PAUL RAMELA, 45
Offering children shelter in AIDS-ravaged Africa
"Soweto, South Africa, is very poor. Most families live in shacks. The average salary is 2,500 rands [$420] per month. So I let everyone play the Soweto Country Club, where I teach. The children need this place. Many are the heads of their households because AIDS takes their parents. Free greens fees mean more money for meat or porridge. If they're here, they're not out finding trouble. Africa has much trouble. AIDS is a terrible problem. More than 20 million people [in sub-Saharan Africa] have AIDS, and 4 million children have died of the disease. Here, I teach them good habits about morality, etiquette and proper behavior. They focus on their studies. But a little betting is OK. The older players put two or three rands on each hole. Younger boys caddie for 20 rands. That can feed a family for a month! We don't have colleges or scholarships in South Africa, but some of these kids could play at American universities. My student Clifford Ndou is 22 and a scratch golfer. He wants to play the PGA Tour. He's like all the kids here: He just needs a chance."
Help us choose the 2008 Innovators!
Credit: Antonio Muchave
NEXT SLIDE
Share
Facebook
Twitter
