What is just trash to many students — outdated computers, wobbly tables, old chalkboards — is opportunity for Matthew Rutman. Rather than letting these items go to a landfill, Rutman fills up a semi and sends them to Guatemala.
Rutman, a recent University graduate, founded Partners in Solidarity, a nonprofit organization that collects school supplies and delivers them to remote villages in Guatemala. He recently achieved recognition in the Volvo for Life awards, a nationwide program that acknowledges individuals who have helped others in need.
Rutman was one of 50 chosen from 2,036 nominations. Volvo for Life
chooses 10 finalists to receive cash awards. Though program organizers did not choose Rutman as a finalist, he said the recognition he received may attract potential contributors for his organization.
After graduating from the University, Rutman traveled to Central America with the idea of exploring the area and volunteering his time. Rutman ended up in Guatemala and was inspired by the volunteer organizations he worked for.
“I just fell in love with what was happening down there,” Rutman said. “There were a lot of people, international and Guatemalan, who were working hard to establish organizations, school systems, medical clinics and orphanages.”
Rutman saw a need for basic supplies in schools and medical clinics. After seven months in Guatemala, he returned to the United States, established Partners in Solidarity and received several donations from schools, medical clinics, computer stores and households. In April 2002, Rutman and a few volunteers transported the supplies via cargo ship, and then flew to Guatemala to meet the ship and deliver the goods to the villages.
“Some people have asked me if I think it’s wrong to introduce technology to the indigenous people by bringing them computers,” Rutman said. “My response is it’s already there, and making it more accessible will help give these people a voice and empower them.”
Rutman transferred to the University in 1998 as an environmental studies major and graduated in 2000. As a student, he was heavily involved in the Campus Recycling program as a volunteer, and eventually as an intern. During his internship, he worked with elementary schools to develop a system for recycling milk boxes. Karyn Kaplan, the director of Campus Recycling, nominated Rutman for the Volvo award.
“Matthew had a vision of making use of as many resources as possible,” Kaplan said.
Rutman is currently a graduate student at Pacific University and wants to teach in elementary school. Partners in Solidarity can be contacted at 681-7757. They accept donations of computers, school and medical supplies, bicycles, clothing and other household items.
“At such a young age, Matthew has already seen the need to make a connection between continents,” said Carol Schuler, a representative at Haberman and Associates, the public relations firm responsible for determining the Volvo Award recipients.