## **TRIO UGANDA** ## **Annual Report & Financial Statements Year ending 31 March 2022** ## **Charity number: 1174365** The trustees of Trio Uganda present their report on the charity and its financial statements for the period 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022. ## **Administrative details** ## **Trustees** Kevin Ford (Chair) Roz Gasper (Treasurer) David White ## **Registered Address** 61 Plasturton Avenue Cardiff CF11 9HL ## **Bank** Lloyds Bank Queen Street Cardiff ## **Volunteers** Jon Sait: UK Coordinator Rogers Wasibi: Uganda Coordinator Samuel Okwii: Uganda Field Officer ## **Ugandan Partners** Nauyo Community Action (NCA), Nauyo, Mbale Youth for a Covenant Vision (YCV), Namatala, Mbale Busiliwa Faith Junior School and Women of Hope, Bududa ## **Structure, governance & management** Page | 2 Trio Uganda was entered on the Charity Commission register as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 24th August 2017 under the number 1174365. The charity’s governing document is its Constitution. A copy is available on the charity’s website https://www.triouganda.org/ In selecting individuals for appointment, the charity trustees have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the administration of the CIO. New trustees receive induction, a copy of the Constitution & the latest annual report & financial statements. Trustees are encouraged to participate in visits to Uganda when conditions and finances allow. The trustees give their time voluntarily and received no remuneration or benefits during the period of this report. For disclosure, there is a family connection between one of the trustees and the UK voluntary Coordinator. This arrangement remains in the best interest of the charity for the time being. ## **Objectives & activities** The Objects of the charity are defined in Section 3 of its Constitution: a. The prevention or relief of poverty in Uganda by providing grants, items, and services to individuals in need and/or charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty. b. The relief of sickness and preservation of health in Uganda for those in need by reason of poverty, infirmity, age, or disability. c. To develop the capacity and skills of the members of the socially and economically disadvantaged communities of Uganda in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society. ## **History and structure** Trio Uganda developed from secondments in 2016 with the Wales for Africa programme, an anti-poverty initiative funded by the Welsh Government. Prior to registration, Trio Uganda worked as an informal group during two visits to Uganda, supported by Wales for Africa grants. A year’s preparatory work resulted in a seamless transition to charitable work. ## **Public benefit in relation to the charity's Objects** Page | 3 The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in planning activities and conducting meetings. The trustees are confident that Trio Uganda’s aims, outcomes and impact are in accordance with the regulations on public benefit. Trio Uganda’s mission is to collaborate with Ugandan partners to effect social change at the local level in pursuance of sustainable development. In the reporting period, the charity worked consistently to prevent or relieve poverty by strengthening the funding, resources, services and reach of partner organisations to improve the health, well-being and economic independence of communities and individuals. With the support of funding bodies and donors, the charity and its partners delivered improvements to nutrition, medical access, the safeguarding of orphaned and vulnerable children, and care of youth, young mothers, the elderly, and families impacted by illness and disability. Through Busiliwa School the charity continues to support forty children orphaned by recent disasters in Bududa District. Provision also included support for two university students, income generation, training, educational opportunities, and small-scale sustainable agriculture. ## **Local to global partnership** Trio Uganda is volunteer-led with minimal overhead and governance costs, and benefits from committed volunteer coordinators in the UK and Uganda. We work to the principles of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). In contrast to the needs-based approach that addresses perceived “deficiencies”, asset-based development genuinely seeks to empower citizens by utilising their resources, abilities, and insights to solve their own problems. Trio Uganda believes that small, citizen-led Community Based Organisations rooted in their communities can effect real and sustainable local change. We trust the skills & knowledge of our grassroots partners who live and work in urban and rural areas of extreme poverty, impacted by HIV/AIDS, malaria, social and economic exclusion, food insecurity and climate threat. Page | 4 Grassroots organisations address complicated issues with minimal resources. They tend to work in isolation and are usually excluded from sources of funding and support that can move them forward. The work of most CBOs is ill-matched to the funding structures and outcome-led programmes of larger NGOs and government initiatives. They are not well-served by the ‘development industry’ yet are in an ideal position to deliver what is needed. Local organisations provide incalculable support to those most in need. Volunteers and staff are ordinary citizens, subject to the same social and economic pressures as beneficiaries. They know what is needed and understand from experience that poverty is a complex structural outcome of inequality, injustice, disenfranchisement, climate change and misappropriation. _‘On their own, these organizations are small, nimble, tenacious, and inspiring. They are also fragile and burdened by the very circumstances they are fighting to transform. And their potential to change the world is worth everything we’ve got.’ Grassroots Manifesto, Global Fund for Children (2013)._ Our partner organisations exist because of the unwavering commitment of local people. The charity’s role is to increase their effectiveness and impact by securing financial resources to fulfil community plans and projects.= ## **Covid-19** For the second year, the global pandemic impacted every aspect of our work. Funding collapsed in the first part of the reporting period and our partners in Uganda were survived with minimal financial support at a time of great need. The Ugandan government’s strict lockdown disrupted education, distorted market supplies, and limited all social activity. The number of Covid cases remains unknown but the youthfulness of Ugandan population – around 70% are under thirty years of age – is a leading reason for the apparent low death rate. Older citizens are more likely to have been impacted but statistics are sparse. From our perspective, many older citizens in our partner areas died from respiratory conditions. The financial impact on the most impoverished was immediate: fresh food became scarce, prices inflated, and day wages – the income source for the majority – collapsed, resulting in exhaustion of savings, debt, and widespread hunger. Page | 5 Community partners played a crucial role in protecting the local population, ensuring improved levels of hygiene, and promoting community sensitisation. ## **Nauyo Community Action - Beneficiaries in year 1,200 +** Nauyo Community Action (NCA) is a volunteer-led organisation serving the impoverished citizens of Nauyo slum, Mbale (population 20,000). In 2020, Nauyo was incorporated into the city of Mbale. NCA's diverse services include protection of Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVC), outreach support to the elderly and families impacted by disability and illness, especially those impacted by HIV/AIDS, and community hygiene projects. Page | 6 In the reporting year, NCA received very limited financial support due to the funding crisis, but the organisation worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of vulnerable children, families, the disabled and chronically sick. In 2020, Strong Foundation, an active learning centre, was opened to provide educational opportunities to children excluded from school. Unrestricted support from Just Trust allowed NCA to construct a compound gate to provide additional security for the children and comply with Covid requirements. During the pandemic, NCA strengthened the connection between the voluntary and statutory sectors to benefit the residents of Nauyo. The priority for the next financial year is to rebuild funding to meet the changing needs of the organisation. Applications are in process to support the work of Page | 7 Strong Foundation and strengthen community outreach, most especially child protection and support of the elderly. The dependency on UK grants will be addressed by a focus on local income generation projects. ## **Youth for a Covenant Vision - Beneficiaries in year 400+** Youth for a Covenant Vision (YCV) is a youth-led provider of advocacy, health intervention, social care, education, recreation activities and income generation for street youth and marginalised young people in Namatala slum, Mbale (population 30,000). Many of its founders were once street youth. YCV is committed to anti-tribalism and service to all ethnicities and faiths. The age of service users ranges from under 11 to 30, plus dependent infants. Eight out of ten youth are from the minority Karamojong community. YCV worked as a street-level service until partnership with Trio Uganda established permanent premises in Namatala. The new facility allowed YCV to build on its outreach work to develop an innovative social and well-being programme that meets the complex needs of this hard to reach group. YCV is particularly focused on developing educational and income opportunities and safeguarding vulnerable young mothers and dependent infants. Covid-19 had a disastrous impact on YCV. Educational and vocational activities ceased, and newly funded income generation projects were unable to market their services. The events management project – funded by the Noel Buxton Trust – was especially hard hit by Covid restrictions. Page | 8 To the credit of all at YCV, the organisation adapted to reduced income and suspended activities, focussing on community outreach, Covid sensitisation and mask manufacture. Basic salaries were maintained by YCV and Trio Uganda. The partnership used the shutdown to plan post-Covid income generation projects that will lay a foundation increased independence. A generous bequest from the family of Kathleen McArdle provided capital