LYRA IN AFRICA Charlty reglstratlon number 1146496 Trustees report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 301N JUNE 2024
Lyra in Africa Registered charty number: 1146496 Address: Colstrope Farm Hambleden, Bucks RG9 6SL Tru¥(ees Maria Spink- founder Joy Aladekomo (appointed 30/01123) Louise Shah (appointed 13102124) Professor Philip Marsden (resigned l 1/07123) Emily Echessa (resigned 23101124) Trustee selection method: Approaches are made to those people the current trustees believe would bring necessary skills to the organisation and if they are willing to put themselves forward their appointment is put to the full board for approval. Goveming document The Charity was reglstered on the 21 st of March 2012 and is governed by a Trust Deed dated 12th February 2012. ORGANISATIONAL GOVERNANCE The Board takes overall responsibility for Lyra, including responsibility for identifying key risk areas, considering significant financial matters, and reviewing the performance of management, strategic plans and budgets. The Board is also responsible for ensuring that a comprehensive system of internal control policies and procedures is operative, and for compliance with sound governance principles. The Board ordinarily meets four times a year. During the 12 months period, the Board met five times (one Annual General Meeting, four Ordinary Meetings and one Extraordinary General Meeting) and discussed various matters about Lyra including budgets, funding, operational performance, risk management and risk reviews, safeguarding, tax liabilities, change of financial year, review of general Board affairs and approval of financial statements. The Board delegates the day-to-day management of Lyra in Africa (Lyra) to the CEO and COO. Members of the senior management team are occasionally invited to attend Board Meetings and facilitate the effective control of all Lyra's operational activities. Lyra is committed to the principles of effective governance. The Directors also recognise the importance of integrity, transparency and accountability. Lyra in Africa, Tanzania: In 2015 an affiliated charity- Lyra in Africa Organisation - was established in Tanzania to facilitate the delivery of the UK charity's objectives. It is now well established in the Iringa district with an office and staff to mana9e projects, such as the construction of hostels, training of digital education in schools and entrepreneurship training to rur31 youth groups. The Management of Lyra in Africa in Tanzania is currently under the National Director and is organised in the following main departments:
Finance, Human Resources and Administration Eco-friendly Construction Young people's Livelihoods and savings and loans schemes Digital Learning in rural Government schools Lyra is currently active in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania with the intention to scale into further rural regions in the country. 1. Lyra's VISION AND MISSION Vision Thriving rural communities where specifically youth have the right to a good education and social well being. Mission To create vibrant ruTrl communities by improving education and income opportunities specifically for marginalised girls. youth, and women across rural Tanzania. Lyra's mission is to give rural girfs and youth equal opportunities to complete their secondary studies and increase their access to social and economic opportunities. Lyra is currently active in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania with the intention to extend into other rural regions in the country. 2. PRINCIPAL AcfiviTIES Lyra has three interwoven principal activities as detailed below which are implemented by Lyra in Africa, Tanzania: 2a. Construction of Hostels for GiAs in rural Government Secondary Schools: Lyra builds eco-friendly dormitories so that girls from wide rural catchment areas (where secondary schools serve villages up to 30 km apart}, can attend secondary school safelyand completetheirstudies. Lyra works with local government (District Councils} and communities Iwards) and together have constructed sixteen hostels in Iringa Region as of 30th June 2024, with a total bed capacity of 1098 and occupancy rates averaging 130% Lyra contributes an average of 80% of the total Hostel construction costs, while the District, Wards and other Stakeholders contribute the rest. At a handover ceremony, maintenance and responsibility for the hostels are handed over to the District Authorities and schools. As an example of our green credentials, we make and use Interlocking Soil Stabilized Bricks IISSBS) which are compressed earth- instead of burnt bricks that use natural forest resources, thus stopping deforestation around our partner schools. By training local labourers. we transfer these skills into the communities. We also use Biofil digester toilets to stop the use of pit latrines. Water gutters are installed for rainwater col lection. In each of the projects, the Ward Construction Committee members help in the day-to-day supervision of the project, while each School assigns a teacher to be in charge of stock control of all the construction material stored in a safe room at the school. The projects are successfully implemented in a very collaborative way with any arising issues communicated without delay.
