Company no. 04823686 Charity no. 1103256 OSCR no. SC043082
## **Ripple Africa Report and Audited Financial Statements 31 May 2024**
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Reference and administrative details**
**For the year ended 31 May 2024**
|**Company number**|04823686|
|---|---|
|**Charity number**|1103256|
|**OSCR number**|SC043082|
|**Registered office and**|Whiteleaf Business Centre|
|**operational address**|11 Little Balmer|
||Buckingham|
||MK18 1TF|
|**Trustees**|Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during|
||the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:|
||Geoffrey Furber MBE|
||Gabrielle Jackson|
||Charles Knight|
||Toby Milton|
||Trevor Ray|
|**Company secretary**|Pamela Haigh|
|**Bankers**|Lloyds Bank plc|
||Market Square|
||Lighton Buzzard|
||Bedfordshire|
||LU7 1EU|
|**Auditors**|Godfrey Wilson Limited|
||Chartered accountants and statutory auditors|
||5th Floor Mariner House|
||62 Prince Street|
||Bristol|
||BS1 4QD|
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2024.
Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).
Ripple Africa is a UK registered charity (1103256 and SC043082) focused on conservation, agriculture, education and healthcare in northern Malawi, Africa. Founded in 2003, our mission is:
- To preserve and sustainably develop the environment;
- ▪ To create opportunities for local communities; and
- ▪ To improve the standard of education and healthcare near our base in Nkhata Bay District.
Ripple Africa’s ethos is **“providing a hand UP and not a hand out,”** and we work by finding simple solutions to locally identified problems. We are the catalyst helping Malawians to sustainably manage their natural resources community by community.
The overall operational plan and budget for Ripple Africa is agreed by the Board of Trustees, and are advised by the CEO and management team. The day-to-day running of the Charity is undertaken by the CEO.
The current Board of Trustees consists of five elected members. A list of trustees who held office during the year can be found on page 1. Trustees typically meet quarterly to review strategy, organisational performance and risks. Trustees also periodically review governance arrangements to ensure that appropriate policies are in place.
Ripple Africa’s Memorandum and Articles of Association allows for the appointment of a minimum of three trustees with no maximum.
Trustees are appointed by either invitation or recruitment to ensure the right balance of skills and experience on the Board and to stimulate the growth and development of the Charity. New trustees receive a thorough induction into the work of the Charity. Trustees serve an initial term of three years and can be re-elected every three years if prepared to continue to serve. When new Trustees are appointed, they are provided with an induction programme and the opportunity to meet staff from across Ripple Africa. All trustees are encouraged to spend time in Malawi to understand the work carried out there.
## **OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES**
Our objectives are to:
- Seek funds to enable us to continue supporting fishing communities to protect fish stocks and work with District Councils to introduce District fishing permits to provide sustainable long term project funding;
- ▪To eventually expand the Fish for Tomorrow project into further Districts;
- Continue to support householders who have installed the Changu Changu Moto cookstove and help further households to build these in new project areas as part of our carbon offsetting scheme;
- Continue to support our Forest Conservation Committees to protect trees in the areas in which they work;
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
- To further expand the tree planting project into new areas of the south of Mzimba District as part of our carbon offsetting scheme;
- To expand the community fruit tree planting project in Nkhata Bay District;
- ▪To continue to increase the stocks of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes in our area;
- To keep training farmers on biochar production and monitor the results on crop yields;
- ▪To continue to trial the briquette project in our area;
- To continue to run eight pre-schools and ensure the children receive a high quality early years education and daily meal of sweet potato;
- To continue to maintain primary school buildings when funding allows;
- ▪ To continue to fund four trainee primary school teachers as long as funding permits; ▪ To continue to support and run the Community Library, Adult Education Programme and Children’s Reading Clubs, and we will buy additional books when funding is available;
- To continue to support existing Disabilities and Rehabilitation clients and strengthen links with other healthcare providers such as MACOHA and Mzuzu Central Hospital Prosthetics and Orthotics Centre;
- ▪To assist with healthcare building projects if funds allow;
- ▪To assist Mwaya Dispensary in a minor way;
- To continue running and carrying out research through the Family Planning and Sexual Health project;
- ▪To provide girls and women with menstrual cups if funding allows;
- To continue to fundraise to repair broken wells and boreholes if funding allows; and
- To continue to welcome medical and teaching volunteers to Malawi, for fundraising purposes and to share their skills with local health clinics and schools.
Trustees are mindful of the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit and all of our projects benefit people living in rural Malawi.
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **ABOUT THE TEAM**
In the UK, co-founders Geoff and Liz Furber, have continued to work for the Charity for no pay. Pam Haigh is the UK General Manager, Nikki Khoram is Corporate Partnerships Manager and Project Coordinator, Tina Hodges is Data Manager and Claire Battersby is Ripple Africa’s UK Administrator. Our part time Marketing Consultant, Laura Massey has been on maternity leave since September 2023 but will be returning to work in the UK office in June 2024. Kaitlin Shendale is based in Malawi for nine months of the year and works remotely during the rainy season as Volunteer and Visitor Coordinator and Project Assistant.
In the US, Kay Yoder has been managing Ripple Africa, Inc, and has supported our work on a voluntary basis. In the last 12 months we have received £97,428 from Ripple Africa, Inc, towards our projects.
In Malawi, our Country Director is Force Ngwira; we recently celebrated his 20 year anniversary of working with Ripple Africa. At the end of the year, 201 Malawian staff were employed by Ripple Africa, and almost 15,000 local people worked with us on a voluntary or part time basis on our environmental projects. Matilda Mwale is now our Human Resources Manager, based in Chintheche and Morton Banda is our Mwaya Manager overseeing local building projects.
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS**
This was the first year since the pandemic that volunteer and visitor numbers have really increased. We welcomed 14 volunteers – 10 of these were healthcare professionals, three volunteered on education projects and we had one project support volunteer. Over the year, we had 45 visitors, of whom 12 were children, as during the summer we welcomed several families. We also resumed the Aldenham School trip with four teachers bringing 12 students. During the rainy season, we welcomed a Relief and Rescue group of nine students and three leaders.
