Myanmar Today

"At least a third of all children are malnourished in this country and 132,000 children under five die every year because of avoidable diseases," says Andrew Kirkwood of Save the Children. "Aid to this country is about $3 per person per year which puts it among the lowest three countries in the world. I just think that's inexcusable."

Hardest hit are the young. Less than 50 per cent of children will complete five years of education. They also suffer from a range of diseases including Aids and tuberculosis.

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.

Board of Directors candid board
Shanta Foundation’s board members are the heart of the organization. Not only do they provide sharp and perceptive guidance but are involved in all of its operations. This cohesive group is dedicated to making the world more equitable and compassionate.

Mike Karpfen, co-founder and executive director of Shanta Foundation, is a psychotherapist in private practice since 1995. Mike was a member of the executive team of Kripalu Center, the nation's largest residential wellness center, from 1980-1993.
Tricia Karpfen, co-founder and secretary of Shanta Foundation, leads Shanta’s efforts in health care, women’s issues and pre-school development. Tricia also facilitates corporate leadership development around the U.S. and has a private acupuncture practice since 1993. Tricia was director of programming at Kripalu Center from 1986 – 1991. Her love includes horses, gardening and hiking in the high country.
Lloyd Fickett, the owner of a consulting firm and the developer of a unique approach called the Collaborative Way™, is chairman of the board of Shanta Foundation. Lloyd, with two sons and four grandchildren, is an avid tennis player and snow boarder.

Candice Carson,
author of Wildflowers of Durango and High Country Wildflowers, leads Shanta's fundraising efforts. Since coming to Durango in 1993, Candice has served on the Durango Nature Sutdies Board, the Women's Resource Center Board, the La Plata Electric Association Round-Up Board and Leadership La Plata Steering Committee.
Maggie Klein Galland
is a tremendous asset to Shanta in her role on the health care committee. She is a Physical Therapist with an eclectic background that includes working in orphanages in India and rehabilitation centers in Norway, Thailand and China. She served as the medical director for the American Refugee Committee in Sudan in 1986. She has also worked in nursing homes, pediatric achievement centers and orthopedic clinics.
Ross Park manages Shanta’s grant writing, website, publicity, tech support and is a member of the fundraising and economic development committees. He has retired to Durango Colorado after a career as a computer executive with extensive experience in international travel, living and business. He currently focuses his activities on education with the League of Women Voters of La Plata County and as a Professional Associate of Fort Lewis College. Ross and his wife Ellen share a keen interest in humanitarianism as it relates to the empowerment of local individuals to make a difference in the lives of those in need.
David Peters has retired to Durango after a career as a manager for an international energy firm. He has extensive international experience and heavily focus on South East Asia since 1997. He was located with his wife and one son in Thailand for the last nine years. For the last eleven years he has helped develop, supported and had oversight of several humanitarian and social programs in Myanmar that include health education, socio-economic development, microfinance, vocational training and TB/HIV detection & treatment. Dave has a strong interest in promoting sustainable humanitarian programs in Myanmar. He is an avid golfer and snow skier.
Cynthie Tin-Oo is a Burmese, Public Health Physician living in the US with years of experience working in resource limited, complex environments. She is Shanta’s ace-in-the-hole as chief advisor to so many its projects, including general health care, medical clinic, pre-school development, micro-credit and local leadership development. Cynthie worked for Save the Children in Myanmar for nearly 10 years. Her expertise is in public health and humanitarian assistance, program development and management, and organizational development of local non-governmental organizations and community based organizations. She now works as an independent consultant to assist non-profit agencies implementing various development programs in Myanmar. Currently she serves in the US as a member of the Educational Leadership Council of Save the Children and as board member of Cetana Educational Foundation. Cynthie is also Chairwoman-President of Yinthway Foundation in Myanmar.
Carolyn Moller is the treasurer of Shanta Foundation and its newest board member. With 13 years of experience in the non-profit world she was Clinic Coordinator of John Hopkins University Research Center, Maryland Watershed Coordinator for the Canaan Valley Institute, Regional Community Organizer for Center for Poverty Solutions, President of Frederick Co. Consumers Cooperative, and Treasurer and board member of REACH (assistance for the homeless) for nine years. Carolyn recently moved to Durango from Maryland with her husband David and is currently the regional manager of a local accounting and payroll firm.