Rosalind Russell of R Star Foundation shares attitude of gratitude all year long and during Thanksgiving
R Star Foundation serves and educates the isolated and disempowered women and children of Nepal, connecting resources to the neediest people in one of the most remote areas on earth and helping to bring about peace. “Women Helping Women & Children in Nepal...therefore the world” is the nonprofit’s motto, and they practice it all year.
Rosalind Russell, founder of R Star Foundation says, “We are all in the month we think about our gratitude for the many blessings in our lives. One attitude of gratitude I can share is how fortunate we are to live in the US with the opportunities we have for living life well. Not all the world is as blessed as we are. This is the reason I elect to offer my time to lift others in Nepal as their lives are bleak in comparison. The disasters they faced three years ago with the earthquakes continue to plague them, most especially in terms of a proper home.”
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Greenhouses improve year round income sources for villagers
R Star has gifted over 55 greenhouses to villages with the recipient chosen by her village, not by R Star. Why greenhouses? Organic crops bring in a better market price as well as greenhouses having five harvests per year, a year round income source.
Russell says, “Organic produce, of course, adds to the health of the farmer, but moreover, the profits allow for rebuilding a modest home. Traditional crops are but twice a year and farmers barely eke out a living.
“You may recall 17,000 homes were destroyed in our 51 villages. We cannot rebuild all the homes, but we can assist with gifting greenhouses to accomplish the rebuilding. We continue well with our goat program. What a winner of a program we established 16 years ago.”
R Star is also working with Walking for Water and Rotary Clubs to drill wells, as Russell says, “Believe it or not, the groundwater shifted away from many of our villages, leaving the women to hike great distances to bring in sufficient water for their needs including for their livestock, a few times per day for sufficient supplies. The water isn’t pure overall which detracts from fine health for everyone.”
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Wells provide clean and sufficient water supply
She offers, “Only with your help can we continue our successful efforts in the second poorest country in the world. Mind you, we work in rural villages which are seldom tended to by other organizations including the government of Nepal. R Star is making a huge difference.
“If you are so moved, please do consider making a donation out of your abundance, from your gratitude for having a wonderful life. Direct your gift to our Pay it Forward Goat Program with micro-financing or to greenhouses or your own idea to help, such as a family, our elementary school, travel costs. We are here to serve your direction as you prefer.
“The plan for returning to oversee our work in progress is happening. My actual departure is December 6, with a return January 20.”
For more information, go to www.rstarfoundation.org.