2024/2025
For the long term rehabilitation of Northern Uganda’s ex-child soldiers
Third Hope Annual Report 2024 – 2025
“The deeper the roots the stronger the tree.”
ack in 2009, when we first bought the 23 acres of land in rural Northern Uganda, we knew that one day it was destined to Bbe a Model Farm. However, at the time it was nothing more than open bush – typical of so much of rural East Africa.
The land as it was when first purchased in 2009
Very early on, during the construction of our first buildings, we were facing a challenge from strong winds. There were a few native trees dotted among the tall grasses, but there was nothing to stop the powerful gusts of wind that periodically, during the rainy season, would rush up through the valley, causing significant damage to our new grass roofs. So it was agreed – a wind-break of pine trees had to be planted.
For several years the tender saplings showed little sign of growth
The ground was hard and sun-baked and the small saplings struggled amidst the tall grasses and termite mounds. For the first few years, they simply refused to grow. They seemed to be stuck in a sort of limbo. Our farm team kept a careful eye on them and did what they could to keep them from being trampled by the local goats and
cattle which, during the dry season, were left to wander where they will – a destructive practice which is still too prevalent even today.
Year after year we cared for them, yet even after four years many of them were still only knee high. One day, we received a visit from a local agriculturalist who knew the region well so we took her to see our struggling saplings. Her response was an encouragement to us on many levels. She told us “When you plant trees in a hostile environment like this, they always take a long time to get started – not because they are doing nothing, but because what they are doing you cannot see. They may not grow up, but their roots are pushing deep down into the hard ground. Have patience and do not fear, the deeper the roots the stronger the tree.”
Her words rang true for us not just for our trees but also for our Trainees. When we started this work with ex-child soldiers, we knew we were sowing seeds in a hostile environment. These young men and women, who had been through so much suffering at the hands of the rebel armies, had now returned to the hardships of a life still burdened by poverty and disease. They were suspicious of outsiders, ostracised by their own communities, haunted by horrific memories and struggling to find work without the education they had been so cruelly denied.
So, as we looked down at these small, struggling saplings at our feet, we learned to look beyond what we could see, to the invisible work that was surely going on beneath the surface of both soil and skin.
But we were not the only ones who had to learn the secret of patient endurance. You, our tireless supporters and generous donors have also come with us on this long and turbulent journey. Through failed harvests, set backs, fires, disease, suffering and loss, you have continued your faithful support and encouragement, for which we are forever grateful.
Third Hope Annual Report 2024 – 2025
Our monitoring team recently visited the
homesteads of the 2019 trainees, who have been with us now for six years. Their words testify to the deepening roots of better health, improved incomes, emotional resilience and community support which are all helping them to grow, strengthen and bear fruit.
Oroma Margret
“This program helps me a lot because I am now selling some of the fruits from the trees I have planted, like tangerines, guavas, avocados and mangos, which is helping me to pay my children’s school fees.
Also the health of my children has greatly improved because I can feed them nutritious food and they are dressed well. I am now saving some money in a community saving group and my plan is to build a permanent house out of my savings. Emotionally, I have dealt with my anxiety and I no longer worry a lot. I love prayers and it is the best thing in my life nowadays.” Oroma next to one of her avocado trees
Okello Charles
“I have learned so many things during the course and now I know how to space my crops in the garden. I have learned other farming techniques like mulching, which I am also teaching to my family members and they are learning the importance of planting trees.
We are now adding moringa powder to our meals and also eating a balanced diet from what I am getting from my farm. Nowadays I don’t spend a lot of money on buying drugs because we rarely get sick. I am now calm and stable, not thinking a lot about life as I used to think. I am also learning how to pray and this is helping me not to have nightmares.”
By 2021 the trees were beginning to become established
Akumu Jackline
Harafat Ricki
“Many people now come to my farm to learn, I give them some seedlings to take and plant at their own farms. My children are eating fruits from my own farm and trees are providing good shade for us.
I am now able to make compost out of cow dung, grasses, wood, and leaves of the trees which is helping my crops and trees so much.