to pump prime new income activities. YCV held a thanksgiving to honour the memory of Kathleen and thank her family for their support. Post-Covid priorities include maintaining educational opportunities for sponsored secondary pupils and tertiary students, consistent funding for training activities, increased funding for the creche and income generation enterprises. Thanks are due to Just Trust for contributing to educational fees. ## **Busiliwa Junior School – Beneficiaries in year 350+** Busiliwa Junior School provides primary education across all age groups. Trio Uganda helped establish the school in 2017. Ninety percent of families in Busiliwa live below the national poverty index. Covid-19 closed all Ugandan schools, disrupting the education of children, and forcing teachers into debt. Bududa District is significantly impacted by climate change, deforestation, and soil erosion; catastrophic landslides and floods in 2019 killed an unknown number of people. Statutory provision in the aftermath was grossly inadequate, leaving ongoing humanitarian assistance to underfunded community organisations. Few extended families have the resources to care for additional children, and abandoned orphans are vulnerable to trafficking and sexual exploitation. Page | 9 With permission from the authorities, the school resettled some children with families and repurposed a building into a temporary group home forty orphans, staffed by a woman who lost her family in a flood. Covid-19 school closures allowed the children to transfer from the overcrowded house to empty classrooms, repurposed as dormitories. Funding from the Farthing Trust was exceptionally important during the period, contributing to construction costs and funding seeds and supplies for Women of Hope, a female-led agricultural group attached to the school. The greatest achievement of the partnership in the financial period was securing funding from a major trust to fund improvements to school facilities and assist with the construction of Sunrise, a new facility for disaster orphans. Page | 10 The grant was used as match-funding for an application to another large funder. Should that succeed, the building will be completed early in the next financial year. Plans include school income generation, connection of electricity to Sunrise, and the construction of the first brick classroom. ## **The next generation** Congratulations to Samuel Okia and Samuel Okwii for qualifying in Community Health and Mass Communications respectively. Trio Uganda and individuals associated with the charity supported them throughout their studies, and its heartening that they have both committed to use their skills to serve impoverished communities. With Trio Uganda’s support, Samuel Okia is developing a registered clinic; Samuel Okwii is now Trio Uganda’s Field Officer. Trio Uganda is also delighted to maintain support for Henry Nandaba. After qualifying with a First Class degree in Art and Education, Henry has established himself as a mural painter and is working with the charity to develop Mbale’s Page | 11 first community art studio. A special thank you to trustee Kevin Ford and Richard Sharland of Terre Verte Gallery for supporting Henry’s professional development. ## **Impact** Despite the challenges of Covid-19, the charity and its partners delivered: - 3 grants and a bequest benefitting over 900 individuals - Second-stage construction of Sunrise - 2 funded hospital admissions - Women of Hope supported with capital for seeds and sets - 40 Bududa orphans supported with medical care and daily nutrition - 3 student bursaries in education, midwifery, and mechanics - 6 secondary school bursaries - Vocational support to three Trio Uganda graduates ## **What our partners and beneficiaries say** The last year has been so difficult for everyone, but Trio Uganda stood with us and gave us the heart to carry on. Partnership means more than money. _Moses Lobong, Founder of YCV_ Trio Uganda helped us at every stage of our school’s progress and protected our children’s health with nutrition and medical support. It is marvellous to know that children without parents will soon be living in good conditions and will continue with their education. _David Kuloba, Director, Busiliwa Junior School_ Without Trio Uganda’s support I would be nowhere. I am now qualified and eager to work hard to benefit those that have less than me. Samuel Okwii, _Trio Uganda Field Officer_ My goal is to establish a quality clinic to serve the most vulnerable. Trio Uganda awarded me a college bursary and guided me at every turn. Thank you. _Samuel Okia, Community clinician_ I was about to leave college after my first year because my family could not afford to support me, but then Trio Uganda sought me out and paid my fees for the next two years. I am now working with them to start a community studio to release the talent of Mbale. _Henry Nandaba Artist_ Page | 12 ## **Priorities for the next year** The pandemic disrupted all projects and delayed strategic plans. In Nauyo, there is need to develop a funded child protection team and increase outreach support for the elderly. Busiliwa Junior School plans to commence building brick classrooms once Sunrise has been completed and equipped. Youth for a Covenant Vision’s priority is the development income