100 Friends

In 1990, Marc Gold traveled to India for the first time.  It proved to be a lesson in how much can be accomplished with little.  He met a woman with a serious ear infection.  With a $1.00 gift he was able to purchase the antibiotic she needed.  For $30 more, he provided her with hearing aids and the ability to hear.

When he returned home to the United States, he began to ask his friends for donations, no matter how small.  Some gave one dollar; others were able to give more.  In 1992, Marc returned to India with $2,111 in donations from his friends.  He distributed the money to people in need in what he describes as “the most compassionate, appropriate, culturally compatible, constructive and practical manner possible.” 

He has now made nine trips to developing countries and distributed over $100,000.  When Marc makes his annual 100 Friends mission, he pays all his own travel expenses and the donated money goes either directly to the person in need or to a grassroots organization.  In conversation with people and groups in the countries he visits, he looks for individuals or organizations that are not being helped in any other way.  The 100 Friends donation fund, administered via the non-profit Foundation for Sustainable Development, collected over $40,000 in 2005.

The 100 Friends website lists 166 projects undertaken through 2004.  Here is just one:

Ranjita (8) and Ranjan (10). These are two kids who live on the street with their mother. There is no trace of their father and the mother supports the kids by begging on the street and sometimes working as a day laborer. New Light (an organization supporting young women and children at risk for prostitution) has been able to get them admitted to the local school and provide them with some assistance in the form of clothing and books. Now with the help of 100 Friends they are able to give them an annual sponsorship, which covers their food expenses, and other emergency needs. They will shift Ranjan to the girl’s home once it is opened. She is in a very vulnerable situation and the possibility of her being abused or sold is very high. Kolkata, India.

In many ways, 100 Friends is reminiscent of Living Compassion’s work in Africa.  We saw the need and what could be done, and we have raised the money to do what we can.

Although this is a story of 100 Friends (and growing), it is also the story of the Power of One.  One person, moved and inspired to make a difference.  One person bold enough to do so.

To read more:  http://www.100friendsproject.org/           

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