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2021-12-31-accounts

HELPING UGANDA SCHOOLS

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2021

Registered Charity No. 1098176 Charity Unique Code QAQ87ZG

Chair: Richard Bircher

Trustees: Joanna Bircher, Chris Bishop, Bob Blundell, Carmel Dowling, Emma Stapleton, Helen Taylor -O’Brien, Jessica Williams.

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INTRODUCTION

It gives us great pleasure to introduce the 18th Annual Report for the charity Helping Uganda Schools. The charitable work of HUGS started in 1995 and formal Charity registration was gained in 2003. There have been three elements to our work; all linked to education and securing a better future for children and young adults.

This year major achievements have been:

  1. The completion of the construction of St Francis de Sales School

  2. Support to 83 sponsored students

  3. Establishment of 25 new water connections in the Kosovo slum (to improve the health of school children)

  4. The initial purchase of IT equipment for the Asili Girls School

  5. The completion of the Girls Dormitory at the Little Shephard School

  6. The completion of the cattle farm for income generation for the Good Shephard School

  7. The initiation of a partnership with Rotary International to provide 200 water connections to the Kosovo Slum

  8. Provision of a home education system for vulnerable children

HUGS has no paid employees. Our work in Uganda is carried out in partnership with trusted representatives, who are honest, hardworking, trustworthy individuals who manage projects and administer the use of our funds. They work through registered Ugandan NGOs or Religious Orders. We are grateful for their hard work.

CHANGES TO CHARITY ADMINISTRATION

There has been little change to the administration of the charity. The Chair and Trustees remain the same. The operational changes made in 2020 work well and trustees have easy access to HUGS files and resources.

One of the ways to raise funds, through the Virgin Money Giving website, has been closed and after an options appraisal we moved our on line fund raising facility to GoFundMe.

We have started a process of upskilling trustees in the running of the charity and providing delegated areas of responsibility. This is important for our future sustainability and resilience.

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CHARITY INCOME

During 2021 the charity raised £100,520. A further amount from Inland Revenue gift aid earned during the year was not received before 31.12.21 and will be recorded in the 2022 accounts (as has been the case in previous annual accounts). The grand total

raised by HUGS up to December 31[st ] 2021 is just over £1.55 million. We endeavor to keep our administrative overheads as low as possible and guarantee every donation from our supporters is spent on supporting schools and students. As in previous years all our administrative costs were covered in full by personal Trustee donations.

Multiple successful fundraising events were used this year. These includes two online auctions (one from an art competition ‘What does Sound look Like to You’ and the other a Christmas Gift Auction. Trustees embarked on individual and group sponsored events and we benefitted from large donations from individuals and charitable fund groups. We continue to benefit from ad hoc donations, which are generated through our social media presence. Our regular standing orders continue to provide £2,200 a month. We have worked in partnership with multiple organisations:

We are grateful to the many people who participated and helped spread interest in the work of the charity and raise funds. The importance of maintaining a relationship with pre-existing donors has been paramount to the success of funding projects.

OVERVIEW OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

Schools reopened in early 2021 for a short period of time, before they were then closed for the rest of the year. There was no infrastructure to allow on line learning for the majority of children. Many teachers decided to return to their home towns or find alternative employment. Approximately half of sponsorship fees provided by HUGS were used by schools to maintain buildings, provide teacher support or food to very poor families, rather than education.

HUGS was able to capitalise on school closures and have completed two building projects. A new school for children with disabilities and a girls dormitory.

Universities moved their courses online, and our sponsored Higher education students have managed to continue their studies, however, with additional costs incurred through access to data and internet. There have been no drop outs.

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Carmel Dowling, HUGS Trustee, was in Uganda for 10 weeks and helped set up a home schooling project (after taking advice from a larger Charity, Fields of Life), and managed the purchase of the first three laptops to be used by the Asili Girls school as part of their Vocational Skills programme. She also helped HUGS gain a better understanding of the needs of families living in the Kosovo Slum, and the importance of supporting a wide range of social and health initiatives which are necessary for children to reliably enter and remain in school. Our major focus for 2022 will be the Kosovo Education project.

Many universities suspended courses, though most have adapted to on-line learning and all but one of our sponsored University students has continued their education.

LITTLE SHEPHERD PRIMARY SCHOOL, RUTUNGURU

Further development of infrastructure at Little Shepherd Primary School has been a priority in 2021. The school has been successful in attracting new pupils because of it’s high educational quality, in a remote area. This means many pupils walk long distances to attend. In response to reports of girls being abducted on the way to school and acceptable burdens of household chores when at home, HUGS has constructed a girls dormitory for 100 pupils. This dormitory is open, fully utilised and making a difference. At the same time, the school has used other funds to renovate an old building for the boys and build a larger kitchen and hall. The school has successfully transitioned to a residential facility, which not only improves education but improves sustainability.