## **ENVIRONMENT**
The total number of local community members working on our environmental and agricultural projects, either on a voluntary or part time basis is as follows:
|**Project**|**Number of**
**people**|
|---|---|
|Fish|4,906|
|Tree|4,843|
|Forest|1,800|
|Changu|581|
|**Total**|**12,130**|
## _**Fish Conservation**_
The Fish for Tomorrow project continues to operate in Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Salima, Dedza and Mangochi Districts with funding from several donors including the International Conservation Fund of Canada, UNESCO, Lewin Trust, Fondation Eagle and WildLife Foundation.
- The project is protecting fish along 736 kilometres of Lake Malawi’s shoreline;
- A total of 446 Beach Village Committees (BVCs) are active and supported by Ripple Africa and Fisheries, and we are directly working with around 4,906 people, 39% of whom are women; and
- We have established and protect 133 key fish breeding areas.
Progress on the project has been good in all Districts where the project is running and the focus has been on removing monofilament nets from the lake and preparing for the signing of new District Fisheries bylaws underpinned by District Fisheries Management Plans. We have recently appointed Sam Manda to be the Senior Project Manager for Fish Conservation and he will now be supporting Force Ngwira and managing the project in all Districts.
All Districts have held meetings with stakeholders and have been monitoring BVC performance to ensure that they are carrying out their duties effectively. Some BVCs have required more training and some have had to be revamped with new members being elected. This will be an ongoing exercise to ensure that the BVCs continue to be active partners for District Fisheries in ensuring that all fishers use legal fishing gear and abide by the bylaws.
We are keen to expand the use of the larger meshed Number 12 bunt for Usipa fishers to ensure that only larger Usipa are caught. The trial in Nkhata Bay District has demonstrated that this increases the income of Usipa fishers by ensuring that larger Usipa are caught, allowing juvenile fish to remain in the lake and go on to breed. We have recently introduced the nets to Nkhotakota District but further extension of the trial will need more funding.
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
We hope that we will soon get the new bylaws signed; this has been delayed as the Minister of Justice has to be satisfied that the bylaws have been developed following the legal process of developing Management Plans for each District which are agreed by all parties. This step has taken much longer than we had hoped but progress has been good in all Districts, even in Mangochi where the project has only recently started.
|**District**|**BVCs Supported**|**Breeding Areas Protected**|
|---|---|---|
|Nkhata Bay|126|36|
|Nkhotakota|67|12|
|Salima|109|40|
|Dedza|16|7|
|Mangochi|128|38|
Funding from UNESCO for protecting Cichlid fish in the Lake Malawi National Park area ended in August 2023 but we continued to support the project here, albeit on a slightly reduced level, for the rest of the year to maintain momentum until further funding could be secured. A bid to secure further funding was submitted but UNESCO decided to adopt a competitive tendering process which has taken many months to complete. However, as the successful bidder we have now managed to secure funding for a further two years.
We want to proceed with getting District Fishing Permits introduced in all Districts – this will provide a sustainable income for the project moving forward and District Councils have been generally keen for this new permit system to be introduced. We have indicated to fishers that this will be happening and we will need to develop a simple phone based payment system for them to use. We are also keen to ensure that there are savings groups established in fishing communities so that fishers are able to use their savings to support their families when the closed season is in place.
## _**Forest Conservation**_
In total, more than 1,800 local volunteers are passionate about protecting their forested areas for future generations.
Our forest conservation projects are continuing in Mzimba and Nkhata Bay Districts, and across the Districts we have 180 conservation committees.
Our teams have been working closely with communities and in Mzimba District this includes supporting the Forest Conservation Committees and Forestry Department with patrols to confiscate illegal charcoal. During 2023, the patrols were responsible for the confiscation of 504 bags of charcoal, 46 bicycles and one motorbike. They also help the committees to develop firebreaks to prevent the spread of forest fires.
Word is spreading of the project’s success and the Mzimba Forest Conservation team welcomed local leaders from Dzalanyama in the Central Region. They came to see the protected forests and areas of regrowth, and to learn about the work being done by Ripple Africa with the communities.
The team in Nkhata Bay District have faced the added challenge of people moving into the District who do not understand the project, but they have also received requests to support villages up in the hills to set up Forest Conservation Committees.
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## _**Tree Planting**_
A year on from expanding into the whole of Mzimba District, we have expanded again into two more Districts. We now have a selection of different tree planting projects in Mzimba, Salima and Nkhotakota Districts. Working in more areas means our tree planting team has grown significantly and we are proud that at the end of this financial year, there are 27 people working on this project, led by Angellah who was promoted to Senior Project Manager.
This year we have helped 4,843 farmers and community group members to plant trees in Mzimba District, under our new Carbon Offsetting Project. Funded by investors, our methodology remains the same in that we continue to work with individual farmers and community groups.
Commercial farmers have a financial interest to ensure that the trees grow successfully and we have now recruited some of our more experienced farmers to become lead farmers who are training others to care for their trees effectively.
In Salima and Nkhotakota Districts we are working with farmers and community groups to grow around 500,000 seedlings per District. These seedlings include senna siamea, blue gum, mbawa, mtangatanga, mthewe and nsangu and once they are growing, they will provide people with a sustainable source of firewood and in the longer-term, timber.
This year, our biggest challenges were a poor batch of eucalyptus seeds and unreliable rains. However, despite this, a total of 2,618,895 seedlings were successfully raised and planted out across the three areas but visits in May to several of the farmers in Salima and Nkhotakota Districts found that drought in Salima and flooding in Nkhotakota have sadly led to the loss of some of the trees when planted out.
## _**Changu Changu Moto Fuel-Efficient Cookstoves**_
We have appointed Mercy Khawula as the Senior Project Manager for this project. In the expansion area, we are continuing to support the households who are now using fuel-efficient cookstoves under our new Carbon Offsetting Project. District Project Managers run this project on the ground with the help of eight Area Managers, 27 Coordinators and 481 Community Volunteers. So far, we have helped householders to build 85,099 cookstoves:
- 35,775 in Mzimba District;
- ▪ 23,596 in Nkhotkota District; and ▪25,728 in Salima District.
