THE LANGALANGA TRUST (LLT) - TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Year ended 31 December 2024
Registered Charity Number 1076360
## **General**
1. Despite global uncertainty and inflationary pressures affecting donor fundraising, the Langalanga Trust (LLT) continued to operate effectively throughout 2024, focusing on its mission to promote educational opportunity and social mobility for disadvantaged children and young adults in the Langalanga and Gilgil region of the Rift Valley, Kenya. The Trust’s key programmes — the Scholarship Scheme, Lunchbox feeding initiative, and support to Woodard Langalanga Secondary School (WLSS) — remained at the heart of delivery.
2. Our vision remains:
## To inspire and help disadvantaged Kenyan children and young adults to escape ~~Oe~~ poverty and achieve their potential through education and employment
3. Although there have inevitably been a mix of outcomes, our scholars have continued to thrive and succeed in their studies and development. Trustees and alumni mentors in Kenya have ensured the continued welfare, academic progress, and safeguarding of scholars. Our programme, ‘Lunchbox’, providing lunch meals to the most deprived primary schools in our catchment area within the Rift Valley, has also continued to be a great success, maintaining its support to 3 schools.
4. Our core donor base has remained loyal, but expansion to a broader community of donors has not yet materialised because of personnel resource limitations and the capacity of Trustees but remains a focus for development in 2025 and beyond. This has meant that we have reduced the number of scholarships (which is an 8-year commitment) offered from previous years but maintained in full our other charitable activities.
## **Objectives**
5. The Trust’s objectives are:
- Maintain 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;
- Continue Our ‘lunchbox’ programme providing much needed food for three Primary Schools, whose catchment contains some of the most deprived communities in our area of engagement;
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- As sponsor for the Woodard Langalanga Secondary School (WLSS) assist in improving facilities and educational outcomes;
- Maintaining support for our alumni of the scholarship scheme, where there are exceptional cases of need to promote job opportunities;
- Strengthen the relationship with the Woodard Corporation, Ardingly College and Woodard schools in the UK to support the WLSS;
- Transition administration from LLSPA to a locally managed Scholar Management Committee;
- Ensure financial sustainability through careful stewardship and engagement with sponsors.
## **Governance**
6. The Trust was governed by four UK-based Trustees and one Kenya-based Trustee. Trustees meet regularly both virtually and in person. In 2024, major meetings were held in April and October, supplemented by virtual meetings and review sessions. Arrangements were in train in late 2024 to consider a new Trustee to strengthen financial and risk management, which were realized with David Regan joining the Trust in early 2025. Operational oversight in Kenya transitioned away from the Langalanga Scholars Professional Association (LLSPA) to a newly established Scholarship Management Committee led by Evans Njuguna and supported by Dr Joyce Njeri. This structure has improved accountability, mentorship, support and safeguarding for scholars, and has maintained effective administration and financial management.
7. **Priorities** . Our 2024 priorities were to:
- Support the well-being, confidence and health of our scholars and alumni.
- Continue to support scholars to the conclusion of their education, including some minor measures to help with their next steps into employment.
- Nurture our sponsors and donors, who have been remarkably loyal and supportive over the years.
- Maintenance of the ‘Lunchbox’ programme and overseeing its effective expansion to Murandati primary school with new donor commitments securing its funding through 2028.
- Support the Scholarship Management Committee and in providing administrative, welfare and moral support to scholars and alumni.
- 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.
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- 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**
8. **Background.** 315 scholarships have been awarded from 1999 to 2023. A further 3 scholarships were awarded in 2024 leading to a total of 318 awards over the life of the Trust. In 2024 there were 26 scholars in secondary school, whilst 6 scholars were in tertiary education. A further 4 scholars, who left university in 2022 or earlier, continued with studies to enhance diplomas to degrees or complete further study to become teachers of Information Technology.
## **Secondary School Scholars**
9. In 2024 our secondary scholars continued to flourish and enjoy the support of the scheme. 2024 award selections were made from a smaller number of primary schools in the Trust’s traditional catchment area[1] . The selection process was again based on reports from home visits, a verification process, interviews and final selection measured against core metrics to ensure fairness. 3 scholars, all girls, were awarded scholarships with 2 being selected to attend Jomo Kenyatta Girls High School and the third is head of her cohort at Woodard Langalanga Secondary School.
