Ms. Sarah Ruttenberg - A Young Animal Rights Activist

On May 9, Golden Year 5 (2008), the Los Angeles initiates presented the Shining World Compassion Award on behalf of Supreme Master Ching Hai to Miss Sarah Ruttenberg of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA.

Sarah, a junior high school student, formed the Rolling Hills Prep (RHP) Animal Club at the beginning of 2007 at her school after she began volunteering at the Harbor Shelter. Deeply moved by her experiences at the shelter, Sarah started the club "to get more people interested in helping animals by teaching them about the problems and making them see that they could help." She wants to "show the club members that these animals can't do anything for themselves in these situations, and not only do we need to speak for them, we need to act for them." The club members meet every Thursday during lunch time with the current focus on rescuing domestic animals. The long-range goal of the RHP Animal Club is to raise awareness of all problems jeopardizing the safety and survival of our animal co-inhabitants, domestic as well as wild, and to educate as many people as possible about this. The club has organized bake sales to raise money to help fund organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and Defenders of Wildlife.

The Award presentation took place at Rolling Prep School's new "green" campus, one of the first privately-held, fully-sustainable, "green" campuses in the Western United States. In the auditorium, all the children clapped and cheered when they heard the news of the Award. Sarah also received a check of US$1,000, along with gifts of Master's books and chocolates. Her aspiration is to become a traveling animal rights activist. She said, "I want to educate as many people as I can." Our best wishes to you, Sarah; may your dream soon come true!

Thank-you letter from Sarah Ruttenberg for the US$1,000 contribution by Master