2025-04-30-accounts - Change Through Education In Africa

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Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts

2024/2025

The Trustees of Change through Education in Africa present their seventh annual report and accounts, covering the period between 1[st] May 2024 and the end of its financial year, 30[th] April 2025 (‘the period’).

Reference and Administration Details

Change through Education in Africa , also known as ‘ CEDA ’, is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which was registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales on 10[th] May 2017. The charity’s registration number is 1172971 .

The charity does not have any formal offices or other premises within the UK. Our registered address during the period was: 5 Spruce Close, Leigh Sinton, Worcestershire, WR13 5FD.

The names of all those who have served as the charity’s trustees during the period and subsequently are given below: Trustee name: Office: Start: End: Emilie Larter UK/Uganda 10[th] May 2017 n/a Hana Valúšková Czech Republic 10[th] May 2017 n/a Veronika Panská Czech Republic 10[th] May 2017 n/a Jacqueline Larter UK 12[th] October 2019 n/a Sheeba Khan India/Uganda 12[th] October 2019 n/a Joseph Waiswa Uganda 12[th] October 2019 n/a ~~===>~~ Structure, Governance and Management

During the period, there was no change in the charity’s trustees. Emilie Larter and Hana Valúšková are founders of CEDA. Joseph Waiswa lives in Uganda, where the charity’s projects take place. Emilie Larter and Sheeba Khan spent significant periods of time in Uganda during the reporting period in support of the charity’s activities. Emilie Larter is the charity’s Chair and Hana Valúšková is the charity’s Treasurer.

Any new trustees will be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the current charity trustees.

CEDA’s governing document is our Constitution which guides us in all our decision making as a charity.

Objectives and Activities

CEDA was established as a non-profit organisation with the aim of helping to break the cycle of poverty in Uganda. Its mission is to provide children with access to sustainable, quality education opportunities, enabling them to improve their long-term life chances and break the cycle of poverty within their families.

The charity’s objectives, as set out in its constitution, remained unchanged throughout the period:

To relieve poverty by providing funds and equipment for training and skill development for families in rural areas of Uganda, with the aim of improving quality of life to a reasonable standard.
To provide relief to those in need by reason of age, ill health and financial hardship, by supporting children who are unable to be adequately cared for within their home environment.

During the period, CEDA continued to operate in line with its existing charitable objectives. The charity’s primary purpose remained the support of vulnerable children in Uganda, particularly in relation to access to education and the welfare support required to enable children to remain in school and benefit fully from their education.

Alongside this core work, the charity also carried out animal welfare activities through the CEDA Pups project. While animal welfare is not currently a standalone charitable object, these activities were undertaken alongside, rather than in place of, the charity’s educational work. Trustees maintained oversight to ensure that this activity did not detract from the charity’s ability to meet its primary charitable purposes.

Building on changes made in previous years, the charity continued to prioritise supporting children within established Ugandan-owned schools rather than operating independent educational provision. CEDA’s activities centred on funding school fees, boarding, transport, uniforms and essential educational supplies, enabling children to attend school within the national education system and progress through the appropriate academic stages.

The period also involved reflection on the charity’s activities and long-term sustainability. Trustees considered whether the governing document continued to reflect the charity’s work in practice, particularly in relation to the development of the CEDA Pups project. The charity continued to operate under its existing objects throughout the period, with any formal steps to amend the governing document taking place after the end of the period.

All trustees continued to serve on a voluntary basis throughout the year. Joseph Waiswa and Emilie Larter were both based in Uganda during the period, overseeing activities on the ground and maintaining relationships with schools, local communities and partners. Emilie Larter also continued to lead on fundraising, administration and communications. Trustees maintained regular communication to oversee the charity’s activities, financial position and strategic direction.

In reviewing its aims and activities and in planning future work, the Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The public benefit provided by CEDA lies in supporting vulnerable children in Uganda to access education where they would otherwise be unable to do so, thereby improving educational outcomes, life opportunities and long-term resilience. The Trustees confirm that CEDA has complied with its duty under section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 in carrying out these activities for the public benefit.

