Women’s Education Partnership
Annual Report & Accounts 2022
Registered Charity 1151145
Authorised and regulated by the Charity Commission for England & Wales
Contents
Women’s Education Partnership
Registered Charity No. 1151145
TRUSTEES 2022
Other Trustees
Islam Ali Simon Boyd Sue Claydon Bryony Pike Anna Snowdon Abdul Suliman (Chair)
Trustees, officers and contacts – this page.
PAGE 3. Trustees' Annual Report 2022
PAGE 5. Annual Accounts 2022
Receipts & Payments Account
Statement of Assets & Liabilities
PAGE 6. Notes to the Accounts
Country Coordinator, Sudan Neimat Issha
South Sudan partners
Gale Emmanuel Silas Jojo
Basis of preparation
Analysis of receipts
Analysis of payments
PAGE 7. Notes to the Accounts, continued
Web & IT services
Kate Smith
Overheads
www.womenseducationpartnership.org
Pension provision
Treasurer & Charity Commission contact
Norman Swanney 33 Balmoral Road Trowbridge BA14 0JS United Kingdom
Email: treasurer@ womenseducationpartnership.org
Transfers between funds
Trustees' remuneration & benefits
Charitable Incorporated Organisations
BACK PAGE Accounting policy
Independent examiner's report
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he Trustees of Women’s Education Partnership have approved this report of the charity’s activities in 2022. WEP provides T education for girls and women in Sudan and South Sudan - from elementary schools and adult literacy to university scholarships. The Trustees have complied with the duty in the Charity Act to have proper regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Commission.
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Resumé of year
My predecessor described 2021 as “a Year of Challenge”. I can positively describe 2022 as the year of confidence. I took over the Chairmanship from Simon Boyd in early September. By then, thanks to Simon’s leadership through our most challenging period ever, the groundwork of pulling WEP from the backdrop of Covid (with all its consequences of lockdown, reduced funds and online teaching) had been done. With the considerable hard work of our six trustees, we continued to provide the support needed to our grateful Sudanese women and girls. The scholarship programme restarted with 35 more university students being awarded valuable scholarships to pursue degree subjects such as Medicine, Management, Education and Engineering.
On my very recent visit to Sudan, I witnessed firsthand how poor some of the primary schools are. To continue with providing university education for deserving girls, we must develop the educational route some of these girls take on their way to the universities. Hence the need to provide effective support to the quality of school-teaching. This was done by the rebuilding of classrooms for the pupils and staff rooms for the teachers, to provide a base from which the school is managed.
The next step was to continue training the teachers and providing workshops to develop their pedagogical skills. The teacher training programme covers 100 teachers, receiving 10 days of intensive training in the most effective method of getting the best out of their pupils. Teacher training also includes training in management, specialised subjects, safeguarding, managing poverty and, soon to be introduced, climate change and carbon footprint. These are crucial aspects in providing modern and exciting education to deprived learners.
Our local team
For most of the year, the office was run by two fulltime and three part-time staff, with the support of a cleaner and a driver. They all continued to work hard to steer our organisation through the complex web of
local rules and regulations. As the trustees of many organisations know, there are great difficulties implementing aid work overseas. This can only be achieved by experienced local staff. We are very fortunate that we have such staff. They make the mammoth task of delivering our programmes so rewarding and satisfying, and we all appreciate the sacrifices they give to this cause. They persistently work through difficulties such as continued Covid threats, post-Covid inflation and mind-boggling local rules and regulations. We appreciate the work done by each and every one of them.
By the end of 2022 and after collective hard work by all the trustees, our fund-raising campaign has paid off and WEP has finally emerged from the effect of the Covid-19 slump. However, considering the prevailing economic situation, we will remain cautious and prudent, and will always look for value for money in all our commitments. Since this economic hardship is global, Sudan and South Sudan are affected by it. Sudan remains in a state of political confusion with no stable government in Khartoum and there is the threat of tribal war resuming in South Sudan. This makes long-term strategic planning very difficult.
Our programme Sudan
We continued to provide a variety of support to our scholars at different universities. This support included fee paying for all scholars and, for some, provision of transport, internet for online teaching, and graduation fees. Our students attend traditional institutions such as Ahfad University for Women and Khartoum University, others study subjects such as Nursing, Midwifery or Rural Development. On my latest visit to Khartoum, I was pleasantly surprised to find 22 scholars attending Kadaraw (old Juba) University. This particular university specialises in Earth Science and Climate Change, which includes water management, mining and soil management. These are very topical subjects with a particular insight into the danger of climate change, water shortages and soil erosion.
