THE LANGALANGA TRUST (LLT) - TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Year ended 31 December 2022
Registered Charity Number 1076360
General
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2022 was a year of increasing stability for scholars with the consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic largely behind us, although the pressures of an uncertain world on the Kenyan economy and increasing living costs have generated separate challenges. Despite this our scholars have thrived, overseen and mentored directly in Kenya by alumni of the scholarship scheme, and administered in part by the Langalanga Scholars Professionals Association (LLSPA)[1] and its officials who remain an essential component of the Langalanga Trust (LLT). Our programme, ‘Lunchbox’, providing lunch meals to the most deprived primary schools in our catchment area of the Gilgil area of the Rift Valley, has also continued to be a great success.
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Our core donor base has continued to hold up in meeting the Trust’s commitments, particularly in supporting scholar education, but we have not been able to expand successfully to secure significant donations from the public, largely because of a need to improve engagement and marketing. Equally, the reducing scope for discretionary spend across the populace will have also contributed. As a consequence, the Trust has embedded the economic working practices developed in the previous years of the Covid pandemic, refined and focused recruitment more tightly, but equally converted all bursarships to scholarships and expanded support to the Woodard Langalanga Secondary School.
Objectives
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The main areas of support, therefore, continue to be in the following areas:
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a. The provision of education to disadvantaged children and young adults from the Gilgil and Langalanga area of the Rift Valley through our scholarship scheme but focused now on schools closer geographically to Langalanga and Gilgil.
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b. Our ‘lunchbox’ programme providing much needed food for two Primary Schools, whose catchment contains some of the most deprived communities in our area of engagement.
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c. Principal sponsor for the Woodard Langalanga Secondary School (WLSS).
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d. Maintaining support for the LLSPA, whose membership are alumni of the scholarship scheme, and who provide services in support of the Trust and mentor secondary scholars.
1 The LLSPA is a Kenyan charity set up by Langalanga Scholars to support its alumni and communities from the Langalanga and Gilgil regions.
Governance
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Trustees continue to provide their time, expertise and advice freely. Their unstinting commitment, length of support and breadth of experience provide strong and effective leadership. A deep understanding of the Kenya environment and recognition of the challenges mean that strong governance arrangements continue to be in place, funds are spent wisely and are sufficient at all times to meet the Trust’s commitment to enduring, through life support to a scholar whilst in education.
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Trustees meet routinely both virtually and face to face to ensure effective oversight and governance of the Trust, support for scholars and the provision of appropriate controls for services provided in Kenya, whether volunteered or procured. The chairman, and from time to time other Trustees, visit Kenya to validate and provide assurance on activities. As part of the approach of turning more routine operational activities over to Kenyans the Trust also committed to appointing its first Kenyan Trustee for selection in 2023.
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Priorities . Our priorities in 2021 continue to be to:
a. Support the well-being, confidence and health of our scholars and alumni.
b. Continue to support scholars to the conclusion of their education, including some minor measures to help with their next steps into employment.
c. Nurture our sponsors and donors, who have been remarkably loyal and supportive over the years.
d. Maintenance of the ‘Lunchbox’ programme subject to sponsor donations.
e. Support LLSA and LLSPA officials as they engage on the Trust’s behalf in providing administrative, welfare and moral support to scholars and alumni.
f. Provide modest financial support to the Woodard Langalanga Secondary School (WLSS) to help make the school environment safer for learning and to provide resources to improve teaching through a remedial programme of work.
g. Utilising the growing alumni community to support the objectives of the Trust, empowering women members to act as influential role models within their communities.
The Langalanga Scholarship Fund
- Background . 299 scholarships were awarded from 1999 to 2021 together with 4 bursaries. In 2022 at secondary school level 5 scholarships and 2 bursaries were awarded, while there were 33 scholars studying a first degree or diploma at university or at a further education college. 21 of these scholars graduated during the year. A further 2 returning scholars studied for an additional course as mature students to improve their competitiveness in the workplace.
Secondary School Scholars
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Our secondary scholars continue to flourish. 2022 award selections were made, as in the past, from primary schools in the Trust’s traditional catchment area[2] and conducted thoroughly through home visits, a verification process, concluding interviews and final selection measured against core metrics to ensure fairness. Most of this activity was conducted on behalf of Trustees by the principal LLSPA secondary scholar administrator, mentor and lead, supported by other LLSPA officials, although final decisions lay with the Trust.
