An Extract from September 2007, written by then CEO Mr. David VLERICK: 

" In the beginning of our studies, which we all started in Namur (Belgium), we had already developed a strong social feeling. We were struck by the sorrow, the poverty and the injustice surrounding us and wanted to take concrete action in order to bring relief where possible. To do so, we realized that an officially recognized association would be the best vehicule. Not only would it get structure, transparency and clarity to our actions, it would also give us the necessary credibility and would help us in our quest for sponsors.

                               

As an association form, we opted for the Belgian "VZW" ( association without lucratif goal ), as we wanted the associations capital to be entirely destined to social projects. When we were looking for the right name for our association, we decided to name it the comrads. This partly for emotional reasons, but more importantly because it shows the spirit in which the association was founded: a spirit of comradeship, fraternity, nourishing our feeling of responsibility towards those in need.

The association started of slowly in the first year, but we nevertheless had a great 'pancake - sale' in Namur, which brought in the first coins. In 2005 we really got out of the starting blocks, under the impulse of our enthousiastic president. As he had been to South - Africa to work in a hospital over there, he explained to us how the battle against aids was a priority and that action had to be taken in order to raise funds for UN Aids. Our second activity was a sports challenge; a 280km bike ride over the flemish hills and cubstones and the Paris marathon, within a week. We raised around 3000euro, through sponsorship, for these events and we felt great over the achievement. With that capital, we decided to organize a party in order to raise our funds some more; and so wedid. At the end of April we threw a great party in Leuven, a true success, not only because of the extra 1000euro we raised, but also because of all these voluntary, warmhearted people that made it possible.

But our real flight dates back from 2006, when we threw some five parties in various parts of the world (from Sevilla to Hong Kong and Shanghai, with a concert in Zürich to top it all). 2007 has been the year of confirmation, with gains up to 20.000 euro . This mainly thanks to Geoffroy Timmermans, our most tenacious member, who raised 10.000 euro by going on the conquest of the Kilimanjaro.
2007 will also be remembered as the year where 'third party friends' picked up the idea of organizing events to benefit charity and linked up with our association. The great Leuven party 'Just Another Mind', organised by five friends, moreover reintroduced us to the Belgian student environment. Thank you, Alex Van Wonterghem.

In 2008 we plan to go on on that positif vibe and have already scheduled three events, extensively documented on this website, to back that up. To end, we want to thank everyone that has played a part or taken an interest in our activities, hoping that our actions will
mobilize others to go out there and make a difference."  (David VLERICK, September 2007)


Since then, much has changed. Fundraising activities have risen cumulating in a turnover exceeding USD100,000 and yearly net balance of USD60,000. The most challenging question as of today is not how to raise the money, but rather what to do with it?  That is why we decided to split up our organization in three parts: 

- WING A : Fundraising; 
- WING B : Local Projects;
- WING C : Research on Social Investments;

The last one is based on the believe that the best aid makes itself by definition useless. We try to find local small companies (i.e. a mosquito net in Africa producer), or any other business model that works, and support that through relatively cheap loans or sending Comrads Fellows and Interns. We support self-sufficient projects. The New York based Acumen Fund has a tremendous amount in such social investments.

Many friends and volunteers from throughout the world have joined. Among them, bankers, economists, engineers, artists.. as well as all generations. Under the new leadership of Mr. Geoffroy Timmermans, President of the Executive Committee 2009-2013 and Member of the Board of Directors, a new time for The Comrads has come. His business background will certainly help in making the NGO dynamics run more result-oriented... We cannot wait Mr. President!