2020-12-31-accounts

Uganda River of Life Ministries

UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Charity No. 1110595

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2020

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: [e-mail]

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2020

Contents

Report of the Trustees	3 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees	7
Statement of Financial Activities	6
Statement of Financial Position	8
Notes to the Financial Statements	9 to 11

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: [e-mail]

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2020

Uganda River of Life Ministries Trustees Report 2020

1. Preamble

Uganda River of Life Ministries (UROLM) is a Charitable Trust. The Governing Document is a Deed dated 28[th] June 2005, as amended by Deeds of Variation on 1[st] July 2013 & 2[nd] June 2016.

The Trustees meet at least twice a year. The Trust does not have an office.

Correspondence address is 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB. Web site: www.riveroflifeuganda.org, Email: [e-mail]

Our Bankers are: HSBC Bank plc, 20-21 Electric Parade, George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 2LX

Our Accounts are independently examined by Nigel Gough, 5 Paprika Close, Earley, Reading, RG6 5GT

2. Trustees

The Trustees for the period January to December 2020 were:

Robert Davies (Chair of Trustees), Ian Drake (Treasurer, died Jan 2021), Margaret Poulter New Trustees are identified and appointed by the existing Trustees.

3. Summary of objects as set out in the governing document

1. To advance the Christian faith.

2. To relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship.

UROLM receives funds from UK donors for the support of River of Life Church (ROLC), Masaka, Uganda, a separately constituted and registered Ugandan church and NGO.

These funds are used to –

1. Spread the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ.

2. Provide spiritual and material assistance for those in need in the congregation and locality; in particular through Community Outreach, Training and Discipleship, and Prayer and Healing Programmes. The most significant Projects within these Programmes in terms of scope and impact are:

3. 1) Community Outreach – meeting the spiritual and material needs of the most vulnerable within Nyendo, Masaka

4. 2) Kitovu Hospital Neonatal Unit: funding the staffing and ongoing costs of running a Neonatal Unit caring for up to 30 babies a month.

5. 3) The White Eagle Project: providing emergency residential, resettlement and community-based care of up to 30 orphan and vulnerable children, with a particular focus on children who have suffered abuse and neglect.

6. 4) ROL Leadership Academy: providing post-O Level education, mentoring and training schemes for young people from Masaka.

7. 5) Synergy Sports Strategy: uses sport to help young people realise their full potential through training, discipleship and mentoring.

8. 6) Masaka Prayer Mountain: developing a prayer centre on a c.25-acre site just outside Masaka Municipality, Uganda.

9. 7) Mission: the promotion of cross-cultural mission trips, both short and long-term.

4. The main activities of UROLM

• Fundraising for the work of River of Life Church (ROLC)

• Mobilising spiritual and material support by implementing a Communications Strategy

• Overseeing the River of Life Missionary Programmes, which facilitates short and long-term visits to River of Life Church in Uganda from the UK.

• Ensuring UROLM is following all good governance guidance, and conforming to best practise in its fundraising and communications.

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information

Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: [e-mail]

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2020

Although River of Life Church (Uganda) is fully responsible for its own strategic and operational decisions, advice is sought, and given, by UROLM Trustees for the effective running of River of Life Church. Mary Kibaya and Rob Davies, are members of the Board of River of Life Church, Uganda, whilst Margaret Poulter visits River of Life Church Uganda annually.

5. Chairman’s Report – Rob Davies

2020 saw UROLM raise £96,215, 99% of which was spent on Charitable Activities. Raising this amount of money represents an amazing achievement, and the Trustees wish to thank and appreciate all the volunteers, supporters and friends of the wider River of Life family for making it possible.

Governance

The Trustees met on three occasions via Zoom to review our financial position; plan and implement strategies for Fundraising, Communications, Mission and Governance; identify and mitigate for any areas of risk. Unfortunately our treasurer Ian suffered ill-health from mid-way through 2019, and was unable to attend Trustees Meetings through 2020. Very sadly he passed away in January 2021. All of River of Life will miss him greatly, both as a friend and as an extremely competent treasurer. As a result, and not least due to the demands placed on the remaining team by the coronavirus pandemic, our accounts will again be filed late this year. We plan to be back on track with filing our Annual Return for the year 2021.

