Registered Charity No. 1147302
Reporting Period: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
by Jemrose L Walker CE
1. Introduction
I just love this quote by Wole Soyinka, Nigerian playwright and political activist, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986.
“Given the scale of trauma caused by the [1994] genocide, Rwanda has indicated that however thin the hope of a community can be, a hero always emerges. Although no one can dare claim that it is now a perfect state, and that no more work is needed, Rwanda has risen from the ashes as a model or truth and reconciliation.”
I have seen a lot of changes over my 25 years of serving in Rwanda. The nation has gone through many developmental modifications and I have seen many orphans and poor families rise from the dust of abject poverty. Education is paramount. Keeping the nation healthy is a number one priority. We are proud that YCR has played a small, but significant role in this National phenomenon.
2. Objectives of the Programme/Activities
YCR continues its mission to provide support in the following key areas:
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Access to formal and vocational education
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Safe accommodation and family shelter
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Improved health awareness and services for registered “poor & vulnerable” families
Registered Office: 27A Carlton Road, Nottingham NG3 2DG UK
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Strengthening community capacity through training and gatherings
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Nutrition programmes to promote healthy growth and development
Registered Office: 27A Carlton Road, Nottingham NG3 2DG UK
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3. Activities Conducted
3.1 Gift of Education Programme
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We provided comprehensive support to more than 150 students of all levels of learning. This included paying all school fees and providing all school materials.
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We followed up on our initial support of Ingenzi Nursery School. This year we funded essential infrastructure improvements and helped to develop a safe and attractive play area.
3.2 Family Shelter
We assisted nine families by paying their monthly rent for up to one year; some support is ongoing. This initiative was put in place to provide long-term stability and help beneficiaries to eventually achieve self-sufficiency.
3.2 Health Support
Although Rwanda’s National Health Insurance scheme known as Mutuelle de Santé is relatively affordable, many families struggle to meet this cost. YCR, in partnership with Gasabo District, tries to support as many families as possible, particularly those with young children, ensuring they have access to the health service they need. In some cases, it is also necessary for YCR to purchase prescribed medicines as these, too, can be beyond the means of vulnerable families.
4. Achievements and Outcomes
With the valuable support of our friends, donors and sponsors YCR has steadily contributed to the overall stability and quality of life for families, youth and children in Rwanda; encouraging hope and enabling practicable pathways toward personal independence. Our primary focus is always education. We deeply appreciate our donors and sponsors, who have made these achievements possible.
5. Challenges Faced
Despite our efforts and successes, YCR has encountered several challenges:
- Limited Resources : Insufficient funding and resources sometimes restrict the scope and scale support we can provide, especially to new beneficiaries.
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Infrastructure Constraints : Although support has been provided to improve one local nursery school, we would also like to reach out to others trying to help the little ones, who would otherwise be left playing all day long in the dirt.
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Access and Outreach : Reaching the most vulnerable families in remote or hard-toaccess areas remains difficult, affecting the timely delivery of assistance.
Registered Office: 27A Carlton Road, Nottingham NG3 2DG UK
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Sustainability : Ensuring the long-term sustainability of programmes, especially in terms of consistent funding, resources and staff, continues to be a concern.
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Economic unpredictability : Fluctuation in the local economy and the ever-increasing cost of living is having a huge impact on family life, making the rise out of poverty existentially more difficult.
6. Lessons Learned
Throughout our work during 2024-2025, YCR has gained valuable insights that will guide future efforts:
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Community Engagement is Crucial: Involving community members in the planning and implementation of programmes enhances relevance and sustainability.
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Holistic Support Yields Better Outcomes : Addressing multiple needs simultaneously creates more lasting impact than isolated interventions.
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Flexibility and Adaptability are Key : Being responsive to changing circumstances and feedback from beneficiaries helps improve program effectiveness.
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Partnerships Strengthen Impact : Collaborating with local organisations, schools and stakeholders increases resource availability and outreach capabilities.
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Sustainable Solutions Require Long-Term Planning : Focusing on capacity-building and local ownership ensures that benefits continue beyond immediate support.
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Share insights gained during implementation to inform future activities.
7. Future Plans
Building on our achievements and lessons learned, YCR aims to expand and strengthen our initiatives in the coming year:
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Gift of Education Programme : Continue to support poor and vulnerable young people to promote quality education and skills development. Increase our support by 50%.
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Increase Outreach : Develop strategies to reach more vulnerable families in remote and underserved areas, ensuring no family suffers from lack of
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access to any help available.
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Focus on vision sharing : Implement
capacity-building initiatives for our team and community volunteers.
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Expand Health and Nutrition Programmes : Address special health challenges through awareness campaigns conducted by Joint Aid Development Forum (JADF) – a division of Gasabo District – in our continuing fight against child malnutrition.
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Monitor and Evaluate : Establish strong monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress, measure impact, and adapt programmes as needed.
Registered Office: 27A Carlton Road, Nottingham NG3 2DG UK
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- Psychosocial and Practical Support : Despite government efforts, teenage pregnancy is on the rise. We are currently devising strategies, including fundraising, to help these young mothers get back to school and complete their education.
8. Conclusion
In 2024-2025, YCR made significant strides in supporting vulnerable families and promoting sustainable community development. Through dedicated effort, collaboration, and learning from our experiences, we have laid a strong foundation for ongoing and future initiatives. While challenges remain, our commitment to empowering individuals and improving the lives of children and youth remains unwavering. We look forward to building on our successes, embracing new opportunities, and continuing to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Registered Office: 27A Carlton Road, Nottingham NG3 2DG UK
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Movement of Funds
Bank Accounts @ 1st April 2018
| Account 1 | 1,022.35 | |
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| Account 2 | 18,714.30 | 19,736.65 |
| Bank Accounts @ 31 March 2019 | ||
| Account 1 | 1,132.39 | |
| Account 2 | 13,299.79 | 14,432.18 |
| Net Reduction in Bank Balances | -5,304.47 |
Movement of Funds
Bank Accounts @ 1st April 2024
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Account 1 1,503.28
Account 2 5,599.06 7,102.34
Bank Accounts @ 31 March 2025
Account 1 7,529.53
Account 2 8,864.86 16,394.39
Net Increase in Bank Balances 9,292.05
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Notes to the Accounts:
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1 The House Rent and Repairs included costs of £858.00 incurred during the move to smaller accommodation.
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2 Total income for the financial year 2024-25 was significantly higher than previous years. This wasdue to one individual donation of £9,000 and another individual donation of £5,000.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Young Citizens of Rwanda 31" March 2025 Charity no (if any) On accounts for the year ended 1147302 Set out on pages 1and2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust.) for the year ended. Responsibilities and basis As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the of report accounts in accordance with the requirements ol the Charities Act 2011 1.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 14515llb) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come lo 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 accordanGe 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 {Accounls and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view which is not a rnalter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which allenlion should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. IER Oct 2018
Signed: Date.. 30" June 2025 Name: Tina Dempsey Relevant professlonal qualification CAT Address: 5 Mickleden Way Barnsley S75 2JH Section B Disclosure Only complete Il the examiner needs lo highlight material matters ol Concern Isee CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts- directions and guidance for examiners). Givg here brief dotails of any Item5 that the examiner wishes to disclose No matters of concern arose during the Independent Examination. The accounts were prepared on a cash basis using Jiosoft 50ftware. Payments are transferred via requests from Rwanda. The accounts reconcile lo the bank statements. IER Oct 2018