Trustees’ Annual Report
For period from 1[st] February 2022 to January 31[st] 2023
Charity name: Bridge of Hope Foundation
Charity registration number: 1152252
Objectives and Activities
The primary purpose of Bridge of Hope Foundation is to advance education for the public benefit of young people in developing countries as the trustees determine.
The primary objective of Bridge of Hope is to enable children to complete their secondary school education and for outstanding students to have the means to go to college or university. Priority is given to the students whom we have sponsored through secondary school. Our commitment remains to support our current students through to graduation.
As well as sponsoring individual students, Bridge of Hope continues in the direction of giving financial grants to schools across the developing world, with a particular focus on enabling marginalised children or those with a disability to receive an education who otherwise would be denied one.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.
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In this financial year being reported on, Bridge of Hope continued to realise its objectives of sponsoring secondary and tertiary education. Bridge of Hope is sponsoring the secondary school education of students in Haiti, Kenya, Uganda and as well as supporting the secondary education of Tibetan refugee children in India and Nepal.
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Bridge of Hope is sponsoring two university students: James is studying medicine in Kenya and Tsewang is studying Tibetan medicine in Nepal.
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Bridge of Hope gave a grant to the St Marc’s Trouin Trade school in Haiti and to the Centre Amane Street children project in Morocco.
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Bridge of Hope sponsored 5 laptops for the Medhan Alem School in Mathara, Ethiopia.
Organisational Structure
Bridge of Hope implements its objectives by collaborating with charitable foundations and educational institutions overseas, which help to administer the funding for the sponsored students. The charity also has volunteer representatives overseas who act on behalf of Bridge of Hope to monitor the Bridge of Hope students.
Guidance issued by the Charity Commission on Public Benefit.
The trustees of Bridge of Hope Foundation have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and have taken account of this guidance when making decisions relating to the charity’s work.
Grant making policy
Bridge of Hope have a grant making policy to which the trustees refer.
Contribution made by volunteers
Bridge of Hope operates through a network of volunteers in the UK, in particular through the active advisory board. The charity also works with volunteer representatives in the countries where the charity has its projects overseas. There are currently no paid staff.
Achievements and Performance
Bridge of Hope programme activity:
Kenya
Secondary school sponsorship.
Bridge of Hope continued with its collaboration with Ummah Foundation and the Rotary club of Milimani, organisations in Nairobi which assist with the implementation of the Bridge of Hope sponsorship of children and young adults in Kenya. The foundations we work with, administer the funding to the schools, colleges and universities. They also monitor the progress of the students and where necessary pay the stipend and accommodation fees.
4 children are sponsored through the partnership with the Rotary Club of Milimani and 3 children through the Ummah Foundation.
University sponsorship.
Bridge of Hope supports the ongoing college fees of James, a medical student in Kenya. Bridge of Hope also sponsored James’ accommodation and monthly stipend whilst he lives at university away from his village in Turkana. James has committed to returning to his village on graduation to put to use his medical skills.
Uganda
Bridge of Hope works with a local representative in Kampala, Ms Ruth Isooba who implements the sponsorship programme in Uganda on behalf of the charity.
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Esther and Ibrahim in Uganda are being sponsored by Bridge of Hope. Their school fees are being part-sponsored by an educational grant from the Royal Overseas League.
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Three students at the Ekitangaala Transformational School in Nakasongola, Uganda are sponsored through Bridge of Hope grants, administered by Ruth Isooba to the school.
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Daniel is a university student sponsored since secondary school and for the duration of his university degree by Bridge of Hope at Kyambogo University. In December 2022, Daniel graduated and gained a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
Haiti
Bridge of Hope continues to sponsor two children in Jacmel whose family were badly affected by the 2010 earthquake. David and Kiki are monitored by the Bridge of Hope representative in Haiti, Mr Kettiny.
Bridge of Hope gives an annual grant to St Marc’s Trade School in Trouin, Haiti, to help enable secondary school children to have a vocational education including motorbike maintenance, flower arranging and cookery classes. Each year, Bridge of Hope donates £3000 which has enabled the building of a new classroom.
Tibetan refugee sponsorship programme
Secondary school sponsorship:
Bridge of Hope increased their sponsorship to 23 children from Tibetan refugee communities in Mussoorie, Northern India. 20 children are at the Tibetan Homes School in Mussoorie and 3 new students were sponsored in Nepal.
The sponsored children are monitored by the Tibet Relief Fund who provide feedback reports, photos and letters from the children on an annual basis.