We are also continuing to support the 40,000 households who have cookstoves in Nkhata Bay District and money from sales of the carbon offsets is helping to fund the team here. We have a District Manager, three Area Managers, eight Coordinators and 100 Community Volunteers working here.
Our Changu Changu Moto teams are making sure that any cookstoves damaged by this year’s heavy rains are repaired quickly by the householders and our staff are also helping householders to rebuild damaged kitchens where these have been washed away.
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **Future Plans for Environmental Projects**
- We will continue to seek funds to enable us to continue to support fishing communities to protect fish stocks and to work with District Councils to introduce District fishing permits to provide sustainable long term project funding;
- We hope to eventually expand the Fish for Tomorrow project into Karonga and Rumphi Districts and the islands of Chizumulu and Likoma;
- We will continue to support householders who have installed the Changu Changu Moto cookstove and help further households to build these in new project areas;
- We will continue to support our Forest Conservation Committees to protect trees in the areas in which they work; and
- We hope to further expand the tree planting project into new areas of the south of Mzimba District as part of our carbon offsetting scheme.
## **AGRICULTURE**
## _**Fruit Trees, Vegetables and Livestock**_
Led by Maston Mkandawire, the project has worked with 100 Community Clubs who raised 103,830 fruit tree seedlings between them. The team is now supporting these clubs to grow vegetables in order to start chicken businesses. Each Community Club is supported for two years. Therefore, during any growing season, there are 50 clubs in their first year and 50 clubs in their second year. We have also worked with 21 schools, who each receive between 40 and 60 fruit tree seedlings, and vulnerable people in the community receive fruit tree seedlings too. Maston ensures that the students who are members of the Environment Clubs at school receive the same training as the Community Clubs.
The positive impact we are already seeing is that quicker growing trees, such as papaya and guava, are ensuring families can provide their children with fruit and sell surplus fruit at market, helping the family buy basic necessities such as soap, and to pay school fees.
Clubs have been sharing their profits from the vegetable and chicken project between members before the main farming season so that everyone can buy what they need for their farms. Some members use this money to start their own little businesses too.
## _**Improved Sweet Potatoes**_
It has been a great year all round for the sweet potato farmers and the multiplication farmers who we work with in five EPAs (Extension Project Areas).
As in previous years, vines were distributed during the rainy season to 1,250 farmers in five different locations. Each farmer received 10 bundles of vines, and there were 100 vines in each bundle. Fifty six percent of the farmers were female and 44% percent were male.
The multiplication farmers have a really important job as they have to grow quality vines which are then distributed to the local farmers. The 25 multiplication farmers produced over a million individual sweet potato vines between them and the money these farmers receive for the vines is allowing some farmers to carry out home maintenance, buy bicycles, fund school fees and improve their farms.
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
Francis Singini is the Ripple Africa coordinator for this project and he and the Agriculture Extension Workers provide assistance as and when the farmers need it. When it is time to harvest, the team meet with the farmers to discuss how the first growing season has gone, any challenges the farmers have faced and the benefits of the improved variety of sweet potatoes that they are growing. They also learn how to save the vines for subsequent growing seasons.
As there are more orange-fleshed sweet potatoes available at local markets, our team, with the Agriculture Department, have been hosting Cooking Demonstrations so that the farmers can teach their communities different sweet potato recipes.
## _**Biochar and Briquettes**_
Our early trials of biochar were with just a couple of farmers, but we are now trialling this with farmers from 50 Community clubs.
Traditionally in Malawi crop waste is burnt completely to ash and produces a lot of smoke. Making biochar is an excellent soil conditioner and locks the carbon in the ground. Therefore, the farmers have been piling up their crop residue and learning how to burn it efficiently to make biochar. They put the flames out with either water, sand or soil at a specific point so that it does not turn to ash. This is critical to the process.
Once bagged up, the farmers then take it to their homes and mix it with animal waste and water. This process is known as charging. Once charged, it is then added to the soil to increase the soil’s nutrients and water retention. Biochar is like a sponge. It will suck up any nutrients around it and not release them until a plant root actively extracts them.
We are trialling a briquette project too which also uses agricultural waste such as rice husks. This could be a brilliant solution to the demand for charcoal which is more commonly used in urban areas. Equally, if we can support families or groups to make these, they can create a sustainable business. Making the briquettes could be an alternative for those involved in the illegal charcoal industry too.
## **Future Plans for Agriculture Projects**
- We will expand the community fruit tree planting project in Nkhata Bay District;
- ▪ We will continue to increase the stocks of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes in our area; ▪ We will keep training farmers on biochar production and monitor the results on crop yields; and ▪ We will continue to trial the briquette project in our area.
## **EDUCATION**
A new manager has been recruited to oversee preschools, trainee teachers and library projects. We are directly supporting 8,387 children and adults through our education projects.
## _**Pre-schools**_
During the year, we ran teacher training sessions for the 26 teachers on hygiene and improved the storage of toys and resources at all pre-schools.
The training session was carried out by the UK General Manager and two healthcare volunteers and used a UV Germ liquid to demonstrate the importance of good handwashing. The teachers had never seen anything like this before and were amazed to see how it worked.
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
In addition to the hygiene training, 14 of our pre-school teachers were selected by Nkhata Bay District Social Welfare team to attend a two-week training course to become Early Childhood Development Mentors. The training covered child development, learning through play, healthcare and hygiene, nutrition, children's rights and the care of children with special needs.
The building team have removed a tree and repaired cracks at Kathenthere Pre-school and the building was then repainted. Each pre-school has received new storage containers and other cleaning materials to keep resources clean and ensure the children are able to properly wash their hands before their school meal is served.
