## Report of the Trustees For the period 1[st] January 2021 to 31 December 2021 ViaNiños UK is registered with the Charity Commission under registration number 1127705. The organisation is based at the following address: 1 Price’s Court, Cotton Row, London, SW11 3YR. ## 1. Structure and governance ViaNiños UK does not employ any members of staff and the following people form the board of Trustees: Chairperson: Tania Songini Secretary: Lucy Nickoll Treasurer: Bridget Higginson Trustees: Silvia Zerbo & Nicola McGregor ViaNiños UK adopted its constitution on 5[th] October 2008 and an amendment was made by special resolution on 11[th] January 2009. The Trustees are elected during general meetings and may appoint any person willing to act as a trustee. Trustees may retire or be reappointed at Annual General Meetings. ## Objectives and activities The charity’s objectives - as described in the constitution - are for the benefit of street children, young people and their families in need in Ecuador by: - A) The relief of sickness and distress, including those who have been subjected to physical and sexual abuse by the provision of medical and health care. - B) The advancement of education and advancement in life by providing facilities for education, training and equipment in safe working environments and funds for scholarships. - C) The relief of those who are homeless by providing shelter. ViaNiños UK delivers its charitable aims primarily through grant making to partner organisations. We work in partnership with two local community organisations in southern Quito, Ecuador. These organisations provide education and training for street children and their families, as well as social, psychological and emotional support and healthcare. The organisations are CENIT (formerly known as The Centre for the Working Girl, now known as the Integrated Centre for Childhood and Adolescence) and UBECI (United to Benefit Ecuadorian Children, International). For more information on these organisations, please see their respective websites: www.cenitecuador.org and www.ubeci.org. The specific activities at the partner organisations which were funded by ViaNiños UK in 2021 are the following: - The salaries of 1 outreach worker and 2 part-time educational psychologists at the partner organisation UBECI from January – December 2021 - The salary of a teacher for the tutoring programme at CENIT from January – December 2021 In selecting these projects to finance, the trustees considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and were satisfied that the activities involved were both for the public benefit (according to the guidance) and would also further our charitable aims as described in the constitution. An explanation of how can be found in the following summary. ## i. UBECI’s outreach programme At UBECI, the two street outreach workers are supported by a team of international volunteers to run the street outreach programme. It is crucial to have staff members working alongside volunteers to provide continuity, as well as local knowledge and professional expertise. In this programme, staff and volunteers go into certain markets in Quito where there is a high incidence of street and working children and there they identify and begin to work with these children and their families. Initially, children are invited to participate in morning activities, which include educational and recreational activities, like a form of pre-school. There are no fees and all children from the local area are invited to participate. The children are given the opportunity to learn basic skills and to participate in sporting and creative activities, and, most importantly, given time and attention and the chance to play. Through these activities and a regular presence in the market, the staff members are able to build trust with the children and their families. The main objectives are to assist children with school enrolment, support working children throughout their schooling and to ensure that children of pre-school age are ready to start school. Through this regular contact, staff members are also able to identify children who are not registered with the state as citizens and to assist families through this process. They are able to identify children with specific social, medical or psychological problems and refer them for support from relevant professionals. Where children are homeless, UBECI will provide temporary accommodation and organise permanent solutions. In addition, in depth work is carried out with the children’s families, especially where there are social problems such as abuse, alcoholism and addiction, or legal issues. ## ii. CENIT’s tutoring programme From July – December 2019, ViaNiños UK financed the salary of a teacher for the tutoring programme. This programme offers a safe space that aims