Annual Report & Accounts September 2024 Partnerships for Change ## **THANK YOU** While I was visiting the Diapalante Community Education Centre in January I was touched by the sincerity of a small event I witnessed and I wanted to share it with you, our supporters.. A large lady bustled in to the Centre with 2 young adults in their late teens or early 20s, in tow behind her. She was looking for Mamadou, the Centre’s co-ordinator. I couldn’t understand the words of her animated conversation which was in Wolof, but her repeated thanks and gestures to the bag she had been carrying were obvious. Her children stood behind her silent until she had finished then after smiles and hugs all-round the three left. There was no doubting the woman’s sincerity and Mamadou explained to me that her daughter had passed her baccalaureate so both her children had now left school with good results. She was proud of them and wanted to express her gratitude to Diapalante as she attributed their success to the help they had received at the Centre. Her present was sachets of cold drinking water, so pleasant in the sweltering afternoon heat. It had little financial value but was a thoughtful gesture which she could afford. I wanted to share this incident because, for me, it beautifully demonstrates how valued are for the opportunities to learn that Diapalante gives. Liz Chandler Trustee **3** ## **Message from the Trustees** Welcome to our annual report. This year most of the report is short descriptions of a few of the hundreds of people the Diapalante Community Education Centre has been able to help. We have enjoyed choosing which stories to share the from the many accounts. We tried to choose a representative selection and hope we have kept the essence of the stories while condensing them for publication. We cut out so much more than space allows us to share with you. What we can show is the tip of the iceberg, there is no illustration of how the children and teenagers all love to use the coloured crayons we have been given, how Google Earth shows that the world is a sphere, the delight at creating the simplest electric circuit. Maybe we should remember these ideas for next years annual report! This report is our chance to thank you all for giving us the opportunity to change these lives, to help people see and understand and move forward with more skills to use in their future lives. We greatly value your support in responding so positively to our appeals for the money and goods. Thank you for the MONEY needed to pay the bills in Senegal - premises rent, electricity, water, wages for 2 staff, printer ink and paper, etc etc. Thank you also for the donated GOODS - the sewing machines needed to allow the reusable period pads project to move forward. Also the crayons, games and craft items. These make the Centre a special place and can be shipped as packing - filling the boxes containing sewing machines and computers. Please continue to help when you can. Every donation helps WE IIEE Donating money regularly or occasionally Participating ina sponsored challenge En Fr Organising a f undraising event Donating skills, translation graphic design SOME OF THE MANY WAYS PEOPLE SUPPORTED US THIS YEAR Jc Donating educational games Donatlng sewing machines eu us Schools, businesses, village halls, churches and other organisations Become a trustee. eu We wel¢ome sta¢king ¢halrs, ¢oryuters and lap*ops, coloured pencils, scissors, **5** ## **Contents** Thank you ___________________________________________ 2 Message from the trustees ______________________________ 3 Every donation helps __________________________________ 4 Introduction to the Diapalante Community Education Centre __ 6 Learning opportunities for primary school pupils ____________ 8 Learning opportunities for teenagers_____________________ 10 Learning opportunities for adults ________________________ 12 Diapalante - Looking Outside the Centre __________________ 14 Our friends in South Africa _____________________________ 16 Financial report ______________________________________ 17 Diapalante UK news __________________________________ 16 Our friends in South Africa _____________________________ 16 Financial report ______________________________________ 17 Governance _________________________________________ 18 Administrative details and objectives ____________________ 20 Accounts ___________________________________________ 21 Please consider donating ________________________ back cover **6** The Diapalante Community Education Centre is located in the suburbs of Kaolack, a large city in Senegal, known for its huge covered market and its high rate of malaria. Mamadou, the Centre’s co-ordinator, explains how the Centre helps people progress. “ _People come to the Centre because they hope that education will help them to improve life for themselves and their families. The Diapalante Centre is a great mixing pot where children and adults, from a_ _great variety of backgrounds come together to learn - they may use the