Our Testimonials

Founder of the McGough Foundation which has supported both environmental and educational projects.

CEO of teacher placement agency Teacher Horizons: “I am honoured to share my experience with Pipal Tree, which was Teacher Horizons’ charity of the year in 2023. Having previously taught in Nepal, I was deeply impressed by Pipal Tree’s innovative Community Learning Centre model, which provides vital support to children from the lowest castes. Moreover, I was amazed by how Pipal Tree effectively doubled Teacher Horizons’ contribution through a Big Give appeal, maximizing the impact of our support. The inspirational work of Philip Holmes, the Founder, continues to make a profound difference in the lives of countless children and communities.”

Field Advisor for Lloyd George Asia Foundation: “I have known and worked with Philip for a number of years, both in the remote countryside of Nepal and in Kathmandu. I have always been struck by the intense dedication he brings to his work — helping poor and vulnerable communities, especially children — as well as his integrity, clear-sightedness and his genuine compassion for people in difficult or dangerous circumstances. I believe his devotion to helping others has been grounded on Philip’s personal life experiences, his intelligent understanding and appreciation of the challenges presented by charitable undertakings, his honesty, and his strength of character.”

Founder and Executive Director of Her Future Coalition: “I have been working with Philip since 2007, and I am extremely grateful for his leadership in the field and his partnership.  Philip is a person of the highest integrity.  He has a beautiful vision of giving the most vulnerable women and children the means to lift themselves out of poverty and exploitation.  No matter what obstacles he faces (and they have been many), Philip remains steadfast, and quickly adapts to overcome problems and move forward. Philip and his team were instrumental in eradicating a most destructive form of slavery: the trafficking and exploitation of Nepali children into Indian circuses, where they experienced severe sexual and physical abuse. Philip courageously led rescue raids of the circuses, brought kids home to Nepal, and created shelters where they could recover, and facilitated their return to families in cases where this was possible.  He worked not just on one aspect of the issue, but holistically, on all aspects of the problem from prevention to rescue to aftercare to reintegration.  His current projects are equally impactful, and I’m excited to see more and more lives changed and communities transformed.”

Trustee of the Shears Foundation:  “Pipal Tree successfully bring together significant environmental benefits, community resilience and local education in their work. Our trustees are particularly impressed with their partnership work with local Nepalese NGOs.”

Chairman of the Penycommin Trust for Wildlife Conservation:  “We have worked with Pipal Tree for three years. During that time we have been impressed by the value that has been achieved by Pipal Tree for the small sums that we have been able to gift to them. Their reporting has been exemplary and we have at all times known exactly how our money has been spent.”

Chairman of the Paradigm Norton Trust:  “We have been consistently impressed at the way in which Pipal Tree communicates, and the degree to which they evidence the outstanding impact that has been created through the sums we have been able to grant.”