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← Village Africa

2025-02-28-accounts

Village Africa

Company Number: 06086681

Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25

Charity Number 1122410

Village Africa

Annual Report for the Financial Year ending 28 February 2025

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:

Sarah Mayne: Chair Caroline Johnston: Project Liaison Director 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.

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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 2024 to 28 February 2025.

The charity had another effective and successful year, with our finances regaining a healthy situation after two years of large and unpredictable expenditure demands. In great part, this stabilisation has been the result of the restructuring of our activities by setting up a local NonGovernmental Organisation in Tanzania (Vyaadahikana Village Africa Tanzania), responsible for delivering services on the ground, whilst Village Africa remained responsible for providing the funding to support these services. This enabled us to set annual budgets for the NGO to work with, which gave us a clear picture of our predicted expenditure.

Our achievements included taking 52 emergency patients to a healthcare facility, as well as 3 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.

With a grant from Kids Helping Kids, we were able to build toilets and water tanks at Malomboi Primary School.

The student sponsorship scheme continued to thrive during the year, with 107 students supported by the scheme, composed of 44 at primary school, 35 at secondary school, 2 doing A-levels and 26 at tertiary level, including vocational courses, college and university.

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

Sarah Mayne

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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 2024-2025 were:

  1. Improving healthcare by providing funding for 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.

  2. Improving education by supporting 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. 107 students were covered by the scheme in 2024-25. Students in greatest need (ie orphans and single parent children) were prioritised to ensure that money was used where it was most needed.

  1. Funding a building programme to support health and education work. Six school toilets and three water tanks were completed at Malomboi Primary School.

  2. 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.

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Achievements and Performance

Figures below are for the calendar year 2024.

Health

The ambulance service was used in emergencies to transport 52 patients to hospital (63 in 2023, 79 in 2022 and 55 in 2021). The ambulance took 3 non-emergency patients to hospital or a dentist (13 in 2023, 34 in 2022 and 32 in 2021) when passing those facilities. Sadly, 3 of these patients died in 2024 (2 patients died in 2023, 8 in 2022 and 2 in 2021). The ambulance returned the deceased to the village for burial.

Ambulance patients were mostly women from Yamba, Kwembalazi and Milingano having complications in labour. Other reasons for emergency trips included malaria, heart problems, injured limbs and broken bones.

The ambulance initially takes patients to Milingano Health Centre which sometimes immediately refers to Magoma Health Centre (for pregnant women) or Bombo Referral Hospital in Tanga (the most serious cases). In the case of an emergency, the ambulance will then take the patient on to the relevant medical facility.

There are now other modes of transport for non-urgent patients, including a daily bus service from Milingano to Tanga and a Milingano to Dar es Salaam service every 2 days. Motorbike taxis from Yamba are also available in good weather. However, these modes of transport are unsuitable for many patients and are not available 24/7, 365 days of the year, so the ambulance remains a much needed service.

Education

As at 31December 2024, the child sponsorship scheme (called Simba Club) covered 107 students (108 in 2023, 125 in 2022 and 115 in 2021). The 2024 figure consists of 44 primary school pupils, 35 secondary school students, 2 Form 5&6 (A level) students and 26 students on vocational, college or university courses. The above included courses in human resources and management, business administration, banking and finance, transport and logistics management, information and communication technology, secretarial and computer application, electricals, livestock, masonry and bricklaying, driving, law, teaching, sociology, nursing and technician in clinical medicine.

Simba Club students gained the following qualifications: BA Education – 1 student BSc Education – 1 student BA Sociology – 1 student Form 6 (A level) – 2 students

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Certificate in Information and Communication Technology – 1 student VETA Masonry and Bricklaying (2 years post-Form4) – 1 student.

Simba Club students started new courses including: BA or BSc Education – 5 students Bachelor of Transport and Logistics Management – 1 student Human Resources and Management – 1 student Business Administration – 1 student Banking and Finance – 1 student Form 5 (A levels) – 2 students.

A number of new Simba Club sponsors signed up to the scheme. In addition, some existing sponsors increased their sponsorship, especially to assist with university sponsorship. Enabling students to go to university is very popular with donors.

Simba Club primary pupils (in Yamba, Kwembalazi and Milingano) received the following resources: two school uniforms, shoes, school and non-school sweaters, school bags, two sets of exercise books and school stationery, buckets, hygiene kits and watches.

Building

Village Africa funded the following construction work:

Visitors

There were 27 overseas visitors to the project in Yamba. Two were Simba Club sponsors from the UK and 25 were student nurses from Austria and Italy doing internships in Tanga. This was a significant increase in visitors compared to previous years and they were warmly received by the community. (There were three overseas visitors in 2023, 11 in 2022 and no overseas visitors in 2021 or 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.)

Distribution of items

Village Africa funded three custom-made wheelchairs for disabled young people in Yamba, Kwembalazi and Kwemikame (just outside Milingano), including transportation.

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Second hand clothing was distributed to local volunteers.

Knitted sweaters and matching hats were given to newborn babies in Yamba.

Exercise books and pens were donated by visitors for all Yamba Primary School pupils.

Crafts

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

Environment

There were no environmental projects due to lack of dedicated funding.

Employment

Providing funding for Vyaadahikana created employment in Tanzania, including:

Community involvement

The Government of Tanzania granted a timber permit for the building of school toilets and water tanks at Malomboi Primary School.

