The Friends Foundation is an altruistic non-profit organization that Mohan & Shama Nannapaneni founded in 2000. While the foundation’s primary funding source is Mohan Nannapaneni, the founder and chairman, as well as his spouse, Shama Nannapaneni, the rest of the team’s invaluable services are vital to its success. We are grateful for the thousands of well-wishers worldwide who encourage our efforts in helping those in need. It brings us immense pleasure to extend our support to those in need, and we do not solicit donations or contributions from any other organizations or individuals.
Our Mission
We are wholeheartedly dedicated to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their current circumstances, has access to the fundamental life essentials that are often overlooked, including education, social care, cultural values, healthcare, and clean air and water. By doing so, we not only find greater purpose and satisfaction in our own lives, but we also aim to leave a lasting legacy of kindness and generosity that will positively impact future generations. Our efforts are fueled by the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive, and we are committed to making that a reality.
“We may not live forever but the good or bad we leave behind will live longer than us.” — Mohan Nannapaneni
Our Projects
Run-down Schools
Over time, both governments and citizens alike have neglected public schools, which were once instrumental in propelling our country forward in global competition. However, we recognize that good schools are the bedrock of a strong and prosperous nation, and thus we are fully committed to revitalizing and enhancing the infrastructure of public education. By investing in our schools, we are investing in the future of our country, and ensuring that every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed. Let us work together to rekindle the promise of public education, and pave the way for a brighter and more equitable future.
Rebuilt Schools
We have undertaken the formidable task of rebuilding several public schools, and it brings us immense pride to witness the joy and contentment in the eyes of the children who previously struggled with inadequate learning environments. Our efforts have had a transformative impact on the education landscape of rural India, benefitting thousands of children and providing them with access to quality education and essential amenities. We remain committed to continuing our work towards improving education infrastructure and empowering future generations through knowledge and opportunity.
Scholarships
The Nannapaneni Mohan and Friends Foundation’s scholarship program is designed to assist gifted students who may lack the financial means to pursue higher education. Our scholarships are awarded based on merit and academic excellence and are accessible to all deserving students, irrespective of their caste, color, religion, location, or social status. By providing access to education for promising young minds, we strive to create a more equitable and just society, one in which every individual has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.
Humanity
As an organization, we hold social responsibility as one of our core values, and are dedicated to serving those in need through various humanitarian efforts. Over time, we have responded to numerous requests for aid, and have undertaken various initiatives aimed at promoting the welfare of children, assisting farmers, providing healthcare to those who lack access, and supporting other forms of humanitarian assistance. Our commitment to social responsibility remains unwavering, and we will continue to work tirelessly towards creating a more compassionate and equitable world for all.
Sports
Sports play a crucial role in the development of children, offering them the chance to learn new skills, improve their physical fitness, and engage in healthy interactions with both teammates and competitors. As part of our commitment to promoting the growth and well-being of young people, we have constructed playgrounds, sponsored sports competitions, and donated sporting goods to numerous schools. By providing access to these resources, we hope to encourage more children to engage in physical activity, build social connections, and cultivate a lifelong love of sports and fitness.
Education
Education is a powerful tool that can enhance an individual’s capacity to effect positive change, empowering them to overcome challenges with greater confidence and resilience. As an organization, we are committed to providing access to quality education for underprivileged children, so that they too may have the opportunity to build a better life for themselves. Through our efforts, we strive to narrow the gap in educational inequality, and ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the chance to unlock their full potential and achieve their dreams.
Culture
We are proud to support organizations that are dedicated to promoting Indian languages, culture, and traditions. By providing our support, we aim to create opportunities for young people to not only develop their skills and talents, but also to share the rich and diverse heritage of Indian culture with communities across the Western world. We believe that by fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the traditions and customs of different cultures, we can build bridges of mutual respect and cooperation, and create a more harmonious and inclusive global community.