We remain keenly aware of the need to expand and develop our team to be able to meet the needs experienced by River of Life Church, but were unsuccessful in doing so in this period.

Fundraising

Our fundraising has continued to focus on Individuals, Events, Church & School Partnerships, and Trusts. We are indebted to the generosity of a large number of long-term supporters who continue to sponsor children and young people, give extra when the need is greater, and wholeheartedly support the vision and mission of UROLM in its support of the work of ROLC.

The trustees would like to extend their profound appreciation to everyone who has supported the work of River of Life Church financially, and are humbled by the level of sacrificial giving they have seen.

Communications

Our main form of communication throughout 2020 was through our Facebook Page, and through updates to regular supporters of the White Eagle Project with a Newsletter, Manager's & School Reports, handwritten letters and photos for each sponsor.

Mission

We continued to support our Long-term Mission partners, Lisa Meadows and Sarah Beale, both of whom have moved on to new ministries.

6. The work of River of Life Church

River of Life Church is a registered Ugandan Company, No. 58534 and Registered Ugandan NGO No. 3394. The Elders and Directors of River of Life Church are Mary Kibaya, David Nyongesa, Emily Ojambo, Betty Kwagala, and Rob Davies. Mary Kibaya acts as the key contact point between the two organisations, and although unable to visit Uganda in person in this period, was able to take an active role in the Board of Elders and other activities of the church via Zoom, Whatsapp and other online tools.

The ROLC Board continued to send monthly statements of expenditure under budgeted headings and has sent us audited accounts for 2020. Trustee Margaret Poulter visited in January to monitor the work, identify any needs and give support. The Trustees remain highly confident in the operational capacity and financial management of the ROLC Team.

The various ministries of the church were profoundly impacted by the pandemic, with Uganda suffering the longest school closures of any country. However, the church was able to meet via Zoom for those who could get internet access, and the Ministry teams continued to operate, as outlined below:

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: [e-mail]

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2020

Community Outreach Programmes

ROLC!s Community Outreach programmes normally include weekly visits to the Hospital and Prison, and support to the Kitovu NeoNatal Unit. Overall responsibility for this department lies with Director Kwagala Betty, who retired from her paid position in this period. The main aim of these programmes is to address the immediate and pressing spiritual and material needs of the community.

1) Community Outreach ministries were severely curtailed by the pandemic, with the hospital and prison closed to visitors due to the pandemic. However, the teams were still ablet o support needy families, of which there were many, with emergency food parcels and other support.

2) Kitovu Hospital Neonatal Unit Ministry funds the staffing and development of the Neonatal Unit at Kitovu Hospital, Masaka. The Neonatal Unit continued to work throughout the restrictions, and supported up to 30 premature babies a month born in the hospital and admitted from outside.

Training and Discipleship Programme

Four programmes under Training and Discipleship continued in 2020, although again, severely restricted by the pandemic. Overall responsibility for this department rests with Director Emily Ojambo. The main aim of these programmes is to realize real and lasting transformation in people’s lives and their communities.

1) White Eagle Project (WEP) . The WEP provides temporary residential care for severely at-risk children, and community-based care for at-risk children. It does this through (i) supporting Education, (ii) intensive Mentoring, (iii) supporting Health, (iv) promoting a Safe and Secure Home environment and (v) Resettlement and Rehabilitation. With Schools closed, and most of our children on home-visits when lockdown started, it fell to the team to initiate and support parents with "home-learning# as much as they could.

2) Synergy Sports Strategy uses sport to promote healthy lifestyles, provides opportunities for mentoring and discipleship and helps young people reach their God-given potential.

3) Discipleship Groups : ROLC has 6 different discipleship groups, but the pandemic stopped in-person meetings. Most were able to keep going however with a combination of online and informal support. These included: Youth Group, The Amazing Generation (young adults group), Marrieds, Women of Honour, Schools Ministry and Children’s Church. Each group provides a forum for peer-led discipleship and training. By the end of the year we were able to hold socially distanced Conferences, the highlight of which was supporting 150 girls with sanitary pads.

