Chairman’s Annual Report for 2020/2021
It is again pleasing to report that despite the current worldwide Coronavirus Pandemic lasting longer than had been expected, and travel from the U.K. to Tanzania still not allowed, the charity has been able to continue making a significant impact in terms of its aims and objectives, and has continued to expand its impact on the Meserani community through the number of students progressing to further and higher education. By the end of 2021 there will have been 272 young people who have been supported throughout various stages of their education.
We are currently sponsoring:
17 pupils at secondary school.
7 students are in their first year of A’ Level studies.
16 students are in their second year of A’ Level studies.
6 students are studying certificate and diploma courses at higher education establishments.
23 students are studying degree courses at university.
10 students are expected to start degree courses at university by the end of 2021.
Although we are continuing to carefully monitor how easy it is for our university graduates to secure employment, unfortunately this has proved challenging whilst we have not been able to travel to Tanzania. However, it was pleasing to note that two of our graduates secured employment in August this year. The level of success of all our graduates will have a major impact on future decisions regarding sponsoring students to attend university.
It is pleasing to report that the charity is still able to function successfully without taking any expenses at all out of money raised, generated or donated, meaning that the charity continues to give true value for money. All decisions made regarding spending the money are still only done following consultation with, and approval of, our indigenous advisors in Tanzania (our ‘committee’), meaning that all funding goes exactly where it is needed most. Throughout the past year there were a number of issues for which the advice of the committee in Tanzania was invaluable.
Since the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic, in February last year, all money spent has been used directly in Tanzania, mainly for the sponsorship of students, but also to provide food for the families of the
workers at Meserani Snakepark, (this money has come from donors who have specifically requested this). Because of the logistical challenge of getting money to Tanzania, we have had to focus on these priorities, meaning that we have not been able to fund any other projects. As reported previously, the normal procedure of money being taken to Tanzania by Diane and Peter, has been replaced by money being transferred from the Barclays Bank Charity Account directly to an account at the NMB Bank, Monduli, Tanzania. This account is held by Loth Naparana, who arranges for its distribution to the relevant recipients. Further to the documents and evidence that Loth had to provide us with, we have this year also asked for official documents showing that each student had completed their previous year of study before money was handed over for their next year of study. At the request of the Trustees, Loth also had to provide us with details of security measures taken whilst the money was in transit from the bank to Meserani Snakepark.
The major challenge of building the new Meserani Secondary School appeared to make a significant step forward when in August officials from the Tanzania Government officially approved the sum of 700 million Tanzania Shillings, (approximately £233,000), to build the new school, with the school due to be ‘operational’ in June next year. However, work has still not started, which continues to be a disappointment to us all.
There have been no group trips to Tanzania to support the charity, since January last year - the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic has been significant in this respect. There are no school trips planned for 2022, although Virgin Media have indicated that they would like to send another group over as soon as travel is allowed.
Statistics
We have supported 272 young people throughout various stages of their education.
265 pupils have attended one of seven secondary schools that we have links with.
91 students have started their two years of A’ Level studies.
13 students have started their two year Vocational Training Courses. 20 students have started Certificate and Diploma Courses at College or University.
40 students have started their three year Degree courses at university. Fourteen classrooms have now been built and furnished for four primary schools.
Thirty-one 5,000 litre water tanks have now been provided across four schools.
Funding was provided for completing the building of a new dormitory at Kipok Girls’ Secondary Boarding School, and the provision of 60 beds. Eighty desks and chairs have been provided for Moita Boys’ Secondary Boarding School.
Bunk beds for 58 pupils have been provided for Moita Boys’ Secondary Boarding School.
Solar power has been provided for four teachers’ homes, all dormitories, the school office, the staffroom and a new classroom at Kipok Girls’ Secondary Boarding School.
Solar power has been installed in the staff accommodation block at the Meserani Chini Medical Clinic.
Four teachers’ homes at Meserani Chini School have been renovated and furnished, and water harvesting systems and full solar power systems have been installed.
A photocopier, printer, generator and TV/Video player have been provided for three schools.
Laptops and projectors have been provided for an Adult Learning Centre and a Vocational Training Centre.
Four whiteboards have been installed at three secondary schools and one Vocational Training Centre.
Three hundred trees have been planted in five schools.
Financial situation
There was an income of £43,694.02 over the financial year 2020/2021 and expenditure of £27,998.67 There was a balance of £143,748.02 from the previous financial year. The balance at the end of the year 2020/2021 was £159,444.14
A significant amount of this relatively healthy balance is funds raised specifically for the building project of the new Meserani Secondary School. We also need a contingency for any unexpected costs that may arise – this has been a common feature regarding our sponsorship of students, and needs of the two secondary schools and four primary schools that we support. Approximately £1,690 is in restricted funds to fulfil ongoing commitments regarding the sponsorship of secondary school pupils, further education students and higher education students.
AGM End of Year Accounts 2020-21 The Meserani Project 2020-21
Balance 5 April 2020 £143,748.02
| Deposits 5 April 2020 – 4 April 2021 | |
|---|---|
| Secondary School | 1768.61 |
| Reserve/overpayment of School Fees |
740.00 |
| Student Sponsorship | 30515.53 |
| Donations | 5192.74 |
| Gift Aid | 5350.00 |
| Sale of Books | 128.14 |
| Total | 43,695.02 |
| Withdrawals 5 April 2020 – 4 April 2021 | |
|---|---|
| YPS Book Distribution | 120.00 |
| Lottie Bank Charges | 270.21 |
| Students College/Uni Fees | 27608.46 |
| Total | 27,998.67 |
Summary Balance 5 April 2020 143,748.02 Deposits 2020-21 43695.02 Withdrawals 2020-21 27998.67 Balance 4 April 2021 159,444.14
Diane Swan Treasurer July 2020