library , the computers or come to some of the lessons and activities we offer. Our membership is free to ensure that those in most need can attend. We encourage members to contribute their skills and so some members both learn and teach while others help with different tasks around the Centre._ _Some people who come to the Centre have never had any formal education. They often learn fast because illiteracy has little to do with intelligence, it is generally a symptom of a lack of opportunity to learn. Even today, there are children, like those talibes who learn only the Qur’an and don’t get the chance to go to school. They may be knowledgeable in traditional ways, able to read the weather or care for herds of animals in ways of which I lack the knowledge._ _Some adults come to the Centre because, as Senegal progresses, their job changes in nature and they have to start keeping written sales records but can’t write; others have to use computers within their job but haven’t got the training. Other adults come to improve or gain skills needed for various jobs.”_ . **7** It may be less obvious why school pupils come to Diapalante as well as attending school. However, there are many problems such as shortages of textbooks and very large classes, Other problems are outlined below. These make it difficult for pupils to reach their full potential without addition help. _Unusually we include here a synopsis of a speech by a politician, Senegal’s president. His address closely mirrors our observations and the reasons people often give for seeking Diapalante’s help on their learning journey. Having identified many of the problems let us hope he can solve them._ _In June the new Senegalese president Bassirou Diomaye Faye outlined the need for a radical evaluation and change of Senegal’s education system citing outdated curriculums that fail to address contemporary digital challenges and so fail to prepare students for the job market in Senegal._ _He emphasised the pressing need to address issues faced by schools including student drop-out rates, inadequate infrastructure, and teacher shortages amidst rising enrolment._ _The President advocated improving teaching quality by bolstering teacher training institutions at all levels._ _He highlighted the need to systematically develop the teaching of digital literacy in schools and the need to adopt digital technologies throughout the school system._ _Finally he stressed the urgency of evaluating and restructuring to consider teaching in the national languages, the general introduction of the teaching of English from elementary school and the continuous and pragmatic integration of the "Daaras" (Qur’anic schools) into the education system._ **8** ## **Learning Opportunities fo** The local primary schools have a large intake, often with two classes per school year. Two classes but only one classroom so some children attend in the morning and some in the afternoon. The first hurdle that children face at primary school is the need to learn French and to learn it fast. While there are multiple national languages, Wolof being the most widely used, there is only one official language, French. French is the language of school exams but is not often used in day to day family and social settings. This is a big hurdle for children, success in school and later in many office jobs requires a sound understanding of written and spoken French. Diapalante runs after school activities in the playground three days a week. Teenagers, trained as Young Leaders, each lead a small group of children in a fun activity. Set at the level appropriate to the small group the children do reading, writing, arts and craft activities, solve puzzles and draw. The activities all involve some French. Away from the classroom and doing activities in a small group with a teenager (rather than an adult) they are more willing to try to speak French and grow in their ability to understand it. Back in the classroom the teachers see the improvement and it is reflected in the children’s end of year school exams. Over 100 primary school children benefitted from this project this year. **9** Sokhna was having increasing difficulties at school particularly in reading and maths. This affected her self-confidence and made her doubt her abilities. So, at 9yrs old she joined Diapalanate’s after school activities. The children learn through fun activities, in small groups, outdoors, each group led by one or two teenager Young Leaders, who they regard as friends. The programme strengthens both the children’s and teenagers’ academic and interpersonal skills. Sokhna was warmly welcomed by her peers and joined enthusiastically in singing and sports activities. After only a few sessions Sokhna showed good progress in reading, she began to enjoy reading and developed a better understanding of the texts. She soon participated in discussions around books, which not only improved her understanding but also boosted her self-confidence. Sokhna worked on practical maths