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2020-08-08-accounts

United Kingdom Jarra Association

Annual Report 2019 to 2020

Charity Number: 1173058

www.ukja.org

Registered address: 35 Golden Eagle Gardens Birmingham B23 5GY

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Introduction

The United Kingdom Jarra Association (UKJA) was formed and inaugurated in August 2015 in Reading, in the United Kingdom (UK) by a group of Gambians of Jarra origin resident in the UK aimed fostering unity amongst indigenes of Jarra living in the UK. They also committed to support development initiatives in Jarra, a region found in the Lower River Region of The Gambia.

The association identified three core areas of intervention: education, health, and poverty relief. These areas were carefully selected based on the outcome of a thorough needs assessment conducted by the association in consultation with local leaders in the UK and in The Gambia.

Ever since, the Association has grown to become reputable in both the UK and The Gambia. To ensure that it is sustainable, effective, and legal, it was transformed into a charitable entity and registered into the UK charity register May 2017.

This report presents the status of the Charity, including its achievements and constraints covering the period August 2019 to August 2020 and our way forward. We begin with education, to be followed by health and poverty relief.

1.0: Education

The UKJA have this component at its core because of its crucial role in securing economic, social, and technological progress as well as improving income distribution in society. Education enriches people's understanding of themselves, their community, and the world. It raises people's productivity and creativity and promotes entrepreneurship and technological advances. This intervention will help achieve national goals because no country can achieve sustainable economic development without substantial investment in its human capital. It is on this basis that the charity dedicated its intervention efforts to securing STEM education in Jarra to help develop future scientists and engineers as they are fundamental factors of development.

1.1: Science and IT laboratory facilities

Previous years have registered great success through the charity’s intervention around science and Information Technology by constructing and equipping a laboratory at Soma Upper and Senior Secondary School. The charity is no longer subsidising the monthly remuneration of the IT tutor. The following results has been achieved thus far:

In addition to the above, the charity also secured computers and laptops from the Turing Trust and donated them as below during the period under review.

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1.2: Scholarship:

The three (3) outstanding students benefited from the UKJA scholarship worth £100.00 per student. This covers exercise books, textbooks, and relevant learning materials. These students who are all majoring in Science will be sponsored through their secondary and university education.

1.3: Construction of a multipurpose IT and Science laboratory unit at Bureng Senior Secondary School in The Gambia:

Following the completion of the construction work, securing the materials for installation was stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, work has resumed and will be completed in 2021.

This project will increase the uptake of STEM related subjects by students in Bureng and surrounding communities from 0% to 20% by 2022. It will also provide its students the opportunity to acquire basic IT skills crucial to learning and future job opportunities especially in the increasingly ICT world we live in.

The science lab will also enable students to conduct practical science experiments at the school. The project will fundamentally increase student retention from 60% to 90% by end of 2022 thus reducing the number of students migrating to urban areas in pursuit of secondary education by 30%.

Another key expected outcome is increased number of students achieving university entry requirements to pursue relevant courses in science and technology.

2.0: Health

The charity proactively engaged in the fight against the Covid-19 public health emergency within the health component as well as poverty relief.

Following the from the UK Government and its March 2020 guidelines on the Covid-19 and their identification that workers should only leave their home when travelling to and from work "but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home" . This lockdown directive only permitted essential workers to travel to work because their work cannot be done from home or carryout shopping for food and return to the home.

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The charity made a twin approach to deliver this component both in the health and poverty relief as below.

3.0: Poverty Relief

As indicated above, the charity delivered poverty relief as follows.

3.1 Value added Services.

In March 2020, the Welfare team identified a package of measures in solidarity to help those affected including those in the UK during these unprecedented times. The Chairman expressed his desire for "no Jarranka to be left out during this time" . He instructed that anyone severely affected and in need of support to contact the Welfare team.

LSS Legal are a team of specialised UK Immigration Lawyers who proudly offered dedicated, professional, and high-quality advice for any immigration issue. They offered the membership FREE Consultation to talk to one of their experts who will explain to them their options for an informed decision towards your desired outcome. You can check on service options on our website https://www.lsslegal.co.uk/our-services for more details. Sanneson Associates pledged to offer Free Service to the self-employed who may need to access government grants.

