The Mary Wood Trust
Annual Report –2023/2024
Charity Name
The Mary Wood Trust Registration Number ----- 1144311 Registered address --- 9 Handforth Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 2LX
Charity Structure, Governance and Management
Trustees
Chairperson - Clare Ramsden Treasurer - Dr Peter Wood Trustees - Kath Smith, Ann Gover, Pippa Hutchins, Rachel Wood Trustee selection method - by personal invitation and approval by existing trustees.
Our Aims and Objectives
1.To provide scholarships for education and training with a view to improving disadvantaged young peoples' life skills and opportunities in Uganda.
2.To advance education and relieve poverty by providing sponsorship, training, funds or items for disadvantaged children, young people, and those in need in Uganda.
3.To develop facilities in Kinkiizi, Kanungu district, in particular but not exclusively, at Nyakabungo Girls Secondary School (NGSS) and Ruth Memorial Nursery School (RMNS), in order to achieve the aims outlined in 1 and 2 above.
We held four trustees’ meetings during the year, in May, September, December and March, all via Zoom, with regular communcations throughout the year between the trustees and our beneficiaries and representatives in Uganda. The plan had been to have one in-person meeting but unfortunately illness made this impossible.
Holding regular meetings is essential for the smooth running of the charity. Keeping all the trustees up to date with the activities in Uganda and also making decisions about finances, forward planning and how best to fulfil our aims and objectives is very important.
There is full transparency about how our money is spent. We endeavour to make sure that the money we send out to Uganda, and spent there, is fully accounted for, receiving copies of receipts wherever possible.
Money sent for student sponsorship or building projects at NGSS is channelled via the Diocese of Kinkiizi, where the contacts we have there are trusted and reliable, the relationship having been built up over many years. The fees for university and further education tuition are sent directly to the individual respected institutions.
The trustees all give their time freely for their involvement in the charity and any trips made by trustees to Uganda are totally self-funded.
Activities Over The Past Year
Ruth Memorial Nursery School (RMNS) in Kihiihi continues to provide a basic primary education for approximately 75 young children from the local area. All come from poor families, many of whom have been affected by AIDS/HIV.
The founder, Ephraim Tumwesigye, is the director of the nursery school. He is a retired headteacher and he and his board of management (which includes family members) make sure that the nursery school runs smoothly and follows any local guidelines and restrictions. The school employs a head teacher (who has some nursery qualification) and 4 other ladies who are not formally trained. There is also a cook and night watchman.
The increased costs of food and other supplies have caused concern. Many of the children’s families cannot afford to pay the small termly fees and this can sometimes be a problem when it comes to paying the staff.
The Mary Wood Trust continues to pay for the regular food and milk that the children receive every day, along with the firewood and salary for the cook. In this way we can be sure that the children do get some nourishment every day.
We have paid for stationary that is needed throughout the year and this year we have responded to other needs of the school - repairing the perimeter fence, replacing the chalk boards, painting the walls white as requested by the local council. We have also repaired the broken outdoor play equipment, renovated and revarnished the desks and replaced broken footballs. On our annual visit we hand out boiled eggs, biscuits and juice to all the children and the staff and this is very much appreciated.
The children now have a conducive environment to learn and play in and our regular visits there are greeted with great enthusiasm and joy.
Nyakabungo Girls Boarding Secondary School (NGBSS)
This is a Church of Uganda school, and it is the only girls boarding school under the umbrella of the Diocese of Kinkiizi. Its rural situation, on sometimes impassable roads, makes it very difficult to access, particularly when it rains. This emphasises the importance of its boarding status as many students live some distance away.
The Mary Wood Trust has been involved with the school since 2002 and has continued to grow in its sponsorship of students and improving the infrastructure of the school. This is seen by all the additional buildings and facilities provided by the MWT over the past 22 years.
We support 40 girls at the school, most of whom are chosen from very needy backgrounds. Many would not otherwise get the chance to continue their secondary education. The Cliff Smith sewing room is a great asset to the school and we continue to pay the salary of the sewing teacher. It is hoped that in the future these vocational subjects might be taught up to an acceptable certificate level, allowing girls of all academic standards to leave school with a qualification.
The work on renovating Mary Hall - the female staff house - has at last been completed. With a rainwater collection scheme, an outdoor kitchen and solar power, it now provides 7 female staff with a pleasant and conducive place to live during term time.
We have provided smart sports kit for the girls taking part in football and netball.
We continue to provide mosquito nets for all the girls at the school and hope that they are being maintained and used sensibly.
We are fulfilling our commitment to providing sanitary towels to all the girls and female staff at the school and this is much appreciated. The building of a new incinerator is soon to be completed, paid for by a generous donor.
A new A-level and Fine Arts 3-classroom block is in the process of being built and will hopefully be ready for the celebrations that will take place on April 19[th] to celebrate 40 years since the school was first established.