exercises with her classmates. Through these games and fun activities, she was able to understand mathematical concepts in a more interactive way - asking questions and looking for help without fear of judgment. For the three remaining years of primary school Sokna was a regular participant in Diapalante’s activities. When she passed her Elementary School Leaving Certificate ( CFEE) this year her mother and her older sister, came to the Diapalante Centre to formally express their thanks. Sokhna has asked to join Diapalante’s Young Leader programme to give the same support and encouragement she cherished to her “little brothers and sisters” who are having difficulties in primary school. **10** ## **Learning Opportu** “Hello. My name is Betty. I started coming to the Centre this year and I really like it here. I come here to do English, IT and sometimes maths. They help us to communicate in English and these skills definitely help us at school and will help later when we look for a job. The Centre also allows us to share, help each other and have more freedom than at school. I haven’t participated in the Young Leaders project yet, but I would really like to in the future if I have more time.” “My name is Fallou. I am a member of Diapalante. The Centre means a lot to me, it is a place where we can be really comfortable, and we have a lot of freedom. Before, I was really shy. I was sometimes afraid of expressing myself in public, but now that’s no longer the case and it is thanks to Tonton Alassane’s lessons [performance art] and the Young Leaders activities, where I am a leader for the seven to nine year olds. Last year my English teacher congratulated me on the level of effort that I was putting into learning English, and I was really proud of myself and the Centre. I am praying for everyone who contributes to the Centre in any way.” was failing at school looking for help. Now, on to study English at u Abdo speaks very high staff, who have encou never giving up on him the Centre as like a fam has met some of his b forever be a member coming back during uni some of the English tea **11** Around thirty young talibés have benefited from our “Jangal Taalibé yi” programme. This programme enables young people who have never attended school to learn to read, write, do small calculations and use a calculator. Diapalante also introduces them to computers where they play typing and maths games. We share with them the notions of living together in mutual respect and of caring for their environment. but he wanted to succeed and having passed his Bac he is going of the Diapalante Centre, now “My name is Cheikh. I have been coming to the Centre since 2018 as part of the Young Leaders programme. In 2019, I began taking part in the Centre’s other activities and helping as a supervisor. Unlike school, the Centre gives us a much greater opportunity to develop our IT skills and also gives us access to the library. Here we do activities with people of all different ages and professions. Now I always have good grades in school and that is thanks to our beloved Centre. We play, we learn, we help each other and we get to know everyone. Thank you”. **12** Adults come to the Centre with the same underlying need - to gain skills which will help them earn a living. The skills needed vary between mastering basic literacy, and the specialist skills to progress at work or do their current job better. This is Babou's story, told by Babou in Wolof then translated into English. Hello, my name is Babou, I am 28 years old. My parents sent me to a daara (Koranic school) here in Kaolack when I was young - I don't remember how old I was. Today I have mastered the Qur'an and now I am learning more religious knowledge in the daara. Every day I wake up very early, before my studies, I bike to the market and help a few stallholders to display their wares. RE, I save a little of the money I earn so that when I finish my religious studies, I can use my savings to start doing a little business. However, being aware that I also need to read, write, speak and understand the minimum in French [our national language] and maybe in English, I started coming to the Diapalante Centre 3 months ago to try to fill this gap in my knowledge - so important for my future. Now I can send and read a message on my phone. I can also do calculations. I'm also starting to understand a lot of French words that people mix with Wolof for example: aujourd'hui, responsable, projet, etc. I have also learned some important short phrases in French and English e.g. come here, come back, go there, go back, what is your name, my name is, thank you, sorry etc. Beyond my business project, if I can read and write French well, I will be able to apply to some private religious schools as a teacher. But above all, I come to learn for my personal development. When I come to the Centre, I also take the opportunity to chat and socialise with the other learners. I really thank the Diapalante Centre for giving me the opportunity