We continue to have around 900 children registered at our eight preschools. We were proud to host graduation ceremonies at all eight pre-schools in July. Almost 200 children graduated and started primary school in September. Parents were welcome to attend the ceremonies and the children showed what they had learnt during their time at pre-school. At several pre-schools, some of the children came dressed as what they want to be when they grow up including joining the army, becoming a teacher, being a nurse or doctor and for some, aspirations to be the future President. Congratulations to our teachers too.
## _**Primary Schools**_
We were able to provide teacher subject guide textbooks and sports equipment to the six primary schools we support.
We have continued to fund four trainee teachers at local primary schools to supplement the government teaching staff, and carried out maintenance at Matete Primary School.
As well as maintenance work, we received funding to provide three of the primary schools with new batteries so that the solar lighting works in their Standard 8 classrooms.
We previously funded the initial installations but the batteries, unfortunately, do not last forever. The impact of the lighting is huge as the Standard 8 pupils attend extra lessons in the evenings ahead of their end of primary school examinations.
We have continued to support the primary schools with our other projects including our Fruit Tree Project, Family Planning and Sexual Health Project and our Disabilities and Rehabilitation Project.
As well as the six schools we support, we provided fruit trees and training to a further 15 primary schools. Our Family Planning and Sexual Health team continue to support the teachers with Life Skills lessons and our Disabilities and Rehabilitation team have carried out more teacher training and awareness sessions.
## _**Kapanda Community Day Secondary School**_
With support from Fondation Eagle, we have started construction of another new double classroom block to cater for the additional students now attending the school.
We were able to provide school textbooks to the school’s library, and we received funding to purchase new science equipment including chemicals for experiments. This provides students at the school the opportunity to practice what they are learning as many schools in Malawi do not have the luxury of a science laboratory.
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
Funding also meant we could support the school with the purchase of a new printer as their old one had broken. The heavy duty printer is a key piece of equipment as the teachers rely on it for printing tests, end of year examination papers and for report writing.
The 2023 MSCE examination results for Form Four students, from both Day and Open School, saw 50% of Day Students passing and 63% of Open School students passing.
Open School is offered in the afternoon for anyone wishing to attend or repeat Secondary School. More often than not, students that can afford one more year of fees, will resit Form 4 to improve on their grades for a chance at gaining a spot at university. This year, six students from Kapanda CDSS were offered university places.
Within the top 10 were four female students and the pupil taking top spot for Day School was Victor Banda with 24 points.
## _**Community Library and Adult Literacy**_
Year-on-year the number of visitors to the library has increased and we are really pleased to see more primary school students coming to the library, mainly thanks to the expansion and development of the Children’s Reading Club.
In September 2023 we introduced five afternoon classes a week in different villages to bridge the English-learning gap in Standards 1 to 4 and help children to explore books. Each afternoon session is split into four activities including phonics, story-telling, speaking and a game.
This year, 5,191 books were borrowed from the library. We registered 2,574 Readers who came to the library to read the newspapers or books, and welcomed 99 new members.
After the successful reference book audit in 2022, the team carried out an audit of novels and children’s books during the summer of 2023. Lots of books have been donated to members of the community so that we can make way for new books for the library. We are passionate that the library stocks the most up-to-date and relevant books that the community want and need.
Allamson continues to host Adult Education classes four times a week, twice a week at Mwaya Community Library and twice a week at Mazembe Primary School, as well as an Adult Literacy class on Fridays. The students attending Adult Education are those who are enrolled in Open School at Kapanda Secondary School so Allamson provides them with extra lessons before they go to school, or they are students in the Day School system who come for after-school support. A variety of subjects are taught with English being the main priority.
## **Future Plans for Education**
- We will continue to run the eight pre-schools and ensure the children receive an early years education and daily meal of sweet potato;
- We will continue to maintain primary school buildings when funding allows;
- We will continue to fund four trainee teachers as long as funding permits; and
- ▪ We will continue to support and run the Library, Adult Education and Children’s Reading Clubs, and we will buy additional books when funding is available.
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **HEALTHCARE**
We have helped 29,178 people through our healthcare projects.
## _**Disabilities and Rehabilitation**_
Loveness Qoto, our new Disabilities and Rehabilitation Project Manager, joined the team in October 2023 as Matilda has now been promoted to support our Country Director and Senior Management team.
Before Matilda left the team, she carried out awareness training with teachers, parent groups and students to help integrate children with disabilities into local schools.
At the end of the year, we have 178 clients registered with the project, including 38 new clients. Fifty six percent are male and the average age is 11. As in 2022, 15% of our clients rely on nutritional support and 39% of the clients are not walking – a very small change on last year. We funded 23 clients to receive hospital check-ups or referrals for specialist equipment and 10 clients to have operations. Sixty two percent of clients showed improvements by the end of the year.
Unfortunately, we did not have any visiting physiotherapists this year, but we did have doctors and a nurse who supported with wound dressings, etc., on pressure sores and we welcomed a music therapy volunteer.
## _**Family Planning and Sexual Health**_
This year there has been a big emphasis on using sport to deliver health messages to youngsters at the Children’s Corners that were established in 2022.
Weekly meetings took place with youth groups and after an open learning and discussion session, they then play football or netball. This year saw more girls encouraged to play football too.
Watson and Rebecca have continued to work with schools, couples and other community groups too, encouraging the use of contraception and discuss the impact of family size on income and natural resources.
During the school sessions we are able to reach an average of 50 children at a time so the youth groups outside of school have been instrumental in reaching more youngsters. We have been working with more than 3,000 students at 12 schools and have 5,722 young people registered across nine sports teams, eight Children's Corners and various youth groups.
Watson and Rebecca also met with around 4,500 adults within our local communities. They met at village banks, women's groups (known locally as kitchen top-up groups), sports events and with couples and individuals. They also attend Under Five, antenatal and postnatal clinics.
Throughout the year we learnt that many girls are allowing boys to touch them intimately in exchange for money so they can purchase sanitary pads to be able to attend school.
Therefore, we applied for and have received funding for a pilot menstrual cup project. We hope that this will reduce the number of girls seeking funds for their sanitary products in dangerous ways. We want to address the issue by talking about consent too.
