2024-02-29-accounts - Village Africa

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Village Africa

Company Number: 06086681

Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24

Charity Number 1122410

Village Africa

Annual Report for the Financial Year ending 29 February 2024

Structure, Governance and Management

Village Africa is a company limited by guarantee, company number: 06086681. It is registered with the Charity Commission, registered charity number 1122410.

Registered and principal office address:138 Belgrave Road, London E11 3QR.

Trustees/directors serving during the financial year:

Caroline Johnston: Project Manager Sarah Mayne: Chair Mark Matfield: Finance Director Allison Shaw: Education Director Emma Southcombe: Fundraising Director Bethany Taylor: Fundraising Director Christina Francis: Health Director

Village Africa is a charitable company, limited by guarantee, hence its trustees are directors. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association adopted on 17 December 2006 and incorporated on 6 February 2007 (and amended on 9 January 2022).

Directors are appointed by a majority vote of directors and/or members. When considering appointments, the Board will make reference to the skills held by existing members and will look to fill any skills gaps identified. Proposed new directors receive a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Charity Commission’s guidance publication “The Essential Trustee. What You Need to Know, What You Need To Do”. Their appointment becomes effective (and the requisite form is filed with Companies House) once a satisfactory DBS certificate has been received.

The Articles of Association provide that the directors of the charity resign after their first year in office, although they are able to offer themselves for re-election. At every subsequent Annual General Meeting, one third of the directors (the longest standing) is required to retire from office, although they are able to offer themselves for re-election if they so choose.

There may be no less than three directors at any one time and there is no maximum. We currently have seven directors, the majority of whom have visited or volunteered with the charity in Tanzania, and hence have first-hand knowledge of its work and challenges.

The quorum for decision making at general meetings is three. The directors agree the broad strategy (including with respect to fundraising) and areas of focus for the charity. They approve the budget, subject to available funds.

The day-to-day running and administration of the charity in the UK is delegated to the Project Manager, supported by volunteers.

The Trustees review the major risks facing the charity on a regular basis, monitoring reserves and reviewing key financial systems to ensure sufficient resources are available to meet the Charity’s obligations in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks faced by the charity and confirm that they have established systems to manage the significant ones.

Chair’s Report

This annual report outlines the work of Village Africa during the financial year 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024.

The charity had another effective and successful year, despite a challenging financial environment. Towards the end of 2022 we began to observe the effect of the cost-of-living pressures on both our expenditure and fundraising. This continued into the year covered by this report, with prices increasing in Tanzania and an adverse impact on our fundraising in the UK. The combination of these factors resulted in expenditure needing to be reduced in Tanzania and unfortunately resulted in a few redundancies amongst the local staff.

The most notable aspect of this year was the restructuring of our activities by setting up a local Non-Governmental Organisation in Tanzania, which took over responsibility for delivering services on the ground, whilst Village Africa remained responsible for providing the funding to support these services. This is in line with our long-term goal of devolving the work of Village Africa to the local level. The new structure is described in greater detail below.

Our achievements included taking 63 emergency patients to a healthcare facility, as well as 13 non-emergency patients to hospital or a dentist when passing those facilities. The ambulance service remains a life-saving service and highly appreciated by the community.

The student sponsorship scheme continued to thrive during the year, with 108 students supported by the scheme, composed of 43 primary school students, 44 secondary school pupils and 21 at the tertiary level.

We remain extremely grateful to our core supporters and volunteers for their continued support.

Sarah Mayne

Aims and Objectives

The principal objectives of the charity are to alleviate poverty, sickness and distress and to advance education in the Tanga region of Tanzania, East Africa. The charity is currently working in and around the villages of Yamba and Milingano in the West Usambara Mountains.

Overview of the Charity’s Main Activities

The trustee directors have due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

The main activities funded by the charity during 2023-2024 were:

Improving healthcare by providing a mountain ambulance service which can make emergency trips to hospital. This ambulance service benefitted the community living in the area in and around Yamba, Milingano and Makanya (a combined population of approximately 7,000). It has resulted in villagers receiving healthcare and has led to a continued reduction in the death rate in the area.
Improving education by running a student sponsorship scheme covering kindergarten, primary, secondary, vocational and higher education students. The work in this area has resulted in an increase in the exam pass rates in the schools the charity supports, with many students reaching secondary, vocational and higher education.