2.b. Girls sponsorship for ultra-poor girls in govemment secondary schools: Since 2012, Lyra has continued to sponsor girls from the most vulnerable families by subsidising their attendance at schools, colleges and Vocational Training institutes. Sponsorship is provided in terms of provision of Hostel and training fees, as well as basic needs including health insurance. These girls would not have otherwise been able to live in Lyra Hostels due to their inability to pay costs., nor would they be able to continue education beyond lower secondary schools. During 2023124, Lyra in Africa sponsored - 140 9irls 2.c. Digitsl Leaming Program: Lyra leverages the power of digital technology to transform learning so that students and teachers can self- study and gain relevant skills to prepare them for work in the 21 st Century. Lyra's Digital Learning Programme (DL) comprises two parts.. the installation of computer labs with offline, high quality educational content as well as teaching weekly ICT club classes in our partner schools. Lyra expanded the digital learning programme to total 10 partner schools during the year by installing a further two computer labs and installed two computer labs in government run teachers colleges. Since November 2023, The Digital Learning programme has continued in the form of a Tech-inclusive Education programme, TIE. The aim ofTIE is to create self-sufficient EdTech communities of Practice, where each school has its own sustainable strategy and process for managing and improving the ICT component in their education, by making teachers take ownership and be the drivers for multiplying the impact of digital tools through the school. 2.d. Rural Livelihoods Programme for marginalised youth- Imarika Kijana (IK) This programme incorporates two interventions - the Imarika Kijana IIK- Strong Youth) Programme and the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAI Programme. 2.e. Imarika Kijana (IK) Programme: Strong Rural Youth The IK programme was Introduced in 2018 to meet the urgent need for supporting rural based youth to open their minds to opportunities in their communitie5, teaching them 3bout"bootstrapping" and how to develop new business ideas. With an increasingly large number of unemployed youths, the demand for the program is very high, especially in the rural areas where Lyra is active, as up to 90% of the community members are subsistence farmers. Implementation of the programme during this reporting period has focussed on a 'business boost programme, which focu55es on accelerating the growth of enterprises started under IK phase1. Through this programme, 418 youth have received business boost training and over 80% have more than tripled their income within a year. 2.f. Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAS): In the absence of formal banking structures, the organisation uses the VSLA methodology for rural based families and communities to self-manage their money and access credit within the groups. We train and support VSLAS to fegister with their respective Local Government Authorities (District Councils), so they become formally recognised, thus allowing them to open formal bank accounts.
During the reporting period, the Organisation works with 11 Community B3sed Trainers (CBTS) who in turn provide support to existing VSLAS, as well as start new groups in their communities. There are 53 supervised VSLA groups with 1050 members1732 female and 318 malel with 45 groups being registered with their respective districts. 3. ReseNes Policy: The Charity operates with limited cash reserves The Trustees, objectives is to maintain a sufficient balance to meet committed expenditure on current projects and cover foreseeable administration expenses. Major projects and initiatives are met from separate fundraising activities. Declaration: I declare in my capacity as charity trustee, that the board of trustees have approved the report above and have authorised me to sign it on their behalf. Signed by Chairperson
Independent examiner's report on the accounts to the trustees of Lyra In Afrlca {charty no 1146496) Report on the accounts for the twelve months ended 301h June 2024, which are set out on the attached pages. I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust.) for the year ended 30th June 2024 Responsibilities and basis of report 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.). report in respect of my examination ol 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 Direction5 given by the Charrty Commission under section 14515Xb) of the Act. Independent examinerfs statsment The charity's gross income exceeded £25,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales 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: 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 conceming the form and content of accounts set out in th8 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 a5 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.. Date: z? as Name: Stephen East Professional Qualrfication - Chartsred Accourrtant Address.. Heasmans Lodge Farm, 81ack Hill, Crowborough TN6 1 XE
