Sponsor A Gambian Child
Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 August 2024
Sponsor A Gambian Child
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Sponsor A Gambian Child
Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 August 2024
The trustees of Sponsor A Gambian Child (“the Charity”) present their annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the trust deed and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
The principal aim of the Charity is the furthering of education in The Republic of The Gambia through the sponsorship of primary and secondary school age children as well as individuals continuing their education at university level.
The children who benefit from sponsorship from Sponsor A Gambian Child have to fit into the specified criteria as set out below:
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Children from families whose parents/guardians are not in paid employment;
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Children from families whose parents/guardians are self-employed at a level which provides an income insufficient to be able to afford to educate their children;
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The trustees in England instruct Mr Muctarr Bojang (co-founder and trustee in The Gambia) to prioritise the children who are in most need of sponsorship.
Sponsor A Gambian Child invite donors to support a particular child with the hope that the donor will support the child’s education needs for the years remaining in their education. The Charity pays for the school fees, uniform, school lunches, books & stationery and other school or education related expenses.
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Sponsor A Gambian Child
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Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees of Sponsor A Gambian Child
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 August 2024 as set out on pages 2 to 9.
Responsibilities of the trustees and the examiner
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
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Sponsor A Gambian Child
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Structure & Governance
The Charity’s trust
The Charity is constituted as a charitable trust created by deed. The governing document of the Charity is a trust deed dated 5 August 2009 as amended by a deed dated 21 October 2013.
Trustees may be elected to the Charity by being nominated by an existing trustee. The nominated trustee will be appointed upon the acceptance by a majority of the trustees at a meeting of the trustees.
Other governance points to note
The organisation was founded in 2008 and was formally registered with the Charity Commission on 12 April 2010. The Charity has been accepted by HMRC to participate in the Gift Aid support program for eligible donations.
The Charity has no official relationships with other parties or organisations. The trustees may, in a personal capacity, sponsor one or more children via the Charity.
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Sponsor A Gambian Child
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Aims & Objectives
Objectives of the Charity
The objectives of the Charity are to promote education in the Republic of the Gambia through sponsorship of children of primary, secondary and university age and to support other general fundraising activities with the aim of providing facilities, equipment or services in support of educational development.
Activities undertaken for the public benefit
The main objective of the Charity is to improve the education chances of children and young adults in The Gambia. The Charity will select eligible children on the basis of the needs of the child and their family.
The Charity produces a report each year which details the activities undertaken during the year to show the public benefit and the achievement of the aims and objectives. A summary of the activities is presented on page 5 of this report.
Other points to note regarding activities for the public benefit
The Charity controls grants closely. When an award has been made, the Charity pays the school fees, purchases uniform, shoes, school books and other education related equipment and services directly so as to avoid simply giving money to the family of the child. This ensures the grant is only spent on what is intended.
The Charity is run entirely by volunteers, both in England and in The Gambia. It does not employ staff and is managed on a day-to-day basis predominantly by Carol Kendall-Smith and Muctarr Bonjang. No fees are paid to the trustees.
Administrative costs are controlled carefully. When providing grants the Charity incurs banking charges involved in sending monies internationally.
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Sponsor A Gambian Child
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Achievements & Performance
Summary of achievements for the year
Sponsor A Gambian Child has had another successful year! In total,128 children are currently being supported to go to school. Last year, the Grade 12 students numbered 51, so that many left school. Some of them are attending university.
The children range from Nursery to Grade 12 over 7 different schools. 70% of children attend Mansa Colley School. This is mainly so that it is easier for Mucki to administer his responsibilities.
This academic year 20 students are studying at university. Some are supported completely from their sponsors, some partly with Gift Aid support. One student won a scholarship. Some of the subjects the students are studying are, teaching, journalism, accountancy, Law, IT, medicine – this includes nursing, dentistry and health care. Some of the students are volunteering at local schools by way of ‘paying back’ for the support they’ve received with their education in previous years.
