Elementor #1080

Basic Information on ANBI Status

Basic information about the foundation and its ANBI status: See Contact

Policy Plan for the Current Period (2024–2026)

The foundation’s current goal is to preserve the village that has been built and to finance the necessary maintenance work. If sufficient funds are available, the foundation will also provide support for basic necessities.

We aim to generate the necessary revenue by recruiting donors who are willing to make annual contributions over the long term, as well as one-time donors and sponsors. To raise awareness, we will therefore participate in various events, such as the annual Christmas market in Schoonhoven.

The funds raised will be managed locally in a Rabobank account and will only be transferred to the local Cured Lepers Foundation once the work has been completed. Funds will only be transferred earlier in exceptional cases, such as to purchase materials.

Policy Plan for the Coming Period (2026–2030)

Following the foundation’s relaunch, by mid-2025 we had reached the point where the strategic plan for the next five years could be further developed and described in greater detail.

To this end, in collaboration with the Cured Lepers Foundation, a list of activities has been drawn up that are to be carried out in the coming years; these essentially comprise the strategic plan and budget for the coming years and are therefore described below point by point based on their desired priority:

1. SEPTIC TANKS

There are a total of four (4) septic tanks in Schoonhoven.

• Two (2) of these are shared by five (5) residential blocks, housing a total of 15 recovered leprosy patients and their family members.
• One is used by the clinic and the home of Nelson, the administrator.
• The last tank is used by the remaining thirteen (13) residential blocks, housing a total of 48 recovered leprosy patients and their family members.

Due to the high volume of waste, the tanks sometimes need to be emptied every two months. At least four (4) additional septic tanks are needed.

Costs: 4 x ₵43.200 = ₵172.800 (ca. €14.200)

2. REPLACEMENT OF 4-INCH PVC PIPES WITH 6-INCH PVC PIPES

Despite public awareness campaigns, many residents continue to flush items such as paper and corn cobs down the toilet. This causes the current 4-inch pipes to become clogged, resulting in leaks and flooding.

There is an urgent need for larger 6-inch pipes to prevent health risks.

Costs: ₵45.000 (ca. €3.700)

3. DRAINAGE AT THE VILLAGE ENTRANCE TO PREVENT SOIL EROSION

To reinforce the foundations, the cause of the erosion must first be addressed. The access road to the village is suffering from severe erosion and urgently needs a culvert and drainage ditches.

Costs: ₵27.650 (ca. €2.300)

4. REINFORCING AND IMPROVING FOUNDATIONS AND INSTALLING DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

Due to the lack of proper drainage—on land that is naturally marshy—and heavy rainfall, the foundations of many buildings have been exposed.

There is an urgent need to install internal drainage systems.

Costs: ₵27.650 (ca. €2.300)

5. REPAIRING LEAKING ROOFS

Several roofs are leaking due to wear and tear from wind and weather. Some need to be replaced, while others can be repaired and treated with waterproof paint.

Costs: ₵35.000 (ca. €3.100)

6. WINDOWS

Many windows are broken, and the window frames have warped due to wear and tear.

Costs: ₵13.000 (ca. €1.100)

7. ELECTRICITY

Leaky roofs have damaged the electrical wiring. Some cables cause electric shocks and have therefore been disconnected. Replacing the wiring is strongly recommended to prevent accidents.

Costs: ₵8.290 (ca. €700)

8. PAINTING

After more than ten years, the paint job is in urgent need of a fresh coat of paint. Painting helps preserve the property and enhances the enjoyment of living there.

Costs: ₵25.000 (ca. €2.000)

9. REPLACEMENT OF SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS

The pumps are broken, so water must be pumped manually from the drilled wells—a heavy burden for residents who lack fingers or have other disabilities.

Costs: ₵17.000 (ca. €1.400)

10. DRILLING AN ADDITIONAL WATER WELL

At least one additional drilled well is needed to ensure a water supply for all homes.

Costs: ₵27.000 (ca. €2.200)

11. STREET LIGHTING ON THE PREMISES

There is an urgent need for street lighting to illuminate the grounds, improve safety, and help children with their evening studies.

Costs: ₵9.200 (ca. €800)

12. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AT THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Electricity is needed at the training center so that the sewing workshops can continue to operate after working hours and students can be trained.

Costs: ₵42.100 (ca. €3.500)

13. POLYTANK AND SUPPORT STRUCTURE

An additional Polytank and a location are needed for water storage to support the water supply for the residents.

