ANNUAL REPORT 2024 -AND;. FINANCIAL ST'ATEMENTS PATHY
EMPATHY INTERNATIONAL Contents Pa Refereiice and A(hniiiistrative Details Trustees, Report 2to7 Independent Examiner's Report Statemeiit of Financial Activities Balance Sheet 10 Notes to the Financial Ststan¢ntS 11 to 16
Empathy International 'Broken hearts helping break poverty" Helping the rural poor through Education, Income generation and Aid Empathy Intornational Trustee5 Report 2024 & Unaudited Accounts year ended 31 December 2024 Charity name and number Empathy International, Charity Registration number 1156970 Contact person (Name and position Mr Andrew Hepburn (Project field manager) Mrs Naoml Hepburn {PhD Agrlculture) Mr Thomas Frederick Paul Doble (Engineer Mr5 Pamela Langsdon {Retall project8@empathyinternational.org.uk WWW.8mpathyintemational.org.uk @empathy.poor Trustees Emall address web51te Instagram Telephone & WhatsApp number UK: +4410) 7484734274 Project alm Sustainable technical help and compassion for the rural poor Addre55 Rosilian, Tolgus Mount, Redrvth, Cornwall, TR15 3TA Accounting period 15tJanuary - 315t December 2024 Introduction At Empathy International, we are deeply committed to reaching, resourcing, and releasing the poor, disadvantaged, and marginalised from all forms of poverty. To further this mission, we were Dfficially granted UK registered charity status on 8th May 2014, Our passion is promoting sustainable income-generating activities, expanding access to education, and addressing food security can significantly reduce the effects of extreme poverty and malnutrition. However, the challenge is that those living in poverty often laclc more than just capital to start a small busines&-they also face limited access to relevant training, quality education, ongoing technical support, and, perhaps most critically, hope for a better future. To address this bottle nec1< and advance this purpose of providing grass root sl<ill in Laos, SE Asia we are so happy to have co-founded and manage projects of the Mekong Vocational Center which helps 100's of rural families from all the Provinces of Northern Laos who have often no other avenues to receive a hand up in life,
In January 2025 we were extremely honoured when Dame Marcia Twelftree DBE from the UK came to visit our vocational center. Dame Marica has deep understand and worl<ing l<nowledge of the importance of eduction having led the 'outstanding" Charters School in Sunningdale, Berkshire, for 12 years, advised the UK Government on policy at the Implementation Review Unit and served as a member of the Association of School and College Leaders, council for Many years and please find her feedback "I was delighted to visit the Mekong Vocational Centre in Luang Prabang Laos in Jan 2025. As an educator with 49 years experience of running secondary schools I have always been passionate about the value of skills - based tr3ining and the need for good quality vocational edLJcation in every country, At this centre tkiey have successfully developed an excellent sustainable model for vocational training which cannot fail to impress. Over a wide range of skills they aro giving over 3QO students a year opportunities which they can take back to benefit their communities. A project to be proLJd of . ' Dame Marcia Twelftree DBE (Jan 2025) Current sustainabl reducin Education Support: ove initiates Bamboo School Project.. Provides school uniforms, teaching materials, and school fees for rural school children, enabling continued access to education. Sustainablp Agriculture & Food Security: Flsh & Frog Hatcheries,. Supply high-quality fish and frogs to poor rural families, improvin9 nutrition and income, Mushroom Cultivation Program.. Delivers skills, premium mushroom spores and cultivation equipment to villages. Technical Farming Support.. Offers hands-on training to rural families in fish, pig, and mushroom farming and breeding. Aquatic, Animal & Fungal Disease Management: Developing and distributing village level manuals and guidance for effective disease control. Rural Hydroponics: testing and refining next step vegetable production for increased yield and reduce inputs eg fertilisers and pesticides Women's Empowerment: 'Dignity" Rural Women's Skills Project: Trains young rural women in sewing, chicken production, hairdressing, and handcrafts and each lady receives a sewing machines.