Emotionally, I feel totally changed because I used to think only of killing when I was annoyed but since I joined the program at Third Hope, I have changed and people no longer fear me. I am also glad to say I am living with my wife; women used to fear me a lot but now we are okay. Once a month we meet together with other groups in the program and this makes us laugh, share and have fun together.”
Okello Geoffrey
“The program has helped in so many ways; it has taught me new ways of farming like mulching, planting more trees like fruit trees and different crops on my farm. I also got to know other medicinal trees like Moringa and Neem which are now helping me and my family a lot. I now plant my crops early on the onset of rain and I don’t plant just a single crop but a variety and I am now getting good harvests from my farm. Emotionally, I used to be very rude and cruel but nowadays I am more humble and can relate well with other people.”
“The course has changed my life because I planted many fruit trees like the ‘iodine’ tree, neem, lemon, tamarind and many others. Our health has also improved because we rarely get sick nowadays. The program also helped me a lot, I used to hold anger but now I can forgive.
We have formed a group where, when any one of us is having a problem, we all contribute and support.”
The trees now provide welcome shade as well as wind protection.
Third Hope Annual Report 2024 – 2025
2024/25: A year in brief
25 ex-child soldiers enrol onto the Regenerative Agriculture Course
The team and trainees welcome visitors from the UK
A FRESH INTAKE of 25 young men and women started the course in November 2024 and were enthusiastic learners, quickly forming strong connections as a group. After the classroom sessions they were given the opportunity to put the regenerative techniques they had learned into practice on the Model Farm. This helps cement ideas which can easily get forgotten – particularly as many of the ideas they are learning are new to them.
Throughout Uganda post-war development is impacting life. As people return to the area and families grow, the pressure on land is becoming increasingly intense leading to a profound need to learn how to grow more food on smaller plots. By teaching these skills to ex-child soldiers their status is raised. Neighbours see their bountiful farms and seek their advice, and the ex-child soldiers become the teachers.
THIS SUMMER the Third Hope Team in Uganda joyfully welcomed the Glazer family. Their son, Zak, had been fundraising for Third Hope through his school, Haberdashers’. So when they travelled to Uganda, they arranged a visit to the farm. This was an opportunity for the team and the trainees to express their thanks to those who raise funds for Third Hope and to celebrate with gratitude the work that goes on at the farm. Upon his return to Haberdashers’ for the new term, Zak shared his experience with his fellow pupils who responded with even more generous compassion and raised more money, this time over £40,000 for Third Hope! The photo on the cover is our response to this wonderful fundraising effort from the school.
Third Hope Annual Report 2024 – 2025
Major repairs to the Learning Circle roof: necessary renovations and an opportunity for training
A MAJOR PROJECT that was undertaken this year was the rebuilding of the roof of our Learning Circle, the building where all the teaching and training takes place.
We made a decision, from the outset, that we would only build using traditional methods and materials. This is not only because a grass roof creates a wonderful cool environment for learning in, but also because their maintenance can become an excellent training opportunity for the ex-child soldiers.
As you can see from the photos, this construction project was a communal effort as the whole team and trainees participated in the renovation. Everything is done by hand: the wood is stripped of its bark, the ropes are made from twisted bark or reeds and the result is beautiful both to look at and to work in. The trainees are all so proud of their achievement and have learned valuable, and marketable skills.
Third Hope Annual Report 2024 – 2025
Most training sessions involve drama as part of the teaching, which helps those with low levels of literacy.
As the trees grow, the Model Farm is becoming a cool and welcoming environment – a beautiful place to wander, ponder and think.
Structure, Governance and Management
Third Hope UK is a Charitable Trust governed by a trust deed. As such it is regulated by the laws affecting charitable trusts in the UK. A body of trustees governs Third Hope. There must be a minimum of three trustees serving at any time. New trustees may be suggested by any trustee and are appointed by consensus of all the current trustees.