Jawara Saidykhan and Chairman Lamin Manjang offered free advice and support on matters relating to Health & social care concerns.

3.2 Donation to Mansakonko Area Council

The charity consulted local authorities and stakeholders in the Lower River Region on their plans to combat the rapid expansion of the virus in Jarra. The charity chose the Area Council mainly because they were ahead in the sensitisation process. They had put in place hand washing units at various points in Jarra and beyond. The Area Council requested some support in the provision extra hand washing stations and public sensitisation, in addition to their efforts.

The charity donated GMD25,000 to the Council towards the provision of hand washing units to be distributed in various locations in Jarra. The Gambia Chapter Committee Members handed over the units to the Council in March 2020 and assisted with the delivery process to the communities.

The charity donated One hundred and fifty thousand Gambian Dalasis (GMD 150,000.00) to the Mansakonko Area Council to help its resources mobilise drive to avert widespread food shortage and hunger in region brought about by impact of Covid-19.

As the initiative was non-political, the trustees endorsed it and encouraged its membership to donate generously as it was aimed at helping the needy and the vulnerable who were adversely affected by the lock down. There was also the additional worry of the 2020 Ramadhan and the rainy season.

At the time, Chairman Landing Sanneh commented that their "Council tax revenue is very limited but despite that we pledged close to quarter of a million Dalasis to help the needy. This will not be enough, hence the task force to seek support both in and outside The Gambia. Our intention is to ensure that people from LRR lead this process by making donations ourselves and then have the rest of you complement our efforts. Please donate generously to help really the needy and vulnerable people."

Details of this fundraising were contained in this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mansakonko-area-council-covid19-foodrelief?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet

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4.0: Human Capital

We have a membership base of over 149. Out of this number, we have 50 who pay in their charitable donations to the Association. The charity will explore innovative methods of engaging its membership and sympathisers in our best interest. The charity is blessed with talents who are its asset.

5.0: Resources Mobilisation

A lot of water has passed under the bridge over the years. The charity had successfully engaged its members who individually fund projects on its behalf.

The charity secured from Lymington hospital various medical items and were donated to Soma general hospital and elsewhere in the Lower River Region of The Gambia. The charity also secured donations of the below from the University of St Andrews during the year under review. These were received through the involvement of Mr Sheriffo Ceesay.

  1. 80 Shuttle PC

  2. 19 - 21” LCD monitor

  3. 100 C13 3-pin power cables (for PCS and monitors)

  4. 40 USB keyboard

  5. 35 USB mouse

  6. 35 DVI cable

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The charity will make efforts to re-engage Lymington Hospital for assistance when the current Covid-19 pandemic ceases.

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6.0: Constraints

One of the major constraints facing the charity is adequate funding. This has impacted on the amount of funds that could be raised to complete the Bureng project and commence Jappineh.

7.0: Challenges and Recommendations

As most charitable organizations, UKJA is mainly reliant on donations from its members and other charitable organizations in pursuant of its charitable goals. Therefore, expanding and sustaining its development activities is a huge challenge. This is because most of the projects currently being implemented are highly capital-intensive including cost of equipment and their maintenance. The Association should therefore explore alternative ways of generating funds both in the UK and The Gambia.

The membership base should also be expanded by getting more people and organizations to sign up as members. This will help in increasing funds derived from membership contributions.

Furthermore, funding for our major projects will continue to be a challenge so ergo the association should explore alternative fundraising strategies by organizing annual fundraising shows both in the UK and The Gambia. Specific dates of the year should be earmarked for this. Also, to seek support from other higher institutions of learning and organisations in the UK and other parts of the world to provide scholarships to the UKJA sponsored students to pursue university degrees in engineering, medicine and computer science should be considered.