Livestock Improvement: Piggy Bank Project Farm: Enhances the breeding stoc[< of piglets to poor families. Affordable Farming Solutions: Develops and promotes low-cost options for animal feed, fertilizers, equipment, Along with these practical life sl<ills trainings, we also endeavour to provide relevant and practical on-going technical support and backup so that poor households can generate a sustainable income and provide food security. These initiatives not only increases income and food security but also noticeably increases self-confidence and hope, Lookin back on 2024 Upgrading the 'Piggy Bank Project, breeding program which promotes modern pig farming methods to rural villages and while provides improved breeding stock to increase yield. The Dignity sewing and clothes design training was in much demand and helped almost 200 young rural women, Improved Aquatic Program for our 2 hatcheries providing increased survival rates/yields carp, tilapia & frogs has had a tough year as families find it hard to buy fish feed. Delighted to start Hydroponics with the help of a Ul< specialist volunteer to increase food production. 2024 saw mushroom farming help many families to new regions in Northern Laos farming with simple, cheap and appropriate methods for landless poor which provides a daily crop to sell. Adding 'LJnderstanding Solar, to the Electrical training, Very pleased to have started the 'understanding finance, program. Continued with the Improved Mushroom Program which tests new and low cost growing methods for farmers, in particular testing new sterilising methods. Trained new staff in the production of quality of mushroom spores (seed) for rural families. Training of local Trainers in income generation techniques and disease management Supporting youth internship in rural fish farrring, mushroom farming, Providing a Small Compassion fund to help the poor with warm clothing, food & medical costs. 25 international volunteers, graciously gave their time to help the work of Empathy International. Promoting the importance of sustainable development for the rural poor through social media
Lookin forward to 2025 Starting new training courses in carpentry and handicrafts. Completely new fish and frog breeding facilities and lined ponds Improving the Hair salon training facilities to allow more rural women to be trained, Welcoming UK volunteering team with essential building slcills to upgrade electrics throughout centre and building a new mechanics training building. We are excited about new and expanding OPPOrtunities to help the rural poor which village level business in particular the Piggy Ban1< Project which seelcs to produce and supply better yielding crossbred pigs and also provide technical and disease management advice, Working on starting new village tourism initiatives We will continue to see1< out like minded partners to help as many poor people in as many suitable/sustainable ways as possible; We will seek to strengthen our governance and procedures but implementing the actions highlighted in our financial review so we have a strong accountable structure to carry the expanding worl<. INCOME & EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS OVERVIEW The Plggy Bank Project produces and provides improved high quality piglets to the rural poor along wlth Free animal health care through our vlllage outreach team. New Improved breed 5cocl< (male Lao natlve blac[< x female Landrace pin1<) starting to produce better piglets which is being well received by the rural poor. Bulk feed for farmers is progressing well so they can reduce their feeds cost5. The Mekong Vocatlonal Center is doing great worl< providing trades. sl<ills and equipment to rural families. During 2024 we expanded significantly the training facilitles so as to start hospltality, cool<ing, barista, computers, digital skills, hydroponlcs et ENO The LINK men's project trains and equips rural vlllage men with the new skills they need to malce an income and to raise their social status through motorbil<e repairs & rnalntainance tLllNK ot&ke. 132 rural young men and women trained in repairs and equipped with tools. The Dignity women's projects trains and equips rural village women at risk of trafficking with the sewing and craft skills they need to mal<e an income and to raise their social status so they are able to stay in their own safe communltles. 190+ young women from mlnorlty tribes trained-equipped with sewing machines, 93 with Hair & Beauty Salon