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In July 2022 the Trust could report that all our 2020 and 2021 secondary scholar cohort had returned to full-time education and, at both national and local schools, continued to achieve well within the top half of their year groups. These remain remarkable achievements for young children who have few role models and come from very challenging backgrounds. Interestingly, those at our selected local schools, bursars[3] , are currently as competitive as those with scholarships which has required the Trust to reconsider its policies regarding sponsorship through to further education. 2022 therefore saw a key change in our award allocation to open tertiary education to bursary scholars subject to the attainment of an agreed common achievement level. The bursary scheme has allowed the Trust to broaden its offer to a wider range of potential scholars and it will continue to monitor results to ensure that the achievement of scholars is recognised appropriately.
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Kenyan policy is to allocate students who achieve entry to National schools some distance from their home region and often outside their county. This has resulted in scholars being taught in schools some distance away and often on their own. Unsurprisingly, this has led to higher administrative and travel costs which, together with rising inflation in Kenya this year, means that the cost of secondary sponsorship continues to grow.
Scholars in Further Education
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As a consequence of a decision in 2014 to pause secondary level scholarships the numbers of scholars in further education have been reducing gradually but will grow again as the 2020 secondary cohort move into further education during 2024.
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In 2022 there were 33 scholars studying a first degree or diploma at 8 different universities with 23 of these scholars graduating during the year with a further scholar graduating early in 2023. 2 of these scholars continue to be supported, one a medical student and another who is near to completing his first year of a 4-year course. A few scholars faced lost marks, resits or delays to final exams, attachments and graduation so there are a further 7 scholars who are still to graduate and one scholar awaiting a course review. In 2022 we have again enjoyed a set of very good results and particularly celebrate a First and many Upper Seconds. Subjects studied included: Actuarial Science, Economics and Statistics, Commerce, Food Science and Technology, Education, Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Applied Chemistry, Medical Microbiology and Medical Biochemistry. One scholar qualified as a Kenya Certified Nurse and diplomas were awarded in Hospitality and Tourism, Construction
2 This is the Gilgil, Langalanga area and region of the central highlands towards Nyandarua. 3 Scholarships fund education to scholars allocated by government to a national secondary school whereas a bursary award supports candidates who just fail to achieve a national school allocation and instead attend a local secondary school.
Management and Electrical Engineering (Distinction). These are remarkable achievements for young people who started with limited life chances but have succeeded through their determination and talent.
Academic extensions or Second Degrees
- In 2022 the Trust funded 2 former scholars on courses that will enhance their employment opportunities. One scholar is upgrading a teaching certificate to a B.Ed degree to enable her to teach secondary pupils. The other course is to add certification to an HR degree to achieve a national standard as a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP).
The Langalanga Scholars Professionals Association (LLSPA)
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The LLSPA[4] is a Kenyan charity founded in 2011 and is an association made up of volunteer alumni of the LLSF – all are therefore ex-scholars of the Trust. Importantly, the LLSPA also remains closely connected to the communities from which their membership comes (and LST’s catchment area) and so there is a very strong connection between both the Trust and LLSPA. For these reasons the Trust continues to draw on the support of LLSPA, and may look to expand it, in helping secondary scholars and alumni in the activities set out below:
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a. Assisting with the selection of secondary scholars.
b. Assisting with arrangements to get secondary scholars into their schools, mentoring and welfare support as needed.
c. Administering on behalf of LLT the payment of secondary school fees and distribution of any welfare support funds to alumni on an exceptional basis. d. Guidance and occasional support, again on an exceptional basis, to alumni to get employment.
- The LLSPA has become an extremely valuable pillar of the Trust providing trusted and local support in Kenya. The Association has become an essential connection to alumni and vital in the selection process and administration of new and current scholars. This model has worked well and is likely to expand with transfer of broader responsibilities as confidence and assurance over the governance arrangements grows.
The Woodard Secondary School
- The Trust continues to sponsor the Woodard Langalanga Secondary School (WLSS) and the school remains listed as a member of the overseas Woodard Corporation, from which it takes its name and which helped fund its construction. The LST Chairman and two other Trust representatives who are local Kenyan businessmen (one of whom graduated out of the scholarship scheme) are elected Board members to help govern the school and the interests of the Trust.