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Primary schools in deprived localities and refugee centres continue to receive our support in improving the teaching environment. During the rebuilding of classrooms after devastating floods during July and August, more durable materials were used for the reconstruction. As a result of the rebuilding of larger and better classrooms, more girls now feel able to attend school regularly in these deprived areas.
With national inflation reaching 400% at one stage, the Teacher Training programme was more susceptible to post-Covid inflationary pressures, and has therefore gone considerably above budget. It was fortunate that we were able to persuade our local partner to lower its prices, enabling the project to continue successfully.
The Adult Literacy programme has resumed vigorously with 13 literacy circles. A total of 375 students completed their projects successfully and in time to celebrate International Literacy Day (8 September) with a huge gathering and funfair celebration. All the women who passed their literacy tests have moved on to receive adult education. This is indeed a proud moment for them as well as for all of us. During my recent visit I have agreed, after consulting several experts in the field of literacy, a two-year programme of improving and widening the literacy circle up to 2025. The literacy circles are strongly connected to our vulnerable adult safeguarding policy. In WEP we consider all illiterate students as vulnerable adults who should be treated as such by all our instructors.
Eye-care outreaches have resumed after a long period of inactivity during the Covid period. For eye clinics we work with volunteer doctors to support our literacy students who suffer from debilitating eye disease. This service has been much appreciated over the years and is always busy. Patients normally line up for a long time to access it. We are expanding this service in 2023 to different parts of Khartoum where refugees and deprived communities live.
South Sudan
In South Sudan we continued to provide support to KIMU Literacy School and to the programme of studies at the Institute of Health Science in Juba, where we now sponsor students taking Medical and Health Care subjects. We are actively expanding our sponsorship for students during 2023, and applications for universities are already being processed. Applications are vetted by our local partner who will award scholarships on our behalf as merited. Demand is high.
Supporters and volunteers
WEP is grateful to all our supporters and volunteers here in the UK, USA, Spain and other countries, also in Khartoum. Without their generosity and support, nothing could have been implemented. We are also immensely grateful to our regular sponsors who have supported us over the years. We are very fortunate to have Norman Swanney as our treasurer, with his expertise, dedication and calm guidance through what sometimes seem like insurmountable problems. We are also indebted to former trustees: Kate Smith who looks after our IT, and Imogen Thurbon for guiding and publicising our Adult Literacy programme.
Trustees
We have succeeded in what we do, only because of our stable and dedicated six trustees. Each continues to be in charge of an important section of our activities. Simon Boyd focuses on teacher training and fund-raising; Anna Snowdon looks after scholarships and safeguarding; Sue Claydon oversees WEP activities in South Sudan; Islam Ali monitors our new staff, their recruitment and induction; Bryony Pike provides consultation on technical issues, edits our newsletter and her support with ‘The Big Give’ campaign was immeasurable.
Financial Information and Policy
The charity’s main bankers are Barclays Bank in UK, and in Sudan the Bank of Khartoum and Africa Gulf Bank. No bank accounts are held in South Sudan.
In 2022 some 46% of income was generously donated by individuals, to whom the trustees express their warmest thanks. The trustees’ policy is to maintain reserves of £60,000 to guarantee funding continuity for long-term scholarship programmes and to ensure duty of care for their Sudanese staff. This target was achieved in the year under review.
Rampant inflation continued to impact our operations, overtaking the effects of the currency devaluation in Sudan in 2021. In response to inflation, trustees awarded a substantial increase in pay and new benefits in kind to our hard-working staff.
Despite many challenges the amount of charitable aid provided by WEP in 2022 increased significantly.