Implementation:

Education

Education
Activity/Project Expected Output Period Resources
Multipurpose Science
and IT lab for Bureng		 Fully
functional
multi-purpose science and
IT lab at Bureng		 April to November
2019		 Computers, solar
panels, furniture,
internet facility, IT
technician, Science
lab technician etc
IT Lab for Jappineh Fully functional IT lab at
Jappineh
Upper
Basic School		 July 2019 to May
2020		 Computers,
solar
panels, furniture,
Scholarship fund 6 Students sponsored
through secondary
education		 September 2019 Finance
Organise an Easter
Camp for children aged
10 to 14 years in the
UK.		 One-week capacity
building program
completed with the aim of
assisting students in
Maths, Science, English
and IT. Other programs
such as leadership skills
and career advice to be
also included.		 April 2020 Finance,
laptops,
resource
persons,
logistics, etc

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Health

Health
Activity/Project Expected Output Period Resources
Medical outreach
programs		 Take 3 Doctors and 4
nurses to Jarra for a
two-week period to
offer
free
medical
diagnosis
and
treatments		 Medicines,
accommodations,
human resources,
finance, logistics
Medical supplies Donate
essential
medical equipment to
3 health facilities		 December 2019 to
February 2020		 Essential drugs, sanitary
pads,

Poverty Relief

Poverty Relief
Activity/Project Expected Output Period Resources
Grants
to
needy
individuals and
deserving organisations		 Financial support
provided to three (3)
needy individuals and
five (5) deserving
organizations		 May 2019 to May
2020		 Financial resources
Organise fundraising
activities in the UK and
The Gambia		 2 x fundraising
activities conducted
by July 2019 and
February 2020
respectively raising
£6,000.00.		 UK – July
Gambia - TBC		 Finance, logistics
Engage and support
productive activities to
create jobs and relief
poverty.		 Agri-economics
ventures – Gardens,
poultry farming, sheep
fattening, charity
shops etc		 TBC Land
Finance
Logistics

Way Forward:

The charity has achieved significantly over the years. It has successfully attained charitable status in the UK; implemented educational, health, and poverty relief programmes both in the UK and The Gambia. We will continue to build on these successes for the future.

Alongside implementing the action plan, the focus of the Secretariat is a continuation of the restructuring of the charity through the following:

  1. In consultation with local authorities both in the UK and The Gambia to with an aim to secure a functional Administrative Secretariats.

  2. i. Informal contacts have been made with some community leaders within the Greenwich Borough to secure a hot desk, with a view to a permanent future secretariat to steer the charity in the UK, and

  3. ii. Local authorities of the Mansakonko Area Council have been engaged in this regard to securing a permanent land in Jarra. This will help coordinate the charity’s activities in the country.

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  1. Recruiting volunteers who will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the UKJA. Where possible, allowances will be created for them. This will make the charity more open and inclusive to serving the public.

  2. These will help separate the Trustees and administrators of the charity.

Conclusion:

This report presented the charity’s report during the period August 2019 to August 2020. During this period, our success is hugely attributed to our membership and sympathisers who are always a phone call away from generously donating towards our projects. To this, we register our heartfelt gratitude to them all. Their magnanimity is second to none.

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FINANCIAL REVIEW

The accounts declared in this report have been prepared in accordance with Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting for Charities (SORP 2015) and with relevant companies and charities legislation and regulations. The Statement of Financial Activities shows UKJA’s income from all sources and how this was expended, and the split of activity between restricted and unrestricted funds.

The charity’s income was £10,169 for the year ended 8[th] August 2020 compared to £30,014 in the year ended 8[th] August 2019. The total expenditure amounted to £20,753 for the year ended 8[th] August 2020 compared to £42,192 in the year to 8[th] August 2019. The drop in income driven by the impact of the COVID pandemic. The impact has a significant impact on our donors and that in turn impacts their donations to the charity. The fund balance carried forward at 8[th] August 2020 is £11,023 compared to £21,607 in the year ended 8[th] August 2019. Deficit for the year 2019/20 is £10,584 compared to a 2019/19 deficit of £19,286. Restricted funds stood at £3,190.