4 LLSPA was registered under the Societies Act, Laws of Kenya in March 26th, 2014 and more details on LLSPA can be found at https://llspa.org.
- The school remains the largest and dominant education facility in Langalanga town. Local opportunities are limited and the school’s catchment area consists mainly of families running small shops, subsistence farmers or itinerant workers. Incomes are generally low and there are few role models. Local social challenges therefore include alcoholism, drug abuse and teenage pregnancy. WLSS is inevitably touched by some of these issues, but despite this the school continues to improve and grow. The Trust has provided financial support for remedial training and books, focused in the main on mathematics. Although the Trust’s investment is modest, the Principal believes it is helping to make a difference with results improving year on year.
The Lunchbox Programme
- Our ‘Lunchbox Programme’ has continued to provide lunch meals of sorghum, maize and beans to two of the most deprived primary schools in the Gilgil area. Mwega and Ndogo Primary Schools are situated in particularly deprived parts of the Rift Valley and without our support some pupils would face a day in lessons without a midday meal. The Trust has provided approximately 72,000 meals over the year to enable young, disadvantaged children in these schools focus on their learning. This aspect of the Trust’s offer continues, however, to be under pressure. Whilst we have some wonderful donors who contribute to this fund specifically it is an area which is the subject of specific attention to maintain current levels of support as food costs grow.
Finances
- The Trust’s financial position continues to be stable and positive in support of current objectives, albeit the numbers of scholars supported are less than in previous years. Despite the tight economic circumstances and the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, support from loyal sponsors and donors has held up, although the Trust aspires to broaden the donor base more widely. Over £65,354, including interest, has been raised during the year thanks to the very generous support of many sponsors and which enabled a further £7,979 to be reclaimed via Gift Aid. This income enabled over £ to be spent directly supporting scholars and on individual projects. Administrative costs remain very low and the Trust continues to adopt the most economic approach to provide its services. Overall funds remain sufficient, based on current assumptions regarding donations and risk, to fund all present scholars through to the completion of their studies and leave a potential surplus for other charity objectives. Risks faced by the charity are both financial and operational. The former includes adverse currency exchange movements and inflation levels in Kenya, both of which are outside the control of the Trust. The team of trustees running the charity is relatively small with limited backup resulting in operational risk. Reserved funds expended on special projects (WLSS, Lunchbox, Covid Support Fund and Audrey Leitch scholarship fund), however, exceeded incoming funds but excess expenditure was carried by general trust funds. As in prior years, the accounts were reviewed by an independent examiner and no issues arose. The accounts are published alongside this report to the Charity Commission website.
Conclusion
- 2022 has been a year of consolidation and improved understanding of an approach which will increasingly place more direct responsibilities on scholarship alumni
through the LLSPA in supporting and administering scholars. Trustees continue to give their time freely and bring experience and wise counsel to decision making.
- We have been able to maintain our core activities, but risks remain over financing and maintaining donor support. Inflationary pressures have driven up costs in Kenya, both for education fees and living costs. Our current donor community has remained loyal and committed and we continue to plan support for our current scholars to the end of their education. Financial pressures will continue and may limit future ambition in the years ahead but for the moment the Trust continues to provide invaluable services to children and young adults from very poor backgrounds in the Gilgil and Langalanga area of Kenya. It continues to change the lives of scholars and give them opportunities they would otherwise never access.
