2024-06-30-accounts - Village Rwanda UK

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] July 2023 To 30[th] June 2024

Charity name: Village Rwanda UK

Charity registration number: 1162004

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To relieve poverty in remote rural communities in Rwanda by providing education, training, healthcare projects and the necessary support to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient.
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.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	VRUK raises funds in the UK and works in partnership with Gihembo Forward (GiFo), a local Rwandan NGO. GiFo manage an Early Years Children's Centre and Nursery School and a number of income generation projects at Gasundwe in Gihombo, Rwanda. The funds VRUK send to GiFo pay for:  A full-time representative responsible for ensuring liaison with local government and implementation of co-ordinated annual plans ,  Shared responsibility for the upkeep of a building in which to deliver services for the surrounding community,  The services of teachers, cook and night watchman,  Teaching resources,  A term time daily feeding programme to deliver protein enhanced porridge for all children who come to the nursery  A range of mutually agreed income generation projects. The trustees and associates of VRUK make regular visits and require verbal, written and photographic reports from the representative to enable oversight of:  the ongoing development of the Children’s Centre and ensure the service is of good quality,  to ensure the income generation projects are being implemented to agreed specifications (Agreements of Expectation). VRUK are also seeking to improve healthcare provision for the children and their parents, by improving links with existing local agencies. The public benefits of these co-ordinated efforts are considerable. The work of VRUK focuses on Early

		Years education (which is not funded by government) in an inaccessible part of Rwanda. Approximately 80 children between 4 and 6 years of age attend the nursery. They benefit from the enhanced nutrition provided each day and from interactive learning which enables them to achieve basic skills. On leaving the nursery, children can walk to their local primary school (about 2 hours walk away), being stronger physically and intellectually more able than they would be without this service. The Nursery and Children's Centre has enabled parents, particularly mothers, to see the benefits of good nutrition and quality interactive learning for their children. Parents and the local population have also had opportunities to participate in income generation projects, which has a benefit for the whole community.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	None
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	None
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Apart from the paid representative in Rwanda, no staff are paid by the charity and all work is done on a voluntary basis.
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	The period from June 2023 to July 2024, was one of continuing activity and development. VRUK Trustees, working with the local representative for GiFo and the local people have continued to achieved improvements and benefits. Organisational achievements  Effective financial management and fundraising- Fundraising is mainly from regular donations and during 2023/24 VRUK income has been stable.

		 Financial tracking– this has continued with effective systems for online monitoring of transfers to our Rwandan bank account and withdrawals for particular items of agreed expenditure to support identified projects.  Organisational efficiency– VRUK hold regular trustee meetings as required and these have been a mixture of virtual and face- to-face meetings. Project management and accountability continues via a well- established system of Agreements of Expectations to set the anticipated parameters of our project investment. VRUK has continued to update the charity website and sends out regular newsletters. VRUK planning systems continue to be effective and we share these plans with GiFo and are responsive to their planning. The process is reciprocal.  Increasing local capacity- this is mainly by supporting income generation initiatives and holding the local NGO increasingly to account for initiating, implementing and reporting on these developments. The VRUK local representative works to strengthen these projects and he has an annual performance appraisal. Monitoring  The secretary and an associate of VRUK visited Rwanda during April 2023 and reported back to trustees and donors.  Electronic communication between the local representative is scheduled, regular and the outcomes written up and circulated. Developments in Rwanda  The Children’s Centre continues to deliver Early Years education services to seventy 3- 5year olds.  A well-resourced learning environment is provided for the children and teaching staff to learn, work and play. Two teachers work under the oversight of a GiFo board member - a local primary deputy headteacher.  Quality interactive teaching methods are being used and teachers are being trained through government courses and other NGO providers.  The children are provided with a meal of beans and rice or protein porridge on all five days of the week. This has eradicated almost all cases of malnutrition in these young children.  The health worker makes regular visits to give vaccinations, promote family well-being and healthy eating at the termly Parents’ meetings.

 The VRUK representative is working to support the income generation projects currently agreed between VRUK and GiFO. These are written up and form part of the local government organisation for NGOs (JADF). All agreed projects have Agreement of Expectations and the impact of the activities is reported back verbally, photographically and in writing. Impact has been positive and learning for the future noted.  The local VRUK representative, participates in Rwanda Education NGO Coordination Platform (RENCP)