The Fish Aid hatcherles produce and supplied approx 2 million high qualityTilapia fry (baby fish) & frogs to + 100 rural poor familie5 to grow for food and sell for income. Following from the success of day trainlng sessions In our other projects, we have also organise 5hort-term Aquaculture trainings so more Yillag¢r5 are more able to attend, The Mushroom Project produce5 hlgh quality mushrc¢m spores and trainslequlps rural poor famllles to help start mlcro mushroom farms beside their homes to suppty their village5, MuSiiffoOM 121 families have been trained and equipped to start their own mushroom farm5. Improved mushroom prcduccion have been incroduced followlng farmer requests. Bamboo Schools provides essential and much needed educatlonal supplies to rural school chlldren e,g school unlforms. books, pens, play mats, white boards etc FJAMBOI) 3 rural prlmary schools (2QO l<ids approx) are being partnered and supplied wlth educatlonal equlpment and supplies, along with new sponsorship scheme to pay school fees for rural poor children at risk of having to stop their education,
EMPATHY INTERNATIOINAL Trustees, Report (Continued) Th¢ Trustees, Report 18 approved by the BoaTd and signed on its b¢half by: Naomi Hepburn Trxytee Thomas Doble Trustee 15 August 2025 15 Augusl 2025
EMPATHY INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF EMPATHY INTERNATIONAL I report oil the accounts of Einpathy International for the year ¢nded 31 December 2024 which are set out oil the preceding pages. Respective responsibilities of Empathy Interllationa] and examiller The members of Empathy International are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and consider tliat i audit is not reqliired for the year uiider section 144(2) of tlie Charities Act 2011 (tlie 2011 Act) and that i iiidepeiideiit eXninatIon is ne¢ded. It is my responsibility to.. examiiie tlie accounts under section 145 of the 201 l Act. to follow the procedures laid down iii tlie general Dir¢ctions given by the Charity Commission unda. seotioii 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. and to state whether particular inatters have coine to iny atteiition Basis of independent examiller's report My examination was oarried out in acoordaiice with the general Directions given by the Clwity Coinmission. An examination includes a review of th¢ accouiitiiig records Icq)t by Empatliy International and a coinparison of th¢ a¢couiits preseiited with tliose records. It also includes considering any iinusual items or dis¢losures in the accounts, aiid seekiiig explanations froin you as Einpathy Iiiternational members concerning any such matt¢rs. The procedur¢s Lderta1(en do llot Provide all the evidollC¢ that would be requir¢d in an audit and conseqiieiitly no opinion is given as to whether the accoiints present a "true and fair view" aiid the report is limitcd to those matters set out iii the statemeiit below. Independent examiner's statement In connection with ]ny examination, no matter has come to my attcntioii:. (i) whi¢h gives ine reasonable cause to believe tliat in aiiy material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records iii accordance with section 130 of the 201 l Act, and to prepare accoiiiits which accord witli the accoiinting recoi-ds and comply witli the awounliiig rcquircAn¢iits of tlie 2011 Act hav¢ not beeli Inet; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawii iii order to clble a Proper understanding of tlie accoiuits to b¢ reached. Craig Chapman Bsc (Hons) ACA 4 Tregarne Terrace St Austell Coriiwall PL25 4BE 15 Aug71 2025
EMPATHY INTERNATIONAL Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 December 2024 RestriLted illcome funds TotaI funds Unrestricted fiinds Prior year funds Note Income Income and endowmellts from: Donations and lega¢ies Charitable activities Investments 24,893 705 84,520 25,598 84,520 48 18,526 33,270 23 48 Total 24,941 85,225 110,166 51,819 Expendlture Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities 22,875 86933 109,808 56,109 Total 22,875 86,933 109,808 56,109 Net movement in fullds 2,066 (1,708) 358 (4,290) Reconciliation of funds: Total fuiids broiight forward 2,186 1,786 3,972 8,262 Total funds carried forivard 4252 78 4,330 3,972 Ilie Statement of fiiiancial activities iiicliides all gaiiis and losses recognised in the year. All iiicome and expenditure deLive froin coiitilluilig activities. Tlie notes oll pages I I to 16 form an integral parl of thes¢ financial statements.