10. Overall, results across all secondary school scholars remained in the top half, with the very best scholars in the top 10% of schools. Although there are a very few who find the transition to a national boarding school a difficult experience because of the challenging environments that they come from the results reflect the very considerable personal resilience and commitment that our young scholars possess.
11. As a scholarship scheme we have set high academic standards to transition to university or college. The Trust has previously set a threshold of a B grade overall and a C+ in mathematics to secure sponsorship to further education. In recent years an increasingly competitive environment, and access to a broader range of academic, polytechnic, teaching, artisan and vocational courses mean that there are greater learning opportunities for Kenyans today. In early 2024 results of two good scholars dipped surprisingly to a C+ (which is a grade that enables attendance at university) and acted as a catalyst for review of whether a more adaptive approach might be taken to further education without compromising the Trust’s core objectives to reward educational excellence, and give bright, disadvantaged children the opportunity to achieve their ambitions.
12. Against this background the Trust has adopted a 3-tier approach:
- Tier 1: B Grade and above. Scholar is supported to further education on courses selected through the government processes to a government institution (not a private university) on courses no longer than 4 years.
- Tier 2: C+ and C and C-. Those who achieve a C+ are supported to a college to attend an appropriate course which is no longer than 2 years.
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- Tier 3: C- or below. The scholar is no longer supported to further education but receives a welfare grant to assist in the transition to self-sponsored education or employment.
## **Scholars in Further Education**
13. In 2024 6 scholars attended university: one started his final year at Chuka University, and 5 scholars joined university on courses varying from quantity surveying (Technology University of Kenya), Medical Laboratory Science and Technology (Nairobi University) to Education in Sciences (Karatina University).
14. In all these cases we have successfully transitioned our scholars into the more complex environment of further education, with the challenges of independent living, managing bank accounts and budgets, and responding to new administrative demands arising from an evolving fees system in which the Kenyan government provide education funding where the Trust (or household) contribution is dependent on the financial strength of the scholar’s family or guardian.
## **Academic Extensions or Second Degrees**
15. In 2024 the Trust funded 4 former scholars on courses that will enhance their employment opportunities. These awards are offered on a case-by-case basis dependent on need and available funding. One scholar upgraded a teaching certificate to a B.Ed degree to enable her to teach secondary pupils. A second scholar is strengthening their HR degree to achieve the national standard of a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP). Regrettably, one scholar studying at the Kenya School of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (KSTVET) dropped out of the course, whilst the other will conclude the course in 2025.
## **The Woodard Secondary School**
16. The Trust continues to support the Woodard Langalanga Secondary School (WLSS). As sponsor of the school the Trust Chairman, representing the Woodard Corporation, visits the school twice a year to be updated on performance and issues. The Trust funds remedial classes and, alongside the Woodard Corporation, funded an IT room of 30 desks, IT infrastructure and computers, which the Principal has said is game-changing. The school has seen incremental increase each year in its mean grade for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) from 3.73 in 2021 to 4.16 in its 2024 results, but we do hope to see the impact of the IT facility improving performance further.
17. The relationship between WLSS and the Woodard Corporation has been building more strongly. Following the visit of the Senior Provost to the school in 2023 a visit was planned in 2024 by the Corporation’s President, Bishop Dr John Inge, and came to fruition in early 2025.
18. Ardingly College’s LIV[2] , as part of a wider visit to local Trust-sponsored schools in the Gilgil area, also joined WLSS for a day-long programme of lessons, songs, dancing and sports building on the experience of 2023. This event generates real value for all the students involved by sharing experiences, broadening horizons and understanding of
> 2 Ardingly is also part of the Woodard Corporation of schools.
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their different cultures and background. This engagement, alongside the IT Hub and past infrastructure investment in WLSS, mean that the school is very well provided for and should contribute to the improvement of standards and opportunity.