Skills Development
We have played a vital role in supporting the development of technical and vocational skills among hundreds of rural youth, enabling them to move beyond daily labor and become skilled workers. Through our support of various institutions and programs, we have helped to create new opportunities for young people to acquire the knowledge and expertise they need to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving job market. We take great pride in the positive impact that our efforts have had on the lives of so many, and remain committed to promoting skill development and vocational training as a means of fostering greater economic mobility and prosperity in the communities we serve.
Rebuilding Public Schools
Our foundation’s first major project was the complete reconstruction of a government elementary and high school in India. The school had been neglected for years, and its rundown and shabby state was impeding the education of around 1000 children who were trying to learn in an unfurnished and unhealthy environment. Students and teachers alike were constantly exposed to dust, noise, gusting winds, and the heat of the direct sun, making it almost impossible to focus on the educational process.
In response to this dire situation, we mobilized our resources and set out to transform the school into a fully functioning and welcoming educational facility. Within an incredibly short period of just six months, we were able to purchase and deliver all of the necessary furnishings for the school’s more than 40 rooms, and provide clean water, electricity, and sanitary facilities for the students and faculty. We also created a recreational area where the children could play and unwind after their studies.
Thanks to the enthusiastic support of Mr. Tummala Nageswara Rao, former minister of Roads & Buildings, Mr. A Giridhar, and Mr. Natarajan Guljar, our project was able to come to fruition, and today, the school serves over 1,500 students. We are proud to have been able to provide these children with a safe and healthy learning environment, and are committed to continuing our efforts to improve education and educational infrastructure in the communities we serve.
Our foundation has made a significant impact in the education sector by donating nearly US $200,000.00 and negotiating additional matching grants from the Government of AP. In addition to this, we raised another Rs 20 lakhs from budget allocations of members of Parliament, with special thanks owed to Mr. Kambhampati Ram Mohan Rao for his generous contributions of Rs. 20 lakhs from his allocation. With these funds, we were able to build an entire school from scratch, complete with modern amenities such as new furniture, electricity, clean drinking water, sanitary facilities, and a beautiful playground. Thanks to our efforts, hundreds of children now have access to a safe and nurturing learning environment that will set them up for success in the future.
Education
It is said that “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”. Mohan Nannapaneni, Shama Nannapaneni, and Friends Foundation believe this maxim wholeheartedly. Therefore, the best form of assistance that could be given to needy children is proper education. Education increases the capacity of the individual to make immediate and lasting changes in his life and enables him to face the challenges in his life with more confidence. Education brings out the latent powers residing within every human being and develops his ability to use and express those powers in new and innovative ways. With this noble objective in mind, the foundation took the initiative to improve educational institutions. We wanted to provide a better learning environment at the schools so that students can focus on their lessons instead of worrying about their living environment. For details of our service to Education, please see Schools and Scholarships sections.
Sports
Sports give children the opportunity to learn and practice new skills, to exercise to improve their strength and coordination, and to have healthy interactions with teammates and competitors.
Nannapaneni Mohan and Friends Foundation sponsored state level invitation cricket tournaments for
We have donated playgrounds to the tribal schools, and money to build playgrounds and sporting spaces at various schools and colleges. We have provided financial assistance to poor athletes for their higher education expenses.
The foundation has donated sports kits, shoes and tracksuits for athletes. Our support has helped them to win championships & trophies. We enabled athletes and chess players to participate in national and international level events, where they achieved additional recognition. Friends Foundation is committed to advancing sports initiatives that make students and athletes stronger, happier, and healthier.
Cultural
Promoting Indian Culture, Tradition, and Fine Arts: In addition to education, infrastructure, poverty relief, and health assistance, Nannapaneni Mohan & Friends Foundation is very keen to promote the arts and cultural advancement. We are helping some non-profit organizations teach Indian classical dances to children. The foundation has sponsored numerous cultural events, competitions, and festivals through various organizations and on its own, both in India and the USA.
