Hope4Malawi Annual Report for 2020 Trustees’ Report
Hope4Malawi’s vision is to alleviate poverty by providing increased opportunities for children in rural areas of Malawi to have access to education and to improve learning environments.
Hope4Malawi’s key values are sustainability and community involvement, working with partners both in UK and Malawi. The charity has continued its focus of assisting with development of Government Schools in rural Blantyre.
This year two of our trustees, Nigel and Sherry Sprunt, who have supported the charity since its inception in 2013, resigned. We are immensely grateful for the wisdom, skills and support both Nigel and Sherry have shared with Hope4Malawi for the last 8 year.
We are grateful for the faithful support of our supporters particularly during the last year when things have been uncertain. Many supporters have been partnering with Hope4Malawi for many years and we appreciate their faithfulness.
Hope4Malawi Income 2020 £202K (2019 £218K)
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Events
organised
Ch urches; Companies; b y
2.74%
7.48% individuals;
Charitable
1.62%
Trusts and
Rotary
groups;
1.22%
Schools;
10.50%
Individuals;
76.44%
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We are also grateful to the huge number of volunteers who assist in fundraising, administration and running of the charity in the UK and in Malawi
76% of Hope4Malawi’s income is from individuals. Thank you. 100% of all funds provided for projects are used to develop Malawi schools or provide sponsorship for Malawian students as trustees cover the fundraising and administration costs of the charity.
We are grateful for the UK schools that support schools in Malawi. Trinity school Croydon, partner particularly with Chipwepwete Primary School, Kings Ely partner with Hope Community Day Secondary School (CDSS), Cuddington Croft, Sutton continue to support the Mpemba Primary School feeding programme. All Saints Carshalton Primary School, Willington School and Charlwood Village Primary School have joined us this year to support school projects.
We are grateful to St Paul’s Howell Hill church, Brookwood Community church and other organisations like Epsom Book Fair and Flexercise for their support.
Both Helen Ward and Dawn Lowe ~~d~~ id fundraising events to raise funds to support students in our sponsorship programme in 2020. Thank you.
Activities in 2020
Hope4Malawi’s main focus in 2020 was the building of Hope Secondary School.
We partnered with Fisherman's Rest Community Projects (FRCP), and the Local Education Authority, Blantyre Rural region, to provide a government run rural secondary school at Mabala village, T/A Somba, Blantyre Rural, Southern Malawi, called Hope Community Day Secondary School (Hope CDSS).
The provision of a Secondary School at Mabala village, 4.7Km from the main Chikawa Road gives pupils from the surrounding areas the opportunity of a secondary school education which otherwise they would not have. This will significantly change their livelihoods and enable them to escape the poverty trap by providing them with skills to secure well paid jobs which will then impact their families and their communities.
Across Nankumba education zone, there are over 1,000 students in year 8 (the top year of primary school) However, there are currently only 200 places available at the 3 secondary schools in the zone, Nankumba, Horton and Mpemba secondary schools. These schools are more than 6 kms from Chipwepwete accessible only on dirt roads.
The provision of up to 60 places per year at Hope CDSS will increase Secondary School attendance in the zone from 20% to 30% over the next 5 years.
Mark and Sara Goodman, 2 of Hope4Malawi’s trustees, worked with FRCP at the school for 9 months in 2020. The end of phase 1 saw 2 classroom
blocks, a science block, an administration block, 2 toilet blocks and 3 teacher houses completed by the building team employed by FRCP.
During that time candidates for the Head teacher and Deputy Head roles were interviewed by the team with the Ministry of Education. We are delighted that Steven Tsokalaine was appointed Head with Douglas Jamu appointed deputy Head. They are employed by the government along with 3 other teachers initially.
The school opened with 58 pupils on 22[nd] February 2021. The total cost of phase 1 building was £254,000 funded by Hope4Malawi
Phase 2 building includes fitting out of the science block: library, laboratory and computer room including provision of solar power. It also includes landscaping the site, moving the road from between the primary and secondary school to behind the primary school, and levelling a football pitch and netball court. The budget for this is £40,000 of which £25,000 is already raised.
Phase 3 of the building work will provide further teacher housing, a school assembly hall and continued ~~and r~~ esourcing for the school at a budgeted cost of £4 ~~525,~~ 000. This is planned for 2022/23.
Phase 4 enables the school to become 2 form entry with provision of 4 additional classrooms and more toilets. This is budgeted to be £90,000. These funds will need to be raised. As primary school results improve in the feeder schools there will be a need for further secondary school places. ~~If Hope CDSS is to start ofering 2 form entry in 2023, then there will be a need for the additional classrooms from September 2023.~~
Feeding Programmes
In September 2019 , Hope4Malawi provided funding for the feeding programmes at three primary schools through its Malawian based partner Fisherman’s Rest Community Projects (FRCP). The feeding programme provides a meal of Lukini Phala every school day for 1,5 ~~80~~ 0 pupils at Mpemba primary school, 770 pupils at Chipwepwete primary school, and 800 pupils at Namende Primary School.