HUGS also funded the construction of on-site accommodation for 4 teachers, a successful home education programme and solar electrical power and lighting.

This year, the coffee plantation, funded by HUGS in 2018 came into full maturity. As coffee is highly lucrative, this plantation will provide enough capital to pay the school fees of 20 of the poorest children. The school has 407 pupils enrolled (Jan 2022)

ST ZOE’S PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, MUBENDE

St Zoe’s Primary School opened in 2001 and was built so that children living in a remote area would have an opportunity to attend a school and not have to walk a great distance. The secondary school opened in 2006 so students can study up to “O” level. The school results are consistently good and in the top 10% of all of Uganda. Many previous students have attended university or further education and are working in the community. The school is financially self-sufficient and generates its own funds to continue development. It has 40 acres of land, which generates a sizable income as well as food and water for all the pupils. Last year HUGS sponsored 7 student, from poor households, and provided funds to maintain the school in closure. The school reopened in January 2022, and enrollment numbers are good, 50% including girl students.

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GOOD SHEPHERD SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL, FORT PORTAL

HUGS helped finance the development of Good Shepherd School for children with learning disabilities, building on the inspirational vision of its founder Sr Theresa Abigaba. It opened in 2009. HUGS works closely with two other charities African Outreach and Improving Chances who fund accommodation for children without a safe home and the special outreach programme (allowing the most disabled children to receive vocational skill training, physiotherapy and other help). The school is remarkable in its ability to provide a lively, accepting, and joyous place for children with disabilities to learn.

During 2021 HUGS has continued to help the school become financially self-sustaining. Because of small class sizes and low income from school fees, this is a challenge. We continued to support the agricultural project to improve food supply to the children and the four-acre cattle farm. The school now owns 9 bullocks which have been fattened ready for resale. This should create an annual revenue of $2500. We also provided funds for a home education scheme, but this had poor impact, considering the children’s extensive needs. We have committed to fund two further teachers to study a Diploma in Special Needs Education. The school re-opened in January 2022 with 175 children attending.

ST. THERESA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, RUKIRA, RWANDA

HUGS provided funds to help to rebuild this school, which was left in a dilapidated condition following years of civil unrest. After five years of development the school has accepted 400 primary children plus a further 200 in a pre-school nursery. The school continues to provide excellent education and do well in exams. They have gained financial independence and last year, apart from the sponsorship of three pupils HUGS did not provide any funds. State provision of Education in Rwanda improves every year, and we believe we have helped create a sustainable centre of educational excellence which admirably supports its local community. 400 children are enrolled (Jan 2022)

ASILI GIRLS SECONDARY AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, LIRA UGANDA

HUGS responded to a request in 2011 to help build a secondary school for girls in Lira, northern Uganda. Lira has a tragic history in regard to girl’s safety. It was the nearest town to insurgent military group strongholds during the civil war, and there were many reports of girls being abducted. The school has a clear focus to provide emancipation and opportunity to its students. A 2020 survey reported over a third of all former pupils are now employed in professions (medical, educational and legal).

Trustee Carmel Dowling, volunteered at the school in 2021 and helped in the establishment of the new IT training facility, purchasing the first three laptops. This opens an opportunity for further volunteer opportunities. HUGS also funded a home education programme and continues to support 8 local students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The classrooms are now fully utilised, and the enrollment numbers have

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increased to 230 (with 72 in the first year). There is now a vocational centre which can also be accessed by local women in need of income generating skills.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES NURSERY SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN, JINJA, UGANDA

2021 marked an important year for SFDS. HUGS continued to prepare the school for its first intake of children. We provided funds to complete the school to a high (and colourful) specification, provide school equipment, desks and chairs and beds for the dormitory. We also began work on the teachers accommodation, and secured resources for a kitchen. HUGS has continued to look for ways to help the school become financially sustainable and has found funds to purchase additional land and create income generating projects for poor families, who in turn will be able to pay school fees.

HUGS sponsors the education of many pupils attending St Francis de Sales, including paying all the 2022 school fees for all the children who have physical disabilities. We paid the final year of University fees for two Optometry students, who have pledged support for the children at SFDS who have sight problems.

We have also continued to support the Jinja Organisation of Parents of Deaf Children (SFDS School owners) in smaller ways to provide administrative support and replace office equipment which was stolen. There are 33 children enrolled (January 2022) with a target of 50 for semester 2.

