Our Organzsation

Our organization was founded in 1994 and has addressed the task to give abandoned and poor children and orphans in Sri Lanka a better life. As registered and accredited non-profit association, located in Göppingen, we have presently more than 200 members who share the „idea of friendship“ – reflecting the aim of FRIENDS Kinderhilfe International e.V. - with us and form the basis of our activities by membership, sponsorship or personal engagement.

We stand for transparency and manageability. We keep our members and sponsors regularly informed about the situation of the association. This refers to the development of our projects as well as to the use of the means and the financial situation of the association. Hereby we distinguish ourselves particularly in the field of sponsorship, by individual help, financial support and close attendance of the individual foster child. FRIENDS-sponsors have always the possibility to accompany the development of their little “friend”.
In addition to our small administrational centre in Germany we have an own project office in Colombo / Sri Lanka to be always close to the spot of support. Oriented to the requirements of the children we provide educational support based on our focus “help to self-help.” So we stand for development aid in the true sense and are always trying to involve the environment of the children in our activities. Main target is to involve the families and communities in our project activities to strengthen them in such a way that they may later on manage the programs initiated by us on their own.

 
FRIENDS Kinderhilfe International e.V. is managed by a German 4-people managing committee.

 
Through our chairwoman Sylvia Merkle living on site and through the support of many local staff members we have become a well-known aid organization in Sri Lanka.
The development of Friends Kinderhilfe International e.V. – a pleasant process and success – is not only due to our local staff members on site, but also to the loyal members, sponsors and patrons of our association.

 
Non-Profit Character / Exemption

By the note of exemption of the Tax Authorities Göppingen dated 2008-11-12 tax no. 63089/10378 we have been accredited as corporation acting exclusively and directly for tax-privileged purposes according to §§ 51 ff. AO.
On 2004-05-17 we were as „Voluntary Social Services / Non Governmental Organization” at the department for non-governmental organizations of the „Ministry of Social Welfare” in Sri Lanka under the registration no. FL-84211.
First registration into the register of associations Oldenburg No. 2111. By virtue of the decision on the annual general meeting 2009 we transferred our registered office to Göppingen. Registration into the register of associations Göppingen No.1382.