to retain at-risk and vulnerable children in school and improve their academic performance while providing them with recreational activities. The programme provides pedagogical support to children aged five – thirteen in core subject areas such as mathematics, English, Spanish language, and Science. The children also receive a nutritional meal. The children CENIT work with are at an educational disadvantage to their non-working counterparts, because they have fewer sources of support and less time to complete their homework. The tutoring programme is important because children often advance to the next grade without learning the necessary material. Many of the parents are unable to help with homework because of their own limited education. Children rely on this programme to successfully finish their homework, overcome knowledge deficits, and stay in school. Additionally, many of the children have learning difficulties, which can be diagnosed through this programme and appropriate support can be put in place. ## 2. Achievements and performance ## • We raised approximately £29,000 in total ## (i) Events - We raised approx. £3,300 from a sponsored bike ride - We raised £2,400 from a prize draw - We raised £3,200 from a sponsored walk - (ii) Grants and donations - We received £4,200 from the organisation School in a Bag - We received £2,000 from the Bishop Radford Trust for CENIT - We received a grant of £1,500 from the organisation Students Supporting Street Kids for projects at CENIT. - We received £1,950 from Rotary Clubs The remainder of the income was from regular and one-off donations and smaller fundraising events. ## (iii) Support to Ecuador We transferred approx. £25,380 to our partner organisations for projects in Ecuador. The achievements of ViaNiños UK are brought to life by the activities of our partner organisations. ## Update from UBECI In 2021, UBECI’s services reached 630 children and families. After 10-15 years of enormous strides forwards with schooling rates up at 95-96% by 2019, one of the longer lasting damaging consequences of COVID will be the spike in the level of school desertion and children missing out on an education. It will be very difficult for them to ever catch up again, a problem that will affect the poorest in particular for years to come. In Ecuador, schooling was online until March 2021 and resumed only then. Unfortunately, schools had to close again soon after and return online due to Covid cases soaring amongst teachers and students. The number of children working in the markets has grown significantly compared to pre-covid times. In 2021, UBECI started a new workshop run by a psychologist and aimed at parents, particularly mothers, helping them to work on and improve their emotional heath. Many parents have lost close relatives to covid. UBECI’s work focuses specifically on helping them learn how to identify and manage pain and anger, thus also improving their interaction and relationship with their children and family more broadly. During the summer of 2021, the health and Covid-prevention campaign provided the most disadvantaged families with a hygiene kit, including face masks, sanitiser and wipes. In parallel, UBECI continued its workshops informing families about steps to take in case of Covid infection and explaining that many of the ‘miracle’ remedies touted by some, would actually harm them and not help. The ongoing emotional support provided by UBECI focuses on listening to the fears and challenges the children and their families face every day, making them feel that they are not alone and strengthening social ties and a sense of solidarity. For these families, poverty and the lack of opportunities and education have always been the greatest obstacles to a better life, and for some, Covid robbed them of the little faith and hope they had left. They also introduced ‘a school for child carers’ to help aunts, uncles, older brothers and sisters, who are finding themselves having to take care of a younger niece/nephew or sibling who lost their parents to Covid. In 2021, UBECI also started a series of informative talks to discourage ‘Coyotage’, ie. people smuggling to the USA. This phenomenon already existed before Covid appeared but has grown exponentially with the ‘coyotes’ exploiting the desperation of poor families who sell the little they have or indebt themselves even further to pay the smugglers to get a family member to the USA. Many of those who embark on the journey disappear or perish on the way. UBECI’s talks share photographs and reports of the risks involved and stress the physical and economical losses endured by falling prey to the ‘coyotes’. The above are only some of the essential areas of work that UBECI embarked on in 2021 in addition to resuming the playgroups in the markets when it was possible to do so. Some