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← Love Sierra Leone

2024-12-31-accounts

Love Sierra Leone Annual Report 2024

Charity #1157847

lovesierraleone.org

Trustees: Richard Bayfield, Rev David Bendor-Samuel, Ian Gill, Norm Robins

Thank you.

The first and most important message within this short report is to thank you, our Supporters, and our Trustees. We are thankful to Pastor Yatta Samura for his multiple ministries to those in need, irrespective of whether they have a Christian faith or not, and to David Sandi for his ongoing dedication to Ahkom School. There is another emerging concern, that of an increasingly prevalent drug culture amongst the young.

Times are getting harder for many in Sierra Leone. High inflation is a constant threat. The money we send to Pastor Yatta (C3M) and David Sandi (Ahkom) does not go as far as it did in previous years. Yet they achieve so much with the support we are able to give them.

Overview of 2024

2024 was a year of both challenge and encouragement for Love Sierra Leone. While the nation faced political instability and economic hardship, the charity and its partners continued to deliver practical help, education, and ministry support. Feeding programmes, school activities, medical relief, and growing church ministries marked the year, all sustained by faithful donors in the UK.

Highlights of the Year

Feeding Programmes

Freetown, January 2024: Grace Community Church hosted a celebratory meal with food, music, and dancing. For many, including a mother and her 3 children, it was the only food the family received that day.

Kono, January 2024: A further feeding programme provided hot meals for 178 children from nearby villages, along with elderly community members who came seeking food.

Our XMAS meal fundraising target was £5,000. By December, nearly 50% had been raised to support these programmes.

Love Sierra Leone Annual Report 2024

Charity #1157847 lovesierraleone.org

Trustees: Richard Bayfield, Rev David Bendor-Samuel, Ian Gill, Norm Robins

Ministry and Churches (C3MSL)

The mission now consists of 2 churches in Freetown and 6 in the Kono region. Baptisms, discipleship and youth engagement showed encouraging growth across the churches led by Pastor Yatta.

C3MSL organised a youth Camp in December for more than 250 young people, to strengthen faith and fellowship across partner churches.

Sports Life Ministry reached several new schools in Freetown. The schools welcomed the sports programme, which is growing as a tool for outreach and community building.

The ministry faced challenges - pastors faced illness, churches worked with limited resources and little or no transport. Political unrest and food shortages added strain to the overall program.

Love Sierra Leone Annual Report 2024

Charity #1157847 lovesierraleone.org

Trustees: Richard Bayfield, Rev David Bendor-Samuel, Ian Gill, Norm Robins

Education and Young People

Ahkom School – Sports Day: In March students competed in athletics across four school houses, with Red House winning. This event boosted community spirit and children’s confidence. Trainers were given to the poorest pupils, many receiving proper footwear for the first time.

Ahkom School reported continued progress in education and vocational training during the 2023/24 year.

Medical Supplies

A consignment of medical supplies such as bandages and dressings (not medicines), collected by a trustee, was shipped to Sierra Leone. Though out of date by UK standards, the items were safe and valuable, and much appreciated in local clinics.

Challenges

Sierra Leone remained tense following the disputed 2023 elections and an attempted coup. International concern about lack of transparency in the electoral process continued into 2024.

Pastor Yatta described hunger and poverty as “too much,” underlining the urgent need for continued support.

Financial Summary

In 2023 income was £26,755 and we spent £27,494. Donations for C3M and Ahkom school were lower than in previous years (in 2023 our income was just under £32,000). We maintained the same level of giving to C3M and Ahkom by using money from the LSL general fund. Our reserves stood at £1,192 at the end of the year. Our expenditure is summarised below:

Love Sierra Leone Annual Report 2024

Charity #1157847 lovesierraleone.org

Trustees: Richard Bayfield, Rev David Bendor-Samuel, Ian Gill, Norm Robins

and without additional income we will not be able to continue this level of support going forward.

Outlook for 2025

While we continue to be constrained by lack of resources, we will continue to support C3MSL and Ahkom school as best we can, especially in the following areas:

Giving

If you would like to support our activities you can donate online (one off or standing order) at www.lovesierraleone.org or by cheque, payable to “Love Sierra Leone”. For further information please contact Richard Bayfield, 25 Davenant Road, Oxford, OX2 8BU, (01865 311800), email info@lovesierraleone.org.

Love Sierra Leone Income & expenditure account for the year ended 31st December, 2024

Love Sierra Leone Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 st December, 2024 2024 2023 Income Donations Gift aid refunds Interest received 22,075.57 4.675.33 4.52 25,468.13 5,894.19 3.64 Tolal Income 26,755.42 31,365.96 Ex enditure Donations to overseas projects Other finance charges Olher costs 26,725.00 601.00 168.00 32,827.50 676.00 168.00 Total Expenditure 27,494.00 33,671.50 Net Income -738.58 -2,305.54 Balance as at 1 st January 2024 1,931.05 4,236.59 Total funds at 31 st December, 2024 1,192.47 1,931.05 Represented by: CAF accounts 1.192.47 1.931.05 1,192.47 1,931.05

Love Sierra Leone Independent examiners report Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Love Slerra Leone I report on Ihe accounts for the year ended 31 st December 2024 Respective responsibiltties of trustees and examiner The Chariws Trustees are responsible lor the preparalion of the accounts. The Charit￿$ Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 of the Gharities Acl 2011) and that an independenl examination is needed. It is my resF)onsibilily to: examine the accounts (under section 145) of the 2011 Act. - lo follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Gharity Commissioner5 (under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act; and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent examlner's report My examination was carried out in accordance with Ihe General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kepi by Ihe Charity and a comparison of the accounts presenled with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusua5 items or disclosures in the accounls, 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 Yrue and fair view. and Ihe report is limited lo those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlner's statement In conneclion wilh my examination, no matter has come lo my attention: 11) which gives me reasonable Cause to believe that in any malerial respect Ihe requiremenls - to keep accounting records in accordance wilh section 130 of the 2011 Act; and - to prepare accounts which accord with Ihe accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements ofthe 201 l Act have not been mel.. or 12} to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Signed Name: Professional qualificalion: Address: Date= P T Skinner FCCA 30 Bankside Court. Stationfields, Kidlinglon, Oxon OX5 1 JE 22.01.2024