4) ROL Leadership Academy raises up young leaders from Masaka through Leadership Training and Education Bursaries and also gives an opportunity to White Eagle children who show leadership potential to continue their education. Unfortunately the Universities and places of Higher Education the young people are enrolled in were closed for 2020.

Prayer and Healing Programme

The main activity in 2020, once socially distanced gatherings were allowed again, was regular Prayer and Worship meetings on Masaka Prayer Mountain, including our monthly Worship Meeting called "Organic

Worship.# There remains one civil court case associated with the development of c. 25 acres at Misaali, Masaka, and continued threat of disruption means we have to have permanent security presence there. The church planted in 2016 continues to grow.

Operations and Mission

The ROLC Finance Team continued to strengthen financial reporting, cash control mechanisms, requisition and approval processes, budget reporting, and expenditure reporting. Monthly receipts under budgetary headings were supplied to UROLM, together with audited accounts for 2020.

The ROLC Farm progressed well under the stewardship of the Farm Manager, whilst the New Church Plants in Bujja, a village about 3 miles from Nyendo, and Misaali continued to develop.

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: [e-mail]

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2020

7. The Future

2021 will again see us need to strengthen our UK Team to meet the challenges of fundraising for the continued excellent work of River of Life Church. Replacing Ian as our Treasurer and ensuring we maintain his high standards of financial control are a priority.

In Uganda, focus will continue to be on the development of Masaka Prayer Mountain and building the White Eagle Home.

Increasing the number of core, regular supporters, financial and prayer, is critical for the continued development of UROLM, whilst accessing Trusts and Grants for eligible ministries such as the White Eagle Project and the Leadership Academy is crucial to ensure their ongoing success.

Particular thanks must be expressed to all our donors and friends. Without their support ROLC would be unable to have the impact that it has. In addition, the Trustees would like to especially remember Ian Drake, who’s personal generosity and commitment to the ministry have been so inspirational, our founders Mary and her late husband Duncan, and all the staff and volunteers of River of Life Church, without whom the ministry would be unable to achieve what it has achieved.

Rob Davies, UROLM Chairman, 17[h] July 2022

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: [e-mail]

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2020

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance 'public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Name of Charity UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Charity registration number 1110595 Principal address 97 THE AVENUE MORTIMER COMMON READING RG7 3RB

Trustees

The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Mr Ian David Scott Drake Mrs Margaret Joan Poulter Mr Robert Davies Independent examiners: Nigel Gough 5 Paprika Close Earley Reading RG6 5GT Bankers: HSBC Bank Plc 29-21 Electric Parade George Lane, South Woodford London E18 2LX

Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by

Robert Davies

........................................................................... Mr Robert Davies, Trustee Date ................................................................... 13th August 2022

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: [e-mail]

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2020

Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiners statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

2. The accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Nigel Gough

...........................................................................

Nigel Gough 5 Paprika Close Earley Reading RG6 5GT

10th August 2022 Date ________

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: [e-mail]

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS for the Year ended 31st December, 2020

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS

			FUNDS 2020		TOTAL
					FUNDS
	Notes	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	2019
RECEIPTS :		£	£	£	£
Voluntary Receipts	2a	37,955	58,259	96,213	91,698
TOTAL RECEIPTS		37,955	58,259	96,213	91,698
PAYMENTS :
Charitable Activities	3a	45,770	50,070	95,840	89,419
Raising Funds	3b	769	0	769	480
TOTAL PAYMENTS		46,538	50,070	96,608	89,899
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES		-8,584	8,189	-395	1,799
Fund Transfers		8,595	-8,595	0
Balances Brought Forward		39	5,052	5,092	3,293
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD		50	4,646	4,696	5,092
	STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
		Unrestricted	Restricted	Total at	Total at
		Funds	Funds	31/12/20	31/12/19
CASH FUNDS		£	£	£	£
ASSETS
HSBC Current Account		48	4,589	4,637	5,030
HSBC Deposit Account		2	60	62	61
		50	4,649	4,699	5,091
LIABILITIESAccounts examination				480	480

TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which comply with the regulations set out in the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees have elected to take advantage of the provisions that apply to small charities and have prepared a receipts & payments account and statement of assets & liabilities.