Nyakatare Health Centre (NHC IV)
Situated in Kanungu Town, NHC is a Diocesan Health Centre and provides good quality medical care to the local community.
During the past year the health centre has had its status changed to a level 4 facility. There is a fully qualified doctor in charge now - Dr Joe Kalenzi.
Nexon Tusiime’s role has changed, and he is now in charge of the HIV/AIDS department. The dental unit is still without a fully trained dentist which limits the extent of work that can be done. We offer support towards the salary of the dental assistant, and we have given out donated toothbrushes and toothpaste during the last trustees’ visit. We provided a new air compressor for the dental chair so that it can now be used.
Taking the health service into the far-reaching communities has been an aim of NHC for some while. Family planning, child welfare, immunisation, HIV testing and dental health are all covered during these sessions. This is such an important service as many people do not have or cannot afford the transport to take them into town. By providing the money for these community outreaches, the Mary Wood Trust is participating in improving the health education and care of many people.
Past Students
We are fortunate to be in the position to be able offer support for further education to some of our sponsored students after they have taken their national exams. Unfortunately, we cannot offer this to all the girls which of course does make for some hard decisions.
We endeavour to keep in touch with all those we support in further education and meet with as many as we can on our annual trips.
We are satisfied that the money we spend on the girls is well used and to their benefit.
Newsletters and raising awareness
Over the past year we have sent out 2 newsletters, realising the importance of keeping our sponsors, supporters and friends up to date with our work out in Uganda. There has also been an article in the St Barts Parish Magazine in Wilmslow. We are fortunate to have a very loyal group of supporters.
Future Plans
Brass instruments and drums have been donated at NGBSS by the chair of the board of governors and her family, so that a marching band can be formed. It is hoped that this will raise the status of the school and provide another interest for the students. Up till now there has been no musical input at the school.
The new A-level and Fine Arts block is soon to be completed ready for its opening on April 19[th] . This is a wonderful project made possible due to a very generous donation from the
Linden Trust, given in memory of its founder Margaret Pearson. She was a great friend and supporter of the Mary Wood Trust. Along with a rainwater collection scheme, solar panels and new desks, it is hoped that this new three-roomed classroom block will attract many new girls to join the school.
Financial Review
Overview of the year 2023-2024
We have continued to be blessed by receiving regular donations from many individuals despite the fact of the economic downturn and hardship people face in these uncertain times. Our total income fell by £5,121, partly because a regular donation that we receive of £5,000 fell outside this financial year.
Principal sources of funds
Most of the Trust’s income came from:
Charities - £35,200 (£35,000 from the Linden Trust and £200 from the Redsetter Trust) Individuals - (direct giving - £32,492, via PayPal - £2,780) HMRC - Gift Aid reclaimed - £3,984 Interest on Investments - £3,491 eBay Sales - £2,623
Expenditure
Our expenditure has doubled as a result of doing a major building project using money from the Linden Trust.
Our main areas of expenditure were: NGSS Building work including A-level Block - £41,203 Further Education Students - £9,446 NGSS Student support - £9,463 Kinkiizi Nyakatare Health Centre - £2,220 Ruth Memorial Nursery School Food etc - £4,462
Fundraising
Face to face fundraising has resumed including a Plant and Cake sale which was a great success. Selling donated items on eBay and Facebook marketplace has continued to bring in substantial funds.
Despite all the uncertainties of life our regular supporters have continued their generous giving, whether it be helping with the running of RMNS, supporting individual girls at NGBSS, responding to specific support requests, providing university support, giving to the general fund. We are very grateful indeed.
Financial Policy
We have not worked through the Charity Commission self- assessment checklist this year but we are aware of the need to do it.
Reserve funds
We hold reserve funds in case the charity was to fold. This would enable the charity to fulfil the commitments that we have made to the students at NGBSS, RMNS and the various institutes of further education, so that students could finish their respective educations.
How expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity
By providing sponsorship for 40 girls at Nyakabungo Girls Boarding Secondary School (NGBSS), all of whom come from needy backgrounds, we are helping to ensure that they have a good secondary education and therefore a good start in life. This in turn will improve the standard of their own families and hopefully uplift their whole communities in the future.
By providing mosquito nets each year to all students, we are ensuring that the girls have the best chance of staying healthy.
The provision of sanitary towels to all girls and women at the school ensures that no one is left in need.
The improvements to the fabric of both NGBSS and Ruth Memorial Nursery School (RMNS), gives everyone a clean and safe environment for the children and young people to learn in. The provision of suitable staff accommodation at NGBSS is important in encouraging the teachers, showing that they are appreciated. Hopefully this will reflect in their caring approach to their teaching.
Our continued ability to support some girls beyond NGBSS is hopefully going to produce useful and educated and informed citizens who will make a difference in their own families and the community beyond.
By providing daily food and milk for 75 children at RMNS we are ensuring that the children have daily nourishment. Replacing broken play equipment and providing all the stationary needs for the school are important in keeping up the standards of the school.
