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History
Biography of the founders, Angèle and André Gingras
 Bala Theresa Singareddy was born in Reddipalem, a village in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. During her youth, she studied in India, in the United States and in the Phillipines. It was during her studies in the Philippines that she met a Canadian – André Gingras – whom she ultimately married. In 1975, in their hometown of Limbour, Gatineau, Québec, they began to raise awareness amongst their friends and neighbours about the living conditions of people in India. These discussions led to the formation of a small group, “Partage Reddipalem”, dedicated to sponsoring the education of poor children in India. In 1977, SOPAR was founded.
For the first ten years of its existence, Angèle managed SOPAR as a volunteer from her own home. In 1990, she left for India with her husband who, after a 25-year career with the Canadian International Development Agency, took one last overseas posting. In India, Angèle devoted her time to creating a new organization: Bala Vikasa aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of SOPAR’s programs in India. In 1991, Bala Vikasa became a registered NGO with the Indian government. Since then, the two sister organizations have pursued a common objective: to support the development process in rural Indian communities. As a result of their vision, dedication and familiarity with the reality of India’s rural areas, the founders were able to establish a model organization that has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
Key Events
- 1977 - SOPAR is founded.
- 1979 - Incorporation of SOPAR as a non-profit organization
- 1987 - After operating from the home of the Gingras family for ten years, SOPAR’s office moves to an ancient Presbyterian church in the parish of Saint-Alexandre and secures a permanent administrative office.
- 1989 - SOPAR’s signs its first contract with CIDA, securing three-year’s worth of funding for its India program (as of the present moment, this agreement has been renewed every three years)
- 1990 - Creation of Bala Vikasa.
- 1991 - Bala Vikasa becomes a registered NGO in India.
- 1994 - Launch of the women’s program.
- 1999 - SOPAR and Bala Vikasa establish a Partnership Agreement through which the Diocese of Warangal will ensure the sustainability of Bala Vikasa.
- 2002 - In collaboration with Bala Vikasa, SOPAR founds the People Development Training Center in order to train change agents in community development.
- 2006 - SOPAR and Bala Vikasa sign a letter of agreement that establishes a sustainable partnership.
- 2007 - Renewal of the agreement between SOPAR and CIDA for a period of five years.
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