country.
The experience strengthened Surya’s commitment to providing children in rural and underserved communities with access to education, and ultimately led to the creation of Gaurishankar English School.
Michael LaRiviere
Website Design, Development & Maintenance
Canada
Aside from being a top level Ikea furniture assembler at the org4peace head-office in Toronto, Michael also takes care of the org4peace international helpers’ website design, development and maintenance.
Jayne and Jeff Leunenberger & family
Volunteers:
Canada
Jeff, Jayne and their 3 children (who were 13, 11 and 9 at the time), took time out from their busy lives to volunteer in Nepal at the Guarishankar School for a month.