The primary school scheme provides the sponsored child with essentials such as a school uniform, blanket and hygiene kit. The secondary scheme provides school uniform, an allowance for books and stationery and, where necessary, school fees and accommodation. The higher education scheme pays towards tuition fees, accommodation, meals and other costs. 108 students were covered by the scheme in 2023-24. Students in greatest need (ie orphans and single parent children) were prioritised to ensure that money was used where it was most needed.

Running a building programme to support health and education work. School toilets and water tanks were completed at Makanya Primary School and a Library (with a local history room, water tanks and toilets) in Yamba.
Encouraging local enterprise and sustainability. School uniforms and sweaters were made in Yamba and Milingano for the student sponsorship scheme, with shoes being made in Tanga.

Achievements and Performance

Figures below are for the calendar year 2023.

Health

The ambulance service was used in emergencies to transport 63 patients to hospital (79 in 2022, 55 in 2021, and 24 in 2020). The ambulance took 13 non-emergency patients to hospital or a dentist (34 in 2022, 32 in 2021 and 7 in 2020) when passing those facilities.

Sadly, 2 of these patients died in 2023. Eight patients died in 2022, 2 patients died in 2021 and no patients died in 2020. The ambulance returned the deceased to the village for burial.

Twenty-four health seminars were held for pupils at Yamba Primary School. DVDs on health topics were shown to individuals or small groups.

Education

The child sponsorship scheme, called the Simba Club, covered 108 students (125 in 2022, 115 in 2021 and 113 in 2020). The 2023 figure consists of 43 primary school pupils, 44 secondary school students and 21 advanced level students.

The above included courses in accountancy and finance in the public sector, computing, electricals, law, livestock, masonry, nursing, secretarial and computer application, teaching and technician in clinical medicine.

Simba Club students gained the following qualifications:

BA Education – 3 students Degree in Accountancy and Finance in the Public Sector – 1 student Form 6 (A levels) – 2 students.

Farming seminars and farm visits were held in Milingano for one week in March and one week in May.

The Yamba Community Library was open four times per week and the Saturday Club for Girls was held during term time (excluding public holidays).

Village Africa continued links with the following UK schools: Queen’s Inclosure Primary School and Wickford Church of England School.

Building

Village Africa funded the following construction work:

Completed 6 school toilets and 3 water tanks for Makanya Primary School
Completed construction of a library for Yamba. This includes a local history room, toilets and water tanks.
Started construction of office space.

Visitors

There were 3 overseas visitors to the project in Yamba. They were student nurses from Italy doing internships in Tanzania. (There were 11 overseas visitors in 2022 and no overseas visitors in 2021 or 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.)

Distribution of items

Second hand clothing was distributed to local volunteers.

Crafts

School uniforms and sweaters were made in Yamba and Milingano and shoes in Tanga for the Child Sponsorship Scheme (Simba Club).

Environment

Tree saplings planted in the previous year were tended.

Publicity

Village Africa continued to use its website and social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram) to promote its activities and give feedback. It also sent eShots to those who had opted-in to the mailing list.

Employmen t

The project created a lot of employment in Tanzania, including

permanent, temporary and casual labour
staff employed by local staff (eg housegirls/nannies and farmers)
tailors, knitters, carpenters, housegirls/nannies, porters and farmers used by villagers who have obtained cash working for the project.

Community involvement

The Government of Tanzania granted timber permits for the building of school toilets and water tanks at Makanya Primary School.

Yamba villagers (assisted by local staff) continued to maintain the 4.7 km road to Yamba, especially after heavy rain.

Two babies were named after Village Africa supporters.

Support

Support was given by the following:

Directors
UK volunteers
Past volunteers and visitors
Regular givers including student sponsorship
Individual and group donors
Corporate donors
Other charities
Tanzanian government officials
Catholic Church in Tanzania
Support in kind in Tanzania and the UK.

Fundraising

Village Africa is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and is committed to following its fundraising best practice. During the period covered by the report, one of the trustees worked as the charity’s main fundraiser on a part-time basis, supported by the other trustees who assisted with applying for grants from grant-making trusts. This means that all fund-raising is undertaken in-house. We do not use any external fundraisers.

We take our responsibilities seriously and no complaints have been received regarding our fundraising methods. The charity fundraises primarily through email newsletters to existing supporters (who have agreed to receive such correspondence) and by using social media. We do not carry out telephone campaigns or door to door collections.