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

Support

Support was given by the following:

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Fundraising

Village Africa is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and is committed to following its fundraising best practice. Several of the trustees assisted with applying for grants from grantmaking bodies. All fundraising 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 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 encourages supporters to do so (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, and the increasing age of the vehicles makes breakdowns more likely, coupled with increased maintenance costs. In Easter 2023, Village Africa launched an appeal to raise funds for the purchase of a new ambulance. As at the end of February 2025, we had raised £23,964, which amounts to approximately 28.2% of the vehicle’s original projected cost.

Further details on the fundraising activities carried out in 2024 are set out below:

Village Africa retained its Sponsor the Ambulance and Match a Job (in Tanzania) schemes. As described above, its student sponsorship scheme (Simba club) remains very popular with supporters.

Future Developments and Challenges

The charity continues to face a number of challenges due to the ongoing global instability and cost of living crisis. This is likely to continue and affect both the charity’s income and expenditure. Inflation in Tanzania has reduced in recent years, but we are aware that this situation may not continue.

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However, the establishment of Vyaadahikana, our Tanzanian partner NGO, has provided greater stability to our expenditure, giving us more confidence in future financial planning.

Financial Review

Village Africa received a total income of £81,313 during its financial year ended 28 February 2025, including £7,542 for the new ambulance fund, which stood at £23,964 on 28 February 2025. The charity’s main income sources were donations and grants (£79,017).

Village Africa’s overall expenditure in its financial year ended 28 February 2025 was £59,761 made up of UK expenditure of £1,379 and Tanzanian expenditure of £58,382, all of which was funding granted to Vyaadahikana to be spent by them in Tanzania. This year saw a significant surplus of income over expenditure, which helped towards restoring our reserves, which had been depleted by several years of high demands on our funding.

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the above report. Signed on 8 December

2025 on their behalf by: :

Sarah Mayne, Chair

Mark Matfield, Treasurer

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VILLAGE AFRICA

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Chair:

Sarah Mayne

Secretary: Treasurer:

Sarah Mayne 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

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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:

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.

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Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees of Village Africa

Year ended 28 February 2025

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:

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:

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

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VILLAGE AFRICA REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28[TH] FEBRUARY 2025

The directors present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 28[th] February 2025. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Related Parties and Connected Charities

  2. Vyaadahikana Village Africa Tanzania is a non-profit, Tanzanian NGO responsible for the delivery of our services and employment of staff in Tanzania. There is a formal funding contract between Village Africa and Vyaadahikana, under which Village Africa provides the funding for, and defines the services provided by, Vyaadahikana.

  3. New Ambulance Fund

The charity has been raising capital funds to purchase a new ambulance for Tanzania. As at 28 Feb 2025, the sum of £23,964 has been raised and is included in the assets given in these accounts.

  1. Financial Year End

  2. Following a decision by Board of Directors, the next financial year will end on 31 Dec 2025.

Approved by the directors on 23 March 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Sarah Mayne, Chair Mark Matfield, Treasurer

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VILLAGE AFRICA

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28[TH] FEBRUARY 2025

2025 2025 Total Total
General Restricted 2025 2024
Funds Funds
£ £
 £ £
INCOMING RESOURCES
Donations 41,335 37,682 79,017
87,437		 87,437
Bank Interest 306 558 864 300
Other Income 1,432 - 1,432 768
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 43,073 38,240 81,313 88,505
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable Expenditure:
Cost of Activities to Further 28,417 30,129 58,546 83,904
Charity’s Objectives
Management and Administration 1,215 - 1,215 6,811
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 29,632 30,129 59,761 90,715
NET RESOURCES FOR THE 13,441 8,111 21,552 (2,210)
YEAR
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR 13,441 8,111 21,552 (2,210)
THE YEAR
Total Funds at 29thFebruary 2024 40,407 (37) 40,370 42,580
Total Funds at 28thFebruary 2025 53,848 8,074 61,922 40,370

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VILLAGE AFRICA BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 28[TH] FEBRUARY 2025

Notes 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS 2 FIXED ASSETS 2
Motor vehicles - -
IT Equipment - -
- -
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at Bank 61,922 40,406
Debtors - 36
NET CURRENT ASSETS 61,922 61,922 40,370
NET ASSETS 61,922 40,370
FUNDS
Restricted 8,074 (37)
General Funds 53,848 40,407
Total Funds 61,922 40,370

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VILLAGE AFRICA BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 28[TH] FEBRUARY 2025

For the year ending 28[th] February 2025 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:

The financial statements were approved by the directors on 23 March 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Sarah Mayne, Chair

Mark Matfield, Treasurer

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VILLAGE AFRICA NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 28[TH] FEBRUARY 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the relevant Financial Reporting Standards.

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

2. RESERVES

Reserves at 28 February 2025 stand at £61,922.

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VILLAGE AFRICA NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 28[TH] FEBRUARY 2025

3. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
£
Cost
At 29thFebruary 2024 62,297
Additions -
Disposals -
At 28thFebruary 2025 62,297
Depreciation
At 29thFebruary 2024 62,297
Charge for the year -
At 28thFebruary 2025 62,297
Net book value
At 29thFebruary 2024 -
At 28thFebruary 2025 -

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