Friends of Burundi Annual Report & Financial Statement October 1[st] 2024- September 31[st] 2025 Registered Charity No. 1117715
General Introduction:
In 2025, Burundi's economy faced a challenging mix of high inflation—reported as high as 45% in early 2025—and severe shortages of foreign exchange, fuel, and electricity. The ongoing fuel shortage had a ripple effect across the Burundian economy contributing to inflation rates exceeding 25%, making it difficult for businesses to operate and worsening the financial strain on ordinary Burundians. Despite this crisis, GDP growth was projected to grow by 4.5% to 5.9%, driven by investments in mining, agriculture, and public infrastructure. However, with 87% of the population living on less than $2 a day, the economy remains deeply vulnerable, relying on coffee and tea exports.
With the declining value of the Burundi Franc, the grants which Friends of Burundi has been able to provide have been greatly appreciated by our partners. Due primarily to a generous legacy and memorial gifts, funding available for supporting our partners in Burundi increased considerably from £7,044 in 2023/24 to £171,603 in 2024/25. The good causes funded are listed in the financial statement and include support for: i) health projects (medications) ii) micro-enterprise development, iii) pastors’ retreats, iv) theological education and training of Sunday School teachers, v) church roofing vi) support for the Burundi Missionary Alliance. A grant of £5,000 was given to each of the nine dioceses in Burundi for mission work. A report summarising the use of these mission grants was circulated to Friends of Burundi members
The large legacy donated by Miss Margaret Court, former missionary and General Secretary of Mid-Africa Ministry/CMS, is being primarily spent on strengthening diocesan bible schools and theological education in Anglican Province of Burundi. This is being done in partnership with other donors in particular: Anglican Aid, The Relay Trust and Love Burundi. Plans for the future of theological education include the proposed transfer of the theology faculty of Bujumbura Christian University from Bujumbura to Matana. This move will require the rehabilitation of existing buildings and the construction of new facilities.
Communication between trustees has been improved with the funding of Starlink internet access for FoB trustee, Bishop Jean Mweningoma. The cost of Starlink is being shared with Kepplewray UK which support the work of the Bethesda Project in Muyinga diocese.
On a sad note, one of the founding members of Friends of Burundi, the Reverend Pat Brooks, died in 2025, aged 98. Many members attended the service in Rustington on 20[th] May to thank God for his life and dedication to the church in Burundi.
Governance
The trustees are William Challis (Chair), Andrew Maclay (Treasurer), Stephen Stordy (Secretary) Sue Finlayson (Communications) and The Rt. Reverend Jean Mweningoma (Bishop of Muyinga diocese).
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The Advisory Group (formerly called the Friends of Burundi Committee)
Members were invited to comment on the Good Cause applications for 2024/25.
Meetings of the Trustees
The trustees met via Zoom on 5[th] November 2024 to decide the allocation of funding for 2024/25.
The 2025 Annual General Meeting
The AGM was held via Zoom on Monday 10[th] February 2025 with 23 members attending.
At the meeting members the trustees and members of the Advisory Group were elected. The 2024/25 Annual Report and Financial Statement was approved. A brief report was presented by Bishop Pontien, who has responsibility for overseeing theological training in the Anglican Province of Burundi. Other members sharing news from Burundi included Bridget Hathaway, Alison Guinness, Michael Hunter, Bob Birch and Steve McGoldrick
Good Cause Grants were awarded in 2024/25 totalling £7,935 and Mission grants to diocese totalling £45,000. Only £47 was spent on administration costs.
Patrons
The Patrons are Jane Williams & Archbishop Sixbert Macumi
General Data Protection Regulations
We comply with the General Data Protection Regulations
Safeguarding Policy
At the instigation of the Charity Commission, a policy, based on the Church of England Safeguarding guidelines, has been produced and is reviewed and approved annually.
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Annual Financial Report for the year ended September 2025
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