Many of our supporters are regular givers (e.g. by participating in the student sponsorship scheme). The charity also approaches third party organisations for grants. It does not hold its own events, but it encourages supporters to hold events (e.g. cake sales) or to participate in events organised by others (e.g charity runs).

The mountain ambulance service uses two robust four-wheel drive vehicles. The newest of these is now over ten years old. As the vehicles get older the risk of a breakdown increases, as does the cost of maintenance. Accordingly, we launched an appeal to raise funds for the purchase of a new ambulance at Easter 2023. We are pleased to report that, by the end of February 2024, we had raised £16,403, which amounts to 19.5% of the projected cost of the vehicle.

Further details of the fundraising activities carried out in 2023 are set out below:

Three students from Castle Rushen High School, Isle of Man entered the One World Charity Challenge to promote and fundraise for Village Africa. The competition finished in March 2024.
Two past volunteers participated in small fundraising events in aid of Village Africa.
Village Africa advertised the following fundraising (including recycling) schemes:
Zazzle – Village Africa branded gifts
Bandcamp – Village Africa music (CDs and downloads)
greetingscards.co.uk – cards, wrapping paper and small gifts
Ziffit – selling second-hand books, CDs, games
The Recycling Factory – selling second-hand printer cartridges

The charity continued to receive donations when supporters shopped online at Easyfundraising, Amazon and Humble or when they bought or sold on eBay.

Village Africa retained its Sponsor the Ambulance and its Match a Job (in Tanzania) schemes.

Vyaadahikana Village Africa Tanzania

Changes to the way that tax is collected in Tanzania made it necessary to have a local NonGovernmental Organisation as the local employer and provider of the services in Tanzania. Accordingly, we worked closely with the staff in Tanzania to set up and register Vyaadahikana Village Africa Tanzania (“Vyaadahikana”). It was formally registered as a Tanzanian NonGovernmental Organisation on 2 May 2023, held its inaugural Annual General Meeting on 14[th] July 2023 and took over responsibility for employing the staff and delivering the services on 1[st] September 2023. However, Village Africa continued to fund the employment of the staff and delivery of the services.

A formal funding contract was agreed between Village Africa and Vyaadahikana defining the projects that Village Africa would fund, setting out procedures for monitoring and reporting, financial oversight, standards and policies. The funding contract was written to ensure that, as far as possible, there was no change in the activities, except for the name of the organisation delivering them.

This Annual Report covers the period before and after Vyaadahikana took over delivering services and employing staff.

Meeting the challenges

The challenging global financial environment continued to have an adverse effect both on the costs of operating in Tanzania and on our fundraising in the UK. Accordingly, we reviewed the projects we had been supporting and, reluctantly, decided that we would no longer be able to fund the on-going building programme. This does not necessarily mean an end to any building

work carried out by Vyaadahikana. Rather, they have ceased to directly employ a building team and, should further building grants become available, they will retain the services of the building team on a temporary basis. It was also necessary to slim down the central staff by making a few other redundancies.

We are confident that, with this reduced level of expenditure, we will be able to raise sufficient funds to continue supporting all the core activities.

Financial Review

Village Africa received a total income of £88,505 during its financial year ended 29 February 2024, including £16,403 for the new ambulance fund. The charity’s main income source was from donations and grants (£82,286), with Kids Helping Kids being our principal grant giver, particularly for building projects.

Village Africa’s overall expenditure in its financial year ended 28 February 2024 was £90,715 made up of UK expenditure of £4,527 and Tanzanian expenditure of £86,188. This includes both funds directly spent by Village Africa and funding given to Vyaadahikana to be spent by them in Tanzania.

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the above report. Signed on 18 December 2024 on their behalf by:

Sarah Mayne, Chair

Mark Matfield, Treasurer

VILLAGE AFRICA

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Chair: Secretary:

Sarah Mayne Sarah Mayne

Treasurer:

Mark Matfield

Other Directors for the period:

Caroline Johnston Allison Shaw Christina Francis Emma Southcombe Bethany Taylor

Registered Office:

138 Belgrave Road London E11 3QR

Company Limited by Guarantee

Number: 06086681

VILLAGE AFRICA

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees who for the sake of company law are also known as Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the Charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees/Directors should follow best practice and:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The Trustees/Directors are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ascertain the financial position of the Charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees/Directors are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees of Village Africa

Year ended 29 February 2024

Charity Commission Reference 1122420

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the charities act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act
To follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the charity.
To follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required for an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts represent a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:

to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act,

have not been met,

(2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Sangaranathan Ravishangar FCMA, CGMA

VILLAGE AFRICA REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29[TH] FEBRUARY 2024

The directors present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 29[th] February 2024. These financial statements are prepared in accordance with the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities and comply with applicable law.