Costs: ₵22.500 (ca. €1.800)

14. LEVELING AND REPAIRING ROADS

The access road and the internal roads must be leveled. This prevents tripping and accidents caused by deep potholes, especially after the drainage work is completed.

Costs: ₵29.000 (ca. €2.400)

TOTAL COST ESTIMATE

(JULI 2025): ₵501.190 (ca. €41.000)

We want to address the above points and any future maintenance needs in a structured manner. Since our current cash position is insufficient, we will need a steady stream of income in the coming months and years, which we plan to generate through various initiatives (secondhand clothing market, Vinted clothing sales, presentations, etc.). However, using our to-do list, we will also reach out to sponsors to generate a stable stream of income that will allow us to complete all projects within five years.

In addition, we would like to reactivate our partnership with “Wilde Ganzen” to further increase our revenue stream through that channel.

The following balance sheet was prepared for the year 2024.

Annual report 2024

In 2024, due to various personal circumstances among the board members, there was little time to organize many fundraising activities for the Lepradorp, so we as a board decided to take a break.

The Executive Committee met a few times, but no official board meetings were held due to these personal circumstances.

Despite this, nearly €2,000 was added to the foundation’s account through the sale of bags and other items made from Ghanaian fabric, as well as several donations, including one large donation from the PKN De Hoeksteen.

In addition, we have asked a local foundation to draw up a list of tasks to be carried out, including both a prioritization and a justification for why the various tasks need to be carried out; as soon as we receive that list, we can decide within the board which project we will have carried out first.

The following balance sheet has been prepared for the year 2023, covering the period from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.

Income

Bank balance (as of 1/1/2023) € 0.00

Fundraising events:

• Asogli Ekbo (see www.lepradorp.nl/asogli-ekbo/): €1,738.19
• Schoonhoven Christmas Fair on 12/15/2023: €427.55

Gifts and donations: €105.98

Total income: €2,271.72

Expenses

Bank fees: € 44.91

Flowers for board member: € 25.00

Expenses for fundraising campaigns:

• Asogli Ekbo (see www.lepradorp.nl/asogli-ekbo/): € 745.63
• Schoonhoven Christmas Fair, December 15, 2023: € 44.75

Bank balances:

• Checking account: € 111.43
• Savings account: € 1,300.00

Total expenses: € 2,271.72

Assets

The foundation does not own any tangible assets.

Bank balances as of 12/31/2023:

• Checking account: € 111.43
• Savings account: € 1,300.00

Passive

The foundation has no outstanding payments for any tangible assets.

Liabilities as of December 31, 2023: €0.00

Annual report 2023

Following the relaunch of the foundation, the first steps were taken in 2023 to truly reactivate the foundation.

• By mid-January, all matters related to the Chamber of Commerce had been settled, and the new board of directors officially took office.
• In mid-February, the process of opening a new bank account for the foundation began, and after many phone calls, forms, and frustrations, the foundation has had a new checking account and a linked savings account since early September 2023.

After completing these formalities, the various board members actively began selling bags and other items made from African fabrics, which provided a nice source of income over the past year and marked the first step toward raising enough funds to start planning the initial activities.

The foundation also participated in the Christmas Fair in Schoonhoven on Friday, December 15, where it raised a nice sum in a single evening through the sale of bags and various other items. For this event, the Plusmarkt Schoonhoven provided wine to be included in the handmade gift boxes made from African fabrics.

In addition to legal matters and fundraising efforts, several other board members have been working on building a new website and launching a number of social media channels.

In addition, the foundation’s stationery has been updated, so that, as a revitalized foundation, we can better align with the current times and generations.

The board also held three meetings, and the executive committee (chair and secretary) met several additional times.

The following balance sheet has been prepared for the year 2022, covering the period from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.

Revenue

Balance: €502.87

Wijdemans: €100

Herrebout: €20

Total revenue: €622.87

Expenses

Bank fees: €156.29

Hosting: €84.95

Expenses for food at Lepradorp: €481.63

Total expenses: €622.87

Assets

Passive

Annual report 2022

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the age of the foundation’s founders, there were very few activities between 2020 and 2023, both in the Netherlands for fundraising purposes and in Ghana.

In September 2022, Jan van Meerkerk’s grandson, Marias Hagens, traveled to Ho, Ghana, together with Naomi Wijers, to assess the status of the village and the local foundation on behalf of the founders. Upon their return, it was decided that maintenance was needed and that, to that end, the foundation first needed to be expanded to include younger, enthusiastic board members who could carry on the foundation’s work. At the end of 2022, an initial meeting was held with the full, intended new board, and an action plan was drawn up to reactivate the foundation.