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## _**Repairs to boreholes and shallow wells**_
We received funding from Fondation Eagle to repair a further 100 boreholes in Nkhotakota District. Heavy rains delayed the start of this project but the repairs have now been carried out. We have also secured funding from two further donors to repair more boreholes in Salima District.
## **Future Plans for Healthcare**
- We will continue to support existing Disabilities and Rehabilitation clients and strengthen links with other healthcare providers such as MACOHA and Mzuzu Central Hospital Prosthetics and Orthotics Centre;
- We will assist with Healthcare building projects if funds allow;
- We will assist Mwaya Dispensary in a minor way;
- We plan to continue running and carrying out research through the Family Planning and Sexual Health project;
- We hope to provide girls with menstrual cups if funding allows; and
- We would like to continue to fundraise to repair broken wells and boreholes.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## _**Income**_
A full set of accounts are included within our Annual Report below and confirm that our total income for the year was up by £756,251 compared to the previous year to £2,568,289 (2023: £1,812,038). Our unrestricted funds increased to £1,082,805 and our restricted funds reduced to (£44,076) This shortfall on restricted funds was largely due to awaiting funds for the Changu Cookstove project which will be receiving funds when the carbon credits have been sold. We are hoping to grow our unrestricted income substantially over the coming years where possible through donations from the expansion of our carbon offsetting schemes, in addition to continuing to seek restricted project funding from Trusts, Foundations, corporate partnerships and individual donations.
## _**Expenditure**_
The total expenditure for this year was £2,031,662 (2023: £1,769,046). As a percentage of income, this was 79% compared to 97% in the previous year resulting in the increase in funds for the year of £536,627.
## _**Reserves**_
The core budgets set for 2024/25 are designed to achieve a balanced budget on the year with the aim of maintaining our current projects and expanding as and when we can afford to do so. Our policy is to maintain funds at a level which ensures that the charity can continue to provide its projects in Malawi, meet all its obligations to its staff and other stakeholders and carry through its strategic plans. In view of Ripple Africa’s dependence on its own fundraising efforts, the Trustees consider it prudent that a minimum of six months’ expenditure should be held in free reserves (general funds excluding fixed assets). At 23/24 levels, this corresponds to a target of approximately £1.0m. At 31 May 2024, the charity held restricted funds in deficit of £44,076 (2023: surplus of £264,829) due to project spend in advance of income being received, and unrestricted funds of £1,082,805, of which £789,699 were free reserves, falling slightly short of the target level. The Trustees aim to increase the balance moving forward by increasing the level of core funding received in future periods. The Trustees ensure that the reserves are monitored periodically and keep the reserves policy under regular review.
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## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **FUNDRAISING**
The Charity undertakes online activities in terms of fundraising including digital marketing and campaigns including match funding, Christmas and volunteer campaigns. No fundraising activities were carried out by either a professional fundraiser or commercial participator. The Charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and adheres to the standards of the Fundraising Code of Practice. There have been no complaints about fundraising activity this year.
Ripple Africa work with a digital marketing company for advice and to manage our Google accounts and Meta advertising.
During all online fundraising activities, Ripple Africa respects the privacy and contact preferences of donors, ensures communication is empathetic and considerate and ensures all fundraising activities are legal and ethical. Our Privacy Policy is included on our website.
## **Statement of responsibilities of the trustees**
The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- ▪ observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
13
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Report of the trustees**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
In so far as the trustees are aware:
- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
- the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.
## **Auditors**
Godfrey Wilson Limited were appointed as auditors to the charitable company during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.
Approved by the trustees on 10 February 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Geoffrey Furber MBE - Trustee
14
## **Independent auditors' report**
## **To the members and the trustees of**
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Ripple Africa (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 May 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and the related notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
## In our opinion, the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 May 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and the provisions available for small entities, in the circumstances set out in note 7 to the financial statements, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
15
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the trustees’ report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
- the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the trustees’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
## **Responsibilities of the trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out in the trustees’ report, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
16
## **Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
We have been appointed as auditor under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The procedures we carried out and the extent to which they are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, are detailed below:
(1) We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, and assessed the risk of non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Throughout the audit, we remained alert to possible indications of non-compliance.
(2) We reviewed the charity’s policies and procedures in relation to:
- Identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations, and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
- Detecting and responding to the risk of fraud, and whether they were aware of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; and
- Designing and implementing internal controls to mitigate the risk of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud.
(3) We inspected the minutes of trustee meetings.
(4) We enquired about any non-routine communication with regulators and reviewed any reports made to them.
(5) We reviewed the financial statement disclosures and assessed their compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
(6) We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected transactions or balances that may indicate a risk of material fraud or error.
(7) We assessed the risk of fraud through management override of controls and carried out procedures to address this risk. Our procedures included:
- ▪Testing the appropriateness of journal entries;
▪Assessing judgements and accounting estimates for potential bias;
- ▪Reviewing related party transactions; and
▪Testing transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.
17
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. Irregularities that arise due to fraud can be even harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charity’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of part 16 of the Companies Act 2006, and to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s members and trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity, the charity's members as a body and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Date: 10 February 2025
## **Rob Wilson FCA**
## **(Senior Statutory Auditor)**
For and on behalf of:
## **GODFREY WILSON LIMITED**
Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD
18
## **Ripple Africa**
**Statement of financial activities** _(incorporating an income and expenditure account)_
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
|Restricted
Note
£
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
3
1,316,213
Charitable activities
4
-
Investments
-
**Total income**
1,316,213
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
-
Charitable activities
1,625,118
**Total expenditure**
6
1,625,118
7
(308,905)
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
264,829
**Total funds carried forward**
(44,076)
**Net income / (expenditure) and net**
**movement in funds**|Unrestricted
£
493,461
753,445
5,170
1,252,076
150,720
255,824
406,544
845,532
237,273
1,082,805|**2024**
**Total**
**£**
**1,809,674**
**753,445**
**5,170**
**2,568,289**
**150,720**
**1,880,942**
**2,031,662**
**536,627**
**502,102**
**1,038,729**|Restated
2023
Total
£
1,765,692
45,110
1,236|
|---|---|---|---|
||||1,812,038|
||||125,582
1,643,464|
||||1,769,046|
||||42,992
459,110|
||||502,102|
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 15 to the accounts.
