2025-06-30-accounts

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The Gambian Children’s Fund Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024/25 Bs Roots for Growth .

Charity number: 1115746 C Snotepad 57 Newtown Road HOVE

BN3 7BA

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Introduction
Our Roots and Purpose
Strategic Priorities for 2024/25
Review of the Year: Key Achievements
Case Studies / School Highlights
Financial Summary
Governance and Structure
Looking Ahead

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1. Introduction

This year, The Gambian Children’s Fund continued to strengthen its partnership with Joyce International School and has started to plan the expansion of our work, supporting children and teachers across Kunkujang and surrounding communities.

We have focused on improved sanitation and infrastructure, developing sustainable systems for teacher pay, digital payment systems via Wave, and increasing transparency in how funds are managed locally.

Thanks to the ongoing generosity of donors and supporters, we have been able to maintain consistent education provision, improve school facilities, and plan for future expansion.

We remain deeply grateful to our trustees, staff, community partners, and donors, whose commitment enables our work. As we move into 2026, our focus will be on deepening community engagement, strengthening governance, and identifying new opportunities to ensure every child in our partner schools can learn and thrive.

Leo Neelands

Chair

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2. Our Roots and

Purpose

Our purpose is the advancement of education of children aged 3 to 8 years and the teachers of such children in Gambia.

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Teacher Training and Qualification

Our experience has shown that the greatest improvements in education come from investing in teachers. Going forward, we will focus on providing structured training, ongoing professional development, and pathways to formal qualiZication. Strengthening teacher skills and motivation will be central to improving classroom outcomes and sustaining long-term progress.

Expansion and Modernisation

As our partner schools grow, we help them expand their facilities and adopt modern teaching practices and technologies. From building classrooms to introducing digital learning tools, we ensure that every child has access to a safe, stimulating, and forward-looking educational environment.

Transparency and Efficiency

We work to strengthen systems that promote accountability, fairness, and the effective use of resources. By encouraging transparent Zinancial management, clear communication, and shared responsibility, we help ensure that every contribution—no matter how small—creates genuine, measurable impact in our schools and communities.

Community

Our next phase of work will focus on building deeper connections with the communities we serve. We aim to strengthen families, empower women and girls, and encourage a culture of solidarity among teachers, pupils, and the wider community. By fostering collaboration and shared ownership, we can help ensure that education becomes a community-driven force for long-term change.

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

We are committed to building a future where education and the environment work hand in hand. Through sustainable building practices, renewable energy, and resource efZiciency, we ensure that our projects reduce waste, lower costs, and serve as models of environmental responsibility for generations to come.

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3. Strategic Priorities for 2024/25

Develop partnership framework (model) and begin plans to roll out.
Develop and implement Zinancial systems, corruption and mismanagement countermeasures.
Implement teacher training workshops.
Launch UK fundraising campaigns.
Strengthen governance, auditing and community reporting processes.

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4. Review of the Year: Key Achievements

Over the past year, The Gambian Children’s Fund has achieved:

•

Development of a local management team, starting with our Zirst Local Representative

• Began the process of establishing clear and easy-to-manage Zinancial reporting systems for school budgets

•

A programme of essential school repairs The purchase of locally made school furniture

•

Provision of teacher training

•

Construction of a new, environmentally friendly toilet block with Zlushing toilets and a “biodigester”

•

Established partnerships with multinational brands such as Ancient & Brave and 1% for the Planet

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5. Case Studies / School Highlights

Example stories:

Teacher of the Year: Mariama Jallow, recognised for exceptional commitment to her students and leadership among staff.
Provision of new desks and benches for all children, new ofZice furniture for staff, new updated and culturally relevant infographic posters for the classrooms and a clean and modern new school logo and branding.
Infrastructure improvement: 8 new, modern, Zlushing eco toilets , classroom painting, complete electrical rewiring of the school and new fans in every classroom.

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6. Financial Summary

This year’s Zinances reZlect continued investment in education delivery, infrastructure improvements, and staff development. Key Zigures: Total income: £35,142 Total expenditure: £26,268 Funds carried forward: £20,146

92% of all expenditure allocated directly to Joyce International School.

Given the variability of donations the charity holds reserves to ensure the stability of the supported schools where the GCF supports teachers wages. Additionally, reserves are kept for future projects such as those discussed in this report.

Reserves are reviewed bi-annually by the Trustee's and are currently targetted at 3 times our projected monthly costs.

