STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE (IROVO)
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1170935
TRUSTEE REPORT & ACCOUNTS
6/5/2020 — 5/5/2021
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STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE (IROVO)
Legal and Administrative Information
Constitution and Objectives
STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE (IROVO) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) that aims to support the advancement of education in the village of Irovo (Shinyalu), Kakamega County, Kenya by providing and assisting in the provision of a school, facilities for education at the school, scholarships for children unable to afford school fees, teacher training and salaries and by such other means as the Trustees may determine.
Registered address
55 Clifton Drive
Lytham St Annes, FY8 1AL
Founders
Alan Whelan
Olive Carroll
Trustees
Alan Whelan (chair)
Olive Carroll
John Entwistle
Jean Atkinson
Sarah Campbell
Bankers
Barclays 38 Fishergate Preston PR1 2AD
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STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE
Trustees’ report and annual accounts 6/5/2019 to 5/5/2020
Structure, governance and management
The board of trustees meets at least twice a year in person, and occasionally by virtual means. Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction and policies of the charity.
The two co-founders visit the project every year to
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assess progress at the school
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provide moral support
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take advice from village elders, parents and neighbours
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hold formal meetings with school director Vitalis Tivis, his staff and parents
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spend charity funds
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plan future development
Trustees give their time freely. No remuneration or reimbursement for travel, accommodation, food, etc, is taken. Strive for Excellence has no paid staff. It is primarily a grant giving charity that purchases education services, infrastructure development and support services to Shalom Academy ECD & Primary School in the village of Irovo, Shinyalu in Kakamega county, Kenya.
Objectives and activities
The object of the charity is to create the first ECD/primary school in the village of Irovo. Before our involvement, Shalom Academy was peripatetic in nature due to erratic income.
Our immediate aim is to develop the iron-sheeted school by
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providing 8 classrooms for all 8 grades from PP1 to grade 6 (ages 3—11)
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raising registration to 200
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improving educational standards
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training more teachers
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enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the school building & grounds
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- donating more educational supplies
Projects review
Due to Covid 19 restrictions trustees were unable to visit Irovo during 2021.
Infrastructure improvements continue to transform the one-acre plot:
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All eight classrooms now have concrete floors
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The external concrete path from staff room now reaches all classrooms
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A double mud-brick latrine for staff/adult visitors has been built
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Perimeter hedges and fencing have been repaired for security and aesthetics
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Fruit trees and vegetables for breakfast/lunch are flourishing
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Thirteen more benches/desks (for 30—45 extra children) have been constructed and painted
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Additional work on stoves has reduced smoke in the kitchen
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Staff room and kitchen windows have been repaired
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Education Way has had a major repair following a seasonal deluge
Other news
Registration rose to 126 by mid January 2021, somewhat short of our goal of 150. Six grades are now being taught: PP1, PP2, and grades 1, 2, 3, 4. Our January 2022 goal remains 200 pupils in all eight grades.
Fees remain Sh1500 per term (approx £11.50). Parents continue to pay, on average, 60%. Some parents also contribute some of their harvest/firewood for school lunches.
Hundreds more polo shirts were badged ready for shipping.
Badged uniforms have been issued to each new child and replaced some that were irreparable.
Every child was assessed according to performance indicators across all subjects. Generally speaking, the trend was one of low achievement. However, this information is a vital benchmark for future assessments.
Teachers: Vitalis (trained); Margret (trained); Lonah (trained) plus Robert (new) Anita, Irene. Headteacher Mr Bondi has retired.
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Caretaker: Gerald has been replaced by another caretaker/security guard.
Cook: Gertrude.
Vitalis is making progress on his diploma despite Covid restrictions, due to complete November 2021.
School transport (Honda motorcycle) has been repaired, serviced, taxed and insured for the year ahead.
Vitalis has had to deal with more red tape and costs for the land partition: lawyer, surveyor and Land Registry stamp duty.
Due mainly to welcome support from Preston Guild Rotary club, staff were paid half wages during the various lockdowns.
On March 15 2020 the Kenyan government closed all schools in response to the growing Covid epidemic (and are still closed at the time of writing). People in Irovo village are suffering with little or no income and children have no access to learning materials.
Projects beyond 2021 (dependent on the impact of lockdowns)
Infrastructure
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General repairs
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Maintain ongoing painting programme for benches, school exterior
Learning & pupil welfare
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Raise registration to 200 in 8 grades for January 2022 intake (Grade 7 due to start in July 2021)
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Build more benches/desks for the growing pupil registration
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Provide more books & stationery to increase the book/pupil ratio
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Continue pupil evaluations
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Donate more uniforms
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Continue teacher training
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Provide breakfast
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Fundraising activities
Our 4 supportive Lancashire schools—St Gregory’s, Preston; St Augustine’s, Preston; St Francis, Goosnargh; and Mere Brow, Tarleton—have all contributed cash, educational supplies or morale boosting letters/videos.
Preston Guild Rotary Club continue to fund two 2-year teacher training places (we have yet to find a suitable candidate for the second place).
Trustees support ring-fenced projects (extra books; headteacher’s salary).
Other fundraising comes from new and existing donors (both private and business).
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Balance sheet for year ending 5 May 2021
| BROUGHT FORWARD | 604.68 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME (DONATIONS) | 6438.37 | ||
| OUTGOINGS | 6938.01 | ||
| MAY | Website | 38.38 | |
| JUNE | Irovo (emergency food) | 196.81 | |
| Irovo (half staff wages) | 254.13 | ||
| AUG | Website | 10.28 | |
| Uniforms | 276.50 | ||
| Uniforms | 22.75 | ||
| Uniforms | 36.75 | ||
| Uniforms | 56.00 | ||
| Uniforms | 56.00 | ||
| Uniforms | 100.00 | ||
| Irovo (concrete foors) | 1140.29 | ||
| SEPT | Irovo (half staff wages) | 210.28 | |
| Uniforms | 47.11 | ||
| Irovo (latrines/foors) | 944.34 | ||
| OCT | Irovo (pathway/half wages) | 149.18 | |
| Uniform badges | 360.00 | ||
| NOV | Irovo (hedges/food/wages) | 167.91 | |
| Transfer to Kakamega account | 1500.00 | ||
| Diploma tuition | 97.53 | ||
| JAN | Diploma exam/medi treatment | 112.51 | |
| FEB | To Irovo (benches & books) | 1000.00 | |
| APRIL | To Irovo (latrines/land transfer) | 161.26 | |
| TOTAL OUTGOINGS | 6938.01 (5934.24 to Kenya) |
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| BALANCE ON HAND IN BARCLAYS |
Preston £105.04 Kakamega £1500.00 |
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Alan Whelan, Chair of trllstees 3016/21 8018