KOSOVO SLUM EDUCATION

HUGS has developed a new partnership relationship with a Ugandan NGO called CEFOVID (Community Empowerment for Village Development) in order to help deliver education to highly impoverished. Children who live in the Kosovo Slum in Kampala. There are 35,000 people living in the slum, of which 60% are children, most without primary education. The slum is a dangerous place to live, and education is blighted by poor income, over-crowded low-quality schools and illness. Initially HUGS joined with two other charities, Friends of Two Tone, and Bury Africa Outreach, to support a smallscale education programme called ‘the Joy of learning’. This project was designed to enable children to experience reading and writing, and catalyse interest in attending school. The results were beyond expectation with almost 100 children applying for educational support. The three charities have agreed to fund 30 children for 7 years of education and worked with others to sponsor individual children. By the end of the year 85 children are guaranteed school fees.

Children miss almost a month of school each year because of illnesses through drinking dirty water. HUGS provided funds for 25 new clean water points to be fitted to the Slum, (changing the lives of 600 people). We are currently working with Rotary international to provide 200 more, and have applied for a grant of $30,000.

HUGS and CEFOVID are working in partnership with a UK company charity Fund, Laltex, to plan the construction of a new residential school, outside the capital, initially

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for 300 children from the Slum. They will be able to receive a quality education, in sanitary conditions with access to regular nutritious food and have space to play in the country.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Schools were closed for 9 months of 2021 and universities moved many studies onto online, as part of Uganda’s COVID social distancing policies. Despite considerable difficulties 12 students have completed their courses.

9 other University students have managed to continue their studies during the pandemic, whilst two teachers, studying for a Diploma in Special Needs Education have had their courses suspended to restart in 2022.

We accepted three new students onto our sponsorship scheme, making a total of 83 beneficiaries (including 10 children from the Kosovo slum).

We are aware of only one sponsored student who has dropped out of education before course completion (she was studying for A levels at the Asili Girls school).

Approximately half the school fees paid in 2021 by HUGS were used by schools to maintain their buildings, retain staff and help highly vulnerable families in need of food rather than pay for education. We accept this loss and have reported it to individual donors.

OTHER SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

Lira Babies Home

We continued to support the Babies home with help on both running costs and some health expenditure.

Dr Richard Bircher Chair

July 2022

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STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR HELPING UGANDA SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

The charity spends all donor money on schools, students, or family support to enable education. No donor money is used for administrative or overhead purposes.

SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR 2021

----- Start of picture text -----
2020 (£) % 2021 (£) % Notes
INCOME
Bank interest or 0 0 0 0
credit
Donations from 48450.3 32 25481.6 25.2
charities 8 2
Non gift aid 21230.3 14 6413.23 6.3
donations 7
Gift-aided 4161.25 3 0 0
donations for
administration
Gift-aided single 36701.0 25 27342.1 27
donations 5 4
Gift-aided Standing 24524.0 16 24853.0 24.6
Orders 0 0
Inland Revenue Gift 14536.5 10 9637.00 9.5
Aid received 3
Virgin Money Split 6539.82 6.5
Giving betwee
n
categori
es
Go fund me 253.97 0.9
TOTAL INCOME 149603 100 100520 100
.58 .78
----- End of picture text -----*

----- Start of picture text -----
Revenue Capital Revenue Capital
Notes
EXPENDITURE 2020 2020 2021 2021
Administration and
658.50 - 862.50 - []
bank
Event expenses 168.50 - 114.25 -
Good Shepherd 5500.00 18166.18 2750 3450
St Francis de Sales - 86798.63 4458 35620
Little Shepherd 1000.00 25520.00 245 3870
St Zoes 1000.00 - - -
Asili Girl’s School 3550.00 - 410 1400
St Theresa’s School - - - -
CEFOVID - - 796 4400
Student scholarships 16488.5 - 19634.8 -
Humanitarian 3365.32 - 130 -
Eye Care Project 175.00 - - -
----- End of picture text -----*

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----- Start of picture text -----
Lira Babies Home 3000.00 - - -
Women’s Groups 300.00 - - -
TOTAL 165390. 78140.6
EXPENDITURE 63 0
----- End of picture text -----

BALANCE SHEET 01/01//2021 – 31/12/2021

£ Cash and reserves carried forward at 31/12/2020 28,330.15

INCOME

Gift aided income 52195.14 Non gift aided income 6413.23 Donations from Charitable Trusts 25481.62 Inland Revenue Gift Aid received 9637.00 Note 1 Virgin money giving and Go fund me 6793.79 Total income 100520.78 ___ TOTAL INCOME PLUS OPENING BALANCE 128850.93