The 2023 expenditure and accruals comparatives have been restated for a prior period adjustment, as set out in note 19 to the accounts. Prior period expenditure has been reclassified to reflect the requirements of the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and to be comparable with the current year.
19
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Balance sheet**
## **As at 31 May 2024**
|Note
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
10
**Current assets**
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
**Liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
12
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
13
**Net assets**
14
**Funds**
15
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
**Total charity funds**
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than
1 year|**£**
**38,126**
**721,567**
**759,693**
**(14,070)**|**2024**
**£**
**293,106**
**745,623**
**1,038,729**
**-**
**1,038,729**
**(44,076)**
**1,082,805**
**1,038,729**|Restated
2023
£
232,803
18,518
357,491|
|---|---|---|---|
||||376,009
(6,710)|
||||369,299|
||||602,102
(100,000)|
||||502,102|
||||264,829
237,273|
||||502,102|
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
Approved by the trustees on 10 February 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Geoffrey Furber MBE - Trustee
20
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Statement of cash flows**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
|**Cash used in operating activities:**
Net movement in funds
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Loss on the sale of fixed assets
Increase in debtors
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
Changes in long term loans (note 16)
**Net cash provided by operating activities**
**Cash flows from investing activities:**
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
**Net cash used in investing activities**
**Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year**
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year**|**2024**
**£**
**536,627**
**85,722**
**(5,170)**
**2,680**
**(19,608)**
**7,360**
**(100,000)**
**507,611**
**5,170**
**(148,705)**
**(143,535)**
**364,076**
**357,491**
**721,567**|2023
£
42,992
63,104
(1,236)
3,190
(6,280)
(86,552)
100,000|
|---|---|---|
|||115,218|
|||1,236
(100,180)|
|||(98,944)|
|||16,274
341,217|
|||357,491|
Analysis of net changes in debt is given in note 16.
21
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
**1. Accounting policies**
## **a) General information and basis of preparation**
Ripple Africa is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. The registered office address is Whiteleaf Business Centre, 11 Little Balmer, Buckingham, MK18 1TF.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Ripple Africa meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
## **b) Going concern basis of accounting**
The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
## **c) Income**
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
## **d) Donated services and facilities**
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item, is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised.
On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
## **e) Interest receivable**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
22
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **1. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **f) Funds accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.
## **g) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
## **h) Allocation of support and governance costs**
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities based on the proportion of resources and floor space occupied by each activity as follows:
|ws:|||
|---|---|---|
||**2024**|2023|
|Raising funds|**40.0%**|40.0%|
|Charitable activities|**60.0%**|60.0%|
## **i) Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:
|Buildings|25 years straight line|
|---|---|
|Furniture and equipment|3 years straight line|
|Motor vehicles|25% reducing balance|
|Other tangible fixed assets|3 years straight line|
Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £1,000.
## **j) Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **k) Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
23
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **1. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **l) Creditors**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
## **m) Financial instruments**
The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **n) Pension costs**
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. There are no further liabilities other than that already recognised in the SOFA.
## **o) Foreign currency transactions**
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Balances denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the year end.
## **p) Accounting estimates and key judgements**
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements is depreciation as described in note 1(i) above.
24
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **2. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities (restated)**
|**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Investments
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
Charitable activities
**Total expenditure**
**3.**
**Income from donations and legacies**
Donations and gift aid
Grants
**Total income from donations and legacies**
**Prior period comparative (restated):**
Donations and gift aid
Grants
**Total income from donations and legacies**
**Net income / (expenditure) and net movement in**
**funds**|Restricted
£
£
1,412,375
353,317
-
45,110
-
1,236
1,412,375
399,663
-
125,582
1,596,976
46,488
1,596,976
172,070
(184,601)
227,593
Restricted
£
£
906,615
493,461
409,598
-
1,316,213
493,461
Restricted
£
£
948,610
345,627
463,765
7,690
1,412,375
353,317
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Unrestricted|2023
Total
£
1,765,692
45,110
1,236|
|---|---|---|
|||1,812,038|
|||125,582
1,643,464|
|||1,769,046|
|||42,992|
|||**2024**
**Total**
**£**
**1,400,076**
**409,598**|
|||**1,809,674**|
|||2023
Total
£
1,294,237
471,455|
|||1,765,692|
25
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **4. Income from charitable activities**
|Carbon credits
Contracts
**Total income from charitable activities**|Restated
**2024**
2023
**Total**
Total
**£**
£
**66,400**
45,110
**687,045**
-
**753,445**
45,110|
|---|---|
All income from charitable activities in the current and prior year was unrestricted.
## **5. Government grants**
The charitable company receives government grants, defined as funding from The State of Guernsey and UNESCO to fund charitable activities. The total value of such grants in the period ending 31 May 2024 was £125,476 (2023: £100,304). There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attaching to these grants in either the current or prior year.