to catch up because without the Centre it would have been very difficult. **13** By popular demand Diapalante introduced a 3 month computer course running through the rainy season when the schools are closed. More than 80 adults, mainly teachers, benefitted from the training in Word, Excel and Power Point. There are very few affordable opportunities for working people to learn these skills and our courses were quickly full. We will be repeating this successful venture next year. “ _It has been 2 years since I bought a computer but I admit that I only ever used it to watch films. Now I am able to start to use it for educational purposes.” M Niang, teacher._ Mariama left school early because her late father believed a girl's place was at home next to her mother. Today, Mariama cleans in the local bakery then returns home to prepare local juices, which she sells in the neighbourhood. This modest work is one of the main financial pillars of the family. _"My boss at the bakery asked me to improve my level of writing and maths so that I can take on more responsibility. Working as a stock manager will allow me to earn 3 or even 4 times my current income._ _Last April I found a way to learn - I started to attend the Diapalante Community Education Centre. People like me are welcome to drop-in, whenever we have time, and learn to read better and to improve our maths. I am so lucky to have found this path to a better job.”_ Ali started school, aged 12, when a school opened in his village. Aged 21, he came to Kaolack to study at a Franco-Arabic school for his Bac (A level equivalent). _“Finding the Centre brought me a lot both socially and educationally. I touched a computer for the first time in the Diapalante Centre. Today I can do my research on different subjects and enter my texts using Word. I can also print, scan and photocopy. My levels in maths, French, and especially English have greatly improved . I am in Terminal class (3rd and final year of high school studies), I am among the first in my class in English. This is thanks to the Centre. Beyond the lessons we get here, I sometimes come here because it provides a quieter space to study.”_ **14** ## **Diapalante - Looking** ## **Caring for the environment** . At the Diapalante Community Education Centre they have been looking at how they can use less and re-use and recycle more. They have produced an Environmental policy and hope to develop this in the coming months. They have looked at the steps they already take: re-using equipment where possible both when acquiring and when disposing of it, sharing equipment, paying for waste collection, re-using paper, printing less etc. They also identified some additional actions to take: ## 1. **World Environment Day** on the 5th June The Centre planted 4 shade-giving trees along its frontage - we learnt a lot! _“We had hoped for success with at least one sapling but we were disappointed! We will apply our learning, take advice and hopefully do better next year!”_ 2. **The causes of the Global Warming Crisis** are not well understood in Senegal so Mamadou has enrolled on a course next year with the British Council called “Climate action in language education”. 3. Learning more about **local and global issues** such as pollution, plastics and other waste issues, disease caused by environmental factors etc. To celebrate **World Women's Day** a cultural evening of drama and poetry was organised by members of the centre with the theme of “women and responsibility within our society”. **15 11** ## **g Outside the Centre Developing awareness, citizenship** ## **Illegal migration** Every year many young Senegalese people lose their lives in illegal migration. Diapalante held a free film screening followed by a talk with the aim of raising awareness and discouraging young people from taking these life threatening paths. More than 400 people took part in this activity which was held in the street to allow everyone to attend. The terrible difficulties and hardships of the route were described by several Senegalese men who had attempted the route and were glad to have been able to get back to Senegal still alive. ## **Re-usable period pads project** The Diapalante Centre has a pilot project making free reusable period packs. This project will help some of the many schoolgirls who currently miss school during their periods because they cannot afford to buy the commercial products. For the moment we are in the learning and evaluation phase. Nafi has spend several years researching the local need for and acceptability of washable period pads, investigating designs and materials to give a comfortable, washable and durable product that the girls can wash and dry without giving offence or being embarrassed. **16** ## **Diapalante UK News** ## In Brief: - Two of our long serving trustees Caroline Chandler and Orlando Gibbons stepped aside for personal reasons but are continuing to support us. We welcomed two returned volunteers to the trustee board, Jack Poole and Nye