University sponsorship:
Bridge of Hope is studying a university student - Tsewang who is studying Tibetan medicine in Nepal at the Rigpa College of Tibetan Medicine, Kathmandu.
Morocco
Bridge of Hope continued its annual grant of £2000 to sponsor a teacher at a drop in centre for street children in Taroudant, South Western Morocco. This was implemented through a grant sent to the Moroccan Children’s Trust.
Financial Review
The trustee board review the charity’s financial position at the trustee board meetings which meet quarterly.
The income and net outgoings of resources have been reflected in the accounts of the year. During this financial year, Bridge of Hope Foundation raised a total income of £46,357. Total Funds distributed to our overseas projects for this financial year were £29,118 with £3012 spent on administration and fund raising. This reflects a percentage of 6.5% being spent on administration.
The charity adheres to the guidance on internal financial controls issued by the Charity Commission and reviews the financial controls check lists on a yearly basis.
Reserves Policy
Bridge of Hope Foundation holds a 2 years reserve policy to ensure that the current students being sponsored remain in school till graduation and holds £60,000 in a savings account under its reserves policy.
Sources of Funding
Principal sources of funding this year were through:
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Individual philanthropy and matched giving
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Dinner and Talk in Toronto by the Chairman of the Bridge of Hope
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Easter Fair in London
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The annual Summer Garden Party, auction and raffle
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Sale of Bridge of Hope Christmas cards
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Corporate sponsorship
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Online giving through the website – www.bridge-hope.org
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Gift Aid Claims
Independent Examiner’s report to the trustees of Bridge of Hope Foundation. (Registered charity in the UK 1152252)
I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended January 31[st] 2023
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and examiner.
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The 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 needed. The charity is required by company law to prepare accrued accounts and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act and Section 44(1) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the 2005 Act.)
To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act
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 and is in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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 next statement.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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To keep accounting records and in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and
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To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of the Companies Act 2006, section 44 (1) (b) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations and
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Which are consistent with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities
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Have not been met or
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(2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
Name: Dagmawit Shitaye Date – 1[st] May 2023
Relevant professional qualification or body: AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)
Annual Accounts
Donations 34,151 33,963 Christmas card sales 576 914 Charity Events 3,674 1,675 Raffles 1000 712 Just Giving 1,275 Online Giving (Stripe) 5,674 Bank interest 7 13 Total Income 46,357 37,277 Funds returned 2,454 Total 39,731 DISTRIBUTION OF DONATIONS Ethiopia 2,286 Kenya 11,728 13,310 Tibetan Refugee Project 6,900 6,000 Haiti 3,775 6,010 Morocco 2,000 2,000 Uganda 2,429 2865 Total 29,118 30,185 EXPENSES Honorarium 400 500 Christmas cards 2021 487 Christmas Cards 2022 473 Web content 366 311 management Website maintenance 247 231 Audit fee 100 100 Anti-virus software 53 50 Facebook ads 74
Charity Events 343 82 Promotion/ PR 226 Printing & Stationary 397 916 Bank Charges 20 4 Total 3,012 2,268 Under/
For the year ended 31/1/2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to small companies’ regime.
Signed:
Director
Date - September 21st 2023
Structure, Governance and Management
The governing document of Bridge of Hope is its Memorandum and Articles of Association incorporated on 6[th] January 2012 as amended by special resolution registered at Companies House on 27[th] March 2013.
The Charity is a Registered Company number 7900474
Election of Trustees
Election of trustees is based on a recommendation by a current trustee serving on the Bridge of Hope Trustee Board. The recommendation is then put to the Board for a vote by all current serving trustees for acceptance.
All Bridge of Hope Foundation trustees undergo DBS checks and have signed the declaration of good character form required by the Charity Commission.
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Bridge of Hope Foundation |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Bridge of Hope |
| Registered charity number | 1152252 |
| Charity’s principal address | 4 Brunner Rd. Ealing London W5 1BA |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Newell CVO |
Trustee and Director | |||
| Martin Fletcher | Trustee and Director | |||
| Lisa Yacoub | Trustee and Director And Company Secretary |
Names and addresses of advisors
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Katie Campbell | London |
| Claire Finlay | London |
| Sharon Hendry | London |
| Selam Bekele | Addis Ababa |
Ayub Khalid Nairobi Ruth Isooba Kampala
Name of Patrons
Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub - London
Nadia Lady Plumbly- London
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Lisa Yacoub Position (eg Secretary, Company Secretary and Trustee Chair, etc) Date 1.11.23