Once upon a time ....

Rand Runco and Mark Lamont, two teachers at Sisters High School in Sisters, Oregon and eight of their friends spent the summer of 2004 in Nepal. They experienced the beauties of the nation and the kindness of its citizens. They were particularly moved by the generosity of those living in poverty. Upon their return they asked themselves what they could do to Assist, Educate and Empower the people of Nepal.  And so our story begins....

In the Beginning

Their desire to improve the lives of the poor who live in Nepal led to the formation of Ten Friends, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization. In 2005, Ten Friends was founded and dedicated itself to improving lives in the 3rd world. Early on the founders spent summers in Nepal, sometimes taking along high school students or friends as volunteers.  For their first project they delivered stretchers to villages along the trekking paths near Mt. Everest so that local villagers could carry the injured or sick safely to hospitals.  From there they worked to ensure the safety of drinking water through the purchase and installation of water filters in local orphanages. 

Ten Friends learned early on how to be effective

While on their adventures they spent hours talking with the Nepali, gaining insights into how Ten Friends' efforts could be most effective.  The learned principles and concepts have prevailed through the years and remain an integral part of the Ten Friends approach.   These are:

--- Honor Nepali culture and implement programs that are community supported

Before a project is begun, Ten Friends always asks community members, “Is this something you need and can use?”  Ten Friends also asks whether the projects can be sustainable over the years. The goal is to provide assistance that the Nepali people need – not what we think they need based on our culture or religion.

--- Achieve the greatest impact by focusing on youth and in particular on young women

Ten Friends has found the best way to break the "cycle of poverty" is through providing education, health care and safe and secure housing for children.  Educating and empowering young women is the most powerful way to improve lives in 3rd world nations.

--- Support established Nepal based organizations versus developing and operating our own programs

Many Nepal based organizations already operate successful programs and projects. We believe we should support and empower these endeavors. Funds raised in the United States go a long way in Nepal and are best used by providing financial support to these organizations and working in partnership with them. 

--- Recognize that benefits extend not only to Nepal communities but to local participants as well

Ten Friends' activities benefit not only those living in Nepal but also have profound life-long impacts on youth from Central Oregon.   Throughout the years more than 60 high school students have traveled to Nepal with Ten Friends.

Ten Friends journeys fostered important relationships with Nepal community leaders

Ten Friends' travels to Nepal led to many friendships with community members -- and some of the friendships evolved into working partnerships. Ten Friends developed a trusted network of Nepal-based partners and program facilitators and we rely on them to help us understand local customs and community needs and to operate programs and projects. Meet Sunita Gurung (Himalayan Education Center), and Dinesh Khakurel and Gopini Wosti (Hopeful Home Orphanage) who are an integral part of our operations and lead our Nepal-based activities.

Along the journey Ten Friends was fortunate to be joined by Pema and Nurbu Sherpa, a couple from Nepal who now reside in Central Oregon

Pema and Nurbu grew up in impoverished conditions in Nepal.  Through the help of education and sponsorships, they emigrated to the United States. They now own a nationally-featured Himalayan restaurant, High Camp Taproom, in Sisters, Oregon.  Their kindness and caring and their continued embrace of Nepali customs and teachings are readily apparent to all those who have been fortunate enough to meet them.

Pema and Nurbu have dedicated themselves to improving and enriching the lives of impoverished and discriminated against members of the Musahar --also known as the untouchables -- who face deep poverty and discrimination in southeastern Nepal.  They and a group of followers started an initiative called Elevate Nepal, which in 2023 merged with Ten Friends.  Initial efforts focused on creating paths out of poverty for vulnerable children and at-risk youth by providing them healthcare, education and a safe environment.  They also created paths out of poverty for adults of the Musahar community by providing income-generating opportunities including vocational training and facilities and equipment to manufacture products.

Together much has been accomplished  

Aided by the support of volunteers, donors, friends of Ten Friends and organizations such as Rotary, impacts have been significant

Rural Education/Teacher Training - Himalayan Education Center (HEC)

More than 45 students have graduated from this innovative program where young girls in grades 4-12 – recruited from rural villages often 4-6 days walk away - live at the Center and attend a nearby school. Many of them have become teachers and returned to their native village, others have gone on to finish university and become engaged members of society.

Providing Shelter and a Safe Place to Live - Hopeful Home Orphanage (HHO)

18 children currently live at the orphanage which is located in a 3-story house in Bhaktapur (a city just outside of Kathmandu). Ten Friends partners with the HHO, providing financial support and meaningful connections to help operate the orphanage. All the HHO children have individual sponsors and have developed supportive friendships. Thanks to donors, life is good for the children at the  Hopeful Home Orphanage  and for future generations of homeless children who will live there. Children now live in safer and cleaner conditions and have a stable environment. These kids have a real home.

Rural Youth Education - Village of Tilahi

More than 60 scholarships have been provided to children within the village to allow them to attend school and after-school programs.  Ten Friends pays for school fees, books, school supplies, shoes and uniforms for sponsored students.  Without our involvement, these children, part of the Musahar caste, would not have had the opportunity to attend school and free themselves from the cycle of poverty.    View more information. 

Vocational Training - Village of Tilahi

Six young women from the Mushahar caste who live in the Village of Tilahi have received vocational training.  Initial efforts focused on sewing skills and providing sewing machines and material supplies. There is now a small community of seamstresses who are producing products that are for sale providing a new income source.  With the money earned, they are better able to feed and support their families.

Libraries

More than 37 Libraries have been launched throughout rural communities of Nepal. Part of Ten Friends’ Villages Library Project provides libraries for villages where a book is a rare thing and literacy rates are very low. Much like the Habitat for Humanity model where there is a shared responsibility for the end product, the village provides the building for the library and local carpenters craft the bookcases while Ten Friends raises funds to buy the books. A typical village has from 100 to 400 residents and there is often a fun community celebration when the library is dedicated.

Medical Assistance

In the early years, more than 100 portable stretchers were delivered by Ten Friends to villages along trekking paths near Mt. Everest so that the injured or sick could be carried to medical facilities. Local villagers were trained on how to use them. The stretchers were made in Nepal, were lightweight and provide a comfortable ride.

Ten Friends also conducted medical and dental clinics during times of need.    

Drinking Water

More than 160 Water Filters have been purchased and installed in orphanages. Each water filter provides safe drinking water for children and staff – up to 100 people per filter.  Two new wells were dug and now provide an ample supply of safe drinking water in the Village of Tilahi. The previous well had gone dry.