The Protector
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."

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