How is Albella managed, and what happens in the UK?
The India Management Committee consists of six volunteers and Albella Principal, Heshron Rahmi. Its Chairman is Mrs. Dolly Hamilton, an ex-Salvation Army missionary. Albella Boys Home is registered in India as a charity and its accounts are audited in India by qualified chartered accountants. It is also registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, for receiving foreign grants etc. Albella’s Balance Sheet and Payments and Receipts account are sent to India’s Home Ministry every year for its mandatory scrutiny.
The UK Management Committee that meets twice a year consists of 6 volunteers, (who are not given travelling expenses) including the unpaid Administrator/Chairman John Morris, whose home is used as the UK office. The UK office expenses are well under 1% of income: the main expenses are bank fees for India transfers, postage, and photocopying; otherwise all money is dedicated to India. The UK accounts are audited, without fee. To minimise costs, sponsors get only one mailing a year, in early December, including their boy’s letter, photo, India report, Treasurer’s annual statement, and Administrator’s letter. Those on email can opt into occasional newsflashes.
Heshron Rahmi, the Principal, receives an annual allowance. He first came to Albella at the age of 12 when he was orphaned in a Kalimpong landslide. He returned to Albella in 1987 having resigned from his job as a Hospital Administrator. His wife Ebi, who was born in Shillong, Meghalaya, has a permanent government salary as a doctor responsible for Community Health. Apart from her job she is also actively involved with lepers and the education of their children. Mrs. Hamilton and Ebi send about 80 lepers’ children to various local schools and some to college.