Chairmans report for Meketa AGM 21.3.2021
It has been a difficult year for all of us. For the Jewish community in Gondar, the initial response to the virus resulted in the shutting down of all public transport and as a result many businesses were forced to close. There have been few cases of COVID, but the conflict in Tigray which erupted at the same time, added to a sense of unease and instability. Most of our beneficiaries were unable to work – and while a rent holiday helped somewhat, there were no social benefits available to members of the community and with no savings there was a real question as to how to survive. Meketa decided that despite our reservations about ‘handouts’ as a means of helping the community develop, this was an emergency that needed an immediate response. Initially we provided masks for the children and soap for families, but soon agreed to provide tef, oil and chickpeas for a limited period. As COVID continued, we extended this project, pausing only on the months when other international charities provided food for the whole community. From December on, we reduced the amount and asked that it be given only to the most needy cases. There is still a little food available to help in the next month or two.
Our major fundraiser, planned for April had to be cancelled as did the Jewish Renaissance tour of Ethiopia that was to take place in November. This meant a major loss of income for us, while the outgoings remained fairly static. Salaries still needed to be paid whether or not there was work to be done. We launched an appeal in April which brough in enough money to provide the first three months of food, and there was a steady flow of donations through the year. We held fund raising zoom quizzes in North London, Maidenhead, Newcastle, and two in the South West of England which proved very successful, reaching the target we had put for these events and bringing in some new donors. We have had a number of donations through the year which has been encouraging, since there has been a fear as to how long our current funds will last.
The Chair attended a Charity Commission series of webinars for international NGOs on running your charity through COVID and was encouraged to discover that many of their recommendations are things we already have in place. A new connections was built this year with the organisation ‘Small but significant.’ The connection will be of great benefit as we can mutually help each other when we return to regular visits to Ethiopia. The Wingate football clubs donated a large amount of spare football kit, which, because of COVID we had great difficulty getting out to them. More kit has been promised for next year.
We spent some of the year looking for someone to establish an American branch of Meketa to enable US citizens to donate easily and receive tax relief. This has been progressing slowly, with no full outcome as yet. More successful was the launch of our new website.
One positive outcome this year was the establishment of a monthly zoom meeting between our senior workers and the trustees. It is good to get
direct, first-hand information for us, and it is hoped that it was a bit of a morale booster for them.
COVID has not had the devastating effect in Ethiopia it has had here in terms of lives lost, but the cost to livelihood has been enormous and will continue to have its effect. We will have many challenges still, in the year ahead.
Sybil A. Romain 21.3.21
Charity Registration No. 1169130 MEKETA (A Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Trustees, Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2020
MEKETA Roport and financial statements Contents Pago Charity information Trustees. report Independent examinerfs report Slalemenl of financial activities Balance sheet Nolgs lo ihg accounts 6-10
MEKETA Charlty Inforniatlon TN8t••8 Sybil RorNain John David Reeve Paul Kennel Hila Bram Avi Bram Michael Romain Indop•ndont Examinor Heinèmann & Co 4 Littleworlh Road Benson Wallingford OX10 SLY Prlnclpal addro88 10 Camley Park Drive Maidenhoad SL6 6QF Charlty numbor 1169130
MEKETA Regislered number: 1169130 Trustees, report The trustees present their report and financial ststements for the year ended 31 Dember 2020. Prlnclpal actlvltles The Irusvs principal activity during the year was the support of Zera Yisrael, (Ethiopians of Jewish descent) living in Gondar, Ethiopi8. Trustso$ The following persons served as trustees during the year.. Sybil Romain John David Reeve Paul Kennet Hlla Bram Avi Bram Michael Romain Trustsa¥' responslbllltlas The trustees are rgsponsible for preparing the trustees. report and financial slalements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable lo charities in England and Walos requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for eath financial period which give a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of the resources of the charity lor that perlod. Under that law the Iruslees have elected lo prepare the flnancial statements in accordance with UnSled Kingdom Generally Accepted A¢¢ounling Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and 8pplicable lawl.Truslees musl not approve the financial slalemenls unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of the charity and of the nel income of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial slalements, the Iruslees are required lo.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them conslslenlly.. obse8 the methods and principles in the Charities SORP: make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., • slate whether applicable 8ccounling standards have been followed, subject lo any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial stalemenls., and prepare the financlal statements on the going concern basis unless il Is inappropriate lo presume that the company will continue in operatson. The trustees are responsibl6 for keeping sufficient accounts'ng records that disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and thg provisions of the trust deed. They are 8150 responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. l. l.J I Thls report was approved by the board of trustees on .................. and signed on ts behalf by Tnjstge