The feeding programme ran as normal until the end of March 2020 when schools were closed because of covid 19. The Malawi government also stopped all feeding programmes in Malawi to reduce social contact of both those preparing the phala as well as the learners receiving the phala.
This has had a massive impact on learners and the communities who rely on the children receiving one hot mug of porridge a day as part of their provision of food for their families.
From March to December when schools were closed our partner FRCP provided 5 Kg bags of dried phala to vulnerable families in the community. Due to this change in how phala was distributed, FRCP used the funding for the third term phala and spread that over the 2 terms. ~~No phala has yet been distributed in 2021, even though schools are open, the government has not allowed feeding programmes to restart.~~
The impact in the schools, that we provide funding for ~~feed,~~ is currently lower attendance and learners not concentrating particularly in the afternoon as many come to school without eating and also have no lunch. In one school Mpemba the attendance is at 1,000 students a day whereas normal attendance is 1, ~~530~~ 0 a day.
No funds were therefore needed for phala for 2020.
Hope4MalawiResou Expenditure 2020rcing of £233k (2019 £172K)Buildi Schoo ng ls Projec includ ts in ing Schoo covid ls ; resourCharit Feedi6.89% cing; y ng Sposo3.06%Expen Progr rship ses - ammeHop Progr funde s; Buildi amme d by 0.05%ng ; Truste Projec 4.60% es; t; 8.49% 76.91 %
Hope4Malawi has assisted in development and resourcing the primary school at Chipwepwete during 2020 including:
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the purchase of solar lamps which can be borrowed by standard 8 and standard 7 learners when they borrow a book from the library. This has resulted in increased borrowing of books by these learners.
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The purchase of MIE (Ministry of Education) books for the library. These are the official textbooks which teachers can use for lessons and learners can borrow.
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Maintenance work including the painting of 2 classrooms, shelving and doors for cupboards in two classrooms and materials to refurbish a toilet.
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In September 2020 a new tap was installed at the school by the kitchen to provide the school with running water primarily for the feeding programme but also for the students to drink. Feedback from the students suggests that they are able to spend more time in class as they no longer have to go to the borehole and wait for water.
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The computer club for standard 7 and 8, that was trialled in October and November 2019, continued in 2020 whilst trustees were on the ground. This focused on teaching computer skills and used teaching from the primary school Malawian curriculum.
At other schools Hope4Malawi
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Renovated a staff room at Namende primary school to make a reading room, providing shelving, desks and books.
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Provided funds for materials for Mpemba school to build a head teacher and staff office.
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We worked with local partner, Malawi Learning Partnership (MLP), to build, test and pilot virtual lessons accessible on smart phones for primary school children. This project is continuing in 2021.
The Bridge across the river at Chipwepwete was completed by FRCP in 2020. This was £7,500 over budget which was covered by donations from Trinity school. Since 2/3 of the children at Chipwepwete come to school from the other side of the river, the bridge also means that children do not now have to miss school during the rainy season. Additionally, the bridge is very much appreciated by the community who have expressed that they can now safely get to market during the rainy season.
Sponsorship programme
We continue to expand our sponsorship programme, which enables children who have been selected to district and national schools to have the opportunity of a secondary school education which otherwise they would miss. The programme is now in its fourth year and supports 52 students with school fees, transport, educational resources including books and uniform as needed. The students build relationship with their sponsors through letter writing and are supported in holiday time by Hope4Malawi
2020 was a challenging year for students as schools were closed from April to October. With no internet access and lack of textbooks at home students found this time very challenging. With the support of sponsors, we were able to buy textbooks and exercise books for the students. Due to covid-19 restrictions we were however not able to meet with the students as often as we would have liked to.
Results of the MCE exams nationally in 2019 were discouraging with only 30% of students passing the exams. This is in addition to many students also dropping out of secondary education. We are delighted that all our sponsored students are still in school and working hard despite the challenges of covid.
We see providing an opportunity for secondary education to poor members of rural communities as a priority as those students will become catalysts of hope within their own communities once they have finished their education.
Hope4Malawi continues to support the education of one student, sponsoring him though a University engineering undergraduate degree.
Future plans
In 2021 Hope4Malawi will continue to work with partners in Malawi to improve educational opportunities for children. The focus will be resourcing Hope CDSS and supporting the staff there. We will also work with the Ministry of Education to improve the infrastructure and resources at the feeder schools to Hope and Mpemba FP. The feeder schools to Hope are Chipwepwete FP, Chimwemwe FP, Tapani FP and Mafunde.
We will launch a new sponsorship programme for students at Hope CDSS who are unable to pay the government termly fees. This programme will also help provide educational resources to the school and to students.
We will also continue to partner with Malawi Learning Partnership to develop digital learning in Malawi.
Monitoring
Over the past 7 years Hope4Malawi has partnered with FRCP, Malawi, who have managed various projects on the ground. Hope4Malawi will explore the opportunity to work with other partners in 2021. Hope4Malawi will continue to ensure that there is adequate monitoring and cost control for all projects.
