DALTON GARDENS - Two North Idaho nurse practitioners are using their passion and skills to make positive impacts on the lives of people on the other side of the world.

Mike and Mary Szymanski of Dalton Gardens have made it their mission to better the lives and health of the 210 inhabitants of the small village of Muri in the mountains of Nepal. They have frequently traveled to the village, helping with health care and implementing sanitary toilets, wood stoves, solar lights, water filtration systems, solar greenhouses and more.

"We're passionate about helping this particular village," Mike said. "It literally is at the ends of the earth."

Muri is an 11th-century medieval stone encampment with open fires and street sewers. It is a farming community where the life expectancy is around 50 for men and women. When the Szymanskis first visited the Jumla District of Nepal (where Muri is located) in 1986, it had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world.

"It was absolutely the most primitive place we could have ever dreamed of," he said. "It was impressive how simple they lived."

In the spirit of medical missionaries on a quest to make things better, Mike and Mary made a decision to go back. They lived there from 1994 to mid-1999, along with their son Jake, who was young at the time.

Jake, a 25-year-old New York City student, traveled to Muri with his dad in January. They recently returned, with unwavering motivation to continue improving conditions in this remote Nepal settlement.

"(Jake) said, 'My perspective is unbelievably changed,'" Mike said.

The Szymanskis have joined forces with others to develop a sustainable community and healthy standard of living in Muri. Heritage Health, where Mike practices, and Lake City Community Church sponsored the annual Project Muri Nepal Himalaya Dinner on Saturday night. About 160 people attended the event, which raised more than $6,000. Added to the $10,000 already gathered for Project Muri through the past year, the amount is just a few thousand shy of what Mike said they'll need for the next trip, although he said the dinner went really well and the funds that came in were great.

Through Project Muri, a group of at least 10 people will head to Nepal this November to continue the work. The Szymanskis and missionary colleagues from England, Scotland and Nepal plan to perform much-needed ear surgeries on about 70 of the villagers.

"Every individual, almost all of us could spare some funds to help people around the world," Mike said. "That kind of good will could create peace."

Since the Szymanskis have been visiting Muri, health, education and agriculture have all improved, Mike said. The village's first high-schoolers recently graduated from the small high school two hours away. Just the simple addition of solar lights have helped Muri progress.

"It's amazing," Mike said. "It seems once you bring in electricity and better light, their imaginations begin to broaden and they begin to build their economy."

Email Mike at mmszymanski@roadrunner.com for information about donating or assisting in the mission to improve Muri.