MPATHY INTERNATIONAL (Registration number: 1156970) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2924 Note 2024 2023 Fixed assets Tangible assets 706 Current assets Debtors Cash at banlc alld in hand 600 2,996 4,660 4,660 3,596 Creditors: Amounts falling due withln Olle year (330) (330) Net current assets 4,330 3,266 Net assets 4J30 3,972 The funds of the charity: Total restricted funds 78 1,786 Unrestrficted funds Unrestricted income 4,252 2,186 Total charity fllnds 4,330 3,972 For the financial year ended 3 l Deceniber 2024 tlie coinpaiiy was eiititled to ex¢mption from audit. Trustees r¢sponsibiliti¢s: The meinbers have not required tlie compèuiy to obtain an audit of its financial stateinents for the year in qiiestion in accordwice with section 476, wid Th¢ trustees aoknowl¢dg¢ their responsibilities for complying with th¢ reqiiirements of the Act with re8pect to accoiintiiig records and the preparation of financial statemeiits, Approved by the Board and signed oil its belialf by: Naomi Hepburn Trusleg Thoinas Doble Truslee 15 August 2925 15 August 2925 The notes on pages I I to 16 forin an iiitegral part of thes¢ financial statements. 10
EMPATHY INTERNATIONAL Notes to the Fftnancial Statements for the Year EDded 31 December 2024 l. Accounting policles Bfists of accounllng Tli¢ aocoluts l]av¢ been prepared under the liistorical cost convention and in accord&ice with the Statsmellt of Recominended Practice: Accounting and Rewrting by Charities preparing tlieir accounts Iii accoiy1wl widi Fitlwicial Reportiiig stand applicable in the UK and RewibLic of Ireknid (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and th¢ Chariti¢s Act 2011. The chwity constittites a piiblic beii¢fit eiitity as d¢fined by FRS 102. F accounllngpolicy Uirticted llicoine knds are gene1 1]dS dTrt are &vai]able for use atthe ilustees, discretioii in furtlierwice ofthe objectives of tlie cl]arity. Restricted fid8 are those donated for use in a particiilar area or for slf1¢ PUTPOSQ% the ie of which is StriCted that arca or pillyose. Furth¢r detsils of &qcli fviid are disclosed lli note l2. Ineopne There has beal no offsetting of assets and liabiliti¢4 or iiicome exFKnses, unless r¢quiRrd orm]itted bythe FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102. Iteins of incoiiic are rec0}18Cd and included ]]] die accounts when all of the following ci'itcria arc mct.. the charity has ejititlement to the funds. any perforn]aiice coiiditi(xis attaclied to the item(s) of llicome Ive Ixen inet or are filY within the control ofthe charity. the is Slifficient certainty llut receipt of th¢ income is Considered probable" ]d the amoiint can be measiired reliably. Expendilure Liabilities recogLiised as sooii as there is a legal or constrLictive obligatithi committingthe ch8Tityto the cxp¢nditillr. All expelid1tu is accounted for on an accwals l)asis alld Iw beoii classified under headings that agegate all costs i"elated to the category, Charitable expelldÉtLwe comprises diose costs inourr&l by the ohlty iii the delivery of its activities and services for its beiieficiaries. It inoliides bodi costs that can be allocated directly to such activities alld those ¢osts of an IndiCt Dature iiecessary to siyport them. Governance costs Goverjiance costs include costs ofthe preparation ld examinatioii of tlie statLitory acCts, Ilie costs ofinjstee Meetin anddie cost of ally legal advice to Inists oli govemance or coiistitLltional matters. Supporl costs Support costs iiiclude c¢iitral functioiis ]d Iiave beeji allocated to activity cost categories 01) a basis consistent widi the use of resources, for exEuiiple, allocatiiig prortY costs by flr area& or per capiti statFcosts by the tiine spait alld odier costs by theirusage. Fivd assets Individual fLxed assets costirjg £500 or iiioiE are initially recorded at cost.
