SIERRA LEONE POVERTY ALLEVIATION CHARITY TRUST (SALPACT)
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT & INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023
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INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
SALPACT is a UK charitable organisation that was registered with the Charities Commission on the 19[th] of February 2018 (Registration Number 1177207). The charity is working with partners in Sierra Leone to help alleviate poverty, promote children education, and help mitigate the impact of climate change and deforestation in Freetown.
Since the end of the Covid pandemic restrictions in England in July 2021, the Sierra Leone Poverty Alleviation Charity Trust (SALPACT) has struggled to raise much needed funds to deliver its mission and objectives in Sierra Leone.
However, with the determined perseverance of the SALPACT Trustees, the charity has continued to provide support for the promotion of basic education in the country.
In particular, during the 2022/2023 financial year, SALPACT has improved the learning environment for over 300 school children at the Gloucester REC Primary School in Freetown, by constructing classroom wall-dividers to eliminate distractions during teaching.
OUR MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
Sierra Leone continues to be classed as one of the poorest countries in the world, with an average per capita income of less than $3 a day. Although adult literacy rate has increased from 34.8% in 2004 to 48.6% in 2022, life expectancy continues to remain low at 55.9 years, due to poverty and poor healthcare. Unemployment, especially youth joblessness is estimated 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 continues its intervention strategy by working 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 2023, SALPACT has maintained its composition and number of Trustees on its Board. There was no resignation or retirement.
Ms. Rashida Thomas, who went on sabbatical leave as Board Secretary in 2022 to pursue her university studies in Law, has now qualified as a Solicitor and may return next year to join the Board as SALPACT’s Legal Adviser.
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The Board is currently 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 Ibilola Campbell, Captain John Dalby, and Mr Jeremy Labor.
Working together, the Trustees are continuing to provide governance and oversight; ensuring that decisions, governance, and spending commitments are consistent with SALPACT’s Charitable Objectives as stated in the Constitution, in line with Charity Commission’s rules.
Trustees have continued to meet remotely (virtually) throughout this financial year for their monthly Board meetings.
At every monthly Zoom meeting held this financial year, Trustees discussed progress, reviewed actions, and made key decisions about how funds could be raised and disbursed.
PUBLICITY
SALPACT is not a membership subscription-based organisation, and therefore relies on its individual Trustees to act as ambassadors for the Charity, and for providing small sums of cash donations to support administrative costs. 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, continues to provide information about the work of the Trust.
Some development work has been carried out on the website but there is a lot more to be done to modernise the site and transform it into a more user-friendly and interactive platform.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2022/2023
In this financial year, SALPACT paid £159.55 to building contractors in Freetown for the improvement of learning environment for over 300 school children at the Gloucester REC Primary School in Freetown, by constructing classroom walldividers to eliminate noise and distractions during teaching.
PLANS FOR 2024
Trustees are discussing a proposal with the management of the Gloucester REC Primary School in Freetown to build two new classrooms, so as to provide additional classroom space.
Trustees are also studying the feasibility of providing drinking water and toilet facilities, as well as solar-powered electricity. Other support being considered by Trustees include computer technology, books and basic science materials and tools.
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SALPACT FINANCES AND FUNDRAISING
SALPACT’s opening bank balance on 1 April 2022 was £4,049.01.
Total income of £610.00 was generated from SALPACT trustee donations, donations from well-wishers and Christmas social raffle.
Total expenditure for the year ending 31 March 2023 was £580.57, with most of this cost accounted for by spending on the Gloucester School Project in Freetown, as described above.
The closing bank balance on 31 March 2023 was £4,078.44
Sierra Leone Poverty Alleviation Charitable Trust - Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31[ST] March 2023
OPENING BANK BALANCE ON 1[st] APRIL 2022 £4,049.01 Donations by Trustees £ 450.00 Donations from Well-wishers £100.00 Raffle proceeds from Christmas social £60.00 TOTAL INCOME - £4659.01
EXPENDITURE:
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Website and zoom hosting £360.62
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Payments to Gloucester REC School £129.55
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Bank Charges £90.40
TOTAL EXPENDITURE - £550.57
Closing Bank balance as at 31 March 2023 £4,078.44
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