History

Jacob’s Well was started by Dr Beryl Beynon in 1982. When we started to see what life was like behind the iron curtain for the first time in years, Dr. Beynon was moved by the poverty of a country that was as prosperous as our own before the war.  When she heard of hospitals with not one bottle of tablets or pack of bandages she decided to do something and so started collecting medical supplies from local hospitals and driving it over.  Gradually the work expanded into other countries of Eastern Europe.  After a few years, Jacob’s Well was able to build a rehabilitation centre to house and care for the handicapped children in Romania who were abandoned to state care during the Ceauşescu regime. Beryl’s vision expanded as the supply of aid grew and the charity broadened its reach to include Afghanistan, Western Africa, Pakistan, Moldova and beyond. 

Beryl’s son John took over the running of the charity in 2013.  Helped by two retired GP’s, Dr’s Alistair and Margaret Robertson (2015-2025) who became medical directors, the charity expanded its work to include educational and agricultural aid and disaster relief. These days, Jacob’s Well sends around 20 containers full of aid as well as running educational and agricultural projects alongside our local partners in some of the world’s poorest countries.