When Theo Verdurmen , Bouke Beintema and his wife Margaret went to Indonesia some years ago, they did not know this would be the beginning of what would become the Rupingh Foundation. They could not have thought about Tarsi Sjukur, their local guide, playing a key role in the foundation. A strong relationship grew between Tarsi and the group, that's why the group invited Tarsi to the Netherlands . At Theo Verdurmen's home, Tarsi worked hard to learn the Dutch language. This would help him a lot as a guide. After 3 months, Tarsi went back to Flores with his study books and some money which friends collected in the Netherlands . This money had a special destination.


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HISTORY

Tarsi spent the whole amount on the electricity supply of the village of Labuan Bajo, 'his' village. This was a surprising and emotional gesture which lead to the gathering of more money. Tarsi was asked to find a worthwhile destination for the money together with the other people from the village. A new public toilet for the village and new school learning material. Then the ideas started for a bigger water project. After having consulted the people from the village, it became clear that an interconnection road was much more important at that moment. This road could be used for the transport of water, food and people in need of medical attention. The foundation started saving money and constructed the road together with the citizens.
Project name: Jalan Rupingh.
Jalan = street
Rupingh = Rupia (coin) & vocation
Day of birth of the Rupingh Foundation , 12-8-1998