26
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **6. Total expenditure**
|Environment
Wages and salaries Malawi (note 8)
Motor expenses
Wages and salaries UK (note 8)
Projects
Depreciation
Health
Buildings
Education
Marketing, advertising and website
Office expenses
Travel & subsistence
Governance costs
Fundraising costs
Bank charges
Training
Foreign currency (gain) / loss
**Sub-total**
Allocation of support and governance costs
**Total expenditure**
Total governance costs were £11,939 (2023: £ 7,153).|Raising funds
£
-
-
-
76,516
-
-
-
-
-
40,839
-
-
-
11,132
-
-
-
128,487
22,233
**150,720**|Charitable
activities
£
749,990
333,487
328,740
43,784
95,403
85,722
84,405
59,884
42,279
-
-
23,898
-
-
-
-
-
1,847,592
33,350
**1,880,942**|Support and
governance
£
-
-
-
22,448
-
-
-
-
-
-
40,240
689
11,939
-
5,383
93
(25,209)
55,583
(55,583)
**-**|**2024 Total**
**£**
**749,990**
**333,487**
**328,740**
**142,748**
**95,403**
**85,722**
**84,405**
**59,884**
**42,279**
**40,839**
**40,240**
**24,587**
**11,939**
**11,132**
**5,383**
**93**
**(25,209)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**2,031,662**
**-**|
|||||**2,031,662**|
||||||
27
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
|**6.**
**Total expenditure (continued)**
**Prior period comparative (restated)**
Environment
Motor expenses
Wages and salaries Malawi (note 8)
Buildings
Wages and salaries UK (note 8)
Projects
Depreciation
Fundraising costs
Health
Education
Office expenses
Marketing, advertising and website
Travel & subsistence
Governance costs
Bank charges
(Profit) / loss on sale of fixed assets
Telephone and fax
Foreign currency (gain) / loss
**Sub-total**
Allocation of support and governance costs
**Total expenditure**|Raising funds
£
-
-
-
-
49,100
-
-
56,348
-
-
-
11,325
766
-
-
-
-
-
117,539
8,043
**125,582**|Charitable
activities
£
742,810
277,727
267,287
107,367
44,558
75,132
63,104
-
43,691
25,547
-
-
6,897
7,153
4,571
3,190
-
(37,634)
1,631,400
12,064
**1,643,464**|Support and
governance
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20,085
-
-
-
-
-
22
-
20,107
(20,107)
**-**|2023 Total
£
742,810
277,727
267,287
107,367
93,658
75,132
63,104
56,348
43,691
25,547
20,085
11,325
7,663
7,153
4,571
3,190
22
(37,634)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||1,769,046
-|
|||||**1,769,046**|
28
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
**7. Net movement in funds**
This is stated after charging:
|Depreciation
Operating lease payments
Trustees' remuneration
Trustees' reimbursed expenses
Auditors' remuneration: statutory audit (excluding VAT)|**2024**
**£**
**85,722**
**19,360**
**Nil**
**2,594**
**8,000**|2023
£
63,104
16,800
Nil
Nil
6,450|
|---|---|---|
Trustees' reimbursed expenses relates to travel, subsistence and accomodation for one trustee (2023: £nil).
In common with other charities of our size and nature we use our auditors to assist with the preparation of the financial statements. Our auditors have also provided consultancy services to the charity during the post year-end period.
## **8. Staff costs and numbers**
Staff costs were as follows:
|Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs|**2024**
**£**
**426,148**
**18,188**
**31,899**
**476,235**|2023
£
327,797
4,482
28,666|
|---|---|---|
|||360,945|
No employee earned more than £60,000 during the current or prior year.
The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the Trustees. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £nil (2023: £nil).
|Average head count:
UK staff
Malawian staff|**2024**
2023
**No.**
No.
**4**
3
**220**
165
**224**
168|
|---|---|
29
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **9. Taxation**
The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
## **10. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 June 2023
Additions in year
Disposals
At 31 May 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 June 2023
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 May 2024
**Net book value**
**At 31 May 2024**
At 31 May 2023|Land and
buildings
**£**
84,560
-
-
84,560
29,334
2,933
-
32,267
**52,293**
55,226|Furniture
and
equipment
**£**
39,407
-
(33,562)
5,845
36,488
1,948
(33,562)
4,874
**971**
2,919|Motor
vehicles
**£**
372,956
148,705
(9,465)
512,196
198,298
80,841
(6,785)
272,354
**239,842**
174,658|Other
tangible
fixed
assets
**£**
9,340
-
-
9,340
9,340
-
-
9,340
**-**
-|**Total**
**£**
**506,263**
**148,705**
**(43,027)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**611,941**|
||||||**273,460**
**85,722**
**(40,347)**|
||||||**318,835**|
||||||**293,106**|
||||||232,803|
30
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **11. Debtors**
|Prepayments
Other debtors
**12. Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year**
Accruals
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
**13. Creditors: amounts falling due after 1 year**
Loan (note 18)|**2024**
**£**
**3,792**
**34,334**
**38,126**
**2024**
**£**
**9,851**
**1,922**
**2,297**
**14,070**
**2024**
**£**
-|2023
£
2,881
15,637|
|---|---|---|
|||18,518|
|||Restated
2023
£
6,710
-
-|
|||6,710|
|||2023
£
100,000|
31
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **14. Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
**Net assets at 31 May 2024**
**Prior period comparative**
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
**Net assets at 31 May 2023**|£
-
(44,076)
-
**(44,076)**
£
-
264,829
-
-
264,829
Restricted
funds
Restricted
funds|£
-
-
-
**-**
£
-
37,798
-
-
37,798
Designated
funds
Designated
funds|£
293,106
803,769
(14,070)
**1,082,805**
£
232,803
73,382
(6,710)
(100,000)
199,475
General
funds
General
funds|**Total**
**funds**
**£**
**293,106**
**759,693**
**(14,070)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**1,038,729**|
|||||Total
funds
£
232,803
376,009
(6,710)
(100,000)|
|||||502,102|
32
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **15. Movements in funds**
|**Movements in funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Restricted funds**
Boreholes
Building
Changu
Education
Fish
Growing the Future
Health
Tree and Forest
**Total restricted funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
_Designated funds:_
_Total designated funds_
**Unrestricted funds**
General funds
**Total unrestricted funds**
**Total funds**|Restated
At 1 June
2023
£
22,618
4,993
87,379
18,603
56,988
35,221
1,969
37,058
264,829
37,798
37,798
199,475
237,273
502,102|Income
£
27,618
57,273
315,010
82,905
546,313
71,060
9,790
206,244
1,316,213
-
-
1,252,076
1,252,076
2,568,289|£
(77,076)
(77,721)
(523,672)
(73,165)
(569,524)
(58,848)
(23,888)
(221,224)
(1,625,118)
-
-
(406,544)
(406,544)
(2,031,662)
Expenditure|£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(37,798)
(37,798)
37,798
-
-
Transfers
between
funds|**£**
**(26,840)**
**(15,455)**
**(121,283)**
**28,343**
**33,777**
**47,433**
**(12,129)**
**22,078**
**At 31 May**
**2024**|
||||||**(44,076)**|
||||||-|
||||||-|
||||||**1,082,805**|
||||||**1,082,805**|
||||||**1,038,729**|
## **Purposes of restricted funds**
Boreholes We work closely with District Councils to repair broken boreholes to provide communities with clear water.