1. Objects and Constitution

The principal objects of the charity are to alleviate poverty, sickness and distress and to advance education in the Tanga region of Tanzania.

2. Organisational Structure

The management of the charity is the responsibility of the directors.

3. Risk Management

The Board of Directors has examined the major risks to which the charity is exposed and confirms that systems have been established to endeavour to lessen these risks.

4. Related Parties and Connected Charities

Vyaadahikana Village Africa Tanzania (Vyaadahikana) was founded as a non-profit, Tanzanian Non-Governmental Organisation on 2 May 2023. From 1 September 2023, Vyaadahikana took over responsibility for the delivery of services and employment of staff in Tanzania. A formal funding contract was established between Village Africa and Vyaadahikana, under which Village Africa provides the funding for the activities of, and services provided by, Vyaadahikana.

Approved by the directors on 18/12/2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Sarah Mayne, Chair Mark Matfield, Treasurer

VILLAGE AFRICA

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29[TH] FEBRUARY 2024

	2024	2024	Total	Total
	General	Restricted	2024	2023
	Funds	Funds
	£	£	£	£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Donations	40,759	46,678	87,437	82,288
Bank Interest	116	184	300	377
Other Income	768	-	768	712
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES	41,643	46,862	88,505	83,337
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable Expenditure:
Cost of Activities to Further	40,595	43,309	83,904	102,492
Charity’s Objectives
Management and Administration	6,811	-	6,811	5,458
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED	47,406	43,309	90,715	107,950
NET RESOURCES FOR THE	(5,763)	3,553	(2,210)	(24,613)
YEAR
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR	(5,763)	3,553	(2,210)	(24,613)
THE YEAR
Total Funds at 28thFebruary 2023	46,170	(3,590)	42,580	67,193
Total Funds at 29thFebruary 2024	40,407	(37)	40,370	42,580

VILLAGE AFRICA BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 29[TH] FEBRUARY 2024

	Notes	2024		2023
		£	£	£	£
FIXED ASSETS 2	FIXED ASSETS 2
Motor vehicles			-		-
IT Equipment			-		55
			-		55
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at Bank		40,406		42,525
Debtors		36		-
NET CURRENT ASSETS		40,370	40,370		42,525
NET ASSETS			40,370		42,580
FUNDS
Restricted			(37)		(3,590)
General Funds			40,407		46,170
Total Funds			40,370		42,580

VILLAGE AFRICA BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 29[TH] FEBRUARY 2024

For the year ending 29[th] February 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 (2) of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

(i) Ensuring that the company keeps proper accounting records which comply with Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
(ii) Preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year, and of its profit or loss for the financial year, in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company

The financial statements were approved by the directors on 18/12/2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Sarah Mayne, Chair

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Mark Matfield, Treasurer
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VILLAGE AFRICA NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 29[TH] FEBRUARY 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2007).

Donations, Fees and Similar Incoming Resource

Donations, fees and similar incoming resources are included in the year in which they are receivable, which is when the charity becomes entitled to the resource.

Expenditure

All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure. All costs have been directly attributed to one of the functional categories of resources expended in the SOFA. The charity is not registered for VAT and accordingly expenditure is shown gross of irrecoverable VAT.

Depreciation

Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful lives.

Motor vehicles 25% straight line IT equipment 25% straight line

Foreign currencies

Transactions, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Tanzanian shillings are translated to sterling at the average bank rate for actual currency transfers for the financial year (2668 shillings to the pound for 2023/24).

2. RESTRICTED EXPENDITURE

To meet unforeseen over-expenditure on restricted items, an appropriate amount of general funds has been designated to cover restricted expenditure.

3. RESERVES

Reserves at 29 February 2024 stand at £40,370.

VILLAGE AFRICA NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 29[TH] FEBRUARY 2024

4. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
	£
Cost
At 28thFebruary 2023	62,297
Additions	-
Disposals	-
At 29thFebruary 2024	62,297
Depreciation
At 28thFebruary 2023	62,242
Charge for the year	55
At 29thFebruary 2024	62,297
Net book value
At 28thFebruary 2023	55
At 29thFebruary 2024	-