SIERRA LEONE POVERTY ALLEVIATION CHARITY TRUST (SALPACT)
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT & INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2021
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INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
The Sierra Leone Poverty Alleviation Charity Trust (SALPACT) is a charitable organisation registered with the UK Charities Commission on the 19[th] of February 2018 (Registration Number 1177207).
SALPACT was established in October 2017, initially as a disaster appeal for help, following the death of over 1000 people, especially young children – many buried under mud, caused by a massive landslide at the Mount Sugar Loaf in Freetown, Sierra Leone on the 13th and 14th of August 2017, after heavy rainfall.
On the 15th of August 2017, Mr Abdul Rashid Thomas who is the founder and Chairman of SALPACT, launched a Just Giving Global Fundraising Appeal on the internet.
By the end of September 2017, over £7,000 was donated to SALPACT by citizens from all over the world, to assist with the Freetown disaster emergency and support the needs of those affected by the disaster in Freetown. But after Just Giving had deducted their commission and administration charges, £ 6,547.58 was transferred into the SALPACT’s bank account.
Within days of the disaster in Freetown, the international aid and emergency response agencies, such as the Red Cross, Save the Children, Oxfam and other large charities had mobilised a coordinated centralised response, in dealing with the emergencies – providing medicines, shelter, food and clothing.
In order to ensure accountability, probity and transparency as to how the £6,547.58 was to be disbursed in Freetown, in October 2017, Mr Abdul Rashid Thomas brought together a group of individuals in the UK, three of whom are doctors, to form a Board of Trustees that will provide the necessary governance and oversight for the activities of SALPACT.
By the end of January 2018, the Board of Trustees agreed a Constitution for SALPACT which was then submitted to the Charities Commission in England, along with an application for registration of SALPACT as a Charitable Trust.
Following the successful completion of the Charity Commission’s application process, on the 19[th] of February 20I8, SALPACT became a Registered Charity with the Registration Number 1177207.
2020/2021 financial year has been a difficult year for SALPACT due to the Covid-19 global pandemic that has seriously curtailed our charitable work in Sierra Leone.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, SALPACT provided no funding support to charitable causes in Sierra Leone in the 2020/2021 financial year.
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OUR MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an average per capita income of about $2 a day. Although literacy rate has improved slightly from under 40% to about 46%, adult mortality continues to be seriously low, due to poverty and poor healthcare, with unemployment – especially youth unemployment rate at over 70%.
SALPACT’s mission is to help tackle and alleviate poverty in Sierra Leone.
The charitable objective of SALPACT is to pursue the advancement of education and prevention or relief of poverty for children in poverty or need; and to provide grants to charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
SALPACT’s intervention strategy is to work with local communities, schools and charities in Sierra Leone that are taking action to mitigate the devastating effects of poverty, poor healthcare, climate change, and the prevention of deforestation.
GOVERNANCE & OVERSIGHT
In this financial year ending 31[st] March 2021, SALPACT’s Board of Trustees has been strengthened with the addition of two new Board members, bringing the total number of Trustees to ten.
The Board is comprised of Mr. Abdul Rashid Thomas (Founder and Chairman); Dr Fawzia Iyamide Thomas (Treasurer); Dr Babatunde Gbolade (Financial Oversight); Mrs Beryl Juma (MBE); Dr Victor Labor; Dr Abdul Anasa Sesay; Ms Rashida Thomas (Secretary); Ms Ibilola Campbell, Captain John Dalby, and Mr Jeremy Labor.
Working together, the Trustees are providing governance and oversight, in ensuring that decisions, actions and spending commitments are consistent with SALPACT’s Charitable Objectives as stated in the Constitution.
Due to the Covid pandemic, the Trustees have not been able to meet in person throughout this financial year for their monthly Board meetings. All monthly Board meetings were held remotely via Zoom.
At every monthly Zoom meeting held this financial year, Trustees discussed progress, reviewed actions and made key decisions about how funds could be disbursed next financial year.
PUBLICITY
SALPACT is not a membership subscription-based organisation, and therefore relies on its individual Trustees to act as ambassadors for the Charity. The trustees have once again provided much needed publicity across their professional and social networks about the work of SALPACT.
The SALPACT website which was launched in 2017 as a gateway to the world, continues to play a key role in providing information about the projects that
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SALPACT is supporting, as well as information about how visitors to the website can donate to SALPACT and get involved in its work.
Work will be carried out in 2022 to improve the look and interactivity of the website, as well as establish an attractive Facebook Page.
SALPACT FINANCES AND FUNDRAISING
SALPACT’s opening bank balance on 1 April 2020 was £6864.13. Total income of £494.80 , was generated through donations received from Fredericka Williams in the USA - £94.80; and eight SALPACT trustees donating £50 each – a total of £400.
Total expenditure for the year ending 31 March 2021 is £239.38 as cost of hosting the SALPACT website.
The total surplus for this accounting period is £255.42. The closing bank balance as at 31 March 2021 is £7219.55.
PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY SALPACT IN SIERRA LEONE IN 2020/2021 FINANCIAL YEAR:
Due to the Covid pandemic, SALPACT did not provide financial support to charitable causes. There are a few project proposals that are being discussed by Trustees, and due diligence conducted, but no decision has been made to fund these projects until next financial year.
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| Sierra Leone Poverty Alleviation Charitable Trust - Income and | Sierra Leone Poverty Alleviation Charitable Trust - Income and |
|---|---|
| Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31ST March 2021 | |
| Bank opening balance 01 June 201 | |
| Opening Bank Balance - 1st April 2020 |
£6964.13 |
| INCOME | |
| Donations | |
| 400.00 | |
| 94.80 | |
| TOTAL INCOME FOR THE YEAR 2020/2021 | 494.80 |
| EXPENDITURE £ | |
| COST OF HOSTING SALPACT WEBSITE: 239.38 | |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2021 | 239.38 |
| SURPLUS FOR YEAR ENDING 31stMARCH 2021 | 255.42 |
| CLOSING BANK BALANCE AS AT 31st MARCH 2021 |
£7219.55 |
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