MEKETA Independent Examinorfs Report Independent examln•rf8 report to thg tru6tso$ of MEKETA I report lo the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 De¢ember 2020. Re8ponslbllltle8 and basis of report As explained more fully in the slalemenl of trustees, responsibilities, the Iruslees are responsiblè for the preparation of the financial slalemenls which give a true and fair view. Having s81isfied myself that the financial stalem8nls of the charity are not required to be audited and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity financial slalemenls as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed tho directions gw8n by the Charity Commission under 88cts.on 145151 Ibl of the 2011 Act. Independont •x•min•rf6 $tat•mont I have completed my examin81ion. l eonfimi that no matters have come lo my attention in onneclion with the examination givin9 me c8use to believe,. the financlal statgmenls do not accord wf(h the accounting records the financial slalem8nls have not been prepared in accordance wrth the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities. applicable lo charities pparIng thoir accounts in accordance with Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021, the Charities Act 2011 and the charity (Accounts and Raportsl Regulation 201 S. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the ex8mination lo which allenlion should be drawn in this ieport in order lo enable 8 proper understanding of the financial statements lo be reached. Volker Heinemann Heinemann & Co Chartergd Accountanl$- Re9i8tered Audrtors
MEKETA Statement of Financial Actlvlties includlng Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2020 Unre8tricted R•stricted funds funds Total fund$ 2020 Total funds 2020 2020 2019 Incoming resourc08 Incoming resource$ from charitable activities 44,491 6,862 51,353 30,616 Re8our¢•¥ exp8nd•d Direct charitable expenditure 11.5491 Gros$ Income 44,491 6,862 51,353 29,067 Activities lo deliver charilabb objectiv 150,4151 16.1321 156.5471 {41,5181 Net Income for the p•rl¢d 15,924) 730 15,1941 112.4511 Total net fund8 r•¢•lv•d 5,924 12,451 Fund balanc• at 1 January 2020 14,294 12,487 26,761 39,212 Fund balan at 31 Docomber 2020 13,197 21.567 26,761
MEKETA Registered number: Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2020 1169130 2020 2019 Current a880t$ Debtors Cash 81 bank ond in hand 60 21.777 60 26,971 27.031 Crodltor8: amounts falllng duè wlthln one year 12701 12701 Not ¢urrent a688t8 21,567 26,761 Ngt a88•ts 26,761 Unrestricted funds Transfef from unincorporated non- charity aclivilie8 General unreslricled funds 10,462 12,092) 10,462 3.832 Restricted fund8 13,197 12,467 Total fund* 21,567 26 761 Approved by the board of trustees on ... Truste&
MEKETA Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020 1 Accountlng polScles Basis of preparntion The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance wK(h FRS 102. The Financial Reporting Standard appluble in the UK and Republic of Ireland las applied to small entities by section 1A of the slandardl and in accordan with the Slalemenl of recommended Practi, "Accwnting and Reporting by Charities" 2015 8nd the Charities Act 2011. Incomlng r•sour¢es Incoming resources arg r8cognised in the period in which the charty is enlilled to the receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is deferred only when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming enlilled to il or whore the donor or funtler has specified that the income is lo be used in a future accounting period. Grant income 1$ recognised on a receivable b8818, Rosour¢es expended This relates lo the costs of carrying out thè aelivf(18s of the charty, Where there are costs common lo both direct charitable and management expenditure judgement is applied on a lime allocation bo818. A¢¢umulated fvnds Unreslricled funds represent fund8 which are expendable at the discretK)n of the Iruslèes for the further8nco of the objects of the charrty. Such funds may be held for th8 purpose of meeting the administration and operational costs ol the charity. Taxatlon The charity 1$ a regi81ered charity and is not liable lo income tax on income derived fr ils charthble aclivilies, as it falls within the various exemptions lo registered charities. Provl$lons Provisions lie liabilities of uncertain timing or amount} are r8cognised when there is an obligats'on at the reporting date as a result of a po$1 event. il is probable that economic benefi't wll be transferred to settle the obligation and the amount of the obligation can estimated reliably. Fornign Currency trnnslatlon Transactions in foreign currencies are Initial reeognised at the rate of exchange ruling al the dale of the Iransath'on. Al the end of each reporting period foreign currency monetary items are translated at the dosing rate of $xch8nge. Non-monetary items that are measured al histOriC81 cost are translated al the rale ruling al the dale of the trans8clion. All drfferences are charged to financial activities.
MEKETA Notes to the Financlal Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020 2 Debtors 2020 2019 Other debtors- local expensos float 60 60 3 Crèdltorn: amount8 falllng du• within one year 2020 2019 Accrued expenditure 270 270 4 Tran8ferr•d fund• from unlncorporated non-charfty acttvitie8 2020 2019 General unreslrided fund Dèstitute fund Book fund Roof fund 9.921 151 9,921 151 90 300 300 10,462 10,462 S Rg•trlcted fund• 2020 2019 Adult training fund Child sponsor Re81ricled donations Covid food fund 6,114 8,307 600 176 6,114 5,753 600 13,197 12,467 s other Inforniatlon MEKETA is an organisalion governed by 8 trust deed dated 24 June 2014. MEKETA has been s81 up and registered as a charrtable incorporated org8ni8alion {CIO} on 9 September 2016 with the registratn number 1169130 with the Charities Commission, On 9 September 2016 all assets of the formerly unincorporated organisalion weie Iransfeired lo reserves lo the CIO. Shutafut Shutaful is a Ictal Ethiopian charity that was sel up to lake into account the local charity rules.