Dr Abdul Suliman Chair of Trustees , 18 January 2023
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Women's Education Partnership
Registered charity 1151145
Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2022
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| Note 1a Notes Voluntary receipts 2b Grants 2a Investment dividends/interest Other income 2c Receipts |
General Designated £ £ 56,481 - - - 380 - 1,961 - Unrestricted Funds |
£ 600 86,330 - - Restricted Funds |
Total 2022 £ 57,081 86,330 380 1,961 |
Total 2021 £ 64,739 40,724 3 736 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asset & investment sales | 58,822 0 - - |
86,930 - |
145,753 0 |
106,202 - |
| Total Receipts | 58,822 0 |
86,930 | 145,753 | 106,202 |
| Payments Charitable Activities 3,4 Fund raising & publicity Governance, assurance, UK costs Other costs 3d |
34,205 - - - 2,795 - 3,640 - |
80,155 - - - |
114,360 0 2,795 3,640 |
77,549 17 1,827 6,395 |
| Asset & investment purchases | 40,640 0 - - |
80,155 - |
120,795 0 |
85,787 - |
| Total Payments | 40,640 0 |
80,155 | 120,795 | 85,787 |
| Excess (Deficit) of Receipts over Payments Transfers between funds 6 |
18,182 0 (7,016) 1,274 |
6,775 5,742 |
24,958 0 |
20,414 - |
| Bank accounts & cash at 1st January | 11,167 1,274 145,543 1,726 |
12,517 103,604 |
24,958 250,873 |
20,414 230,459 |
| Bank accounts at 31st December | 156,710 3,000 |
116,121 | 275,831 | 250,873 |
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES Cash Funds £ £ Bank accounts & cash 156,710 3,000 Funds on deposit - - |
£ 116,121 - |
£ 275,831 0 |
£ 250,873 - |
|
| 156,710 3,000 |
116,121 | 275,831 | 250,873 | |
| Other Monetary Assets Grants agreed Income tax recoverable 2c |
- - 7,994 - |
- 150 |
0 8,144 |
- 12,165 |
| 7,994 0 |
150 | 8,144 | 12,165 | |
| Investment Assets Funds/shares at market value |
0 0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assets retained for charity use Office equipment |
600 0 |
0 | 600 | 690 |
| Liabilities(severance pay) 5 |
(22,557) 0 |
0 | (22,557) | (16,784) |
The attached Notes and Independent Examiner's certificate form part of these financial statements
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by
Norman Swanney Treasurer
Abdul Suliman Chair of Trustees Date: 24th February 2023
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Women's Education Partnership
Registered charity 1151145
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2022
Note
1.
Basis of preparation .
-
a. Basis of accounting. The Accounts are prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 on a Receipts & Payments basis.
-
b. Funds. Trustees are free to use unrestricted funds to further the charity’s objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds, where the trustees may create a fund for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are spent as directed by the donor.
-
c. Changes to previous year's accounts. There has been no change to the previous year's accounts.
| Receipts analysis a. Grants Visual Education Ltd, Oxford - South Sudan tertiary and literacy education British & Foreign Schools Society - Teacher Training Gordon Memorial College Trust Fund - University Scholarships Elementary schooling - private donor(s) All Saints Educational Trust UK - University Scholarships Women's literacy - private donor(s) Eyecare, Khartoum - private donor(s) Women's literacy - Edith M Ellis Trust Note 2. |
Unrestricted Fund Designated Fund Restricted Fund 2022 £ £ £ £ - - 31,659 31,659 - - 23,384 23,384 - - 12,050 12,050 - - 7,000 7,000 - - 6,000 6,000 - - 3,237 3,237 - - 3,000 3,000 - - - 0 |
2021 £ 0 6,338 15,000 2,212 6,000 8,175 0 3,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Total grant receipts | 0 0 86,330 86,330 |
40,724 |
| b. Donations Gift Aided donations Gift Aid rebate Other donations and fundraising |
31,975 - 600 32,575 9,496 - - 9,496 15,010 - - 15,010 |
27,211 12,949 24,578 |
| Total donations | 56,481 0 600 57,081 |
64,739 |
| c. Other income: interest & currency gains (fx) |
2,341 - - 2,341 |
739 |
| Total receipts | 58,822 0 86,930 145,753 |
106,202 |
| Total donations from individuals as percentage of overall income 46.0% Payments analysis Unrestricted Fund Designated Fund Restricted Fund 2022 a. Charitable Activities - Education Projects £ £ £ £ University scholarships, Khartoum - - 26,516 26,516 Teacher Training, Khartoum - - 28,824 28,824 Elementary Education, Khartoum - - 5,321 5,321 Women's Literacy, Khartoum - - 8,914 8,914 Eye Care outreach, Khartoum - - 4,839 4,839 Covid-19 awareness outreach - - - 0 Cost of delivering education support projects 34,205 - - 34,205 Note 3 |
70.7% 2021 £ 25,740 2,881 1,549 297 29 64 25,380 |
|
| Total education projects - Sudan b. Charitable Activities - grantmaking Kimu Literacy School: Wordwall grant Kimu Literacy School: Other grants |
34,205 0 74,414 108,618 - - 1,538 1,538 - - 4,203 4,203 |
55,940 0 21,610 |
| Total grant payments - South Sudan | 0 0 5,742 5,742 |
21,610 |
| Total payments for charitable activities | 34,205 0 80,155 114,360 |
77,549 |
| c. Governance, assurance, UK costs d. Currency exchange losses (fx) |
2,795 - - 2,795 3,640 - - 3,640 |
1,844 6,395 |
| Total payments | 40,640 0 80,155 120,795 |
85,787 |
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Women's Education Partnership
Registered charity 1151145
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2022
----- Start of picture text -----
2022 2021
Note Aid work - monitoring and support overhead costs.
