THE PEOPLE BEHIND BAPU
The Hearts Behind BAPU
Meet the people whose story, values and experience continue to shape everything we do.
Bapu
Co-Founder & Honorary Trustee
Affectionately known as Bapu, Surendra Patel is the heart and inspiration of the BAPU Foundation. His life’s journey — from humble beginnings in Uganda and Kenya to rebuilding his life from scratch in the United Kingdom — is one of resilience, determination and a deep sense of responsibility towards family and others.
Together with his late wife, Pushpa, he nurtured a family and community built on love, dignity and generosity. Those values have been carried through generations and continue to influence the way BAPU Foundation approaches its work today.
Now in later life himself, Bapu brings a perspective that is both personal and lived. He continues to champion the Foundation’s mission, bringing his values, experience and perspective to our work, and reminding us that ageing is not simply about growing older, but about care, belonging, dignity and the legacy we leave through the way we care for one another. His warmth, generosity and outlook continue to inspire everyone he meets.
Annet Eijkelkamp
Chair, Co-Founder
Annet has spent much of her career in healthcare, social impact and community development, combining strategic leadership with a strong belief that meaningful change starts by understanding people and their everyday realities.
After many years in corporate leadership, she wanted to bring that experience closer to the communities and organisations doing the work on the ground. Through BAPU Foundation, she takes a practical, hands-on approach — working alongside trusted local partners, listening to what is needed and helping turn good ideas into support that can make a genuine difference in the lives of older adults.
Much of what drives Annet is personal. The values passed on by her parents — care, responsibility, resilience and looking out for others — continue to shape how she approaches both life and work. She is particularly passionate about bringing generations together and creating opportunities for older and younger people to connect, learn from one another and feel part of the same community.
Our story
Where it all began
Discover how Bapu and Pushpa’s journey, and the values they lived by, shaped everything BAPU Foundation stands for today.
Read Our Story