Indian Cultural Associations: We donated more than $100,000 to various Indian cultural associations. The interest of Mr. & Mrs. Nannapaneni in the Indian culture and social activities is the same type of fervor and passion that drives the organization, overall. We sponsored and contributed to several organizations, cultural competitions, programs that promote Indian classical dances and music.
Humanity
The foundation has responded to several requests for humanitarian relief. There are a few cases that truly encapsulate what the spirit of the foundation is.
In Healthcare:
We donated nearly Rs 10,00,000 to Indo-American Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad, as well as donated money to the Lions Club of Nandigama to help build an ophthalmology hospital. We have conducted several health camps to provide healthcare to the poor. We donated over 1000 pairs of eyeglasses to poor, elderly people.
In Poverty Relief and Aid to Farmers:
We provided financial help directly to the needy and desperate. We are proud to announce that due to our ability to respond to these needs in a timely manner, we have been able to save lives. This is our highest achievement, as human life is the most precious gift of all. We have helped farmers by providing funds they needed to build their lift irrigation systems, as well as we have helped several children get critical healthcare. We also have helped environmental agencies and nonprofit organizations that share our passion for preserving life.
For Children: By donating plates, cups and cooking utensils, we were able to render assistance to afternoon lunch programs at the primary schools. We donated Rs: 1,00,000 to build a primary school in an urban colony of Bhadrachalam. We donated Rs 1,25,000 to a child rescue shelter built by a TANA foundation in Vijayawada. This rescue shelter identifies hundreds of street children and provides them with temporary shelter, food, healthcare, and counseling until they are sent back to bridge schools or their parents.
Other Humanitarian Assistance:
Mohan Nannapaneni built and donated an ultra modern guest house worth Rs 30,00,000 to Sri Sita Rama Swamy Temple, Bhadrachalam. Though our purpose is not expressly religion-oriented, the foundation has donated money to several temples and churches across the state. Mohan & Shama Nannapaneni donated Rs, 1,25,000 lakhs to the Gujarat earthquake relief fund and Rs: 2,00,000 to the Tsunami Relief Fund, and Rs: 50,000 to the Kargil war relief fund. They have consistently responded when needed and are always willing to extend a helping hand to people in need.
Skill Development
Preservation of Ancient & Traditional Handcrafts: SPN arts & Crafts Promotion Trust in Tamil Nadu, India takes around 50 unemployed youths from nearby rural villages and trains them free of cost in various ancient Indian arts like wood carving, stone sculpture, and painting. When their students complete a rigorous four-year training program, they become fine artisans or craftsmen. Their training ensures better earnings for the youth while preserving ancient Indian handcrafting skills. We are contributing several lakhs of rupees to this organization. Our intention is to promote and pass on our traditional handicrafts to future generations by teaching and producing highly skilled artisans, and creating employment opportunities. We are a proud supporter of this organization.
Skill Development Seminars : Our Foundation has been aiding and working with few vocational and technical educational institutions to train unemployed youth and students. We have sponsored and organized seminars and training classes for, students and as well as for teaching professionals.
Scholarships
There is a very sage proverb that says “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. Mohan Nannapaneni, Shama Nannapaneni, and Friends Foundation believe this maxim, wholeheartedly.
Therefore, the best form of assistance that could be given to needy children is proper education. Education increases the capacity of the individual to make immediate and lasting changes in his/her life and enables the child to face the challenges in life with more confidence. Education brings out the latent powers residing within every human being and develops the ability to use and express those powers in new and innovative ways. With this noble objective in mind, the foundation took the initiative to improve educational institutions. We wanted to provide a better learning environment at the schools so that students can focus on their lessons instead of worrying about their living environment. For details of our service to Education, please see Schools and Scholarships sections. – this is the scholarship section
Mohan Nannapaneni
Founder
5 Glenwood Road,
Southborough MA 01772, USA
Office: +1.508.925.3299