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7. Governance and Structure

The Gambian Children’s Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees who oversee all strategic and Zinancial activities under the Constitution dated 30th September 2005 (amended on 23rd June 2006). The GCF is constitued as a unincorporated charity.

The Board ensures compliance with the Charity Commission’s public beneZit guidance and maintains strong relationships with partner schools in The Gambia.

Current Trustees:

Sharon Jervis, Leo Neelands, Damon Evans, Chris Steel, Marlene Poole and Patricia Alexander.

Trustee's are selected for their ability to contribute to the success of the charity and their values. All new Trustee's are interviewed by the Trustee's and appointed as part of a Trustee meeting.

Independent examiner

West & Berry Limited, Nile House, Nile Street, Brighton, BN1 1HW

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8. Looking Ahead

As we move into the next year, The Gambian Children’s Fund aims to deepen its partnerships, extend its reach to additional schools, and continue to enhance teacher training and Zinancial transparency. We are committed to strengthening our governance structure, growing our supporter base, and ensuring that every partner school pupil has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

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File 2 of 4: GCF_Annual_Report_24_25 v2.pdf

Signed By

Signer: Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) Identity Check: Email Authentication

Signature Type: Typed

Time Zone: UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)

Signer: Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com)

Identity Check: Email Authentication Signature Type: Mouse or hand drawn

Time Zone: UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)

Signer: Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk)

Identity Check: Login with account

Signature Type: Typed

Time Zone: UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)

Event Log

Mar 13, 2026, 10:23:24 AM - Email notification sent to Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com).

Mar 13, 2026, 10:23:34 AM - Email notification delivered to Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com).

Mar 13, 2026, 12:48:21 PM - Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) opened the email notification (estimated), from 185.61.158.171.

Mar 14, 2026, 6:49:56 PM - Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) viewed the document(s), from 194.88.96.74.

Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:38 PM - Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 194.88.96.74.

Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:46 PM - Email notification sent to Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com).

Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:46 PM - Email notification delivered to Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com).

Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:57 PM - Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) opened the email notification (estimated), from 142.250.32.7.

Mar 14, 2026, 9:14:06 PM - Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) viewed the document(s), from 86.173.57.139.

Mar 14, 2026, 9:15:51 PM - Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 86.173.57.139.

Mar 14, 2026, 9:16:05 PM - Email notification delivered to Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk).

Mar 14, 2026, 9:16:05 PM - Email notification sent to Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk).

Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:15 AM - Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) viewed the document(s), from 31.54.183.79. Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:16 AM - Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) opened the email notification (estimated), from 31.54.183.79.

Continued on next page.

Continued from previous page.

Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:42 AM - Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 31.54.183.79.

END OF LOG

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||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |The Gambian Childrens Fund|1115746| |Receipts and payments accounts|CC16a| |For the period|01/06/2024|30/06/2025| |To| |from| |————————| |SS|Section A Receipts and payments| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total funds|Last year| |to the nearest £|to the nearest £|to the nearest £|to the nearest £|to the nearest £| |A1 Receipts| |Donations|8,370|-|-|8,370|11,998| |Grants|26,772|-|-|26,772|20| |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |Sub total|(Gross income for|35,142|-|-|35,142|12,018| |A2 Asset and investment sales,| |-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |Sub total|-|-|-|-|-| |==|Total receipts|35,142|-|-|=|35,142|12,018| |A3 Payments| |Donations paid|24,042|-|-|24,042|14,392| |Bank Fees|10|-|-|10|-| |Trustee expenses|2,053|-|-|2,053|-| |IT Costs|163|-|-|163|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |Bank Interest|-|-|-|-|-| |Sub total|26,268|-|-|26,268|14,392| |A4 Asset and investment| |-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-| |Sub total|-|-|-|-|-| |————|Total payments|26,268|-|-|—=|26,268|14,392| |Net of receipts/(payments)|8,874|-|-|8,874|- 2,374| |A5 Transfers between funds|-|- -|-|-| |A6 Cash funds last year end|11,272|- -|11,272|13,646| |20,146|-|- 20,146|11,272| |Cash funds this year end|==S|S|=|

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File 1 of 4, Page 1 of 2. Encyro E-Sign ID: UFpGRPuXBX1zU0jK (2026-Mar-15 07:40:46 UTC)CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 1

13/03/2026

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories	Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Details
	to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds	20,146 - 11,272 - - - - - - 20,146 - 11,272 OK OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) —====>
B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which Amount due When due Details Details Details ———= — —
Signed by one or two trustees on B5 Liabilities	- - - - - Date of Print Name Signature ——
	Chris Steel 14/03/2026
	Leo Neelands 14/03/2026

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13/03/2026

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