Imara-Uganda Education Fund
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From period start date: 01/04/2024 to period end date: 31/03/2025
Charity name: Imara-Uganda Education Fund
Charity registration number: 1142239
Objectives and Activities
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document
The charity’s objectives are to advance the education of disadvantaged children living in northern Uganda through the provision of grants, scholarships and the provision of materials and facilities for education.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.
The main activities of the charity in the period have been to fund the start of the second phase of the building of the new inclusive secondary school for the visually impaired and other students in the Lira area of northern Uganda and to continue to provide basic furnishings and educational materials for the school.
Our grants and scholarships for education continue to benefit a number of disadvantaged children and young people.
Statement confirming regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on . public benefit
In carrying out the work of the charity, the trustees pay due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Contribution made by volunteers
Apart from the trustees and management team, the charity has no regular volunteers in the UK. We call on volunteers to help with fundraising events and this support is greatly appreciated. Our partner organisation in Uganda, local NGO Itinga Charity Education Foundation (ICEF) is run by volunteers who carry out the day to day work of the charity locally and keep in regular close contact with us. We continue to appreciate their dedication and hard work which contributes enormously to the difference we are able to make to the lives of our beneficiary students and schools.
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Achievements and Performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.
St. Mary Goretti School – Inclusive education for the blind and other students
The building of the first phase of a secondary school funded by the charity, offering inclusive education and opened for its first students in February 2024, has proved to be a life-changer for many young people. It offers the hope of an education many could not have dreamed of. By February 2025, the school was educating 43 students in Senior 1 and 2. They include 9 who are totally blind, 13 partially sighted, 1 with sickle cell anaemia, 2 with cerebral palsy, 2 with other physical disabilities and the rest with no disability. Many of these young people are from the poorest of families and some were dropping out of school because their families could not raise the money for fees for their children. Thanks to the support of our donors, we were able to offer school fees grants to enable them to be in school, knowing that without an education there is little opportunity for a blind or orphaned child to reach their potential and lead a fulfilled life. A bright child can be forced to end up begging on the streets. By February 2025, we were supporting 16 students on school fees grants. They include a girl from a family of 9 children 4 of whom are totally blind. She had no Braille teaching before entering St. Mary Goretti School. Now she is learning Braille and how to use a computer with JAWS screen reader for the blind. She says the opportunity has changed her life and is the best experience ever.
A boy orphaned at the age of 4 was supported through primary school by his grandfather and he achieved a Division 1 pass in his Primary Leaving Exams. His grandfather’s deteriorating health meant that he could not continue his education and he dropped out of school. With the support
of the charity, he has been given the lifechanging opportunity to continue his education at St. Mary Goretti Secondary School.
The school is the only one in the Lira area of northern Uganda offering inclusive education to the blind.
Continuing the building programme
Work is in progress on the building of dormitory accommodation for the girls. When completed there will be 2 dormitories, washrooms, a sick bay and a room for the matron.
Provision of educational materials and furnishings
We received a grant of £1000 from World Day of Prayer and with this we were able to put 2 computers into the school with JAWS screen reader for the blind. With other generous donations, we have been able to supply the school with desks and with bunk beds. Acen Kevin, director of our partner NGO Itinga Charity Education Foundation has done much to create awareness of the school. She was awarded a Changemaker Award Grant by MTN Uganda and the school received more desks and 3 more computers with JAWS screen reader as a result. Other organisations have donated books in Braille and 5 Orbit Reader 20 which are used for making notes in Braille and for reading using an SD card.
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Scholarships
The charity supported 20 children and young people on full scholarships this year. Eight of these were in tertiary or vocational training colleges and institutions – one studying clinical medicine at diploma level, one studying Physics and Maths at university with a view to teaching when he has graduated, four are studying nursing, one social work and one tailoring. We supported 10 students in secondary schools, 4 of whom are totally blind, another has visual impairment and one is severely physically disabled. We supported 2 children in primary schools, one of whom is blind.