Meaker. We are benefitting from their lived experience in Senegal and the fresh outlook that they have brought. - We sent a shipment of donated goods, mainly computers to Senegal. We were able to send two overlocking machines for the re-usable period packs pilot project. - This will allow us to update the Centre’s computers and pass our older computers on to the local education authority. The sewing machine appeal was very successful and the donated machines have all been serviced and will leave for Senegal soon. - Despite our catering volunteers having various health issues they were able to fulfil all bookings but we reluctantly decided not to hold the Diapalante Garden Party this year. ## **Our friends in South Africa** We are pleased that the Hillcrest Advisory Bureau and Bursary Fund have applied to be accepted by GlobalGiving, a fundraising platform which we currently use. This will give them a tax efficient method of collecting donations both in the UK and around the world and our assistance with collecting funds will no longer be needed. We wish them every success and feel sure this is the most appropriate path forward. **17** ## **Financial Report** We thank all our supporters, both the individuals and the organisations who supported us through the year. As well as financial donations several people raised funds for us - the bravest of these being a sponsored swim in the sea on New Years Day! We also thank the Farthing Trust for their ongoing support and encouragement. We received many donations in kind which are not reflected in the financial statement. These included used computers from a London school, sewing machines from individuals and Tools For Self Reliance, art and craft items …. Our catering volunteers managed several engagements despite their multiple handicaps this year and we thank everyone who asked them to cater for their special events. Project Trust again placed 2 gap- year students, Hannah and Poppy at the Diapalante Centre. At 18, a year volunteering is a huge commitment and we wholeheartedly thank them for making an enormous difference! **18** ## **Governance** ## **Structure** Diapalante is a charitable trust governed by a Declaration of Trust dated 02/08/2005 as amended by Deed dated 04/01/2006 and by Deed dated 15/08/2012. Diapalante is run by trustees who give of their time freely and no remuneration is paid. Trustees are appointed by the existing trustees and serve for three years after which they may be reappointed. There must always be at least three trustees. At least two ordinary meetings must be held each year to discuss future strategies, projects and fundraising. The trustees elected to hold their four trustee meetings online this year but met in person for a day of reflection and planning. ## **Public Benefit** The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. We have taken the guidance into consideration when exercising the relevant powers or duties. Our charitable purpose for public benefit is demonstrated by the activities and achievements summarised in this report. ## **Safeguarding** Diapalante takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of everyone involved in our programmes, particularly children and vulnerable adults. We work in close partnership with Diapalante Senegal who, funded by Diapalante (UK) run The Diapalante Community Education Centre. The Centre is our main area of interest for safeguarding as large numbers of adults, teenagers and children attend and this year the Centre is implementing the policies we designed together. The results are encouraging and we will be looking to make further improvements to the implementation next year. **19** ## **Governance** ## **Risk Management** The trustees have continued to review the risks the charity faces and acted to mitigate the most likely 0f these. The risk of inadequate income due to any future need to cancel planned fundraising events was lessened by diversifying our funding streams. . ## **Reserves** In establishing a reserves policy and a reserves amount Diapalante is guided by the reserves guidance from the Charity Commission. Our major project, the Diapalante Community Education Centre in Senegal is dependant on Diapalante for all its funding. The project’s major expenses are its three staff, the rental cost of the premises and utility bills. Diapalante aims to hold a reserve of unrestricted funds which is appropriate to allow us to meet 6-12 months budgeted expenditure. For a low risk commitment in 2024-25 the six month reserve of unrestricted funds is calculated at £9,000. Our unrestricted fund stood at £18,652 at our year end on 31/08/2024, the annual premises rent in Senegal being due shortly. **20** ## **Administrative Details and Objectives** Charity name: Diapalante Charity Number 1112875 Address: Kirby Manor 73 High Street Ashwell Herts SG7 5NP Charity Trustees as at 31st August 2023: Pamela Brannigan Elizabeth Chandler Ian Chandler Emily Charlton Alan Muhr Carol Muhr Nye Meaker Jack Poole Patricia