4. Charitable Activities IT & Transport
Total
Staff Office comms & other costs
a. Wages, salaries and benefits £ £ £ £ £ £
Locally-engaged staff, Khartoum 27,432 2,816 621 3,336 34,205 25,380
Other locations - - - - 0 -
Total 27,432 2,816 621 3,336 34,205 25,380
b. Average number of full time equivalent permanent staff in the year, excluding casual labour, is 4
c. Excludes cost of registering WEP in Sudan (Governance)
Note
Severance pay provision Charitable
5.
There is no staff pension scheme but funds are set aside commitments
for severance pay awards under Chapter IX of the Unrestricted Restricted Total
Sudan Labour Code 1997 £ £ £
Commitments outstanding at 1 [st] January 16,784 - 16,784
New commitments set aside in year 5,773 - 5,773
Commitments paid or cancelled during the year 0 - 0
Amount of commitments as at 31 [st] December 22,557 0 22,557
Commitments are regularly revalued in line with currency movements
Note Transfers between funds Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total
6. Fund Fund Fund £
£ £ £
Kimu, South Sudan (5,742) - 5,742 0
Designated funds - top up (1,274) 1,274 0
(7,016) 1,274 5,742 0
Note Trustees' remuneration, benefits and loans
7.
a. Remuneration & benefits: No remuneration or other benefits are paid to trustees. (2021 - Nil).
b. Loans: No amounts are owing to or from the charity's trustees at any time. (2021 - Nil).
----- End of picture text -----
Note The Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012 8. The trustees confirm, in accordance with these regulations that, at year end, the charity did not have any outstanding guarantees to third parties nor any debts secured on its assets..
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Women’s Education Partnership ACCOUNTING POLICY
Receipts and Payments Accounting
General funds represent the funds of the charity that are not subject to any restrictions and available for the general purposes of the charity. These include funds designated for a particular purpose by the charity.
The purpose of any restricted funds is noted in the accounts.
The accounts include monetary transactions, assets and liabilities for which the charity can be held responsible.
Receipts and payments include income as received and expenditure when irrevocably paid.
Foreign currency transactions are recognised at the average monthly rate of exchange received or using the best available published data.
All exchange differences are recognised in the receipts and payments account.
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report.
Governance costs include the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
The following assets are recognised:
-
Any tangible fixed assets held by the charity.
-
Fixtures, fittings and office equipment where the charity is free to dispose of such assets and where the original cost exceeded £500.
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Any amounts owing to the charity including tax rebates or insurance claims.
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Legacies where formal notification and amount has been received at 31 December.
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Any investments held beneficially by the charity.
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Closing bank balances as shown in the receipts and payment account.
The following liabilities are recognised:
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Women’s Education Partnership
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31[st] December 2022, which are set out on the previous pages of this report.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is required.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity 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 trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Any loans or overdrafts advanced to the charity.
-
Funds set aside for severance pay liabilities.
-
Creditors for goods or services where the supply has been received and invoiced by 31 December.
Monetary assets and liabilities are translated into sterling at the exchange rate at the end of the financial year, 31 December.
Address : 20 Halfway Close Trowbridge BA14 7HQ Date : 24th February 2023