With the support of the charity, all these students will complete their education with useful skills that will set them up for a much brighter future than they could have imagined without the support. They will make a positive difference within their communities in the future. We are proud of our scholarship students many of whom face physical challenges but prove that disability does not mean inability.
We are not awarding new full scholarships. We are instead giving school fees grants to enable students, many of whom are blind or have other disabilities, to attend St. Mary Goretti Secondary School. 16 students are supported with school fees grants. In most cases the full fees are paid by the charity.
We appreciate the generosity of our regular donors who continue to enable us to make a difference to the lives of these students through scholarships and grants. The former scholarship students of the charity have formed a group which meets once a year. They are in regular contact with each other through WhatsApp so all can continue to feel supported.
Achievements against objectives set
All our scholarship students’ fees and related expenses have been paid on time. The 16 students we are supporting with school fees grants are in school and receiving an education that would otherwise have been denied them.
We have been able to supply the scholarship students with all the educational materials they are requested to bring each term.
St. Mary Goretti Secondary School, being a new school, has many needs but gradually we have been able to meet some of these needs through the provision of furniture and equipment. Phase 2 of the construction, the building of dormitories for the girls, has met with challenges and twice we have had to stop the work while mistakes were being rectified. The actual costs have proved to be higher than the estimates. The challenges have led to delays but progress is being made.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set.
Small fundraising events helped to boost our income and together with regular and one off donations they enabled us to meet our objectives for the year. We had a sales table on Ardingly Village Day in July and a sale of crafts at the Ardingly Village Fair. We held a coffee morning with a sales table during the year. St. Symphorian’s Church Durrington, raised some funds for beds for the girls at St. Mary Goretti Secondary School through their alternative Christmas card fundraiser. A birthday fundraiser helped us to buy desks for the school. A grant of £1000 from World Day of Prayer enabled us to buy 2 computers with JAWS screen reader for the blind for St. Mary Goretti Secondary School.
Investment performance against objectives
Our investment with CCLA’s COIF Ethical Investment Fund has continued to bring in a regular income which has helped to fund the scholarships. We have not taken from the capital during the year but we will need to do so as the building of the school continues into Phase 3.
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Visits to Uganda
We were unable to visit during the year but look forward to doing so again very soon. Regular communication with our partner ICEF with photos and videos has continued to keep us well informed of the progress of the school and the requirements and achievements of the scholarship students and those on school fees grants.
Looking forward
We expect Phase 2 of the construction of the secondary school for the visually impaired, dormitory accommodation for the girls, to be completed in 2025. Phase 3 will be the construction of the braille library, library and computer rooms. We expect to be ready to start these rooms in 2026.
We will continue to support existing scholarship students on full scholarships to the completion of their education. Grants to cover school fees will be paid for students at present receiving . them and for any new beneficiaries
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period.
Our income for 2024-2025 shows an increase in Standing Order payments, fundraising and Gift Aid of £1800, which is encouraging, but after last year’s record donations, the figure for this year has dropped by about £12,000. The result of this is that we have very nearly been able to pay scholarships, educational materials and allowances out of income, but have had to take school building costs and sundries out of capital. Despite this, we still have just over £100,000 invested with CCLA, some of which we will almost certainly have to draw on for the next stage of school building costs. While we will eventually have to rethink the way in which we operate, it is remarkable that, as a small local charity, we have been able to fund two considerable school building projects as well as the education of our children in Uganda.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves and stating why they are held The charity’s policy is to hold sufficient money in reserve to enable it to meet increases in school fees and the considerable cost of education when our scholars transfer from primary to secondary school and on to tertiary education.
Amount of reserves held
Not less than the cost of school fees for a year is kept in reserve.
The charity’s principle sources of funds
Our main source of funding continues to be the regular monthly donations from individual supporters. The charity also receives a monthly donation from a small business. Several one off donations were received during the year. The charity carries out small fundraising activities.
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Structure, Governance and Management
Type of governing document
Constitution adopted 2[nd] July 2011
How the charity is constituted
Unincorporated Association
Trustee selection methods
Trustees are appointed or reappointed by members annually at the AGM.
