2025-04-05-accounts - Mbedza Projects Support

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 6 April 2024 To: 5 April 2025

Charity name: Mbedza Projects Support

Charity registration number: 1162581

1. Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The object of the charity is the prevention or relief of poverty in Malawi, in particular but not exclusively by: • providing assistance to groups and individuals suffering from hardship • providing resources to support HIV education, testing and counselling • Creating sustainable environments through tree planting and other projects. • Improving livelihoods through stove building. • Providing more equitable access to education.
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	In this reporting period the main activities of the charity were: • Ongoing development of the Songani Centre and continuation of the HIV project and its associated youth and education activities. • Continued provision of fuel-efficient stoves. • Planting of new tree saplings and ongoing monitoring of trees planted in previous years. • Continuation of the sponsored orphans’ secondary education program following the merger with sister charity MOSES in the last reporting period. • Continued provision of nursery school provision at Chiyambi, Monkey Bay.

		• Continued support of the Heart of Mercy project working with families of children with special needs. • Continued support and monitoring of a maize mill. • Continuation of a small-scale textiles/sewing project producing sanitary kits and items for sale in the UK and Belgium. • Improved financial monitoring in Malawi with the employment of a finance manager. • Media and communications support in the UK and Malawi. • Preparation for visit of 12 adults in April 2025. • Preparation for visit of two UK gap students in June 2025. • Preparation for visit of 30 students from Manor Academy York in October 2025.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The activities outlined contribute to achieving the purposes of the charity as summarised above. In making decisions about the activities the trustees declare that that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit provided by the Charity Commission. It is understood that since the aims for the charity are to prevent or relieve poverty, the public benefit requirement is met by satisfying the ‘benefit’ aspect only without need to separately consider the ‘public’ aspect.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	MPS is not a grant making organisation.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	No policy on social investment or programme related investment.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	UK staff (Director, Deputy Director, Associate Directors) are mainly volunteers.

		The Deputy Director received £300/month in recognition of the work involved in managing the finances of the charity. The Associate Director for Orphan Education and Visits received £180/mnth (April 2024 to Aug 2024) and £400/mnth (Sept 2024 to March 2025). Volunteers often organise and oversee fundraising events such as sponsored events, concerts, meetings, coffee mornings and sales of textiles. The charity also benefits from short in- country activity programmes undertaken by volunteers (students and others). Appropriate induction/training is given which includes safeguarding, orientation and first aid.
Other		N/A

2. 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	• Continued expansion of the HIV outreach activities at the Songani Centre: - HIV testing at the centre: 1008 tests (749 last year, 499 the year before). - HIV testing in the community: 2318 tests (2030 last year, 1809 the year before). - Numbers of HIV positives found: 15 (26 last year and 16 the year before). - Distribution of 54,310 condoms to sex workers (36,608 last year and 34,339 the year before). - Use of theatre and drama as a vehicle for conveying sex and relationship education. • Continued expansion of the sanitary kit programme at the Songani Centre with the distribution of 961 kits with associated health and sex education (666 last year and 514 the year before).

•	Completion of the first Hope
	Ambassador Mbedza Award Youth
	Leadership Scheme offering a
	development programme in sports,
	learning, sex and relationship
	education and community service.
•	Improved library provision at the
	Songani Centre with more
	resources and the building of a
	reading hut for early readers.
•	Continued provision at the Songani
	Centre of recreational activities,
	games and TV for the school-age
	population in the area.
•	Stove-building programme.
	- Completion of 671 Esperanza
	stoves (262 last year and 591
	the year before).
	- Distribution of 100 Gamba
	Tinsmith stoves (140 last year,
	300 the year before).
	Each stove reduces the cost to a
	household of buying firewood or the
	time spent collecting it, as well as
	providing other economic, health,
	social and educational benefits.
•	Trees planted: 35,000 (35,377 last
	year and 5,100 the year before).
	Trees are planted in village
	communities and schools. Tree-
	planting projects in village
	communities include training, the
	establishing of tree nurseries and
	woodlots, and the distribution of
	trees to households. In time the
	project will provide the economic
	benefit of a sustainable supply of
	firewood and the environmental
	benefit of reversed deforestation
	locally with reduced risk of soil
	erosion and flood damage. Tree-
	planting projects in schools provide
	learning and hands-on experience
	about raising saplings and caring
	for trees.
	Continued monitoring is an
	essential component of each
	project:
	- the sixth year of a community
	project in several local villages
	(these villages have received