Mucki is working so hard on the ground, ensuring the children attend school, are working hard and achieving their best. He, as always, receives a lot of pressure from families who want their children to be supported by SAGC.
The new system of payments introduced is still proving a more efficient and successful administration process. The assistance which Mucki receives from a few Grade 12 and university students is working well.
Approximately 150 letters have been written by students and sent to sponsors.
In October 2024, another parcel consignment was shipped. 65 sponsors sent a parcel to their child and 19 sponsors sent a money donation. Laptops, medicines, household goods, school materials, knitted blankets and clothes were also sent from people donating these goods.
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Sponsor A Gambian Child
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Finances
Financial review summary
The principal source of raising funds is donations received from sponsors. The sponsor will donate monies equivalent to the cost of educating a child in the Gambia for a year. A child will be selected based on an assessment made by the Charity taking into account the needs of the child and his or her family’s ability to pay for education.
Other fundraising activity is achieved through donations not related to the education of one specific child. This includes activities such as sponsored walks, cake sales, sales of The Gambia related crafts, car boot sales and other non-specific fundraising. The Charity also recovers Gift Aid from HMRC where a donation is given supported by a Gift Aid Declaration.
The Charity continues to be run entirely by volunteers; no staff members or trustees take any wages or fees from the Charity. The Charity operates a very frugal cost base. Incidental administrative costs are often borne directly by the trustees in a personal capacity. General banking facilities are provided free of charge and the Charity attempts to consolidate international bank transfers to limit bank charges. International bank charges have been eradicated during this year due to the switch to an alternative foreign exchange service provider.
A summary of the receipts and payments of the Charity is provided on page 7.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees
Carol Kendall-Smith
Richard Kendall-Smith
………………………………… …………………………………
Carol Kendall-Smith, Trustee
Richard Kendall-Smith, Trustee
Date: 26[th] June 2025
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Sponsor A Gambian Child
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Receipts & Payments
For the twelve months ended 31 August 2024
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS
| Unrestricted | Other Funds | Total 2024 | Total 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | ||||
| RECEIPTS | ||||
| Sponsorship | 54,125 | - | 54,125 | 55,738 |
| Gift Aid | 7,068 | - | 7,068 | 9,146 |
| Other | - | - | - | 3,000 |
| Fraud Refunds | - | - | - | - |
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 61,193 | - | 61,193 | 67,884 |
| PAYMENTS | ||||
| Grants Made | 60,752 | - | 60,752 | 68,797 |
| Administration | - | - | - | 370 |
| Bank Charges | - | - | - | 0 |
| Adjustments | 3,000 | 3,000 | 4,000 | |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 63,752 | - | 63,752 | 73,167 |
| Net Receipts/(Payments) | (2,558) | - | (2,558) | (5,282) |
| Cash Funds lastyear end | 4,426 | - | 4,426 | 9,709 |
| Cash Funds thisyear end | 1,868 | - | 1,868 | 4,426 |
ASSETS & LIABILITIES
| Unrestricted | Other Funds | Total 2024 | Total 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | ||||
| Cash at bank | 1,868 | - | 1,868 | 4,426 |
| Other monetary assets | - | - | - | - |
| Investment assets | - | - | - | - |
| Retained assets | - | - | - | - |
| Liabilities | - | - | - | - |
| 1,868 | - | 1,868 | 4,426 |
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees
Carol Kendall-Smith
…………………………………
Richard Kendall-Smith
…………………………………
Carol Kendall-Smith, Trustee
Richard Kendall-Smith, Trustee
Date: 26[th] June 2025
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Sponsor A Gambian Child
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Administration & Other Information
Charity Name: Sponsor A Gambian Child
Registered Number: 1135446
Trustees
The trustees who held office during the year were:
Carol Kendall-Smith Jonathan Blundell Thomas Kendall-Smith Richard Kendall-Smith Muctarr Y Bojang
Office
18 Four Limes Wheathampstead AL4 8JN
Bankers
Lloyds Bank plc 13-14 Cornmarket Thame Oxfordshire OX9 2BN
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