generation projects. There is also need to develop a rice project in Agaria village, our prospective partner. These aspirations require focussed grant applications, increased donations, and income generation at charity and local level. ## **Funding and risks** All donations, grants bequests and business sponsorships are distributed to Uganda partners. UK costs are met from gift aid and sundry income. The greatest problem is securing unrestricted funding to meet the range of arising demands at community level, especially medical emergencies and support following disasters or violence against the individual. In the period, three grants were secured from a total of twenty applications. Importantly, two grants were unrestricted, allowing flexibility, rapid response to emergencies and regular nutrition. The unrestricted bequest from the estate of Kathleen McArdle was exceptionally important as it allowed investment in income generation. The strategy for the next financial period is to rebuild diversified income through increased donations, targeted applications, new business sponsorships, and income generation by Ugandan projects to increase independence. ## **Reserves policy** The trustees consider that free reserves should be a minimum of three months expenditure. Every effort will be made to set aside sufficient resources, but that goal is unlikely to be achievable over the next financial year. The accumulation of reserves will take time to realise as current income is fully committed each month, but the adopted reserves policy recognises the need to set aside resources. Page | 13 Reserves will: - honour existing and ongoing commitments to Ugandan partners - provide funds at short notice in the event of emergencies - meet administration, fundraising and legal costs The intention to set aside three months revenue reflects the expectation that over time the charity will expand its work and commitments in Uganda, requiring additional investment for early stage projects. The required level of reserves is an integral part of the scheme’s planning, budget, and forecast cycle. ## **Safeguarding** High profile cases of serious safeguarding failures by NGOs continue to emphasise the need for overseas organisations to protect beneficiaries and staff from sexual exploitation, physical and mental abuse, and harassment. Trio Uganda is committed to the protection of all and operates a safeguarding policy that ensures all UK volunteers visiting Uganda hold an International Child Protection Certificate. Our Ugandan partners work in communities affected by gender violence, trafficking, child physical abuse and sexual exploitation. In the communities where we work, extreme incidents of ritual mutilation and child murder continue to increase. All partners collaborating with Trio Uganda have demonstrated their commitment to safeguarding and understand the need for meaningful procedures and accountability to protect those at risk. Trio Uganda and its partners work to ensure that criminal acts are reported and investigated by statutory authorities with the expectation that such authorities will conduct their work transparently and diligently, free from corruption, collusion, bias, and political favouritism. The charity’s Safeguarding Policy is available on its website. Page | 14 **Our funders in the year** ## **Grateful thanks to all individual donors** Page | 15 ## **FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN** ## **Actual Income £16,087 Actual Expenditure £15,723** **----- Start of picture text -----**
INCOME
189
929
3669
7800
3500
Gift Aid Grants Bequest Donations Sundry
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
EXPENDITURE
114 105
200
530
1160
2144 7110
4360
Construction Income generation Education Nutrition
Social support Medical Family support UK Costs
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page | 16 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES TRIO UGANDA Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from To 1.4.2￿21 31.3.2022 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted lund$ Endowment Jnds Total furtd$ Last year to the mè&rest£ A1 ReceSpts Grants 9,200 4,104 123 3,669 929 GIft￿d Sundry 8eguest Sub totsl(Gw income for AR) 11 1&087 14,630 A2 Asset and Investm¢nt sal¢s, (see table). Cash funds 7,005 Sub totsl 7.005 12,195 16,195 21,635 A3 Paymènts ConstrLKJi Incotne gerW(WT 4.610 7,110 1144 Nulrition al support Mediol Family supw UK costs 202(￿21 1.160 530 114 105 114 105 21,527 21.527 Sub total 11,n3 15.723 A4 Asset #nd Fnvestment urcha8es. see tablel Sub total 11,723 15,T23 21,527 Net t>f recapts/(payM￿ts) AS Transfers between fund5 A6 Cash furtds last year end Cash funds this year end 472 472 472 472 CCXX R1 %counLs {SSI Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestrictgd funts Rgstri¢ted funds Endowment funds CaiegGlI£S Dotdils to nDaTPSt£ to nparest£ 81 Cash funds 472 Total cash fimds 472 zl($}I Unrestrlcted fvnds Restrlcted funds to fftarest£ Endowment fvnds to nearÈst£ Detsils to ¥knich eyrren¢v81ue or￿1 Details cost((￿0￿8￿ Fund to which Details 05t loptional> Currertvalue onal B4 A$￿ts retained for the charity's own use Fund lowthich knount due Details B5 Liabilitigs Suned by one ortsv on beham of all the trustees s￿natU PrNrt Name Date of rov sp@£ CCXX R2 arnxnts ISS)