	training in sustainable
	cropping).
	- the fifth year of a school project
	based in Songani Primary
	School.
	- the fourth year of a community
	project (villages Malemusi I and
	II, Minyanga and Mikulumu).
	- the third year of a community
	project (Katete and
	Makanganya villages).
	- The second year of the 35,544
	trees planted across 22 villages,
	Luwi Primary School and the
	Mbedza staff themselves.
	The 35,000 trees this year were
	planted across a number of
	villages.
•	20 farmers were trained in the
	Tiyeni method of sustainable
	agriculture which enables maize
	crops to be grown without
	expensive fertiliser.
•	This year was the first after the
	merger of sponsored education
	charity MOSES with Mbedza.
	Secondary education was provided
	for 100 students this year (100 last
	year and 80 the year before).
	These students have lost one or
	both parents and would be
	otherwise unable to afford to go to
	secondary school, forfeiting the
	benefits it brings. (Currently 15% of
	Malawian children complete
	Secondary Education overall,
	though 10% for rural communities
	and only 2% for the poorest
	communities. The latter figure is
	likely to apply for the students we
	support).
•	Completion of the second year of
	improved nursery provision for 70
	under-fives at Chiyambi, Monkey
	Bay. Education is a key route out of
	poverty and intervening in early
	years education is known to have
	benefits in later years.
•	Further development of the
	relationship with UK charity
	Accomplish Children’s Trust
	providing support for the Heart of
	Mercy project working with around
	70 rural families of children with

	special needs. The foundations of
	a new centre near Zomba have
	been completed with school groups
	expected in summer 2025 to help
	progress the build. These families
	are particularly disadvantaged with
	the children being neglected in the
	community, and relatively small
	interventions can have large
	impacts.
•	The purpose of the maize mill has
	been recast as a non-profit
	enterprise to reduce poverty in the
	local area. However poor harvests
	have meant that income this year
	has been lower than last and the
	mill has had to be subsidised.
•	The small-scale textiles/sewing
	project is now producing sanitary
	kits for schoolgirls who often lack
	suitable provision as well as textiles
	for sale in the UK and Belgium.
•	Continued communications support
	in Malawi to provide stories and
	images. Information and updates
	are important to retain the
	engagement of existing
	donors/supporters as well as raise
	awareness among others.
•	Development of contacts with other
	organisations in Malawi such as
	Medicins Sans Frontieres, Care
	International and Mary’s Meals.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:


Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	The notional income target of £152,000 was exceeded with total income £162,966.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	N/A

Other

3. Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Brought forward 6/4/2024: £18,361 Income during the year: £162,966 Expenditure during the year: £169,986 Balance at 5/4/2025: £11,341 Expenditure in the UK: UK Core Costs £15,684 (9.2%) Easter Visit flights etc £10,968 (6.5%) Global Gardens £500 (0.3%) Cash Reserves £61 (0.04%) Total £27,214 (16.0%) Expenditure in Malawi: Malawi Costs £129,522 (76.2%) Cash Reserves £13,250 (7.8%) Total £142,772 (84.0%)
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The purpose of the risk reserves and cash reserves policies is to ensure financial stability and to have reserves to cover both expected and unexpected eventualities.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Cash reserves: £3,936 (£300 in the UK and £3,636 in Malawi) plus staffing reserves to cover salaries for at least 10 months (over £7,000). Risk reserves: £3,073 (£3,000 in the UK and £73 in Malawi)
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	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	Restricted income totalled £132,350 as follows: Monthly Donations £34,501 Other Donations £25,263 Fundraising Campaigns £37,532 Grants £5,017 Sales £3,308 Visits £26,730 Unrestricted income totalled £30,616 as follows: Monthly Donations £1,802

		Other Donations £4,667 Fundraising Campaigns contribution to core costs: £2,843 Gift Aid/GASDS £16,183 Grants £5,120 (£5,000 Farthing Trust)
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	No policy on investment/ethical investment.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The organisation’s risk register was reviewed in May 2025 with appropriate mitigating actions and costs identified. The largest risks with estimated cost are: • Hunger, poor harvests, price of maize. Poor harvests and consequent hunger cause an increase in safeguarding incidents in the Orphan Education Programme, anxiety/stress among staff and even theft of project materials. £1,200. • Economic turbulence. National UK economics and international events potentially strain donors and donor sustainability. High inflation in Malawi (food inflation at 30+%) require continual staff pay increases to keep pace. £1,200 • Visits Programme. All visits come with risks and the potential for things to go wrong. £1,050. • Extreme weather events eg cyclones. Malawi appears to be increasingly prone to severe weather events which cause widespread flooding and disruption. £1,000. • Long term sustainability of Mbedza. The board of trustees need to work out a plan for continuing the work of key UK staff when they retire. £1,000. • Safeguarding. This is a challenge in Malawi, compounded by cultural complexities. £625. • Critical illness of key staff. Absence of key staff would impact project delivery. £500.
Other		N/A

4. Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Trust Deed
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Charitable Trust
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	Appointment. In accordance with the Charitable Trust Deed 19 May 2015 Par 9(1) amended 27 March 2025 “There must be at least 5 trustees. Apart from the first trustees, every trustee must be appointed by a resolution of the trustees passed at a special meeting called under clause 15 of this deed”.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	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	No policies or procedures at present specific to induction although ongoing training for all trustees is sometimes provided at meetings.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	Mbedza’s structure in the UK is that of a mostly voluntary team comprised of a Director, Deputy Director and several Associate Directors (one of whom is based in Brussels). In Malawi, where overwhelmingly our funds are spent (84.0% this year), we have a salaried Director, Deputy Directors and team of staff. Contact is maintained informally with other charities in the sector, both in the UK and in Malawi.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	Mbedza has a memorandum of understanding with Accomplish Children’s Trust (a UK charity) and a developing one with Mbedza Belgium (a Belgian ASBL, Association Sans But Lucratif).
Other		N/A

5. Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Mbedza Projects Support
Other name the charity uses	Mbedza
Registered charity number	1162581
Charity’s principal address	11 Bayswater Square Stafford ST18 0YH

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Paul Grinstead			First trustee
June Wilson		Until 27 March 2024	First trustee
Nicola Davies			Trustee board
Mike Cook	Chair		Trustee board
Anthony Wilson	Previously advisor	Until 27 March 2024	Trustee board
Catherine Greenaway			Trustee board
Simon Barber			Trustee board
Denise Ellis	Previously MOSES trustee		Trustee board

– 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

6. Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for N/A 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)

Julian Watson, Director Martin Paisley, Deputy Director Finance Sue Bird, Associate Director Songani Centre Amanda Flashman, Associate Director Tree-Planting Dave & Diane Collett, Associate Directors Chiyambi Nursery Jessica Watson, Associate Director Sponsored Education and Visits Programme

7. Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

8. Other optional information

9. 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) Michael Cook Position (eg Secretary, Chair of Trustees Chair, etc) Date 14 June 2025

Charity Name No (if any) Receipts and payments accounts

CC16a

For the period Period start date Period end date To from 06-Apr-24 05-Apr-25

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 6,470 2,843 16,183 5,120 - - - - 30,616 - - - 30,615.99 13,250.00 4,300 7,595 3,850 - - - - 28,995 - - - 28,995 1,621 - 2,172 3,793	Restricted funds to the nearest £ 59,764 37,532 - 5,017 3,308 26,730 - - 132,350 - - - 132,350 129,522 - 500 10,968 - - - - - 140,991 - - - 140,991 - 8,641 - 16,189 7,548	Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total funds to the nearest £ 66,234 40,375 16,183 10,137 3,308 26,730 - - 162,966 - - -	Last year to the nearest £
Donations	6,470				74,787
Fundraising Campaigns	2,843				32,588
Gift Aid/GASDS	16,183				13,736
Grants	5,120				29,722
Sales	-				2,381
Income for Malawi Group Visit	-				15,959
	-				-
	-				-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	30,616				169,172

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
	-
	-				-
*Sub total*	-				-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments
				162,966	169,172
				142,772 4,300 8,095 10,968 3,850 - - - - 169,986 - - -
Malawi Costs(Projects and Group Visit)	13,250.00				134,235
UK Core Costs	4,300				5,771
UK Consultancy	7,595				17,205
UK Costs for Group Visit					3,879
UK Costs for Malawi Visit to UK	3,850				-
UK Costs for Director's Visit to Malawi	-				1,495
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
**Sub total **	28,995				162,586

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*
				169,986	162,586
				- 7,020
	1,621	- 8,641	-	- 7,020	6,587
	-	-	-	-	-
	2,172	16,189	-	18,361	11,774
	3,793	7,548	-	11,341	18,361

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - - 3,793	Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - 7,548	Endowment funds to nearest £
-	-	-
-	-	-
-	-	-
3,793	7,548	-

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

26/08/2025

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets	Signature Details (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Ring making machine Songani Centre Building Songani Centre Equipment Details Chiyambi Building Chiyambi Equipment Details Details	OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - 6,000 - 125,000 - 36,000 - 29,000 - 9,000 - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Michael Cook	OK
			Endowment funds to nearest £
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			Current value (optional)
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			Date of approval
		Michael Cook	14-Jun-25

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

26/08/2025

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Sectlon A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl mèmb8rs of Mbedza Projects Support On accounts for the year ended 5 April 2025 Charity no (if any) 1162581 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination charity (Ihe Trust.) for the year ended O fthe ccounts of the above Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparalion basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's aGwunts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect". accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's Statsment I havé no concems and have Gome across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: Relevant professional qualificatlonls) or body (if any): Address: IER October 2018