About the Charity
- Who funds Bhola Garden?
- Who funds Bhola’s Children (the UK charity)?
- Who are the non-UK support groups
Who funds Bhola Garden?
Initially Bhola Garden was run by WOD Trust, a charity registered in Bangladesh (WOD = Welfare for Orphan and Disabled), which was funded by the ad hoc group of donors (see How Did It Start?). In 2007 those donors paid for WOD Trust to purchase the land and buildings at Bhola Garden. Then from April 2007 Bhola’s Children took over as WOD Trust’s principal source of funds. The ad hoc donors and associated supporters have continued to provide some funds and in particular have financed the purchase of additional land.
By 2009 it was clear that WOD Trust was not structured in the most efficient way for developing Bhola Garden. So in April 2009 Bhola’s Children Protibondi Trust (“BCPT”) was established as a charitable trust registered in Bangladesh and took over the running of the home from WOD Trust. The UK charity Bhola’s Children has the right to appoint three of the trustees of BCPT.
Who funds Bhola's Children (the UK charity)?
In keeping with its ethos of being a small “family-style” charity Bhola’s Children is funded mainly by personal donations from the trustees and other individuals in the UK. Fund-raising activities include an annual Golf Day at The Richmond Club, bridge evenings and the sale of Christmas cards.
The trustees wish to widen the donor base, particularly of regular donors, to increase the security of income and enable the expansion plans to proceed.
Approaches are made to relevant trusts and foundations for support for particular projects but this has not been a significant source of funds so far.
Who are the non-UK support groups
Bhola’s Children liaises closely with supporters groups in other countries.
Swiss and Italian Support Groups
Bruna Colombo-Otten, a trustee and one of the original donors, set up Bhola’s Children Foundation Stiftung (“BCFS”), as a charitable foundation, in Liechtenstein to channel funds to Bhola Garden from donors in Switzerland, Italy and elsewhere in Europe. The address of BCFS is
c/o Consilia Anstalt
Am Schrägen Weg 2
FL - 9490 VADUZ
Liechtenstein
Bruna would welcome hearing from anyone interested in supporting Bhola Garden through BCFS. As she is constantly travelling, the easiest way to contact her is by email at brunasunshine@hotmail.com.
Swedish Support Group
There are a number of Swedish families who worked in Bhola many years ago with Interlife Bangladesh, and have had a working relationship with Ali. Lars-Erik Wallhagen and Jan Bergdahl have been particularly involved in this work.
The support group is a loose formation. Lars-Erik, their contact person, says “The support group is very happy to support the present development of Bhola Garden under the leadership of Bhola's Children and it's Board with Dinah as Chairman. The Swedish support group hope to be able to continue to help as much as possible with financial support of the work.” He can be emailed at le.wallhagen@maf.se.
Spanish Support Group
José-Luis Andarias, a trustee and one of the original donors, coordinates the Spanish support group. He can be emailed at jladp65@hotmail.com