of the other issues they have been focussing on with the children and their families include identifying and addressing domestic violence and anger management, the importance for children to return to school, preventing depression and the risk of suicide amongst the children. Achievements and activities during 2021 - Maintained contact with 85% of the families served in previous years despite the challenges of social distancing and the pandemic. - Adapted services to be able to support families through the pandemic. - Provided monthly food parcels to the families of vulnerable children. - Provided shoes and clothing to children in need. - Distributed school bags and school materials to children highlighting the importance of education. - Motivated and encouraged children and family members to prioritise education. - Supported children’s emotional wellbeing through celebrating birthdays and Christmas. Below is a story about one of the children supported by UBECI: Sami is a young girl who had to leave her small home in Quito where she lived with her family, due to the pandemic, and return to her village. However, it was just as difficult to earn a living in the village and Sami and her family were forced to return two months later to Quito. There they sought support from UBECI. Sami was very happy to return to UBECI’s activities and she was delighted with the gift that was given to him for Children's Day. ## Update from CENIT Despite the difficulties of working during the pandemic, which continued throughout 2021, our colleagues at CENIT successfully adapted to new ways of working and were still able to reach the most vulnerable children and the most marginalised families. As many children and young people were unable to access online learning, CENIT provided alternative home learning materials and also offered a safe space for small groups to come and study at the centre. Teachers, outreach workers and social workers were in constant contact with families and were able to provide help with basic necessities such as food as well as emotional support and practical advice. Sadly, during the pandemic, staff received many more reports of domestic abuse, so dealing with this became an important focus of their work too. During the lockdowns, markets were closed and the children and families that make up the CENIT community lost their main source of income. CENIT staff saw many more children out working in dangerous environments and spending time begging on the streets. In the struggle to eliminate child labour, things have been moving in the wrong direction, which is why CENIT's work is more important than ever. In 2021, CENIT celebrated their 30[th] anniversary – that is, 30 years of working for the eradication of child labour and helping working children in the poorest sectors of Quito. CENIT’s Director, Ruth, extended her thanks to everyone who has played a part in this journey. Over the last 30 years, CENIT have worked day in, day out to support working children, young people and their families to overcome difficulties, access education, realise their rights and live a life of dignity, becoming agents of change within their own families and communities. How it all started… Sister Arellano wanted to help the many working girls in the Chiriyacu – Camal market and the surrounding areas in Southern Quito. In 1986, Centro de la Niña Trabajadora – CENIT was started as a project by Sister Arellano and the Congregation of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd with the purpose of providing refuge, care, and education, both social and spiritual, to working children, adolescents, and their families. Their motivation and slogan was, “You can’t sleep peacefully while there is a girl in the street.” From 1983 – 1991, the Sisters made frequent visits and organized meetings for children and their families who worked within the Chiriyacu – Camal market. On April 20, 1991, CENIT opened its doors on the streets of Huacho and Jose Peralta, where the organization is currently located. CENIT has expanded its services over the past 30 years and, most importantly, provided love and care to each and every person who forms part of the CENIT community. 