Supporting Nyakatare Health Centre with its community health outreaches has a far-reaching benefit to the wider community.
Privacy Policy
The Mary Wood Trust has written a privacy policy which is available to view on our website.
CHARITY tOMM15510N FOR ENGLAND AND WALES The Mary Wood Trust Receipts and payments accounts 1144311 CC16a For the pertod from 0610412023 To 0510412024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrtstrlctsd funds to th• nfj•Mt £ RtrIcted fund¥ Endowment fund• to the nearo8t£ Total funds Last year to thts n•are•t £ to th• neart £ to tho HreSt £ Al R•¢el AMAZON SMILE CHARITABLQ I'RUSfS CHURCH DONATIONS CAF VOUCHER DEPOSIT INTEREST EBAY SALES HMRC GIFf AID PAYPALGIVING FUND PERSONAL DONATIONS PERSONAL DONATIONS VIA PAYPAL STEWARDSHIP 22 22 36.200 976 320 3.491 109 3,984 2,614 32,492 2,780 120 20 200 6,000 35.200 975 320 Ji.V+ifjtrn 3h91 1,321 598 2,462 527 26.40B 1.696 2,020 109 2,245 2,409 20.743 2.706 1,739 106 11.740 74 120 mss Incom8 A2 A•t And Invutm•nt •ale• A3P• m?nt• FURTHER EDUCATION FURTHER ED GOOD SAMARITAN FUND KINK1121 IDental & NHCI K1NK1121 STUDENT SUPPORT NGSS euiLDING WORK NGSS FINE ARTS NGSS KITCHEN NGSS NETS NGSS SAMARITAN NGSS SANITARY PAOS NGSSSEWING ROOM NGSS SPORTS NGSS SUPPORT RM5 FOOD RMS GENERAL UGANDA TRIP GENERAL •.448 9.448 2,220 714 41.203 697 1.637 161 2,220 714 41,203 S97 1,637 336 1,724 .774 soo 238 428 387 1,417 618 286 1,417 618 286 9,463 4,462 1,736 8,363 4,263 2,481 4,462 1,736 2,734 2,734 Sub tot•1 A4 AM•t and InvMtmont Sub tot•1 Not of rne•lpt/{p•ym•nt•) A8 Tran8f•r8 between funds A8 C4•h funds last yor end C•sh fvnds th18 yfrar end 7,4151 7,416 109 391 114805 107 419 109 391
Sfrr.tioii B StatL%lI)ei)t frf as0t diid lidbllilies .At the eiid of tlie period Unrestrlcted nds to nearest £ Rèstricted funds Endowmènt fund• to neamt£ Categorles Oetsilg to ngarest £ Bl Cash fvnd8 C(YOP BANK (CURREWI CO-OP BANK (SAVINGS) REDWOOD BANK {SAVINGSI CCLA (SAVINGS} 1,864 12.941 10.000 56.912 34,088 70.717 44.088 Tot•1 c8sh lundJ Unts•trlctgd funds Re8trl¢tod fund# Endowment fund8 lagroe balanS receipts and P8yments accounllsll Detalls to nèAro8t £ to nMr•8t £ to noarest £ B2 Othar Monary •11¥ Fund to whl¢h 4•••t b•lon Curr•ntvalu• D•talls B3 Invo•tm•nt ass•ts Fund to thl¢h •••¢ helon Dptalls coDtloptlonj CutrT•ntv•lu• tlonal B4 Asset8 retalned for tho charlty's own uso Fund to whl¢h Ilabllliy r•l•t•• Amount du• loptlon•ll WIMn du• lopdonlll l)et.alls 85 Llabllltlos $lgn•d by one ortsvotru•t•e• behalf ol all tha ttustee8 si ngtur Pdnt Name Dat• of roval Clora Ramsdtrn 2511012024 Pèler Wood 2511012024
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independeiit Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of The Mary Wood Trust On accounts for the y&ar ended Charlty no Ilf any) 5° Aprfl 2024 1144311 Set out on pages CC16a I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Yhe Trusv,) for the year ended 0510412024. Re8pon8lbllltles and As the charlty trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of basls of report the accounts in accordance wlth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under 8ection 145 of the 2011 Act and In carrylng out ry examinatlon, I have followed the appllcable Directions given by the Charity Commission under 8ection 145{5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I conflrm that no material matter8 hava come to my attentlon ') in connection wbth the examinatlon which gives me cause to belleve that In, ary materlal respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord wlth th8 accounting records Ind8p•nd8nt éxamlnarf• Statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection wlth the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounls to be reached. Ple delete the words in the br8ck8ts if th8y do not apply. 81gned: Date: 2511012024 Relevant professional quallficatlon(•) or body (If any): Addre88: 166 Beeche8 Road Chelmsford Essex CM12RZ IER Octobar 2018