Decisions are made at trustees’ meetings, with sub committees managing issues of specialist interest. The trustees are responsible for fund-raising and for supporting the team in Uganda, as well as ensuring that income is used to further the objectives of Third Hope Africa, as outlined in its Governing Document.
Third Hope Africa is an International NGO, registered in Uganda, which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the project in Uganda and the delivery of the programme to the trainees. It is funded exclusively by Third Hope UK and audited by the Ugandan authorities. Two UK trustees sit on the board of Third Hope Africa.
Third Hope UK is Managed by the Following Trustees:
Rose-Mary Salmon (since Autumn 2010) David Salmon, Chair (since Autumn 2010) Peter Iles (since Autumn 2015) Barry Horner (since October 2020) Ntombizifikile Mkoyana (since December 2020) Zac Horner (since 2023) Keren Pollock (since 2023)
UK Administrator: Fiona Penny
Public Benefit Statement
Third Hope has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and is satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
Financial Review
We have no deficit on our funds at the end of the year. Our funds carried forward are £33,681.14 of which £1,034.28 are unrestricted funds.
Reserves Policy
Third Hope holds in reserve enough to cover staff allowances for three months and for any expenditure to which we have committed.
www.thirdhope.org
UK Office : 16 The Leas, North Bushey, Herts WD23 2DZ Contact: fiona@thirdhope.org
Third Hope, registered charity no. 1133419 Third Hope Africa, International NGO, no. FORR8830311NB
Third Hope Accounts February 2024 – January 2025
Summative
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Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds brought forward from 2023-2024 £ 10,601.02 £ 1,034.28 £11,635.30
Total Income £103,380.38 £12,500.00 £115,880.38
Total Expenditure £81,334.54 £12,500.00 £93,834.54
Funds carried forward to 2025-2026 £32,646.86 £1,034.28 £33,681.14
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Income
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Source of funds Unrestricted Restricted Total
Donations £62,036.30 — £62,036.30
—
Fundraising £41,344.08 £41,344.08
Grants — £12,500.00 £12,500.00
Total £103,380.38 £12,500.00 £115,880.38
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Expenditure
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Use of funds Unrestricted Restricted Total
Operational Costs in Uganda £76,759.34 £12,500.00 £89,259.34
—
UK Support Office Administration £4,575.20 £4,575.20
Total £81,334.54 £12,500.00 £93,834.54
Percentage Breakdown UK Support Office Costs
of Expenditure 4.9
in Uganda over %
Expenditure in the UK
95.1%
9
Operational Costs in Uganda
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Assets: Third Hope UK is solely a fundraising arm of the work and holds no assets. Third Hope Africa, the sister organisation in Uganda, holds assets to the value of £40,209.78
www.thirdhope.org
UK Office : 16 The Leas, North Bushey, Herts WD23 2DZ Contact: fiona@thirdhope.org
Third Hope, registered charity no. 1133419 Third Hope Africa, International NGO, no. FORR8830311NB
THIRD H PE Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Third Hope UK for the Year Ended 31 January 2025 I report to the trust88s on my examination of the accounts ofThifd Hope UK for the year ended 31st January 2025. Respa¢tive responsibilities of trustees and examinor As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation ofthe accounts in accordan with the reqU1MentS of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Adl It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, to follow all the applicable procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)Ib) of the 2011 Act), and to state wheth8f particular matters have come lo my attention. Basis of independent examiner's statem6nt My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charily 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 the Trustees Conrning any such matters. The prOdureS undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'lrue and fail view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statemènt below. Indepgndent examiner's statement I have cornpleted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any rnaterial respect.. the accounting records of the Irust were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the 2011 Act., or the accounts do not accord with those accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed.. Date: Name: G-Arfi RIA-N G4 Address: 71 CidQS Fi ftsD hlb19 frTff Tritd 14trp• AtF'.ca Cr•¥tN• Il•simrw. frnMvrninioii Rogi:Lered charrty tor the EJf• Dt chilrtr¥n Att•et•d bYwM• •Jfi#. 11a0 F0ftA6&>xlNP. IIX l-*Jrrti 11.4 4.