Tourist Benefactor

In November 1991, Rudolf and his wife Elfie, on their first visit to Goa, noticed children working in fields instead of attending school, due to monetary snags. With the help of Umberto who worked at a night club, they gave scholarships to four needy students. Since then, Rudolf Schwartz from Oldenburg, Germany has empowered the education of over 2500 young Goans through his Indian Students Educational Aid Foundation.

In 1995, he started Bhumika Technical Institute for dropouts in Paliem. A good response encouraged the start of Keerti Vidhyalaya Technical Institute in Siolim  and Indo-German Techno Centre and Institute of Hotel Management at Marna. Courses offered included computer hardware, software programming, electronics, fitter, turner, welding, plumbing, motor mechanics, electrician, tailoring, air-conditioning-refrigeration, cutting–embroidery and home nursing.

Rudolf, who is a retired banker, collects money from his friends in a unique manner. He returns to Germany after every visit to Goa with Indian tea and spices. Inviting his friends for a home-cooked meal he talks to them about his organization and convinces them to sponsor needy, bright students in Goa.

There are many success stories of different students from across Goa who benefited to secure their career and support their families.

A tourist moved beyond early interventions to progressive contributions and developed an amazing team of collaborators. Rudolf united others like him and the impact is for all of us to see and emulate... to tour the land... to notice the need... to make a positive intervention... and to back it with repeated efforts by growing the tribe of selfless givers... some giving money, some giving their time and some transferring skills...

The tourist turned benefactor not just by intervention
Rudolf got others to unite to impact collaboration!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.