The Ruth Linder Peter Foundation: When a Golfer gives!
Amateur Golfer and Asset Manager extraordinaire; Ms. Ruth Linder whom we met in the previous issue of Swingtime: The Business of Golf, demonstrates in the most elegant and humble fashion the true tenets of the philosophy of Golf. Through the sincere pursuit of the high ideals and ethics the sport of golf instils, one’s life is irrevocably changed for the better. Unbeknownst to many, the Ruth Linder Peter Foundation is changing the lives of children in Nepal not only for the better but also ensuring the success of their future.
The Himalayan country of Nepal occupies the broader Western consciousness as a unique place shrouded in mystique. In the lofty mountainous geography exists a fascinating and exotic mix of diverse cultures, languages and religions set amongst a striking landscape of tropical savannas, forests and mountain peaks. Although a great tide of migration to Kathmandu and smaller cities has been evident, the vast majority of Nepalese still continue to eke out a daily survival from subsistence farming in rural areas far from the infrastructure of electricity, running water, roads and social services.
Medical care is severely limited with virtually no social programs attending to the needs of the destitute and homeless. Women and girls fall into a category of the particularly disadvantaged. With only 42% of girls that are able to read and write (the majority of older women are illiterate) together with a legal system that discriminates against women, a further vulnerability is compounded by cultural mores that devalue women’s basic human rights and prevent them from receiving health care and a decent education. The resultant lack of education among girls usually entails an early arranged marriage and subsequent child bearing, thus propagating the cycle of poverty with non-existent family planning, poor child care and little expectation of their daughters being educated.
Morning Star Secondary Boarding School, situated in Naudanda, a village in the “Kaski District” of the “Grandanki Zone” in Northern Nepal continues to be a beneficiary of the Ruth Linder Peter Foundation. The school answering the need for an education institution catering to the local population was established in 1989. Since then, the old buildings of the school, originally used as kitchens, dormitories and kindergarten classes have systematically been dismantled. A new building, which now houses a kitchen, hostel store, hostel dormitory, classrooms, science lab and dining hall was constructed in 2007 and 2008. Additionally, new student toilets and toilets for the students who live in the hostels were constructed. The new multi-purpose spaces were supplied with new furniture. The main school building had its entire roof replaced with windows and window panes inserted, the building repainted and classrooms refurbished with new black boards and furniture. Further developments included the upgrading of the science laboratory and addition of a functioning computer room. The library has been fully stocked and is an integral learning venue.
As many students commute far distances to and from the school, the school hostels house children where they are fed regular meals and cared for. The Ruth Linder Peter Foundation plays an active role in fully sponsoring students particularly girls with regards to their education costs, uniforms and hostel accommodation.
Through the efforts and financial support by the Ruth Linder Peter Foundation, impoverished Nepalese children have been clothed, fed and been given the chance to go to school. By simply graduating the 10th grade a girl will have the tools to support herself. The Ruth Linder Peter Foundation gives children without any resources or opportunity, the chance to blossom and grow into active, happy and healthy individuals who a capable of giving back to their society. If one of us can make a difference, imagine what we can all do together.