## **The Lunchbox Programme**
19. The ‘Lunchbox Programme’ continues to provide a mid-morning meal to three of the most deprived primary schools in the Gilgil area. The inclusion of Murandati primary school, alongside Mwega and Ndogo primary schools, mean that a population of about 800 children enjoy a meal during the school day.
20. A report from a headteacher confirmed that the programme led to improved attendance and attention, with early evidence of academic gains. Overall, the programme enables young, disadvantaged children in these schools to focus more effectively on their learning and remains a cornerstone of the Trust’s welfare work.
## **Finances**
21. In 2024 the Trust’s financial position continued to be stable and positive in support of current objectives.
22. Support from loyal sponsors and donors has continued. Income for the year ended 31 December 2024 totalled £118,652 (2023: £109,208), comprising £44,383 from unrestricted sources and £74,269 from restricted donations. Expenditure amounted to £103,804 (2023: £98,221), leaving a net surplus of £14,848. The year-end balance across all funds stood at £297,749, including £273,930 in unrestricted reserves and £23,819 in restricted funds. The position is summarised in the table below and reported in full at Enclosure 1.
|Category|Unrestricted (£)|Restricted (£)|Total (£)|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
|Income|44,383|74,269|118,652|
|Expenditure|45,866|57,938|103,804|
|Net Surplus /
(Deficit)|-1,483|16,331|14,848|
|Balance at 31
Dec 2024|273,930|23,819|297,749|
23. Trustees consider this reserve sufficient to meet foreseeable commitments while maintaining capacity to respond to exceptional needs or opportunities.
24. Administrative costs remain low, and the Trust works hard at the most economic and effective approach to delivery of its services. Overall funds remain sufficient, based on current assumptions regarding donations and risk, to contribute to all objectives. Ring-fenced or restricted funds are protected for investment in those activities specified by donors. Meanwhile unrestricted funds remain available through our investments to meet the commitments of current scholars through to the completion of their studies, which can extend to between 4 to 9 years, depending on their academic achievements. Our expectation, however, is that the increase in the cost of living and tighter economic circumstances make retention of support and generation of new sponsors more
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challenging the Trust is likely to remain moderately conservative about expanding its commitments.
25. Risks faced by the charity are both financial and operational. The former includes adverse currency exchange movements, inflation, and, among other things, fees volatility. The Trustees running the charity are small in number and the mitigation of operational risk is managed through alumni volunteers, overseen by the Chairman and Kenyan Trustee. Restricted funds are in surplus, but in the case of the Lunchbox Programme are committed to support Murandati primary school until 2028. Costs, however, will climb in the next few years as the number of scholars in further education increases.
26. As a consequence of relatively new legislation in Kenya to provide visibility and improved financial regulatory control our activities in Kenya need to be delivered through a Kenyan entity. There is therefore a need to create a new charitable Trust in Kenya, which will consist of both UK and Kenyan trustees through which our services will need to be delivered. The Langalanga Trust (UK) will not change and the design of assurance and implementation processes to protect its objectives, ensure donations are spent as intended, will be a key feature of 2025.
27. As in prior years, the accounts were reviewed by an independent examiner and no issues arose. The accounts at Enclosure 1 are published alongside this report to the Charity Commission website.
## **Conclusion**
28. Despite various challenges in 2024, the Langalanga Trust (LLT) continued to fulfil its objectives of supporting disadvantaged children and young adults in Kenya’s Rift Valley through education and welfare initiatives. The Scholarship Scheme, Lunchbox feeding programme, and support for Woodard Langalanga Secondary School (WLSS) remained central to its work. With 318 scholarships awarded since inception, LLT sustained 26 secondary and 6 tertiary scholars in 2024, while expanding welfare and mentorship support. Financially, the Trust remained stable with an income of £118,652 and a year-end balance of £297,749. Key developments included the transition to a locally led Scholarship Management Committee, strengthened links with the Woodard Corporation and Ardingly College, and continued success of the Lunchbox Programme, now serving three primary schools. Looking ahead, LLT plans to broaden its donor base and sustain its life-changing educational impact in 2025 and beyond.
G A Nield OBE Chairman
Enclosure:
1. Annual Financial Report.
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ENCLOSURE ONE
## ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT - 2024
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