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	As described above, projects were assessed against Agreements of Expectations and broadly meet objectives. The charity continues to develop the capacity of people to report on the outcomes of investment in businesses.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	No fundraising targets set for 2023/4
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	The charity has no investments.
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Carried forward at the end of the period £900
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	VRUK policy on reserves is that we wish to ensure that salaries of Rwandan employees can be covered for a period of 6 months should donations cease.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£1000 (approx. cost of 6 month salaries)
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	Not applicable
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	Not applicable
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	There are no immediate concerns.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The charity relies on 5 principal sources of funds  Regular monthly supporters/donors  Single donations from individuals  Single donations from companies with a social responsibility strategy  Sponsored events  Promotional entertainment events All funds are directed toward key objectives.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	VRUK does not invest other than in essential bank accounts.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The charity maintains a risk register listing principal risks and mitigations. The key risks facing the charity are,  Insufficient income to meet commitments.  Inadequate reserves to manage temporary loss of income.  Funds in Rwanda misapplied.  Increase in cost of providing services in Rwanda.  Over-reliance on key people in Rwanda Trustees review the mitigations to these risks continuously.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	Para 1.25	CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	VRUK has actively sought to recruit new trustees with an understanding and interest in Rwanda as turnover has increased. Advertisement during the reporting period via the VRUK newsletter and on an appropriate charity website has enabled new appointments to be made during the reporting period. Constitutional provisions enable trustees to appoint.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees.	Para 1.51	Induction is individually tailored as required and ongoing as needed.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works.	Para 1.51	VRUK is a very small charity, where the trustees have equal powers and shared responsibilities. VRUK seeks to work in England with any overseas development and fundraising organisations which are supportive of our aims. In Rwanda, VRUK works closely with Gihembo Forward (GiFo) our local partner NGO, as well as local government and health organisations in promoting the work of the Children’s Centre. VRUK has introduced a new level of Involvement and appointed a small number of ex- trustees as Associates to assist in very specific tasks working with a nominated trustee.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Village Rwanda UK
Other name the charity uses	VRUK
Registered charity number	1162004
Charity’s principal address	19 West Green, Heighington, DL5 6RA

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 6 7	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Patricia Atherton	Chair
	Lynne Gregory	Secretary
	Petronella Spivey	trustee
	PhillipAdams	trustee
	AndyHopkins	trustee

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets None held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of	Name	Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

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)

Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)

Date

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS

For the period from 01 July 202 3 to 30 June 202 4

Charity No: 1162004

Find out more www.villagerwandauk.com

Village Rwanda UK

Period end date: 30/06/202 4

Reference and Administrative Information

Charity Name:

Charity Registration Number:

Contact Address:

Trustees: Bankers:

	Village Rwanda UK

	1162004

	19 West Green,
	Heighington
	County Durham
	DL5 6RA

	Patricia Atherton	Chair
	Petronella Spivey	Trustee
	Lynne Gregory	Secretary
	Philip Adams	Trustee
	AndyHopkins	Treasurer

	Coop Bank
	PO Box 250
	Delf House
	Southway
	Skelmersdale
	WN8 6WT

Village Rwanda UK	Village Rwanda UK		No: 1162004
Receipts	andpayments accounts				CC16a
For the period from	01/07/2023	To	30/06/2024

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 13,279 - - - - 13,279 - - - 13,279 2,516 6,663 124 92 - 320 115 9,830 - - - 9,830 3,450 - 10,196 13,646	Restricte d funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total funds to the nearest £ 13,279 - - - - - 13,279 - - - 13,279 2,516 6,663 124 92 - 320 115 9,830 - - - 9,830 3,450	Last year to the nearest £
Donations	13,279			12,054
Fundraisingevents	-			-
Gift aid	-			1,457
Theo's Masters	-			-
Bank interest				-
	-			-
*Sub total*	13,279			13,511

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
	-
	-			-
*Sub total*	-			-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments
				13,511

Wages & Salaries	2,516			1,676
CommunityDevelopment	6,663			12,124
Miscellaneous expenses	124			172
Training	92			-
Income Generation Projects	-			-
Food & Feeding programme	320			252
Hosting fees and IT Consumables	115			122
*Sub total*	9,830			14,346

A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
	-
	-
*Sub total*	-			-
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*
				14,346

			3,450	(835)
			-	-
			10,196	11,031
			13,646	10,196

Co-operative Bank (UK) Bank of Kigali (Rwanda) Total	£ 7,307 6,339 13,646	RWF

Period end date: 30/06/202 4

Village Rwanda UK

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use	Details Co-operative Bank(UK) Bank of Kigali(Rwanda) *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details	Unrestricted funds to nearest £	Restricted funds to nearest £	Endowment funds to nearest £
		7,307	-	-
		6,339	-	-
		-	-	-
		13,646	-	-
				OK
				Endowment funds to nearest £
		-	-	-
		-	-	-
		-	-	-
		-	-	-
	Details	Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional)	Current value (optional)
	Not applicable		-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
	Details	Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional)	Current value (optional)
	See details in Annual Report		-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
	Details	Fund to which liability relates	Amount due (optional)	When due (optional)
	Not applicable - all amounts owed relating to the period ended 30 June 2023were settled prior to the period end.		-
			-
			-
			-
			-
	Signature	Print Name		Date of approval
		Andy Hopkins (Treasurer & Trustee)		08/04/2025

Village Rwanda UK

Period end date: 30/06/2024

Section C Notes to the Accounts

Unrestricted funds are available for general charitable activity in accordance with the charity's purpose.	Unrestricted funds are available for general charitable activity in accordance with the charity's purpose.	Unrestricted funds are available for general charitable activity in accordance with the charity's purpose.
Authority under whichpaid		£
Not applicable - no monies paid to trustees in the period.		-
		-
		-
	Number of trustees	£
Not applicable - no monies paid to trustees in the period.	-	-
	-	-
	-	-
Nature of relationship Nature of transaction	Transaction amount (£)	Balance outstanding at period end (£)
Not applicable - no transactions with trustees or connected persons in the period.	-	-
	-	-
	-	-
	-	-