EMPATHY INTERNATIONAL Notes to the Financial StAtements for the Year Ended 31 De¢emb¢r 2024 (continued) l. Accounting policies (continued) Foragn Currencies Assets and liabilities ni frign cl1rrl¢le are translated into sterliiig at the rates of exchange mllllg attlie balance sheet date. Transactions iLito fo11 CencIeS are tt2nslated at tlie tate of excl1]ge Nling at tlie date of tlie tIsaCtIo]i. Oiigoing tréu)sactions are also are translatsd at tlie rate of exchange ruling at tli¢ dafr of the transacti1. Exchange diffrn¢es are takai into account in arrivll]g atthe operatiiig resLiIt. Depreci(dion DepCiatiOn is provided on tan ible fed assets so as to wit¢ off die cost or Valuatio less any estimated residual value, over eir ¢¢ted usefiil economic life as follows: Office eqUipn 330/0 strailt Ill basis 2. Income 2.1 Donatlons and legacies Restricted income funds Unrestricte(J funds Total funds Prior year funds Appeals and donations Gift Aid tax reclaimed 19,127 5,766 705 19,832 5,766 17,926 600 24,893 705 25,598 18,526 2.2 Income trom eharitoble activities Restricted ineome funds Ullrestricted funds Totlll fullds Prior year funds liicoine froin charitable grants 84,520 84,520 33,270 84,52.0 84,520 33,270 2.3 Investment Income Restricted income funds Unrestricted funds Total funds Prior year funds ljiterest on casli deposits 48 48 23 48 48 23 12
EMPATHY INTERNATIONAL Notes to the Flnancial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Deeember 2024 (contlAued) 3. Costs Df Raising Funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Fundraising costs Coiisultancy fees 4. Charitable Activities Total 2024 Total 2023 Unrestrficted Restrleted Direct CostB Support for Fish and frog farming Support for Mushroom farms Support for Motorbike projects Support for Piggy Banli project Support for Melcong VC 12,763 968 957 9,848 62,397 12,763 968 957 9,848 76,725 9,936 9,633 7,346 22,127 14,328 Total Direct Costs 14,328 86,933 101,261 49,042 13
EMPATHY INTERNATIONAL Notes to the Financial Statements lor the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued) 4. Charitable Activities (continued) TotAI 2024 Total 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Support Costs Stsff traiiiing Eqiiipment, repairs 2uid renewals Priiitiiig, postage and stationery Charity project travel Advertising and website Baiik charges Excliange (gain)Iloss Depreciation of office equipinent PTofit on disposal - office equipment 16 1,448 114 5,908 173 282 33 539 (296) 16 1,448 114 5,908 173 282 33 539 (296) 956 23 4,800 90 276 (304) 896 Total Support Costs 8,217 8217 6,737 Governance Costs ILidepeiideLIt Examiimtioii 330 330 330 Total Governmellt Costs 330 330 330 Total Expenditure 22,875 86,933 109,808 56,109 5. Trustees, remllneratioll Triiste¢s received iio Temiin¢ratioii or beiiefits iji lund diiring tliis or Ihe prior year. 6. Net (expenditure)lin¢ome Net (expeiiditure)/incoine is stated a'fteT chargiiig: 2024 2023 ALiditors remuner&tion - Iiidependent examination Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Profit on disposal - office equipmeiit 330 539 (296) 330 896
EMPATHY INTERNATIONAL Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued) 7. Tangible fixed assets Office equipment Cost As at l January 2024 Additions Disposals 7,002 (3,123) As at 31 December 2024 3.879 Depreciation As at k January 2024 Charge for the y¢ar Eliminated 011 disposal 6,296 539 (2,956) As at 31 December 2024 3,879 Net Book Value As at 31 December 2024 As at 31 Deceiiiber 2023 706 8. Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year 2024 2023 Other debtors- gift aid reclaim 600 600 9. Creditors: Amollnts falling due within one year 2024 2023 Accruals aiid deferred income 330 330 330 330 15
EMPATHY INTERNATIONAL Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (conlinued) 10. Members, liability Tlie organisation is & clraritable incoryorated orgaiiisation and as siioh there is no inembers liability oil wiiidiiig lip the cliarity. 11. Related parti Controlling entity The charity is controlled by the trustees of the cliaritable incorporated organisation. 12. Analysis of funds At l January 2024 Asat31 December 2024 Incoming Resources resources expended General Funds Unr¢strict¢d iiicoin¢ fuiid 2,186 24,941 (22,875) 4,252 Restricted funds IncoLne generatiiig projects 1,786 85,225 (86,933) 78 3,972 110,166 (109,808) 4,330 13. Net assets by lllnd Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Total funds Prior year funds Tangible assets Currellt assets Creditors.. Amoiinls falling diie within one year 706 3,596 4,582 78 4,660 (330) {330) (330) Net assets 4,252 78 4,330 3,972 16