Why is Marc a Visionary Philanthropic Traveler?

Marc Gold was set on the path he now travels when he was just a child, when his father, photographer Albert Gold, explained "the meaning of life."He took the 8-year-old into the bathroom and had him look in the mirror.

Gold recounts the conversation:

Albert: ''What do you see?'
Marc: 'I see myself.'
Albert: 'Okay. How old will you be in 70 years?'
Marc: '78.'
Albert: 'Okay, when you are 78 years old, look in the mirror again and ask yourself one question, because by then your life will be almost over: 'Did you live a life that made this a better world or not? Very simple. If the answer is yes, I am proud of you, and if not, I am disappointed.'
Marc: 'But how am I going to make this a better world?'
Albert: 'That's your job. You figure it out.'

What is the 100 Friends Project?
The 100 Friends Project is a small, informal grassroots project dedicated to helping people in Third World Countries facing myriad problems. Marc Gold collects the donations (a little as $1 and as much as $500) from approximately 100 people and then takes the money overseas to distribute as directly and intelligently as possible. I am the representative of those who donate (I also make a donation each time). The recipients are usually delighted that there are a group of strangers reaching out to help them with no strings attached. Marc Gold's 100 Friends Spring 2007 Newsletter

Do the recipients have to repay the money?
No. However, I usually suggest that they use part of it to help others. For example, if I give a needy person 1500 Rupees (approximately $33.00) for some good purpose, I will often suggest that they give something like 50-100 Rupees from the donated funds to some one who is perhaps even more needy than them. They always seem to brighten when I suggest this, perhaps because it makes them feel part of a larger cycle of giving and receiving. Occasionally when we are involved in a small income-generating scheme (purchase of a sewing machine, setting up a bicycle repair service, etc.) the person may repay the money over a long period of time so that someone else can use the money to start a small business in the future.

HELP MARC GOLD GIVE AWAY $1,000,000!

Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel Worldwide has partnered with 100 Friends and Marc Gold to facilitate private guided philanthropic experiences in Asia. Do you know a Visionary Philanthropic Traveler that Exquisite Safaris should collaberate with? If so, please consider introducing us.

"If you are coming to help me, you are wasting your time but if you are coming because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." -Indigenous Saying