Achievements and Performance

During the period, CEDA focused on supporting its existing child beneficiaries and maintaining continuity within its educational work. No new beneficiaries were taken on. The charity also carried out substantial building work to improve facilities for dogs already in its care, ensuring appropriate welfare standards for existing animals. Trustees remained actively involved throughout the year in oversight of education, welfare and operational matters.

Educational Progress

During the period, all children supported by CEDA continued within their education and progressed to the next academic stage.

Three students completed their final year of primary education and undertook additional academic workshops in preparation for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLEs). Two achieved First Grade results, with the third achieving a Second Grade result. All three were therefore able to progress into secondary education, joining an existing CEDA-supported secondary student.

The remaining children also progressed successfully into the next academic year. One child began Primary Seven and commenced her own preparation towards future examinations, including attending additional holiday workshops at the main school branch. As in previous years, the children supported by CEDA were at different academic stages, and the charity continued to adapt its support to meet individual needs.

Educational Experiences and School Activities

Alongside formal education, five of the children participated in residential school tours to Western Uganda during the year. These tours formed part of the schools’ wider educational programmes and provided opportunities for travel, shared residential experiences and learning beyond the classroom environment.

Trustee Engagement and School Visits

The Trustees remained closely involved with the children throughout the year. School visitation days were attended in order to spend time with the children in their school settings, meet with teachers and discuss academic progress, wellbeing and any concerns.

These visits also allowed time for informal conversations and shared meals with the children, helping to maintain relationships while the children are living away from home in boarding environments. Feedback from teachers and the children themselves informed decisions around additional academic support, subject focus and welfare needs for future terms.

Health and Welfare Support

While education remains the charity’s primary focus, CEDA continued to provide additional support where health or welfare needs could otherwise disrupt schooling.

Throughout the year, the charity continued to support Dan, who lives with a chronic kidney condition requiring daily medication and regular medical monitoring. Funding this ongoing care was essential in maintaining his health and ensuring he was able to attend school consistently and continue his studies.

Animal Welfare and CEDA Pups

The CEDA Pups project required ongoing attention and resources during the period. The charity spayed and neutered the majority of dogs in its care, reducing future welfare pressures and preventing further unwanted litters.

Veterinary treatment was provided for a number of dogs suffering from illness, including serious conditions such as pyometra, as well as ongoing health

issues including ear infections. Preventative care remained a priority, with regular flea and tick protection using Bravecto, routine worming, and the provision of a consistent and appropriate diet. Daily care of the dogs was provided by employed local staff, ensuring feeding, monitoring and general welfare needs were met. Building work undertaken during the year improved shelter and security for dogs already in the charity’s care.

Reflection and Future Direction

During the period, the Trustees began discussions regarding the charity’s future direction and long-term focus. With several years of operational experience now informing decision-making, consideration has been given to how CEDA can best balance its educational work with its ongoing animal welfare responsibilities while remaining sustainable and realistic in scope.

These discussions will continue into the next period and will inform any future adjustments to the charity’s aims or activities, ensuring that existing commitments remain fully supported.

Financial Review

During the period, the charity received a higher overall level of income than in the previous year, although funding was less evenly distributed across the year. A significant proportion of funds were received upfront to cover known costs in advance, including full-year primary school fees and specific project costs within the CEDA Pups programme.

The charity continued to use Ko-fi as its primary fundraising platform, providing a flexible way for supporters to make regular donations and contribute to specific appeals. Ko-fi income was used to support child sponsorships, school fees and ongoing medical costs, including funding for Dan’s healthcare. Some income continued to be received through Donorbox during the period, although many supporters transitioned to Ko-fi over time.

Dedicated fundraising for the CEDA Pups project was carried out separately, primarily through GoFundMe and PayPal. Funds raised through these platforms were used to meet veterinary costs, welfare needs and building work to improve facilities for dogs already in the charity’s care.

