 Dr. Jack providing treatment in the streets in the 70’s  A mother brings her baby for a free consultation  A long line of patients await their turn | History of Calcutta Espoir The foundation was formed in Aigle in 1986, by three young people from Aigle , who had met Dr. Jack Preger on the streets of Calcutta during their trip to India. Switzerland was the second country to create a support group for Dr. Jack’s projects after France (Strasbourg).
Of the original three only François Bianchi has remained faithful to the association as its president and then to Calcutta Espoir. Many other volunteers have been associated with this humanitarian project over the years. Benoît Lange joined the association in 1988 and became a photographer to raise funds for Dr. Jack. He is still a very active member.
In 2001 the foundation’s advisory board voted unanimously to become a foundation as opposed to an association for the different reasons:
- to follow a more professional line and allow the Swiss Confederation control over its accounts.
- to give an official guarantee of appropriation of funds to donors
- to encourage more long term commitment of its members
- to ensure continuity of the association
- to be audited by an official watchdog in Bern.
From the first faltering steps the members have actively helped Dr. Jack with his projects by organising fund-raising in Switzerland. The first conferences and slide projections were sometimes done with only 15 to 20 people present but its motivation has always been very strong. Its activity has increased gradually and the network of donors and sponsors has spread. During its early years the association sent around CHF 5,000 to CHF 10,000 a year to Calcutta.
Today the foundation collects up to CHF 400,000 annually.
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