## **Chairman’s Annual Report for 2021/2022**
It is pleasing to report that travel to Tanzania is now allowed, meaning that Trustees can be more confident in their monitoring of the work of the charity in Tanzania. Throughout the latter stages of the Pandemic 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 2022 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 second year of A’ Level studies.
8 students are studying certificate and diploma courses at higher education establishments.
37 students are studying degree courses at university.
We were delighted to hear that two of our new university students have actually been selected to study a five year course at medical school, training to be doctors.
During a visit to Tanzania in July this year, two trustees started compiling information on which of our previously sponsored students were actually in employment. This is a time consuming process, and much work has yet to be done, but the initial findings were very positive and reassuring.
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.
The arrangements for sending money to Tanzania, from the charity bank account in the U.K. to the account in Tanzania held by the Meserani Ward Councillor Loth Naparana, has been very successful, and monitoring of this has been extremely rigorous. However, it is
disappointing to note that the Barclays bank charges for each transaction has ranged from £35 to £75 and recently waiting time to be dealt with by someone in the bank has been in excess of one hour. We have had approval from our auditor to look into using the Revolut bank to send money to Tanzania – the bank charges per transaction are fixed at about $3.30 and their foreign exchange rates were significantly better than traditional banks. A trial transfer of $50 has already been successfully made, and it is expected that this method will be used increasingly in the future.
The major challenge of building the new Meserani Secondary School made a significant step forward in January this year when the building work funded by the government actually started. Later in the year the charity committed to funding two dormitories and a dining/assembly hall and kitchen, so that the school would be able to be a boarding school. This was with the full approval of the government officials, and they committed to fund the ongoing costs of food, staffing and maintenance. In July this year two trustees were able to see the building work for themselves, and were very impressed with what they saw. Unfortunately, since then there has been little progress with the building work being funded by the government, and our disappointment was expressed to the government officials. We suggested that no further funding could come from the charity until building work accelerated, and reassurances are given. These reassurances have been given, and we are monitoring the situation carefully. The government still promises that the school will be open to pupils in January next year. Two trustees are due to visit Tanzania in January, and will be able to assess the situation.
Group trips to Tanzania to support the charity are now being organised following the restrictions of the Pandemic. A group of 16 employees from Virgin Media are spending ten days supporting the charity in January next year, focussing on providing solar power, water harvesting and shelving for the Meserani Secondary School. A group of 26 from a secondary school in the U.K. are spending almost three weeks in July next year engaging with the work of the charity.
## **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.
92 students have started their two years of A’ Level studies.
13 students have started their two year Vocational Training Courses.
27 students have started Certificate and Diploma Courses at College or University.
61 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 £54,014.31 over the financial year 2021/2022 and expenditure of £40,335 There was a balance of £159,444.14 from the previous financial year. The balance at the end of the year 2021/2022 was £173,123.36
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 three secondary schools and four primary schools that we support. Approximately £3,751.00 is currently in
restricted funds to fulfil specific ongoing commitments regarding the sponsorship of secondary school pupils, further education students and higher education students.
P.G. Swan 11/10/22
## **The Meserani Project 2021-22**
## **Balance 5 April 2021 £159,443.14**
|**Deposits 5 April 2021 – 4 April 2022**||
|---|---|
|Secondary School|8192.80|
|Reserve/overpayment of School Fees|320.00|
|Student Sponsorship|30,718.30|
|Donations|5,350.86|
|Cor.Don|3.053.50|
|Gift Aid|5,951.00|
|Paypal|104.90|
|Sale of Books|322.95|
|**Total**|**54,014.31**|
|**Withdrawals 5 April 2021 – 4 April 2022**||
|Reimburse overpayment of school fees|160.00|
|Ebay Fraud repayment|7.56|
|University/High School/secondary school fees|39,763.60|
|Lottie Bank Charges|378.97|
|Reimburse Yarm School|25.00|
|**Total**|**40,335.13**|
|**Summary**||
|---|---|
|**Balance 5 April 2021**|**159,444.14**|
|Deposits 2021-22|54,014.31|
|Withdrawals 2021-22|40,335.13|
|**Balance 4 April 2022**|**173,123.32**|
**Diane Swan Treasurer July 2022**
## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
## **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report**
**Report to the trustees/** THE MESARANI PROJECT **members of On accounts for the year** 31/03/22 **Charity no** 1136570 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** 1 to 2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2022. **Responsibilities and** As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the **basis of report** 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** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
- 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.
**Signed: Name:** Stuart Fallowfield **Relevant professional** Association of Chartered Certified Accountants **qualification(s) or body**
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Date: 18/12/22
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1
**Oct 2018**
**IER**
## **(if any):**
**Address:** 36 Green Leas, Carlton, Stockton-on-tees,TS21 1EJ
## **Section B Disclosure**
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
**Give here brief details of any items that the** There are no matters that I wish to disclose. **examiner wishes to disclose** .
2
**Oct 2018**
**IER**