MEKETA Detalled Ststement of Financlal Actlvltles for the year ended 31 December 2020 This schedule does not form part of thg slalutory accounts Unreslricled Reslricled funds funds 2020 Totsl funds Total funds 2020 2020 2019 Incoming ro8our¢oS 44.491 6,862 51,353 30,616 Direct charitable expenditure 11,5491 Gro88 In¢om• 6,862 51,353 Activities to deliver charitable objectives 150,415) 16,1321 156,5471 141,5181 Ngt Incom• for thè perlod 15,9241 15,1941 (12.4511 Total net fund$ rg¢•lv•d 12.451 10
MEKETA Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2020 This schedule does not form part of the sl&tutory fi'nancial slalements 2020 2019 Incomlng re8our¢88 Merchandise Donations Donations Ireslrictedl Child sponsor Iresliictedl 2,977 41,514 8,834 17,264 600 3,918 30,616 4,947 51,353 Dlrect eharftable oxpondituro Purchases 1,S49 Charltable oxpendlture Adminislralive eXnditre.. Ambanesh 8alary Gglch salary Salaries School ClubraInIng Covid food parcels Covid soap handout Sewing course Sewing machines Medicines Shulaful Merchandise Compound mediator Sponsor Ireslricledl Malting project Football team Cluts trips School club Club breadlbananas Ambanesh expenses Teachers expenses Stalls Milk Face masks Travel and subsistence 2,124 1,455 9,307 9.106 17,453 21,614 488 454 1,302 848 957 15 2.070 134 3,665 369 455 1.182 4,393 2,319 1,476 1,642 118 404 49 96 345 139 500 684 32,895 11
MEKETA Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2020 This schedule do&s not fom? part of the stalulory finanual sfalements 2020 2019 Premises costs.. Rent 8uilding expense$ Buildings capital 3.048 222 6.134 125 6,259 3,270 The water bills were included in the rent charges, buildings capital charges relate lo improvomenls to the classroom fxililies. Gener81 adminislralivè èxpenses.. Postage StsIK)nery and Printing Medicines Loans 51 621 65 1,619 737 Legal and professional costs.. Accountancy fees 270 270 270 270 Legal and prof888ional costs.. Lègal expgndilure 475 475 Total actlvltles to d•llv*r ¢harltabl• oblèctlvt# 56,547 41,518 12
MEKETA Registered number: 1169130 Trusleos. report The trustees present their report and financial ststemenls for the year ended 31 December 2020. Prlnclpal actlvitles The trust's principal activity during the year was the support of Zera Yisrael, (Ethiopians of Jewish descent) living in Gondar, Ethiopia. Trustges The following persons served as trustees during the year.. Sybil Romain John David Reeve Paul Kennel Hila Bram Avi Bram Ml¢hael Romain Trustees. re8ponsSbllltles The trustees are responsible for preparing the twslees, report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and Unilod Kingdom Accounting Standards {United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounllng Practlcel. The law applicabl8 lo charrties in England and Wales requires the trustees lo prepare financial slalemenls for each financial period which give a true and fair view ol the slate of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of the resources of the charity for that period. Und8r that law the trus18e$ have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice Iuniled Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable lawl.Truslees must not approve the financial slalements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and lair view of the slate ol affairs of the charity and of the nel income of the charity for that period. In preparing these fi'nancial slalemenls, the trustees are requlred lo.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP., make judgements 8nd estimates that are reasonable and prudent., slate whether applicable accoLtnling standards have been followed, suble¢l to any materi81 departures disclosed and explained in the financial slalements,. and prepare the financial slalements on the going concern basis unless il is inappropriate lo presume that the company will continue in operation. The Iruste&s are responslble for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy al any lime the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial slalements comply with the Charities 2011, the charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable gteps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other IrregulatIeS. This report was approved by the board of Iruslees on ............. .... and signed on Its behalf by Trustee
EKA Independent Examlnefs Repcrt Indwndwt•XmN rowtt(thetrustW5 of IIEKETA )Tar ended 31 Decwnber 2020. Rownglbllilios arbd bathof r•port As e4)L8ined morefulty in trt Intstees. re¥$)5. the trusi88¥ l(Y the pwtknn of the fin181 sktements we atsueandfrdirv Hairo l$fied mysepflftat finxial statern oftr ¢hityare not Nuir¥J to be audit and are eIliefor Indwdeni examinatK)n. I rerxx F) tesk of yY>urcharty finantyal statements as canJ urvjer 5th 145 oflhe CharthsAd 2011. In rry7rJ out my eIn#t)n I have foltrAd Ihe di[wAV58n bytt CharItyCemm8A un(knsection 145151 Ibl ofthe 2011 P£t Indopendmt •xaminefst4t•5 charts tsr Financial Sandards 8pplicth in the UK arvj the RepuNroflreknl (FRS 1021. trchares2Q1l and the chanty Ikwjnts and Rwtytsi Regulation 2015 ststements to t IPaL41. Hemann & Co