GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS
TO GET BACK
TO NORMAL LIFE
DONATE NOW
TOGETHER WE CAN ERADICATE LEPROSY
GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS
TO GET BACK
TO NORMAL LIFE
DONATE NOW
TOGETHER WE CAN
ERADICATE LEPROSY
ABOUT THE CIOMAL FOUNDATION
The Order of Malta’s CIOMAL Foundation is a Swiss non-profit organisation established in 1958 to combat leprosy and the social exclusion associated with the disease, throughout the world.
It draws on the centuries-old tradition of the Order of Malta, which for over 900 years has been helping the poor and the sick, without discrimination, in a spirit of selfless Christian service.
THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION
PREVENT: by financing care and social rehabilitation facilities, in agreement with the governments of the countries concerned.
TO CURE: by implementing the national leprosy control programs today with an emphasis on early detection and rehabilitation.
TREAT DISABILITIES:
by providing patients with appropriate physiotherapy, including suitable prosthetics.
COMBATING DISCRIMINATION:
Supporting former patients and their families towards rehabilitation through education.
PREVENT: by financing care and social rehabilitation facilities, in agreement with the governments of the countries concerned.
TO CURE: by implementing the national leprosy control programs today with an emphasis on early detection
TREATING THE AFTER-EFFECTS:
by providing patients with appropriate physiotherapy, including suitable prosthetics
COMBATING DISCRIMINATION:
Supporting former patients and their families in their social reintegration, particularly through education.
In more than 60 years, the CIOMAL Foundation has intervened in four continents, in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Tunisia, Mauritania, Senegal, Benin, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Cuba, Brazil and Micronesia. Today, the CIOMAL Foundation helps leprosy victims in Cambodia, Brazil, Mauritania and Vietnam. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting former patients in their social and economic rehabilitation. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting former patients in their social and economic rehabilitation.
STRUCTURE
The CIOMAL Foundation is a non-profit foundation under Swiss law, based in Geneva and supervised by the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations.. Recognized as a public utility, it is tax-exempt. Since 2018, it has had special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
It is organized around a voluntary Board of Directors that meets to establish and monitor projects.
The Board of Directors (volunteer as well) is responsible for overseeing operations. In the countries where it is operational, CIOMAL hires local staff.
FOUNDATION COUNCIL
From left to right : Martin von Walterskirchen (Board Member), Verena Vorwerk (Board Member), Bernard de Laguiche (President), Jimmy Thiébaud (General Secretary), Bertrand Desénépart (Board Member), Christoph Borucki (Finance Director).
Bernard de Laguiche – President
Throughout his distinguished international career, Bernard de Laguiche has held senior executive positions, including Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of the Board of Directors of Solvay. He has also pursued business activities in Brazil, where he manages an agricultural enterprise.
A member of the Order of Malta, he has long been committed to humanitarian work. As former Chairman of the Board of the Alliance Against Leprosy in Brazil, he now brings his strategic and financial expertise, together with his extensive field experience, to advance CIOMAL’s mission: combating Hansen’s disease while promoting the dignity and inclusion of people affected by the disease.
Christoph Borucki – Finance Director
Christoph brings extensive experience in the Swiss banking and financial sector, having held several senior leadership positions within international institutions.
His career combines expertise in financial management, strategic analysis, and business leadership.
A holder of both the CFA and CAIA designations, he provides the Foundation with recognized expertise in finance, governance, and investment management.
A longstanding member of the Order of Malta and committed to humanitarian and philanthropic initiatives for many years, Christoph now places his experience and expertise at the service of CIOMAL’s mission to fight leprosy and promote the dignity and inclusion of people affected by the disease.
Verena Vorwerk – Board Member
A volunteer in the Order of Malta’s charitable works for the past 25 years, Verena M. Vorwerk was appointed Hospitaller of the Swiss Association of the Order of Malta in 2019, with responsibility for its charitable activities in and from Switzerland. In this capacity, she serves as the Association’s representative on the Board of the CIOMAL Foundation.
Bertrand Desénépart – Board Member
Architect and construction economist, Bertrand Desénépart studied in Switzerland, at UCLA, and at Harvard in the field of corporate real estate.
With an international career spanning several decades, he has led an architectural practice in Switzerland, founded a consultancy specializing in project management and owner representation, and co-founded the PSCF/Procimmo real estate fund, now a leading player in the Swiss property market.
He has taught real estate management at HEC Lausanne and EHL, served as a judicial real estate expert, and today advises real estate companies, start-ups, and a major Swiss bank on real estate investments.
An active member of numerous professional associations and alumni networks, including the SIA, AIA, RICS, and the Order of Malta, he now brings his expertise in real estate, strategy, and governance to support the mission of the CIOMAL Foundation.
Martin von Walterskirchen – Board Member
Holding a degree in Economics from the University of St. Gallen (HSG), Martin von Walterskirchen dedicated his entire career to the service of the Swiss Confederation. He held numerous positions in the fields of international economic relations, diplomacy and international cooperation, notably within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Department of Justice and Police, and the former Federal Office for Foreign Economic Affairs.
A member of the Order of Malta for more than fifty years, he has long been committed to its charitable works and served as President of the Swiss Association of the Order of Malta (AHOM) from 2016 to 2025.
He now places his experience in diplomacy, international relations and governance at the service of the CIOMAL Foundation’s mission: combating Hansen’s disease and promoting the dignity and inclusion of people affected by the disease.