Thorpe Bank HSBC 1 Market Place Hitchin SG5 1DR Diapalante’s Objectives To further charitable purposes which relieve or combat malnutrition, hunger, disease, sickness or distress. To help prevent or relieve poverty or financial hardship by providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare projects and any necessary support, enabling individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient. 21 Accounts Dlapalanie 1112875 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the penod from To 01109r2023 31108r2024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted lund5 Endowtnent fund5 Total fvnds Lasi year th• near•st £ to th• near•st£ tothe rbearest£ A1 Receipts General Funds UK Admin151rali Community Education Cenlre. Senegal ledical Grants. Senegal Mauritania, Women Herders Pn4ect South Aft￿. HI1￿51 Adv￿0 and Butsary Fund Gift5 10,765 10.765 2B6 13.075 1,641 15,523 298 17.256 800 2B6 13.075 1,641 5,176 6.175 J,$35 tota ross Incon7e ARJ 10,786 30.843 37,413 A2 Asset and investmont sales. ($88 table). tota Total ￿ceIptS 10.7fj5 20.071 30.843 37,413 A3Pa ents General Funds UKAdministratiL 264 139 Ccthmunity EducalH)n C8nlre. Senegal fvlgdical Grants. SgDegal launlania, WLNnen H￿derS Pr(4ect South AfTica. Hilluesl Adv￿ and Bursgry Fund Gifts 11.464 14.704 26.168 1,800 28.897 850 510 3,596 Sub total 11,464 20.363 31.828 A4 Asset and investmeni urchase5. see table Sub total 11,464 20.363 31.828 35,442 Net of receIPt￿(pay￿entsj A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds lasi year end Cash funds thls year end 099 286 985 1,971 19.351 18.652 5,160 4.874 24.511 23,528 22.540 24,511 CCXX Rl accounts Issl IVii/2024 22 Accounts Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unresthcted R•stn¢ted CHARITY COMMI FOR ENGLAND AND Endowment B1 Cash fvnd• Section A Independent Ex R*portto tho trv8t8ts1 membern of 1&852 4m4 Diapalante On accounts for th• y*ar ended 31 August 202 J* Sot out on pag•4 I report to the I ¢harity Ilhe T R05ponsibi14ti88 and As the ¢harity t basis of report of tha account 20111.the Act" Dpt311s l ￿pOrt In resp under section have followed t urQer section 1 Ir￿ependent •xarninerfs statement I have complet Come to my att the ex3minalio respect." accounti the Act the aGGO O*tsi1s B4As60ta retalned lorth• ¢h4rMy'¥J ¢y*m us0 I have no con th the exami proper underst Please delete Signed: Name.. Dolails 85 Relevant profo88Sonal qualillcatlonl$l C*r l>ody lif any).. Addrgss: Swed be￿￿￿Of￿11￿ ctYXR24ccwThts l&Sl IER 23 Accounts Scction B Disc105Ufe SION WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Only c(mpkte rft￿￿ exarniner ￿d5 lo highligm matters of concem (see CC32, lThIer￿￿1ent exatninalKJn of tharity account5". d1￿CtiOnS and gU￿arn¢e for 8xarniners1. rniner's Report Give he￿ brief detsils of any items that th* eAaminèrtAl8h85 to dixlose. Charlty no Irf any) It12875 stees on my examination of the aro)unts of the above st'l for the year ended 3110812024. stee8 of the Trust. you are ￿SpOnsible for the preparation In aCc(*dan￿ with the r8quirements of the char51￿5 A Gt of my examinatirjn ol the Trust's accounts carried (Art 45 of th8 2011 Act arKI in carying out my examinaton, I e appliGable Oireclions given by the Charty COMM￿lon 45(5llbl of the Act. my examination. I confirrn that m material mattws have ntion lother than that disclosed t*low"l in conneCt￿Tr with which gives me cau8e to believe that in. any material g record$ We￿ not kept in accordance with section 130 of nts do not accord wth the ac¢ountiTrJ records ms and have Come acros5 no olher matters in o)nneL*on ation to which attention should dra￿ in order lo enab￿ a nding of the accounts lo be reathed. Ihe words in th8 br8ckÈÈs rflhey do not8pAty. Dat•.. Octobgr 201 IER Octob8r 2018 ST ## **Please consider donating to our work** Every donation counts, every £1. Please help us to support The Diapalante Community Education Centre as it enables and encourages adults and children gain the skills needed to secure better futures for themselves and their families. If you feel more comfortable giving money as and when you can afford it then please do that. However, if you can give a little every month, this allows us to plan ahead responsibly and ensures that The Diapalante Community Education Centre can continue to help people today, tomorrow and into the future. - 500 supporters giving £5 per month would provide this income or - 250 supporters giving £10 per month or - 125 supporters giving £20 per month We are grateful for every penny, and also for the many different ways in which people help Diapalante. If you can support us financially – please do. If this isn’t for you then keep in touch, **all** support and encouragement is valued by us. To donate - Go to htps://diapalante.org and press the donate button (on the top right). - Use our bank details: Name: Diapalante, sort code: 40-28-14, account no: 51576712 - Or post a cheque to our address below: Kirby Manor 73 High Street Ashwell Herts SG7 5NP 01462 743091 Charity No: 1112875