The charity’s organisational structure
The charity is managed by the trustees and officers. As we are a very small organisation, the whole management team is involved in planning, policy making and carrying out the work of the charity.
Officers and Trustees
During the year ended 31[st] March 2025 the following people served as Officers and Trustees of Imara-Uganda Education Fund:
Officers
Chairperson: Belinda Maclean Treasurer: Roger Walker Membership secretary: Pamela Newnham Minute secretary: Marielyn Wood
Trustees
Belinda Maclean Sylvia Walker Roger Walker David Johnson Emma Johnson
Relationship with any related parties
We operate in partnership with an indigenous NGO, Itinga Charity Education Foundation (ICEF) which was formed at our request and shares our aims and objectives. ICEF carries out the day to day work of the charity in Uganda.
The charity is working in partnership with the Lira Catholic Diocese to enable the construction of the school for the visually impaired and other learners.
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name: Imara-Uganda Education Fund Registered charity number: 1142239 (England and Wales)
West Sussex, RH17 6TD
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Declarations yèar onded 31•1 March 2025. Fullnamelsl S£LIAI MP*61 y LLA rQ Posftlon CfrIAI Rf ERsohJ Date 30.t. FUU nam8(s) Date
Imara-Uganda Education Fund
Registered Charity Number 1142239
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31[st] March 2025
General & Designated Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds 2024-2025 2023-2024 Income £ £ £ £ Donations from standing Orders/direct debits 12,714 12,714 12,050 Other donations 5,174 5,174 17,297 Fundraising Trading 624 624 430 Fundraising non trading 1,144 1,144 263 Gift Aid Relief 2,736 2,736 2,675 Legacy 32,686 Investment income 3,631 3,631 5,088 TOTAL INCOME 26,023 26,023 70,489 Expenditure Scholarships and Grants 17,367 17,367 23,410 Educational materials/furniture 3,238 3,238 10,939 School construction 33,939 33,939 148,109 Ugandan allowances/expenses 5,681 5,681 5,453 Insurance 744 744 747 Bank transfer error 5 5 Charges 282 282 287 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 61,256 61,256 188,945 Reconciliation of funds Current Account Premium Account Total Total funds brought forward 17,501 42,711 60,212 Total funds carried forward 12,034 12,945 24,979
Imara-Uganda Education Fund Registered Charity Number 114223
Balance Sheet
as at 31[st] March 2025 As at As at 31/03/2025 31/03/2024 Fixed Assets £ £ Investments CCLA COIF Ethical Investment Fund 100,000 100,000 Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand: Current Account 12,034 17,501 Premium Account 12,945 42,771 24,979 60,212 Liabilities 0 0 Total net assets less liabilities 124,979 160,212 Represented by Unrestricted Funds – General Fund 124,979 160,212 Designated Funds – General Fund Restricted Funds TOTAL FUNDS FOR THE CHARITY 124,979 160,212
Independent Examinerfs report to the Trustees and Members of Imara Uganda Educatlon Fund (R•ght•r Charlty no 1142239) I report on th• xeounts of the ¢harlty for th• year •nd•d 31•t March 2025 nd n•r The chorW• trustw aro rn8pon8lbl• for the prnparatlon of th• accounts. The ¢harfty'8 tnotoes con8lder that an audlt Is not required for th18 year under 8e"¢tk>n14412) ofthe cfarltlb•""A"crnffith"¥2uifAZIFfndl lor an independent oxamlnatlon to be caTrled out even though It l• not 1o9•lty rwulred. tt Is my re8pon•lblllty to: examlne the ac¢ounts