Who We Are?

Mike and Tricia Karpfen created the Shanta Foundation, a federally recognized 501(C)3, in 2006 after their visit to numerous countries in SE Asia and southern Africa. Moved by the unfailing generosity of those who had so little and the realization that a few dollars goes a long way in these countries, Mike and Tricia decided to make humanitarian work an active part of their lives.

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Our Vision & Mission

VISION We envision a world where everyone has enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and individuals are free to flourish.

MISSION We collaborate with underserved Southeast Asian communities to enhance the basic quality of life for children, women and men through education, health, and financial sustainability.

VALUES

  • We believe education and health are the cornerstones of empowerment and progress.
  • We encourage all participants to exercise a pass-it-forward philosophy with a spirit of generosity.
  • We serve each community with respect and dignity towards the local culture and values.
  • First we listen, then collaborate to engage the wisdom, resourcefulness and skills of those we serve.
  • We value an emergent process that is receptive to changing conditions, constantly asking, “what’s called for now”.
  • We consciously consider the possible unintended consequences of our actions.
  • Our work is innovative, creative, results oriented and fun.
  • We actively consider the short and long-term impact on the environment in all our actions.
  • We enable communities to sustain the progress created with our help.
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Improving the education, health, and financial sustainability of entire villages.


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