Reserves policy

UKJA is committed to using its resources in pursuit of its charitable objectives. It is also committed however to maintaining a level of reserves that is prudent to meeting ongoing liabilities, sufficient to ensure that all delivery commitments can be met and to protect the longterm future of UKJA’s operations. UKJA’s policy seeks to balance these priorities by holding a level of reserves which equate to between three and six month’s expenditure of the charity (£1,000 - £4,000); unrestricted fund balance at the year-end was £7,833. The Trustees monitors the level of reserves regularly and takes appropriate action if reserves fall outside the desired range.

Investment policy and performance

The Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that the organisation invests moneys not immediately required for its own purposes or upon such investments, securities, or property, as may be thought fit. At the present time, the trustees’ policy is to maintain all such monies on deposits earning a market rate of interest.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution and Organisational Structure:

The organisation is a charity incorporated organisation. It was registered as a charity on 16 May 2017. UKJA was established by Memorandum and Articles of Association which describes the objects and powers of the charitable company; it is governed under its Articles of Association. Under those Articles, the trustees are appointed at the Annual General Meeting. The members of the company are also the directors/trustees of the charitable company. The organizational structure of UKJA consists of a Board of Trustees which delegates the day to day management of the charity to Executive and Programme Directors. The Board is assisted by Advisory Committees which are chaired by the trustees. The key committees are the Finance and the Project Development and Fundraising Committee (PDFC). The operations, projects and programmes of the charity are carried out by the Executive and Programme

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Directors, Project Managers and other staff. Consultants are also hired to undertake work for the charity. The consultants report to Project Managers or Programme Directors.

Governance and Decision-Making:

The Board of Trustees govern UKJA and meet quarterly to discuss and review strategy, planning, development, and financial matters. Day-to-day management of the organisation is delegated to the trustees. Every three years, a strategic review is undertaken, involving trustees, staff, funders, partners, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

Recruitment and Appointment of New Trustees:

The trustees are elected from the members according to their knowledge, skill and experience of the themes and activities undertaken by the charity; commitment to UKJA mission, objectives and activities; and in accordance with the requirements for the governance of charities. UKJA provides information and updates about operations to the members. Board and relevant committee meetings consider and discuss matters relating to the strategic direction and focus of the charity.

Induction and Training of new Trustees:

New trustees receive induction training on: their legal responsibilities as charity trustees; the management and operational structure of the charity; and the key management issues, e.g. policy, personnel, finance, projects and funding matters. They are also guided on how to have optimum input and influence in the current and future development of the charity.

Risk Management:

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

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STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also directors of UK Jarra Association (UKJA) for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time of the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

APPROVAL

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 26th January 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

……………………………. ……………………………… Lamin Manjang – Chair Alhagie Sanneh – Treasurer

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT For the year ended 8[th] August 2020

Unrestricted Restricte Total Tota1
d
Funds Funds 2020 2019
Notes £ £ £ £
Income from:
Voluntary income
Donations and gifts 2 2,439 - 2,439 30,014
Investment income - - - -
Income from charitable activities 3 5,613 2,117 7,730
Relieving poverty and advancement of
education
----------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total Income 8,052 2,117 10,169 30,014
----------------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------------
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Relieving poverty and advancement of 4 8,029 12,724 20,753 42,192
education
----------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------
Total Expenditure 8,029 12,724 20,753 42,192
----------------- ---------------- -------------------- --------------------
Net income/(expenditure) 23 (10,607) (10,584) (12,178)
Total funds brought forward 17,810 3,797 21,607 33,785
Funds Transfer (10,000) 10,000
--------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Total funds carried forward 7,833 3,190 11,023 21,607
========== ========== ========== ==========

All recognised gains and losses are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.

All the charity’s activities are classified as continuing.

The notes form part of these financial statements.

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2020 2019
Note £ £ £
£
s
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets 6 390 1,335
Current Assets
Debtors 500 500
Cash at bank and in hand 11,023 21,607
------------------ ------------------
11,523 22,107
Creditors:amounts falling due
within one year - -
------------------ ------------------
Net Current Assets 11,523 22,107
--------------------- ---------------------
Net Assets 11,913 23,443
========== ==========
Funds:
Restricted funds 8 3,190 3,797
Unrestricted funds 8 8,723 20,145
---------------------- ----------------------
TOTAL FUNDS 11,913 23,443
========== ==========

The financial statements were approved by the trustees an authorized for issue on 26[th] January 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

……………………………….

