Tilahi Village Projects and Initiatives
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One of Ten Friends initiatives is for assisting individuals in the Tilahi Village who through our efforts can hopefully break out the cycle of poverty. Our focus is on the people who are part of the Musahar Caste. Representing the bottom of the Nepal caste system, the Musahar are treated as ‘untouchables’ and suffer from significant discrimination resulting in extreme poverty with no opportunities to improve their quality of life and standard of living.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help to improve and enrich the lives of impoverished and discriminated against individuals who are members of the Musahar caste in southeastern Nepal and who reside in the Tilahi Village. We seek to create paths out of poverty for vulnerable children and at-risk youth by providing them healthcare, education, and a safe environment. We also seek to create paths out of poverty for adult members of the community by providing them with income generating opportunities through vocational training and the facilities and equipment through which they can manufacture products. 
Our History
Initial efforts began in 2019 and focused on educating children. This strategy has proven to be successful for members of other Nepal castes who have elevated their status in a caste bound society. A second focus has been on providing vocational training to women allowing them to have a trade and to earn income through which they can support their families.
Efforts were originally orchestrated by an organization referred to as Elevate which merged into Ten Friends in 2023.Elevate was founded by Pema and Nurbu Sherpa who both grew up in Nepal and presently live in Central Oregon. For those who know them, they have been inspirational in dedicating their lives to improving the lives of the Musahar and in honoring Pema's mother through continuing her efforts to educate children. They have personally contributed funds to support projects through proceeds from their business, High Camp Taphouse in Sisters, Oregon. They have held several Fund-Raising events, led tours to Nepal, and have enlisted the support of individuals and friends who have made contributions to programs. Read more about our history and founders.
Our Major Projects
Major projects conducted fall into two primary program areas including:
Child Education |
Vocational training |
|---|---|
 Ten Friends has been involved in educating children. We have provided scholarships to over 60 children to pay for their tuition allowing them to attend school and after school programs. We have also provided books, school supplies, shoes, and uniforms to our sponsored kiddos. Without our involvement, these children would not have been provided the opportunity to attend school and would have been locked into the cycle of poverty. |
Ten Friends has been involved in providing vocational training for women in the Musahar caste and for providing opportunities for applying their newly learned skills. Initial efforts were focused on teaching sewing skills and have purchased sewing machines for their use. There is now a small community of seamstresses who have been producing products that are for sale, and which have provided a new income source. With the money earned, they are now able to feed and support their families. |
Our Major Accomplishments
We have conducted a number of successful projects in the Tilahi Village that have included:
- Sponsoring over 60 children allowing them to attend school;
- Constructing wells and clean water stations;
- Conducting health care and dental clinics for community members and providing medical supplies;
- Providing clothing, shoes and other needed items;
- Providing agricultural supplies so that community members can grow crops and vegetables;
- Providing vocational training; and
- Implementing other projects that are responsive to local needs and that are based on engagement with community members.
You can help members of the Musahar Caste who live in Tilahi by making a Donation.
Your donation to the Tilahi project will allow Pema and Nurbu, in consultation with their Nepal based program coordinators and facilitators, to determine the best way to utilize your donation. If you want to make a contribution, please Select the Tilahi Village Projects Donation Selection. You can make your donation on-line using the payment processing form below or Donate by Check. Thank you!