Laguna’s ‘goat lady’

treks to Nepal again

By JENNIFER ERICKSON

 Rosalind Russell will head out to Nepal again on March 4 to personally oversee the delivery of 108 goats, donated to the widowed and single women of a remote mountain village in Nepal.

 This will be the fifth Nepalese village given a push towards economic viability as a result of Russell’s tireless efforts and the generosity of so many Lagunans.

 By now, enough groundwork has been laid in Nepal for the delivery of donated goats to be carried without Russell’s physical presence. With the cost of travel and uncertainty over the current political climate, last month Russell considered foregoing the trip altogether.

 But in the end, it seems the trip was meant to happen. The events scheduled to take place were too important to her to miss. Russell is aware of the risks in the Maoist-controlled countryside ravaged by civil unrest. But for her, two benefits out weigh the nefarious elements.

 The first is that, in addition to the delivery of the goats to the “widow village,” she wanted to witness the first “passing of the gift.” This is the proof that her project is self-perpetuating. When the women in a designated village each receive two pregnant female goats, they agree that they will, in turn, give two offspring of their goats to the women in another poor village.

 The women, who were the first recipients of goats in this project in early 2004, are now ready to pay their gift forward.

 The second benefit is the nuptials of Rabin, Russell’s spiritual “son” and go-to guy in Nepal, who has worked tirelessly with her from the beginning of the project as a volunteer.

 Hindu-Nepali custom requires a wedding to take place within a month of the engagement. Taking into account various other stipulations, the last possible date for the wedding was March 7.

 Russell will be arriving at the temple with only hours to spare and will participate alongside Rabin’s family as his “mom.” With nearly 500 guests at the reception, it will be quite an occasion. Fortunately, there is no question of the wedding crowding out the goat project as the celebration requires just two days and a honeymoon is not customary.

 Russell and Rabin will have plenty of time to head out to the villages to attend to the business of delivering goats and overseeing the gift. They will also be able to monitor the progress of the school that is currently under construction.

 As mentioned earlier, the cost of the trip was a potential deterrence. Russell was finally able to cover half of the cost herself. The other half was underwritten by past donors who understand the importance of her humanitarian work and realize that in providing the villagers with a measure of economic viability she is also laying the groundwork for a freer and more egalitarian society.

 The project’s economic success is already established. In a recent phone conversation with Russell, Rabin said all of the women given goats have experienced a 50 percent improvement in their economic status.

 Less visible are other side effects of an increased standard of living: a reduction in the trafficking of children, curtailment of infanticide, and the diminishing appeal of communist gorillas.

 Russell remains grateful to all who have helped the project live on and expand beyond her wildest dreams. She is astounded that the charitable goodness of her fellow citizens has allowed her to help so many people in these tiny, far-off villages.

 As she prepares for her imminent departure, Russell’s simple request is to be held in the prayers and blessings of those so inclined during her three week sojourn into the mountainous Kavre district of Nepal. 

 It is not too late for anyone wishing to support or continue to support Russell’s projects. Donations are currently being accepted for the next two villages scheduled to receive goats, as well as for the ongoing construction of the school. A good friend is assisting in the foundation’s work during Russell’s absence.

 Checks should be made payable to “The R Star Foundation” (a 501©3 tax deductible foundation), and mailed to P.O. Box 4183, Laguna Beach, CA 92652. Please indicate in the memo line whether your donation is intended for the school, the goat project or the underwriting of other expenses.

 To book Russell for a speaking engagement about her projects, call and leave a message at 497-2545 to set up a convenient date upon her return.