About Ten Friends
We work in Nepal - one of the poorest countries in the world. One of the beauties of the Nepali culture is its simplicity. Fancy homes, material items, and excess are seldom seen. Nepali people value family, religion, education, and basic needs like, food, sanitation, shelter, clean drinking water . . . and a cup of tea with a friend. Our goal is providing those basics.Our projects focus on assistance that the Nepali people need - not what we think they need based on our culture or religion. Before we begin a project we always ask, "Is this something you need and can use?"
Our History
Mark LaMont
Rand Runco
Ten Friends began when two teachers and eight of their friends spent a summer in Nepal. It is now hundreds of people who have been involved in our work, and our door is always open for you
Every summer we travel to Nepal, often taking volunteer students or friends. Our first project was delivering stretchers to villages along the trekking paths near Mt. Everest so that injured villagers could be carried safely to hospitals.
We have seen how poverty, government instability, or natural disasters make it difficult for people to realize their hopes and dreams. Children are most affected by these conditions.
From the stretcher delivery project and other charitable opportunities that arose, Ten Friends Project was born. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and donations are tax-deductible.
Ten Friends Project recognizes the human impact of economic hardship throughout the world. Our values are cultural respect, human dignity, increased quality of life, and environmental preservation. We are especially concerned with the challenges faced by children. These values will guide us as we seize opportunities to empower less fortunate people and enrich their lives. We all share a collective responsibility and together, with friends, we are prepared to act now.
"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
Edward Everett - U.S. Secretary of State, 1852
"If each of us tells ten friends about what is needed...and each of them tells ten friends...and each of them tells ten friends...then what we can accomplish has no limits. That's the power of Ten Friends!"
Ten Friends Motto