und•r sectlon 145 of th• 2011 Act: - to follow the proc•dur•8 lald In the Gonèral Dlr•ctlons gfv•n by the Charlty Commlsslon under *ectlon 14qS)(b) of the 2011 Ac(. and - to stats wh•th•r rtICUlar m•tter• havo com• to my •tt•ntlon. :. In en exa My oxamlnatlon was carrled out In accordance wlth th• gonfjrnl Dlr•ctlon8 gfven by tho Chartty Comm16s1on. An examtnatlon Include8 a revhw of the accountlng record• kept by the charmy and a comparfson of the •ccount• pre8ent•d wlth th09• rKord8. It also In¢lud•• eonsldorallon of any unusual It•m• or dEs¢lo•ur•• In th• accounts, and Sooklng •xplanatlong from yau a• trustw• ¢on¢•mlng any 8uch matter8. Th• procedur•8 und•rtaken do not provldo all tho gvld•ne• that would be rwulr•d In an audft and consoqugntly no oplnlon18 glven a6 to whether tho accounts pr•8•nt a Yrue and falr vh and th• r•port l• Ilmltod to th¢)¥e mattgrn •at out In tho 8tatom•nt b•low. In Connectlon wlth my examlnatton, no mattorn h•ve como to my attentlon: , (1) whlch glve mo rea80nable ca to bellove that, In any matsrfal ro6p•ct iho raqulrnmgnt•: to ke•p accountlng rocords In accordance wlth $ècUon 130 of tha 2011 Act; and to propare accounts whlch accord wlth the accountlng rocord8 and ¢ompty wlth th¢ accountlng requlrnments ol the 2011 Act hav• not l>o•n m•t; or (2) to whlch. In my oplnlon, att•ntk)n Should h drawn In ord•r to •nabl• a proper undor•tandlng of th• accounts to b• reached. Mrn C•therfn• 16 Lundy Clo•• Llttl•hampton BN17 8NX l•adow
Independent Examinerfs report to the Trustees and Members of Imara Uganda Educatlon Fund {R•ghtQr Charlty no 1142239) I report on th• xeounts of the ¢harlty for th• year •nd•d 31•t March 2025 nd n•r The chorW• trustw arn rn8pon8lbl¢ for the prnparatlon of th• accounts. Th• ¢harfty'8 tnotoes con8lder that an audlt Is not required for th18 year under 8e"¢tk>n14412) ofthe cfarltl•• A"crnffith"¥2uifAZIFfndl lor an independent oxamlnatlon to be caTrled out even though It l• not 1o9•lty rwulred. tt Is my re8pon•lblllty to: examlne tho ac¢ounts und•r sectlon 145 of th• 2011 Act: - to follow the proc•dur•8 lald In the Gonèral Dlr•ctlons gfv•n by the Charlty Commlsslon under *ectlon 14qS)(b) of the 2011 Ac(. and - to stats wh•th•r partlcular m•tter• havo come to my •tt•ntlon. :: In en exa My oxamlnatlon was carrled out In accordance wlth th• gonfjrnl Dlr•ctlon8 gfven by tho Chartty Comm16s1on. An examtnatlon Include8 a revhw of the accountlng recordg kept by the charmy and a comparfson of the •ccount• prn8ent•d wlth th09• rKord8. It also In¢lud•• eonsldorallon of any unusual It•m• or dEs¢lo•ur•• In th• accounts, and Sooklng •xplanatlon8 from yau a• trustw• ¢on¢•mlng any 8uch matter8. Th• procedur•8 und•rtaken do not provldo all tho gvld•ne• that would be rwulr•d In an audlt and consoqugntly no oplnlon18 glven a6 to whether tho accounts pr•8•nt a Yrue and falr vh and th• r•port h Ilmltod to th¢)¥e mattgrn •at out In tho 8tatom•nt b•low. In Connectlon wlth my examlnatton, no mattorn h•ve como to my attentlon: , (1) whlch glve m• rea80nable ca to bellove that, In any matsrfal ro6p•ct tho raqulrnmgnt•: to ke•p accountlng rocords In accordance wlth $ècUon 130 of tha 2011 Act; and to propare accounts whlch accord wlth the accountlng rocord8 and ¢ompty wlth th¢ accountlng requlrnments ol the 2011 A¢t hav• not l>o•n m•t; or (2) to whlch. In my oplnlon, att•ntk)n Should bo drawn In ord•r to •nabl• a proper undor•tandlng of th• accounts to b• reached. Mrn C•therfn• 16 Lundy Clo•• Llttl•hampton BN17 8NX l•adow