President's Annual Report 2001-2002

I am pleased to report an exciting and successful year for Friends of Bolivia. This is the result of the constant commitment, the generosity and hard work of the members of the Committee. I also wish to express our thanks to all those friends who attend our functions and to the people who have so kindly sent us donations. Without their support it would be impossible to help the range of projects that we have assisted this year.

I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Sr. Jaime Quiroga Matus, Bolivian Ambassador in London until October of last year, and to his wife, Miriam de Quiroga, for the support, generosity and encouragement during their term of office in London.

We are very fortunate that the present Bolivian Ambassador, Sr. Marcelo Pérez Monasterios and his wife Sra. Elba de Pérez, have, from the moment of their arrival in London, given us their full support, encouragement and cooperation. Our deep gratitude to them.

Fundraising Events

River Boat Party aboard the cruiser Viscountess

On 8th September, 160 people had an exciting dinner dance aboard the Viscountess on the Thames. Our guests had the unusual experience of enjoying Bolivian food while cruising between Greenwich and Putney, hearing live charango music. It was a very successful event, sold out in advance and we made a profit of £2357.

Fiesta Latinoamericana en Beneficio de los Niños de Bolivia

Guests enjoyed delicious food at the Fiesta on Saturday 20th October at the Sacred Heart Church Hall in Wimbledon and we made a profit of £880.00.

Anglo Latin American Foundation Christmas Fair

Friends of Bolivia participated in the ALAF Christmas Fair on the 3rd of November with a handicraft and a food stand and we made a profit of £487.00.

Friends of Bolivia Christmas Cards

Again this year, we printed our own Christmas Cards reproducing a painting by the Bolivian Artist Graciela Rodo Boulanger. We made a profit of £447.00 and hope to repeat the idea.

Friends of Bolivia, Flood Appeal

On 19 February a powerful thunderstorm raged in northern Bolivia, causing flash flooding in La Paz. We made an appeal to help some of the victims of this tragedy. A special bank account was opened for this purpose and the Committee decided to allocate the profits of our Carnival to this project. A group of Committee members organised a luncheon and a raffle, the Anglo Bolivian Society supported our appeal and many of our friends, Bolivian and British, responded promptly. We have raised £7953.00.

Latin American Carnival

On 23rd February, Bolivian, Latin American and British friends celebrated Carnival. All who attended and worked for this event felt solidarity with the victims of the flood. We had a full hall and made a profit of £2215, which went to our Flood Appeal.

Luncheon and Raffle in aid of the Flood Appeal

Organised by Rosa Maria Antonelli, Marcela Smith, Aite Johnson, Marta Bosacoma Velasco and Beatriz Charlton, in the house of Marcela Smith. The delicious food and welcoming hosts made the luncheon a most enjoyable event. Jesus Adorno, Bolivian Manager of Daphne's, the prestigious restaurant in Draycott Avenue, donated a voucher for the raffle; other prizes and generous donations were received. The event raised £2485.

Festival of Bolivian Cinema

The Festival took place on the 18th, 23rd and 25th April at the Bolivar Hall. We showed the films Chuquiago, Cuestion de Fé, and Amargo Mar. Every evening the house was full. We are delighted with the response. We made a profit of £1631.

Page 1 | Page 2

about us: our committee | our history | annual reports | the website
| top of page | our projects | help now | events | about us | contact us | Bolivia |