2021 was an extremely difficult year for the CENIT community as Ecuador was hit hard by the pandemic, so the support provided through ViaNiños UK was needed more than ever. Activities were interrupted due to Covid lockdowns – as 90% of CENIT children do not have access to internet at home, it was impossible to conduct online learning. Instead, staff visited the children every two weeks to provide worksheets for children to be able to learn at home. As they were able to resume activities by the end of 2021, they welcomed children back. The demand for CENIT’s programmes is greater than ever and they now have 80 children participating in the street outreach programme, 90 in the tutoring programme and 80 in the school. There are 25 members of staff supported by volunteers. Since the pandemic, there are far fewer international volunteers, but CENIT have successfully engaged more Ecuadorian volunteers mainly through links with the universities. Our partner organisations in Ecuador continue helping children and young people turn their lives around through education and training as well as social and psychological support and healthcare. We are proud to support these organisations and plan to continue our support in 2022. ## 3. Policy on reserves ViaNiños UK recognises the importance of sustainability for our partner organisations and our beneficiaries. As such, we have a reserves policy which ensures we have reserves of project costs for six months. ## 4. Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above. Signed on behalf of the trustees: ## Bridget Higginson Treasurer Chairperson ## **FINANCE ACCOUNTS - ViaNiños UK January to December 2020** |**Statement of Financial Activities**
**Monthly donations (standing orders)**
**Other donations**
**Quizzes, Party, Bike ride, Campaigns**|**Jan - Dec 2019**
**5,204.00**
**8,244.69**
Private
1,543.49
Companies / Organisations
5,812.30
Gift Aid
888.90
**11,112.46**
Pub Quizzes
560.00
ViaNinos Parties
4,137.22
Bike Ride
3,845.85
UBECI Campaign
2,569.39
GlobalGiving CENIT Campaign
ViaNinos Prize Draw
Other/Walk||| |---|---|---|---| |||**Jan - Dec 2020**
**5,500.26**
**6,878.78**
1,078.78
5,800.00
0.00
**7,106.69**
0.00
0.00
2,408.81
0.00
4,241.46
456.42|**Jan - Dec 2021**
**5,694.00**
**14,429.78**
1,892.81
10,264.47
2,272.50
**9,513.12**
0.00
0.00
3,326.38
0.00
2,366.59
3,820.15| |**Income**|**24,561.15**|**19,485.73**|**29,636.90**| |**Transfers to CENIT**
**Transfers to UBECI**
**Expenses Events**
**Other expenses**|**Σ Transfer CENIT**
**-13,908.13**
Project money
-13,908.13
Rotary project
School in a bag
**Σ Transfer UBECI**
**-13,602.75**
Project money
-13,602.75
**Σ**
**-1,282.00**
Party expenditure
-1,282.00
**Σ**
**0.00**
Other (CSC membership, Insurance
0.00|**-7,935.84**
-6,902.22
-1,033.62
**-14,592.61**
-14,592.61
**-718.00**
-718.00
**-94.09**
-94.09|**-11,797.43**
-6,786.34
-1,151.92
-3,859.17
**-13,583.27**
-13,583.27
**0.00**
0.00
**0.00**
0.00| |**Expenses and Payments**|**-28,792.88**|**-23,340.54**|**-25,380.70**| |**_Total Funds at end ofyear_**|**_-4,231.73_**|**_-3,854.81_**|**_4,256.20_**| ||||| |**Balance Sheet**
**December 2019**
**Fixed Assets**
**0.00**
**Current assets**
**27,681.39**
Stock and work in progress
0.00
Debtors
0.00
(Short term) investments
0.00
Cash at bank in hand
27,681.39
**Creditors (due within 1 year)**
**0.00**
**_Net current assets/(liabilities)_**
**_27,681.39_**
**_Total assets less current liabilities_**
**_27,681.39_**
**Creditors (due after 1 year)**
**0.00**
**Provisions for liabilities and charges**
**0.00**
**_Net assets_**
**_27,681.39_**|||| |||**December 2020**
**0.00**
**23,826.58**
0.00
0.00
0.00
23,826.58
**0.00**
**_23,826.58_**
**_23,826.58_**
**0.00**
**0.00**
**_23,826.58_**|**December 2021**
**0.00**
**28,082.78**
0.00
0.00
0.00
28,082.78
**0.00**
**_28,082.78_**
**_28,082.78_**
**0.00**
**0.00**
**_28,082.78_**| |**_Total Funds of Charity_**
**_27,681.39_**||**_23,826.58_**|**_28,082.78_**| Independent examlnerfs report to the tru5tets of VlaNlnos, charlty number 112TIOS I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity 1.the Tru5VI for the year ended 31 December 2021. A5 the charity's trustee5, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wlth the requirements of the Charities Art 20111.the ACVI. I report in respect of my examlnation of the Trusvs accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carryin8 Out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions given bv the Charity Commisslon under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examlnatlon. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attentlon in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: . the accounting records were rKJt kept in accordance with sectlon 130 of the Charitie5 Art,. or . the accounts dld not accord wlth the accountlng records: or the accounts dld not comply wlth the appllcable requlrements concernlng the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reportsl Regulations 2c￿8 other than anv requlrement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf vlew whichls not a matter considered as part of an Independent examlnatlon. I have no concerns and have come acr055 no other matters In connection wlth the examlnatlon to which attention should be drawn In this report in order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. Name.. Chrlstina Lambourne A.C.M.A. Address: 58 Dene Way. Donnington. Newbury. RG14 2JW, West Berkshlre Date: 28 October 2022