About Us
Our History, Mission
& How We Work

Our History & Mission

Friends of Bolivia is a registered charitable institution founded in London in February of 1983 by a group of Bolivian citizens and sympathizers We started nearly two decades ago at a time when Bolivia was seriously affected by one of the most devastating droughts ever on the Altiplano area which left hundreds of people without water, food or shelter.

On this occasion a group of Bolivian ladies and British sympathizer met to discuss ways to help our fellow citizens. As a result of this meeting, we held our first fundraising event, which was an instant success as we were able to raise funds to assist our country in need. What appeared to be a one-off event is now a thriving venture which will hopefully continue for years to come

Our mission is to help to improve the living conditions of Bolivia's poorest and neediest, particularly women, children and elderly people. Over the last few years we have supported dozens of initiatives and contributed over £100,000 in aid to Bolivia.

Most of the projects we support are directed towards relieving poverty, advancing education and promoting the health of children, women, and the elderly living in the slums in main cities or in remote rural areas, including the Amazon.

Over the years Friends of Bolivia has received awards in recognition for our work in Bolivia, some of which include:

An inscribed plate awarded by His Excellency The Bolivian Ambassador to Great Britain, Sr. Marcelo Perez Monasterio and his wife Sra. Elba de Pérez on 13 March 2002 in recognition of the work of Friends of Bolivia.

How We Work

Friends of Bolivia has an Executive Committee and a Committee which meets every second Tuesday of the month at the Bolivian Embassy to select and evaluate projects and to plan future fundraising events. The Executive Committee consists of an Honorary President (the wife of the current Ambassador of Bolivia in London) a President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer and a Minutes Secretary. In addition to the Executive Committee, Friends of Bolivia has nearly 40 members in its Committee.

We hold an annual general meeting for all members in the month of June each year. The objective of this meeting is to present the Chairman's report; submit the annual financial report and to elect new members for the Committee.

Friends of Bolivia raises funds by holding charitable events which are organized by members of our institution on a voluntary basis only. Therefore, Friends of Bolivia has no paid staff and the only expenses are those related to the organization of fund raising events. In our fund raising events we try to show different aspects of Bolivian culture and art: music, dance, films, food, drinks, paintings, etc.

The funds are sent to projects in various cities in Bolivia. These funds are mainly sent to, and are administered by, charitable organization already established in Bolivia with a solid track-record. Representatives of Friends of Bolivia in-situ monitor the use of funds by the beneficiary and report on a regular basis to the Executive Committee in London.

The proceeds of our fund raising events have been used to support a variety of initiatives, including:

The rebuilding of a primary school in the city of La Paz. The school was completely destroyed after a floor in March of 2002

The building of 15 homes for victims of earthquake in the rural area of Montecillos in 1998

Medical equipment

Equipment and tools for a small laboratory

Wheel chairs

Medicines

Food

Workshops for drug rehabilitation centre's for children

Equipment such as stoves and ovens

Braille books and tools for the blind

Sheets, blankets, pots and pans, crockery, clothing

Salary for a community teacher

School desks

Musical instruments for children