Lyra in Africa Statement of Financial Activities For tho 12 mnths ended 30th June 2024 30th Jun• 2024 lthrnstrlcted R¢stJleted hiftds fvnds 30th Jun• 2023 Unrnstrlcied R•strlc¢ed funds fvnds Note rotsl rotsl IncomSng ure•l tknnaticns re¢w Tax recowable Gift Aid TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 61,715 7,726 69,1 162.064 162,( 221839 7,726 23L565 83,932 451 84.443 336,228 420.220 451 336,228 420,671 Rere•S expended Ch?ritable •cb"v7ties Grants to Lyra in Africa Organisation. Tanz Resèarch and TrainirrfJ "rect Prugramme SuFPJrt Otr PTDiects Pregr8mme management and M&E Support ¢Q5 Finance & administration Communications & promotion Fundrasiry Golemance costs 259.754 259.754 698 14,C135 239.CFJ8 239,1)38 320 320 li 11.98 9,465 27,11 22.414 49,915 26.548 26.548 13,1491 4.638 4,702 2,565 10,C68 &033 18.131 3,989 2,657 2,208 302.416 4.702 2.565 1657 2,2( 45,820 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 47.648 29).W3 33&647 Net incominglloutyolngl r•sOue before transf•rs 21.853 1128,9351 (lo7,) 38,623 79.632 118.255 Balances brought lop#ard 5.937 168.868 174.8CS .0 37.535 56,550 27.PJ) I24,] 39.933 24.1 67.723 57.638 151.7011 117.167 51.701 174.805 Gross tranrs between fvnd$ TOTAL FUNDS CARRIEO FORWARD 1889 £ 64,834 £ 67,723 5.937 £ 168,868 £ 174.805 Balance Sheet 30th June 2024 30th Jun• 2023 ithrestricted Réstficted fvnds funds Total Tol•l funds fvnds Net current •ssets Bank balances Less.. CT8Jito 2. 64.834 67.723 5.937 16&868 174,805 TOTAL ASSETS 1889 £ 64,834 £ 67,723 S.937 £ 168.868 £ 174,805 Fund$ of the chartty Unrestri¢tod tsnds Restricted fjJnds ILk)riated ts a s11¢ wrr*)sel 5,937 5,937 168,868 168.868 5.937 £ 168.868 £ 174.806 64.834 64,834 2.889 £ 64,834 £ 67.723
Lyra In Afrtca Notes to the accounts For the porlod ondod 30th Jun• 2024 eountlng polIc3 B•sls of 4y¢¢ounting The financial statementsof the charity have been ppared in accordan with Ihe CharitiesSORP IFRS 1021 Accouniing and Reportlng by Charities.. Statementof Recommended Practlce applicable to charities preparing iheir accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard appliiable in the UK arsd Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffertive ljanuary 20151.. Finanoal Reportin8Standa¥d 102 7he Financial Reporting Standard applitable in the UK and Republicof Iland'and the Charltles Act 2011. The financlal statemènts have been piepared underthe historical c05t conveniion. All income 15 reco8nised in the Statement of Financlal Aciivities once the charfty has entiilementto the funds. it is probable thatthe income will be 1Ved and the amount caTh be measured rellablv. Expenditure is accounted foron an acrJuals basisand has been dasified underheadings that awe8ate all colls lated to that category. Expenditure represents amounts Invofid. Indudlngvalue ad¢Jed tsx whith cannot be recovered. Fornlgft ¢umcy- US Dollats For expenditu an¢ transfers in US dollars an average exchange set atthe be.nningoI the accounting period Is used- for 2023124at $1.22. Monetary assets and liabilities held in foreign curTenaes at the balance sheet date are translated at Ihe rate of exchange rulin8 on that date. The e used at 30th June 2024was SL27to£l. Any sUItIng diffen on translation istaken through thestatement of Financial Activities. Fundufttin9 Unrestricte¢J fundson be used in accordan withthe tharitsNe objeLtivesat the discretion of the trustees. Restritted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposeswithin the objectsof the tharity- Restrictions arise when specified by the donororwhen funds are raised for particularStrifted purposes. Ta¥ation The charity is exemptfrom t on its tharitsble ivitie& 2 Trust005' Rerrwneration and Benefits No fee5. rernuneration or benefits We pabd to anyTrnstee duringthe period13)23- £nill 3 Staff costs The charity does not employ anystaff IZA3- none) 4 Relaied Paty Dlsclosur•s There were no trdnsactions with related parties in the period 5 Rgc8lved Uoftutrfded Restiirted Totol fvnds fvnds fvnds 61775 63. 124.981 98.W 98. Unre5trfrt¢d Restricted rotol fvnds fvnds fvnds 84.443 311,412 395,855 Donations Grants from other charities Grants from fy)vernment ftaid 19,365 19,365 451 451 84.894 335.777 420,671 7.726 69,501 7,726 IQC64 231.$65 6 Grarts to LyTa in Pjrlca Organlutlon- Tanzanla RestrictedFun¢ts Hostel construction Youth rural livelihoods Girls 5pon50rship Digital leamin8 UnrestrictedFunds Pro8ramrnaticContributions 87,657 27.911 58.125 87,657 27.911 58,125 52.791 24.814 81.340 52,791 24,814 81,340 259,7S4 259,754 239,098 239.CY38