2025-06-30-accounts

LYRA IN AFRICA

Charity registration number 1146496

Trustees report

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30™ JUNE 2025

Lyra in Africa Registered charity number: 1146496 Address: Colstrope Farm Hambleden, Bucks RG9 6SL

Trustees

Maria Spink - founder Joy Aladekomo (appointed 30/01/23) Louise Shah (resigned 28/11/25) Chrystal Holt (appointed 11/09/25) Lisa Marie Rowland (appointed 28/11/25) Caroline Armstrong-Jones (appointed 28/11/25)

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.

Governing document

The Charity was registered on the 21st of March 2012 and is governed by a Trust Deed dated 12th February 2012.

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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 six 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 lringa district with an office and staff to manage projects, such as the construction of hostels, training of digital education in schools and entrepreneurship training to rural youth groups.

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The Management of Lyra in Africa in Tanzania is currently under the National Director and is organised in the following main departments:

• e Finance, Human Resources and Administration e Gender Equality and Girls Wellbeing e Green Construction e Youth Entrepreneurship and Economic Security e Digital Learning

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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 rural communities by improving education and income opportunities specifically for marginalised girls, youth, and women across rural Tanzania.

Lyra‘s mission is to give rural girls and youth equal opportunities to complete their secondary studies and increase their access to social and economic opportunities.

2. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Lyra has four principal, interconnected activities as detailed below which are implemented by Lyra in Africa, Tanzania:

2a. Construction of Hostels for Girls 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 safely and complete their studies. Lyra works with local government (District Councils) and communities (Wards) and together have constructed sixteen hostels in Iringa Region as of 30th June 2025, with a total bed capacity of 1098 and occupancy rates averaging 130%

Lyra contributes an average of 70% 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 (ISSBs) 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. Water gutters are installed for rainwater collection.

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 oversee stock control of all the construction material

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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. Gender Equality: Girls sponsorship for ultra-poor girls in government 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 2024/25, Lyra in Africa sponsored 145 girls

2.c. Digital Learning Program:

Lyra leverages the power of digital technology to transform learning so that students and teachers can selfstudy and gain relevant skills to prepare them for work in the 21st Century.

Lyra’s Digital Learning Programme (DL) comprises two parts: the installation of computer labs with high quality educational content as well as teaching weekly ICT club classes in our partner schools.

Since November 2023, The Digital Learning programme has continued in the form of Lyra’s flagship Techinclusive Education programme, TIE. The aim of TIE 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. The schools create their own EdTech school Committee that drive the sustainability of digital education. Lyra co-partnered in Zanzibar during this period to train 10 schools in the modalities of TIE.

2.d. Rural Livelihoods Programme for marginalised youth- Imarika Kijana (IK)

This programme incorporates two interventions - the Imarika Kijana (IK - Strong Youth) Programme and the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) Programme.

Strong Rural Youth - youth entrepreneurship program for out-of-school youth

The youth entrepreneurship program was introduced in 2018 to meet the urgent need for supporting rural based youth to open their minds to opportunities in their communities, teaching them about “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. 2 cohorts of youth entrepreneurship were completed during this reporting period, training 300 out-ofschool youth with new mindsets and business skills.

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. Lyra trained and support VSLAs to register with their respective Local Government Authorities (District Councils), so they become formally recognised, thus allowing them to open formal bank accounts.

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Throughout the 2024/25 year, a total of 37 groups with 789 members (548 females and 244 males) graduated, meaning they can self-manage the groups after 3 years oftraining by Lyra. Of these 37 groups, 29 groups have registered with district authorities meaning the groups can now apply as a legal entity for bank accounts and loans from both banks and authorities.

3. Reserves 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: | 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 fe ORE, SHE once

Dated: 19/04/2026

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Independent examiner's report on the accounts to the trustees of Lyra in Africa (charity no 1146496)

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Report on the accounts for the twelve months ended 30" June 2025, which are set out on the attached pages. | report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30% June 2025

Responsibilities and basis As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). | 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, | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's The charity's gross income exceeded £25,000 and | am qualified to statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales | have completed my examination. | 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 e the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities . - .... ...(Accounts.andthat Reports)Regulations.2008.other. than-any.requirement the accounts givea ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. | 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:a Date: ..!G-o4 -2026 Name: Stephen East

Professional Qualification - Chartered Accountant

Address: Heasmans Lodge Farm, Black Hill, Crowborough TN6 1XE

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Lyrain Africa Statement of Financial Activities