As a result of this approach, a large proportion of the charity’s income during the period was restricted, allocated to specific purposes such as education costs, medical care and animal welfare projects. This limited the availability of unrestricted funds to contribute to general running costs. However, raising funds in advance enabled the charity to meet major commitments ahead of time and reduced financial uncertainty for beneficiaries.

During the period, the Trustees resolved that the charity would fund one term of school fees for the trustees’ children. This decision recognised the trustees’ full-time, unpaid contribution to the charity’s operations in Uganda and was considered reasonable, proportionate and in the best interests of the charity. All affected trustees declared their interests and did not participate in the decision-making process. The arrangement was permitted under the charity’s governing document and managed in accordance with the charity’s conflict of interest procedures. No other trustee benefits or remuneration were provided.

The Trustees have adopted a reserves policy aiming to build unrestricted reserves equivalent to approximately six months of operating costs. This target was not met by the end of the period, reflecting the charity’s funding model during the year, which focused on raising and deploying funds in advance for specific, time-limited costs rather than accumulating unrestricted reserves.

The Trustees continue to review the charity’s reserves position and recognise the importance of building greater financial resilience over time. Efforts to increase regular monthly giving through Ko-fi are intended to support this aim, while ensuring that existing commitments to children and welfare projects can be met reliably.

Receipts and Payments Accounts

Section A: Receipts and Payments

Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ Receipts General Donations Child Sponsorship Gift Aid Fundraising Campaigns *Sub-total*(Gross income for AR) 13,824 Payments Admin & Online Costs (UK) 817 Education: School Fees Education: Requirements Education Enrichment & Activities Transport & Logistics 6,001 Infrastructure & Capital Projects Welfare & Medical Support Animal Welfare - CEDA Pups 9,531 Fees & Charges (UG) 736 Fees & Charges (UK) 2,854 *Sub-total* 19,939 Asset and investment purchases Purchase of Fixed Assets *Sub-total* *Total payments* *Net of receipts/payments* Transfers between funds Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*	Total funds to the nearest £ 13,824 17,293 - 19,396 50,513 817 11,556 3,378 1,288 6,001 7,028 4,119 11,532 736 2,854 49,309	Last year to the nearest £
		8,859
		11,140
		5,447
		5,239
		30,685

		1,015
		10,477
		3,080
		-
		3,857
		1,017
		3,769
		5,800
		456
		1,785
		31,256

Purchase of Fixed Assets
*Sub-total*
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/payments* Transfers between funds Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*
	49,309	31,256
	1,204 721 1925
	1,204	-571

	721	1292
	1925	721

Section B: Assets and Liabilities at the end of the period Fund to which Cost Current value asset belongs (optional) (optional) Details Assets retained for the charity’s own use ~~===~~

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report and accounts above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

Emilie Larter Hana Valúšková Chair Treasurer

KEEPING IT SIMPLE AND EFFICIEN WR13 5FD De Sirs Re: l•dep•dthl Artg••ts•ts Rev•rn Report for l•eo•e •d EJraitsrE 2•24 zins Chritv No: 1172971 We write vou in c£xuKcti(xi to ywr InStrtiOn to conduct an indewident ttview of the fin8nciaJ a for 'fhange Through Education In Africa- for the year ending April 2025. As the chalitv trstee$ of the TrusL you a festx)nsible for the preEWation of the xcounts in cordattt with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. We reFxx1 in rnpect of the examination of the TnLSt's accfjunts carried out under section 145 of the 201 l Act and in carrying out the examination. we have followed the applicable DitI given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5Xb) of the Act. We have completed the examination and Can confirn] that no material nutters have come to our attention in connection with the examination which give us cause to llieve tbaL any Accounting records We not kept in acrdanCe with section 130 of the Act or The accounts do not accord with the accounting records We have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn to enable a proper undeTsL2nding of the Tnsting that you are happy with our service we look forward to working with you next year should you require IL Ifyou require any further assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours sincerely Steve Phi MAAT