Building Large building projects.
Changu We introduced a fuel-efficient cookstove to provide a safer and more sustainable alternative to the traditional three-stone fire. These are locally known as the Changu Changu Moto which translates to Fast Fast Fire.
Education
To improve local education in Malawi, we run eight pre-schools, support six primary schools and a secondary school. We also run Children’s Reading Clubs and Adult Education classes, and a community library in and around the community of Mwaya, in Nkhata Bay District.
33
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **15. Movements in funds (continued)**
## **Purposes of restricted funds (continued)**
Fish To address the problem of over-fishing, we started fish conservation in 2011 in Nkhata Bay District of Malawi. We developed a simple approach which we trialled along a 40 km area of lakeshore in the District. It was so successful that more communities wanted this approach and we are now working in five Districts and protect 736km of lakeshore.
Growing the Future Through our Agriculture teams we are supporting families to grow improved orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, a variety of fruit trees as well as create sustainable farming businesses. We share simple techniques which get effective results and grow the futures of communities in Malawi. Health To improve local healthcare in Malawi, Africa, we run a disabilities and rehabilitation project supporting over 180 children and their families. We also run a family planning and sexual health project. Tree and Forest As a result of deforestation in Malawi we run a tree planting project which is one of the largest and most successful tree planting projects in Malawi, with about two million trees planted each year. We also run a forest conservation project to enable the local communities to protect their forests.
## **Transfers**
Transfers between funds represent funds no longer required to be designated by the charity.
## **Funds in deficit**
Funds in deficit represent charitable programmes which are continuing activities and for which the charity has secured funding in the post year-end period.
34
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **15. Movements in funds (continued) Prior period comparative (restated)**
|**Restricted funds**
Restricted reserve
**Total restricted funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
Designated funds
_Total designated funds_
General funds
**Total unrestricted funds**
**Total funds**|At 1 June
2022
£
449,430
449,430
40,731
40,731
(31,051)
9,680
459,110|Income
£
1,412,375
1,412,375
-
-
399,663
399,663
1,812,038|£
(1,596,976)
(1,596,976)
(2,933)
(2,933)
(169,137)
(172,070)
(1,769,046)
Expenditure|£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Transfers
between
funds|£
264,829
At 31 May
2023|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||264,829|
||||||37,798|
||||||37,798|
||||||199,475|
||||||237,273|
||||||502,102|
## **16. Analysis of changes in net debt**
|Cash
**Total**
Loans falling due after 1
year|At 1 June
2023
357,491
357,491
100,000
457,491|364,077
364,077
-
364,077
Cash flows|-
-
(100,000)
(100,000)
Other non-
cash
movements|**721,568**
**At 31 May**
**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**721,568**
**-**|
|||||**721,568**|
35
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **17. Operating lease commitments**
The charity had operating leases at the year end with total future minimum lease payments as follows:
|follows:|||
|---|---|---|
|Amount falling due:
Within 1 year
Within 1 - 5 years|**2024**
**£**
**24,480**
**91,800**
**116,280**|2023
£
12,600
-|
|||12,600|
## **18. Related party transactions**
Geoffrey Furber and Gabrielle Jackson, trustees, are also directors of Vimiti Limited (08412595). During the prior year, Vimiti Limited loaned Ripple Africa £100,000. During the year to 31 May 2024, Vimiti Limited opted to write off the full amount as a donation to the charity. There were no amounts outstanding relating to this transaction as of 31 May 2024 (2023: £100,000).
Under a profit sharing agreement, Ripple Africa was entitled to proceeds from the sale of carbon credits owned by Vimiti Limited. This amount totalled £66,400 (2023: £45,110), no amounts were outstanding relating to these transactions at the end of either period.
In addition to the above, Vimiti Limited made donations of £99,600 (2023: £67,665) to Ripple Africa. No amounts were outstanding at the end of either period.
Trustee aggregate donations for the year ending 31 May 2024 were £11,373 (2023: £nil).
36
## **Ripple Africa**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2024**
## **19. Prior period restatements**
## _Accruals_
Prior period funds, accruals and expenditure have been restated to remove an accrual for an internal bank transfer. This has affected the prior year comparatives as follows:
## **Funds brought forward**
The funds brought forward have been affected as follows:
|£
Funds as originally stated at 31 May 2023
264,829
Adjustment to accruals
-
Funds as restated at 31 May 2023
264,829
**Creditors: amounts due within 1 year**
The accruals balance has been affected as follows:
Balance as originally stated at 31 May 2023
Adjustment for accruals
Balance restated at 31 May 2023
Restricted
funds|£
37,798
-
37,798
Designated
funds|£
105,731
93,744
199,475
General
funds|Total
funds
£
408,358
93,744|
|---|---|---|---|
||||502,102|
||||£
100,454
(93,744)|
||||6,710|
## **Expenditure**
Expenditure balances shown in the SoFA have been affected as follows:
|Expenditure as originally stated at 31 May 2023
Adjustment for accruals
Expenditure as restated at 31 May 2023|£
1,596,976
-
1,596,976
Restricted
funds|£
£
2,933
262,881
-
(93,744)
2,933
169,137
Designated
funds
Unrestricted
funds|Total
funds
£
1,862,790
(93,744)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||1,769,046|
## _Income classifications_
Prior period income has been reclassified between donations and carbon credits to better reflect the requirements of the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and to be comparable with the current year. There is no change to the total income or net movement in funds for this restatement.
## _Expenditure classifications_
Prior period expenditure has been restated for the reclassification of expenditure between SoFA headings. to better reflect the requirements of the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and to be comparable with the current year. There is no change to the total expenditure or net movement in funds for this restatement.
37