Governance
The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Fundraising for the charity is through businesses, schools, churches and events. Individuals donate funds in response to fund raising projects. Local schools raise money through carol concerts and other events.
Individuals, including trustees, who visit Malawi on educational and teaching trips raise sufficient funds to cover the costs of each trip. The trustees fund all the running costs of the charity including administration and fundraising costs ensuring that 100% of all donations from supporters goes to fund educational projects in Malawi. None of the Trustees receive benefit from the charity.
Our monies are held at CAFBank as that bank is designed for charities and is part of the Charity Aid Foundation that helps charities fundraise. We hold no investments.
Hope4Malawi
Income and Expenditure for the year ending 31 December 2020
| 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|
| Income | ||
| Undesignated Income | 39,125.33 | 19,259.34 |
| School FeedingProgrammes | 21,869.90 | 23,516.18 |
| Restrictedgivingfor school buildingdevelopment | 69,624.34 | 131,849.55 |
| Resources for schools | 11,490.51 | 8,782.67 |
| Sponsorship | 22,597.20 | 11,282.00 |
| Relief Fund | 3,145.00 | 11,511.21 |
| 31,495.96 | ||
| Income for Trips fromparticipants and trustees | 7,360.00 | |
| Interest | 163.63 | 191.87 |
| Income from Trustees to cover overheads | 2,557.78 | 4,175.00 |
| Total Income | 202,069.65 | 217,927.82 |
| Expenditure | 2020 | 2019 |
| FeedingProgrammes | 120.00 | 36,839.00 |
| BuildingProjects in Schools | 16,028.15 | 49,235.51 |
| Hope BuildingProject | 178,927.74 | 55,000.00 |
| SponsorshipProgramme | 10,709.42 | 8,885.10 |
| Resourcingof Schools includingcovid resourcing | 7,107.50 | 8,766.64 |
| Team Trips funded byTrustees andparticipants | 17,118.68 | 9,298.60 |
| CharityExpenses - funded byTrustees | 2,557.78 | 4,171.00 |
| Bank Charges | 66.00 | 24.00 |
| Total Expenditure | 232,635.27 | 172,219.85 |
Hope4Malawi Funds
| Hope4Malawi Funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31-Dec-20 | 31-Dec-19 | |
| Unrestricted Fund | 88,918 | 53,814 |
| FeedingProgrammes | 30,387 | 7,458 |
| School BuildingProjects | 580 | 5,790 |
| Hope SecondarySchool Building | 24,922 | 144,810 |
| School resources | 18,085 | 8,794 |
| Sponsorship | 21,095 | 10,167 |
| Trips and Trustee donations towards runningcosts | 16,280 | 0 |
| Fund balance | 200,267 | 230,833 |
Sufficient funds are kept in reserve to cover committed expenditure including feeding programmes.
Covid-19 restrictions have meant the government has not allowed feeding programmes in schools. Some donor schools in the UK have found it difficult to raise funds recently so this fund will be used in 2021 for feeding programmes. A review of feeding programmes will be done in 2021.
The Hope Secondary School Building Fund will be used in 2021 complete the second phase of the building work including landscaping, moving a road and equipping the science block. This will also include providing power for the teacher housing and science block.
The sponsorship programme fund is high due to the fact that the schools in Malawi were closed for 2 terms so no school fees were payable. These funds will be needed as students continue their education.
Some Sponsors have provided funds for the full 4 years of school fees for students which is part of the secondary school sponsorship fund.
School resourcing and teaching includes £3,300 for computer related resources, £2,900 for development of the Malawi Learning Partnership App, and £5,300 for staff assistance in schools. Again these amounts have built up in 2020 because schools were closed
Hope4 Malawi
Funds as at 31 December 2020
| Funds as at 31 December 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Funds as at 1 January | 230,832.60 | 185,124.63 |
| Income in 2020 | 202,069.65 | 217,927.82 |
| Expenditure in 2020 | 232,635.27 | 172,219.85 |
| Funds as at 31 December 2020 | 200,266.98 | 230,832.60 |
Balance Sheet
Cash in bank CAF bank Gold account £158,368.87 CAF bank cash account £41,898.11 Total cash in bank £200,266.98
Hope4Malawi has no liabilities.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustsesl members of Hope4Malawi On accounts for the year ended 318t December 2020 Charity no (If any) il1SllXY Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Yhe Trust.) for the year ended Responslbllltles and A8 the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation ba818 of Mport of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of th8 Charities Act 2011 {'the Acr). I report in resp8d 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)Ibl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirni that no matenal matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below") in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance wrth Section 130 of the Act or the accourrts do not accord with the a¢UntIng records Indepondent examlnerfs statement I have no concems and have Come across no olher matters in connection with the examination to bvhich attention should te drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the acKourrts to be reached. ' Please delete the [IS in the br8ckets rf they do not apply. Slgned: le 1 Name: K.S. oLF SouftJ Relevant professlonal qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 3 sits QL4Xy IE