EXPENDITURE

Administration and bank charges 862.50 Note 2 Schools revenue 8659.00 Schools Capital 48740.00 Student Scholarships 19634.85 Note 3 Humanitarian 130.00 Note 4 Event expenses 114.25 Note 5 ___ TOTAL EXPENDITURE 78140.60 ___ INCOME PLUS OPENING BALANCE LESS EXPENDITURE 50710.33 BANK BALANCES 31.12.21 Barclays Helping Uganda Schools I 34274.17 Barclays Helping Uganda Schools II 0.00 Coop Helping Uganda Schools 16395.99 Coop Helping Rwanda Schools 40.17 ___ TOTAL 50710.33

NOTES ON ACCOUNT

The Charity has no non-cash assets and has no debtors or creditors or other 9

liabilities. The charity holds no cash or other assets in Uganda or Rwanda.

The only balance sheet matter relates to the Bank Balance as detailed in the above income statement.

----- Start of picture text -----
1 Money received from Inland Revenue for Gift Aid. Applications are made
twice per year, 6 months in arears. Gift aid on income 01.06.21- 31.12.21 will
be itemised in 2022 accounts.
2 Main overheads were incurred as bank changes for international transfers
and travel expenses which were covered by trustee donations
3 Funds used for school student and undergraduate support in Uganda and
Rwanda
4 Humanitarian aid for child with sight impairment – computer equipment
5 Website hosting fees for Auction
----- End of picture text -----

In conformity with Charity Commission and Inland Revenue requirement we declare that this report and accounts is an accurate statement of the affairs of the charity during the year.

Signed on behalf of Trustees

Richard Bircher Chair of Trustees 17.07.22

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AKI WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Report to the tru$t•MI mèmbèrs ol Helping Ugarrtla {HUGS). On accounts for th• y•ar ended 31 December 2021 Charlty no Ilf anyl 1098176 S•t out on pag 1-1 ro I rep)rt to the Irustees M my eX￿nIn811•n Lrfthe ¥c¢o(mts of abovt charity Ilhe Trustl for lh& y•ar ended 311t212021. A• th• chanty'$ trust￿, you arn re8F4JnGlbl8 for thè pYepw•tion of the •c¢ount8 in accwdanc wrth the re￿1￿M￿nIG 01 thè CharitKx Ad 2011 l%he Acti. R••pon#lbllltl•• and ba¥18 of rnport I report in resp¢¢t of my •xamin8tion of the TTUSt'$ aceo¢Jrrt3 ¢arri￿ out und•r sedion 145 ofthe 2011 Acl and in c•rylng out my examination, I hav• followed all the a￿1¢?￿e Directiom 9N•n by thtr Chanty Commi881L und•r s8Ction 14515llb} ofthe Ad. Indopendent exarnlnorf8 Statement I have my ex•nination. I ￿nfirni that no m•terial matt?rs have come to my attention In connedion wth the examuialion whi¢h giv•s me cau3• to believe that in, any m•1•rial reBpec'. the aCC￿ntIng re¢ord8 TAW? not ktyt In acc4>rd4nc• vAth Sedon 130 of ￿ chari11￿ Act.. or the Accounts did not with the ¥c¢ountlng records,. or the accounts did not ¢OmFty wrth the applKabl• raquiromenli Co1￿mIng th• lomi and content of arxounts s•t out In the Chritie8 IAe¢ounts and Rgwt81 Regul•tionB 2008 other th•n 5tny r•quirement Ihat th¥ accounts give a YnJe •nL1 fairf whi¢h ts not a maii•r con$Klered •• p•rt ol an independent examin•lron. I hav• no concms and h•v• eLYne aryo88 no ot￿[ matters kn ¢onnedie wilh tho examination to which attenlion should be drawn In Ihls report In order lo enab￿ • proper und•rstanding of th• •ccounts lo ￿ f•ached. ' Please delete tho In the b￿k91$ rfthey ¢* nol Jppty. SSgn•d: Dat•: Nam•: Mrs Susan s￿nCe Relevant prol•s¥lonal qu•lrficatlon(s) or body lif any): Addrns¥." Mortin House, Compstall. Slod(port. SK6 SJX. IER O¢t 2018 li

Section B•11￿1* Disclosure Onty complete rf the examiner needs lo hKJhlight material rnatters of contem {w CC32, IndepeTrJent 6xamJnation of charity accounts." directions and guidance f0reknwnir￿rn). Glv• h•r• br1￿ d•tsll$ of any items that the examiner wishes to dlscloJ•. IER Oct 2018 12