G A Nield OBE Chairman
LANGALANGA TRUST
Registered Charity Number: 1076360
INDEX
TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| Index | Page 1 |
|---|---|
| Information | Page 2 |
| Unrestricted Fund | Page 3 |
| Restricted Funds | Page 4 |
| Notes | Page 5 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | Page 6 |
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LANGALANGA TRUST
CHARITY INFORMATION
GOVERNING DOCUMENT
Registered Charity Number 1076360 Subject to a Declaration of Trust dated 4 March 1999 (amended by Resolutions dated 6 November 2012 and 9 November 2019)
TRUSTEES
Prof Andrew Leitch Mr Richard Murdoch (resigned 21 November 2022) Brig (Retd) Geoff Nield Chairman Mr Nicolas Singeisen Mrs Anne Smyth Mr Alan Twigg
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Mrs Amanda Cavanagh
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
Cricket Farm Millards Hill Trudoxhill Frome BA11 5DW
BANKERS
INVESTMENT MANAGERS
CAF Bank Limited United Kingdom National Westminster Bank PLc United Kingdom CFC Bank Kenya Kenya Commercial Bank Kenya CCLA Investment Management Limited
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ACC¢XINTS ioii t)onation5 rec¥1 other Income 57.370 59.597 28 Inter Gift fv4d r•rlm CUr(V ExChled1ff(e 7,979 10,408 7.617 11.556 rotollntomin9 Resources 75,763 78.797 School Univusity Fee5 Scho1¥5eXP3e5d upk 8,491 28,001 488 21,972 36.965 kch Tra¥d & kcomodation Donation to a5%Kiated chty Websitecosis Mistd1etsus cUrC¥ Exchangediffwence 684 2,533 1,953 3,727 40 947 667 954 3.247 50 Iloie3 775 2.791 TotalResourcesExpended 46,693 67,593 NEt Ex(essof Rour¢s EXpdeA 29,070 JI.204 at l JMwy1022 244.233 233.029 31 D•certr1012 273,303 244,233 Rewes•trted CCLA. 1nve5tfflts hdd atCOSt karcounts CAFknk Naiional Westminster Ky3£0mM£1a Bank Sdd Ch¥tved Bank 152,488 152.488 48.912 27.629 183 108,897 3,615 8,303 15.022 273,303 244.234
ACC(MXlfS RESTPJCTED FIMDS FCAtThEYEARVX)ED YI DECEM2021 2022 2021 Wc¢d¥d Lunthboi L•ith Fft& LLSPA Wo¢d•d Lunthboi UYA LL5¢hl ¢thw LLSth•ql IrK(YalNG RES(AMC6 Donatlonsr•c•l¥ed Other Incoffle UJ2 IOA 19,512 500 J46 16,146 TorollncomlngResourttJ 8,512 JO.(kt) 19,512 4,JOO IO.( 500 J46 16,146 School and Uniwsily Feex In gJPPOrtol%hool IxllStl Lunchbox pro8rammes SCholaPse5d upkoEp Currenrythchangedlffuence JNJ 3,603 ,771 3,955 5,432 1,024 5.671 5,673 1,998 6,001 10,779 709 JJ6J 4J07 955 JJ55 5Jg1 ISJ 1,414 21116 24 3J39 202 647 24 275 TotolRewurcesExpended 1.065 9JlO 1.916 265 22,785 975 7JJ9 tl.S7& 2P50 1.319 25,160 Net Incomlni Rts)urce5 4.065 997 J.054 735 3,273 25 30J9 2.576 1.550 1.993 2,302 CAF 1C¢S¥t i jwu20I2 144 350 22,513 7A171 8J38 3.42 lJ9J 20,519 r4wstO•Bas1l41 31 D•¢effof 2021 3.031 4,212 J.898 985 10,126 7.096 5,209 844 250 22,511
LANGALANGA TRUST
Registered Charity Number: 1076360
NOTES to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
UNRESTRICTED FUND - Page 4
Note 1
The following investments were held at 31 December 2022 at a combined cost price of £152,488 - CCLA Investment Fund - 4,365.56 units: bid market value £79,232 CCLA Property Fund - 96,571.87 units: bid market value £105,862 The combined bid market value at 31 December 2022 was £185,094
Note 2
With effect from 28 September 2020, CCLA Investment Management Limited announced that a 90-day notice period for redemptions would be introduced in respect of the Property Fund. This notice period was extended to 6 months on 18th October 2022.
Note 3
During 2021 and 2022 general support payments were made to Langalanga Scholarship Professionals Association, a charity incorporated in Kenya. Brig Geoff Nield is also a trustee of that charity. It is expected that further such payments will be made in 2023 and subsequent years.
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LANGALANGA TRUST
Registered Charity Number: 1076360
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Langalanga Trust
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Langalanga Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3 the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Name: AMANDA CAVANAGH
(Signed copy held on File)
Address: ORCHARD HOUSE, PENTON MEWSEY, ANDOVER, HAMPSHIRE SP11 ORW
Date 18 April 2023
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