Dorcas International
Accounts
For The Year Ended 31 December 2020
Dorcas International Reference and Administrative Details
| Charity Name | Dorcas International |
|---|---|
| Charity number | 1149559 |
| Principal Address | Earsham Lodge |
| Church Road | |
| Earsham | |
| Bungay | |
| Suffolk | |
| NR35 2TJ | |
| Trustee's | Dr Polly Mitchell |
| Ruth Evans | |
| Accountant | Community Accounting Services Ltd |
| 7 Napoleon Drive | |
| Shrewsbury | |
| SY3 5PH |
Trustees' Report of Dorcas International on the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 1993 and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities published in 2005.
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is registered with the Charity Commission and is run in accordance with the declaration of Trust.
Trustee selection methods
The Trustees are appointed by existing Trustees.
Objectives and Activities
The main purpose of the charity is the relief of poverty for the public benefit through the provision of assistance to poor people in Africa.
The charity has a partnership with Malawi Girl Guides to promote menstrual health improvements for Guides in Malawi.
The charity also implements networking and educating on behalf of improved menstrual health for poor women in Africa.
The charity does not make grants to individuals or other organisations except where a specific partnership has been formed.
The charity is run by volunteers and uses both volunteer and paid consultants where necessary.
Achievements and Performance in the year
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic limited the opportunities for Dorcas International to continue its work distributing menstrual cups and menstrual health educational work in Malawi — our ongoing project in Malawi Security Prison had to be put on hold and further work in schools or with the Girl Guides was not possible. However, Dorcas International was able to contribute some funds to the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM), in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 within and by this very disadvantaged group of people and their families.
Dorcas International focussed its efforts in 2020 on work that could be completed remotely and digitally. We received a significant grant from the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) to carry out a research project into Menstrual Language. This project aimed to find out how language is used around menstruation in three different UN languages – French (in Europe and West Africa), Spanish (in Europe and South America) and English (in UK, South Asia and East Africa) – in order to assess general knowledge, linguistic associations and social attitudes to menstrual health. 1633 people were surveyed, and the research was designed and facilitated by an international team of researchers. The findings of this research can be used by Dorcas International and other organisations working in the area of menstrual health to inform their future work and communications. The final report can be found here: https://menstrualcupcoalition.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/04/Menstrual-Language-Report-20-04-21.pdf.
Summary of key findings:
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Women across the world use the colloquial words “règles” (French), “regla” (Spanish) and “period” (English) to refer to menstruation. Communication from menstrual health organisations and charities should use these words rather than more formal language in their communication.
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Women across the world do not understand the acronyms commonly used by menstrual health organisations. These should be avoided in communications where possible.
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The language of “menstrual health” has more positive associations than “menstrual hygiene” which can imply that periods are dirty.
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There is limited awareness of menstrual cups outside of Europe and particularly in Africa. Information about all period products, including cups, should be included in menstrual health education.
The report will be disseminated and publicised by the Menstrual Cup Coalition, and the work will be presented at the British Academy conference "Menstruation: sharing experiences from the global north and south". The findings will be used by Dorcas International to inform our future menstrual health work in Africa.
A088Th88 Pdlcy Thecharity aims to keep in resefve Mhch are exFttted to b8 s[0 its over fdk)wing 12 months. There i8 no minimum De¢l•rntion S¥J ¢)n behaf of Ihe ch*ity's busiees Dr Polty Mitchem CPAlr Rulh Evar
Independent Examiner's Report to the Management Committee of Dorcas International on the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
Basis of independent examiner’s report
We report on the accounts of Dorcas International for the year ended 31 December 2020.
The Group's officers are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Group's officers consider that an audit is not required for this year and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibility to:
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examine the accounts
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to follow the general directions for the conduct of an independent examination
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to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
Our examination was carried out in accordance with general directions for an independent examination. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the committee and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as a committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
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which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements • to keep appropriate accounting records; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with applicable financial reporting standards
have not been met; or
- to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Community Accounting Services Ltd 7 Napoleon Drive Shrewsbury SY3 5PH
Date: 27/10/2021
Dorcas International Income & Expenditure Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
| Note Income WSSCC grant Donations Gift aid Total Income Expenditure Running costs Research costs Monitoring & evaluation Capacity building Intrenational conferences & research APAM project Malawi project - other Malawi project - in country Bank charges Total Expenses Transfer Between Funds Net Incoming Resources Fund balance brought forward at 1 January 2020 Fund Balance Carried Forward at 31 December 2020 Net Incoming Resources Before Transfers |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2020 2020 2020 £ £ £ 32,423 - 32,423 190 - 190 - - - 32,613 - 32,613 29,749 - 29,749 - - - - - - - - - 1,007 - 1,007 - - - - - - 10 - 10 30,766 - 30,766 1,847 - 1,847 - - - 1,847 - 1,847 32,891 - 32,891 34,738 - 34,738 |
Total Funds 2019 £ - 28,723 350 |
|---|---|---|
| 29,073 | ||
| - 5,317 500 1,787 - 300 900 - |
||
| 8,804 | ||
| 20,269 - |
||
| 20,269 | ||
| 12,622 | ||
| 32,891 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
Dowcas Intwnaiional Balance Slwt 2019 Current Atsets Barl( 34.n8 32.891 32.891 t Assets 32,891 Reprwsented by Fund$ Unrestricled fund RestIled lunts 32.891 32,891 Thè Trustees 8wove ac£ourts t>JrryWi of the SOFA, Balarn* Sheet the relat notes arm acknowledge their resFOnsi1ty for the accounts. includiThJ Ihe apwopriateness of the appliCae linanaal reporting framework, arKI for woviding C¢Tr1r1ty Acmintir¥J Servi¢x Lftd with am infcrntth and expL4nations necessary for their compilation. Dr Polty Mltchell Cholr Aulh Evon8