Alhagie Sanneh Treasurer/Trustee

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT For the year ended 8[th] August 2020

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1. Basis of accounting

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements have therefore been prepared on a going concern basis.

1.2. Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise of unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The aim and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.3. Income

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income, there is probability of receipt and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy, except as follows:

No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT For the year ended 8[th] August 2020

1.4. Expenditure

Expenditure is recognized on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Support costs which cannot be directly attributed to particular projects are apportioned in proportion to the direct staff cost allocated to the project. Governance costs, which form part of Support costs include expenditure on the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Charitable expenditure consists of all expenditure relating to the objects of the Charity. All costs are directly attributable to the activities under which they have been analysed.

1.5. Depreciation and Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, which in all cases is estimated at 3 years.

1.6. Operating leases

The charity does not have any leases.

1.7. VAT

The charity is not registered for VAT

1.8. Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognized in expenditure.

2 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Unrestricted Restricted 2020 2019
funds funds
£ £
Donations and gifts 2,439 2,439 3,696
======= ======= ====== =======

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT For the year ended 8[th] August 2020

3 INCOME
Unrestricted Restricted 2020 2019
funds funds
£ £
Fundraising Activities 3,707 0 3,707 8,491
Health For Jarra - - - 650
Educate Jarra - 2,117 2,117 16,783
Special Charitable Appeals 1,906 - 1,906 395
---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
5,613 2,117 7,730 26,319
======== ======== ======== ========
4 EXPENDITURES
Unrestri
cted
funds		 Restricte
d funds		 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Administration 968 - 968 581
Donations to Organizations 281 - 281 560
Educate Jarra 12,724 12,724 14,538
Fundraising expenses 2,150 - 2,150 6,516
Health For Jarra - - - 15,903
Meetings Cost - - - -
Special Appeals 3,263 - 3,264 2,050

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT For the year ended 8[th] August 2020

Transportation & Freight
Welfare
Total		 867
500
8,029		 -
-
12,724		 867
500
20,753		 1,043
1,000
42,192

5. TRUSTEES

During the year, no Trustee received any remuneration (2020-Nil). During the year, no Trustees received any benefits in kind (2020-Nil). During the year, no Trustees received any reimbursement of expenses (2020-Nil).

6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures &
Equipmen Total
t
£ £
Cost
Cost brought forward 3,297 3,297
Additions this year -
-------------------- --------------------
Total Cost 3,297 3,297
========== ==========
Depreciation
At 8thAugust 2019 1,961 1,961
Charge for the year 946 946

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT For the year ended 8[th] August 2020

------------------- -------------------
At 8thAugust 2020 2,907 2,907
------------------- -------------------
Net Book Value
At 8thAugust 2019 1,335 1,335
========== ==========
At 8thAugust 2020 390 390
========== ==========

7. TAXATION

The charity is not liable to tax on its charitable grants, donations or fee income earned in the course of its charitable activities, so long as the income is applied for the purposes of its charitable aims.

8. ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS

Unrestricted Funds
Member Donations
Fund Raising Activities
Special Charitable appeals
Others
Debtors
Assets
Restricted Funds
Educate Jarra
Health For Jarra		 At
August
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At
August
2019
£
£
£
£
2020
£
3,690
2,439
(2,615)
(1,569)
1,945
13,725
3,707
(2,150)
(10,000)
5,282
395
1,300
(3,264)
1,569
0
-
606
-
606
500
-
-
500
1,335
-
(945)
390
19,645
8,052
(7,929)
(10,000)
8,723
At
August
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At
August
2019
£
£
£
£
2020
£
3,797
2,117
(12,724)
10,000
3,190
-
-
-
-
-
3,797
2,117
(12,724)
10,000
3,190

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