For the 12 months ended 30th June 2025

				30th	30th	June 2025	June 2025				30th June 2024	30th June 2024	30th June 2024
			Note	Unrestricted		Restricted				Total	Unrestricted		Restricted			Total
				funds			funds		£		funds		funds		£
	Incomlng resources
	Donations received			15,935			221,335		237,270		61,775		162,064.		223,839
	Tax recoverable on GiftAid			8,297					8,297		7,726				7,726
	TOTALINCOMING RESOURCES		)	24,232			221,335		245,567		69,501.		162,064		231,565
	Resourcesexpended
	Charitable activities
	Grantsto Lyra inAfrica Organisation, Tanz		6	-			172,698		172,698		-		259,754		259,754
	Research and Training			615			-		615		698		-		698
	Direct Programme Support			-			17,279		17,279		2,115		11,980		14,095
	Other Projects			-			-		-		-		-		.
	Programme management and M&E			18,098			1,898		19,996		27,501		22,414		49,915
;	Supportcosts
	Finance&administration			6,750			8,864		15,614		7,787		(3,149)		4,638
	Communications&promotion Fundraising			3,393 1,460			- -		3,393 1,460		4,702 2,565				4,702 2,565
	Governance costs			1,134			-		1,131		2,280_				2,280;	.
	TOTALRESOURCES EXPENDED			31,447		—200,738			232,186		47,648		290,999		338,647
	Netincoming/(outgoing) resourcesbefore	transfers		( 7,215)			20,596		13,381		21,853		(128,935)	(107,082)
	Balancesbroughtforward			2,889			64,834		67,723		5,937		168,868		174,805
				(4,326)			85,430		81,104		27,790		39,933		67,723
~~	-—Gross transfers between funds				4326(4,326) =						_	-	_{24,901)			24,901
	TOTAL FUNDS CARRIEDFORWARD		£			£	81,104	£	81,104	£	2,889	£	64,834	£	67,723
	Balance Sheet			30thJune		June 2025					~ 30th June 2024
			Unrestricted		Restricted				Total	Unrestricted		Restricted			Total
				funds			funds		£		funds		funds		£
	Net currentassets
	Bank balances			-			81,104		81,104		2,889		64,834		67,723
	Less: Creditors			-			-		-		~				-
	TOTAL ASSETS		£	-		_£	81,104	£	81,104]		£	2,889	£	64,834	£	67,723
	Funds ofthe charity
	Unrestricted funds			-					-		2,889				2,889
	Restricted funds (donated fora specific purpose)						81,104		81,104				64,834		64,834
	:		£	-_£81,104£				£81104]	81104]		£	2,809	€	64,834	&67,723

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Lyra in Africa

Notes to the accounts For the period ended 30th June 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

The financial statements of the charity have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

incoming resources

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlementto the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been clasified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Expenditure represents amounts invoiced, including value added tax which cannot be recovered.

Foreign currency- US Dollars

For expenditure and transfers in US dollars an average exchange set at the beginning of the accounting period is used - for 2024/25 at $1.27. Monetary assets and liabilities held in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the rate of exchange ruling on that date. The rate used at 30th June 2025 was $1.37to £1. Any resulting difference on translation is taken through the Statement of Financial Activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

2 Trustees’ Remuneration and Benefits

No fees, remuneration or benefits were paid to any Trustee during the period (2024- £nil)

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3 = Staff costs
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The charity does not employ any staff (2024- none}

4 Related Party Disclosures

There were no transactions with related parties in the period

5	Income Received	Po	pons		:	ce	>) ae	>) ae
		Unrestricted	Restricted	Total		Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
		funds	funds	funds		funds	funds	—funds
	Donations	15,935	221,335	237,270		61,775	162,064	223,839
	Grantsfrom othercharities	-		-		-	-	-
	Grantsfrom Government	-	-	-		-	.	-
	Giftaid	8,297	-	8,297		7,726	-	7,726
		24,232	221,335	245,567		69,501	162,064	231,565
6	Grants to Lyra in Africa Organisation -Tanzania
	RestrictedFunds
	Hostel construction		56,609	56,609		-	87,657	87,657
	Youth rural livelihoods		48,300	48,300			27,911	27,911
	Girls sponsorship		28,547	28,547		:	58,125	58,125
	Digital learning		39,242	39,242		-	86,060	86,060
	UnrestrictedFunds
	Programmatic Contributions		-	-		.	-	:
		-	172,698	172,698		-	259,752	259,752

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