Supporting Ruth Pfau‘s life‘s work
Foundation Safeguards the Successes of the Nun in Pakistan
A good decade ago, DAHW - stimulated by its donors - started to look for a way to safeguard the successes achieved by the well-known doctor and nun, Dr. Ruth Pfau in the long-term. Establishing a foundation was considered a good solution.
Foundations work according to the principle of establishing a financial basis using contributions from donors, so-called endowment contributions. These basic assets may not be touched. The interest earnings on the assets must be spent for a determined purpose each year. In order to ensure adherences to this ruling, foundations are subject to strict State controls.
Together with Dr. Ruth Pfau, DAHW finally established the Ruth Pfau Foundation in 1996. Its aim: long-term support of Leprosy and Tuberculosis work in Pakistan and also in Afghanistan where Ruth Pfau‘s team has been active for several decades.
Deliberately planned within DAHW, the Ruth Pfau Foundation and DAHW make a good match. Since its establishment, all advertising measures are coordinated together with DAHW. Donations for Dr. Ruth Pfau which are intended to provide immediate help are transferred by the donor to DAHW.
High contribution amounts which have a high interest rate are well-invested within the foundation. This is how current work from donations remains fundable. At the same time, the foundation‘s assets increase and annual support for the project work is maintained.
Ruth Pfau embraces a woman severely affected by Leprosy. Photo: DAHW
„My biggest wish is that the work is continued after I pass away!“ says the loyal doctor. With a long-term strategy for the foundation, DAHW and Dr. Ruth Pfau have headed in this particular direction. It is the declared target of the foundation to at least cover staff costs for the team in Pakistan. This secures the future, making the work less dependent on donations which are often received nowadays as a result of Ruth Pfau’s personal appeal.
The development of the Ruth Pfau Foundation gives good cause for hope. On 31.12.2005, the foundation‘s assets were 2,829,509.93 euros. When founded in 1996, the assets were a mere 255,649.94 euros. We were able to increase the assets more than tenfold since 1996.
The foundation has also made a big step towards achieving its major target, paying staff costs. In 2005, we were already able to finance two full-time doctors, two doctors on a fee basis and 30 health workers in the Leprosy and TB control programme in Karachi with 110,000 euros.
Ruth Pfau and the Ruth Pfau Foundation would like to say a sincere „thank-you“ to their loyal donors for this success story.
Foundation contact person,
Karin Rößler,
Tel: +49 (0) 931/7948-152
