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News 2009

Cordaid takes on micro credit programme (July 17, 2009)

Sadly, the Rabobank Foundation announced at the end of 2008 that they were withdrawing their work in Bangladesh and therefore ending their financial support of the Aloshikha RSDC’s Credit Union Programme. Under the motto “Believe It’s Possible”, Cordaid has joined with the Aloshikha Foundation to take on the financial support of the Credit Union Programme.

A Credit Union is a large group of people (300-500) that are united and organised to form a cooperation with an aim to jointly save money and enable its members to take out loans. The loan can then be used to launch a self-sustaining activity. A board is elected from the union’s members.

In order to enable the Credit Unions to flourish, Aloshikha RSDC has drawn up an activities plan. The major aspects of the plan include recruitment of new members, managerial training, drawing up the regulations, encouraging female participation and strengthening their socio-economic roles.

Ultimately, the costs should be covered by the profit earned by the Credit Union. This profit will mainly be gained as a result of the significant interest margin on borrowing and saving, and should eventually more than cover the running costs so that an annual dividend can be paid out to the members.

Cordaid previously supported Aloshikha RSDC during the renovation of the Mother and Child Clinic in 2003 and in providing emergency help following the floods in 2004.

Increase in number of operations (June 26, 2009)

The shift of patients from the Maria Mother & Child Clinic to the satellite clinics (see news item 16 May 2009) has meant facilities have been freed up to carry out deliveries and operations such as caesare-ans and appendectomies.

The graph below shows a considerable increase, no less than 72%, in the number of operations since 2004. Investments in the training of personnel and the purchase of new instruments and equipment clearly continue to pay off.

Sharp rise in number of patients (May 16, 2009)

An overview received in January this year has provided insight into the number of patients seen annu-ally at the Maria Mother & Child Health Care Clinic and the satellite clinics. Although there was a slight fall of 7% in the number of patients in 2008 compared to 2007, closer examination shows that the dif-ference between the 6,094 patients seen in 2003 and 11,117 patients seen in 2008 represents a spec-tacular increase of no less than 82%. The first Dutch volunteers started working in the clinic in 2002.

Substantial growth can be seen at two particular points. The first was in September 2004 when Aloshikha opened five satellite clinics. These clinics enable patients to see a doctor even if they have difficulty walking or live far from the Mother & Child Health Care Clinic. The second point was in July 2007 when the number of satellite clinics was doubled to ten. Each clinic holds a half-day’s surgery per week and as the satellite clinics are close to villages, many patients opt for a doctor’s visit where possible. In serious cases, the doctor refers the patient to the Maria Mother & Child Health Clinic. With the overall aims being to bring health care close to the people and make it easily accessible, we can safely say that these have been more than achieved.

New computers for computer classroom (April 14, 2009)

On 14 April 2009, the director of Aloshikha RSDC and a member of the Board of Directors bought eight brand new computers and a printer for the computer classroom. Of the eight second-hand com-puters already in the classroom, five had broken down which meant that computer courses could only have a maximum of three participants. The new computers all come with a three year guarantee. A number of estimates had been received from various companies located in the largest computer shopping centre in Bangladesh ‘Computercity’. After careful consideration, the choice fell on eight DELL computers with 17-inch LCD screens and a Hewlett Packard printer.

The classroom with its new computers was officially opened on 26 April 2009. The opening was well attended by both Aloshikha RSDC personnel and locals, and the Centre now boasts the most modern computer classroom in the area. The computer courses should increase participants’ chances of find-ing work – and provide the Aloshikha RSDC with a source of income that can then be used to further help the poor.

Funds for Aloshikha from Tegelen (February 5, 2009)

To celebrate his 60th birthday, Mr Theo Ewalds from Tegelen gave a huge party for his family, friends and acquaintances. He included a leaflet about the Aloshikha Foundation in the party invitation and requested that his birthday present be a financial contribution to Aloshikha. A grand total of € 2,400 was raised as a result.

Aloshikha Foundation acquires ANBI registration (January 1, 2009)

As of 1 January 2008, the Aloshikha Foundation is registered as an institution for general benefit (ANBI: algemeen nut beogende instelling). Institutions recognised by the Tax Office as ANBI registered can enjoy certain tax benefits such as being exempt from inheritance tax and gift tax on inheritances and gifts it receives for general benefit. In addition, payments made by an ANBI registered charity for general benefit are exempt from gifts tax, and donations made to the institution are, within guidelines, income tax and corporation tax deductible.