Approved by the Trustees on ……………...….……...…... and

Signed on their behalf by ………………………………………..., Robert Davies, Chairman

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information

Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB

w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: [e-mail]

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UGANDA RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the Year ended 31st December, 2020

1. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

The accounts have been prepared under the “Receipts and Payments” basis as prescribed by the Charity Commissioners, and they meet the appropriate legal requirements. All operations are

a) Voluntary Receipts Non Gift Aid donations Gift Aid Donations GASDS Donations Income Tax Recovered Interest Note a) Charitable Activities Grants to Institutions in Uganda: ROLC Operations & expenses White Eagle Children's Project Community Health & Outreach: Community Outreach Kitovu Baby Unit Synergy Sports Bujja Farm development Discipleship Groups Leadership Academy Prayer Mountain Missions expenses Grants to Individuals in Uganda/UK: ROL Church Director Missionary (contract ROLSB11101) Missionary (contract ROLLM16401) Bank Charges Phone calls, postage & software Insurance & Subscriptions Consultancy & examination b) Raising Funds Website development & maintenance Publishing expenses Fundraising expenses Travel 3. PAYMENTS 2. RECEIPTS	Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ £ 6,420 17,256 23,676 29,500 16,530 41,003 57,533 49,279 0 0 0 0 15,005 0 15,005 12,916 0 0 0 2 FUNDS 2020 TOTAL FUNDS 2019
	37,955 58,259 96,213 91,697
	Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ £ 16,292 14,191 30,483 15,713 21,235 21,235 26,503 8,564 3,425 1,920 5,345 7,031 3,850 10,881 2,249 2,249 6,420 1,733 0 1,733 1,575 730 730 808 1,331 1,331 6,145 3,131 560 3,691 3,749 0 0 0 12,672 12,672 12,454 552 3,148 3,700 4,416 587 600 1,187 1,349 60 256 316 505 10 10 85 277 277 264 0 0 870 FUNDS 2020 TOTAL FUNDS 2019
	45,770 50,070 95,840 89,420
	527 527 480 0 0 0 216 216 0 26 26 0
	769 0 769 480

© UROLM Proprietary and Confidential Information

Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB

w: www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: [e-mail]

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4. PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES

Reimbursment of expenses: Postage 0 TOTAL 0

5. INSURANCE

In accordance with a provision in the Constitution of the Trust, Trustee Indemnity insurance has been effected with Ansvar as part of a Policy which includes Public Liability in the UK and various other cover.

6. RISK ASSESSMENT

As the Trust does not own any tangible property, nor does it undertake projects in its own right, the main risks to which it is exposed concern remittances going astray or being mis-applied with the consequent risk of adverse publicity and blame by either or both supporters and intended beneficiaries. It seeks to address these risks by using proprietary financial institutions to hold and transfer funds, requiring regular detailed reports from beneficiaries, and trustee visits to supported projects.

7. RESERVES POLICY

The Objects of the Trust are to advance the Christian Faith and to relieve persons who are in conditions of need and hardship. It does this by making Grants for specific activities and projects but without entering into ongoing legal contracts.

It does not own, rent or lease any premises or equipment. In this sense it only distributes funds which are already in hand, and has no need to set aside Funds in Reserve.

However, recognising that certain of the projects which Uganda River of Life Ministries supports have come to rely substantially upon this support, the abrupt withdrawal of which may cause considerable disruption and hardship, but mindful also of both the pressing and immediate need for which the Funds have been raised and that there may be future uncertainties in fundraising, the Trust seeks, over a period of time, to accumulate modest Reserves equivalent to three months’ current expenditure.

8. PUBLIC BENEFIT

The charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or 'aims' that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in the Trustees report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

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Reg. Charity in England & Wales No. 1110595 Reg. Address 97 The Avenue, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3RB

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