Registered Charity Number: 1178341
Revive Congo CIO Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] May 2025
1. Aims and objectives
Charitable purposes:
-
The advancement of educational and vocational services for young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in the United Kingdom between the ages of 4-21.
-
To promote culture and heritage of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the United Kingdom via advocacy.
-
The advancement of citizenship or community development.
2. Governance and structure
Revive Congo is a UK registered charity in England and Wales, and was registered as a CIO foundation in 2018 (charity no.1178341). The organisation is governed by its constitution.
Revive Congo is currently volunteer-led, with thirteen volunteers, eight based in the United Kingdom and five based in the DRC, with a board of five trustees. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the strategic direction and governance of the charity. Trustees report on the progress, risks & mitigations monthly, and maintain regular communications via email and WhatsApp with two annual executive board meetings to review the strategic direction of Revive Congo. Revive Congo also shares quarterly updates with the general public through e-newsletters, as well as ad-hoc updates through the charity's website.
The board has actively reviewed governance policies, to ensure volunteers display good conduct. The board will continue to assess policies and financial management.
Trustees: Chris Katako, Guellord Kany, Norris Gwama, Pamela Nyandu Abiola and Lakeisha Kayoka Annang
3. Summary of main activities
Revive Congo ensures the advancement of education for young people in the UK through delivering an annual summer programme to provide informal education on the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition to this, our summer youth programme provides an opportunity for young people to develop their project management skills, communication skills and financial management, as well as receive advice on careers, volunteering and academic opportunities. This programme has contributed to developing the skills and capabilities of young people to independently participate in society in the longer term.
Revive Congo ensures the advancement of education for young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo through producing e-learning material to provide informal education on leadership and entrepreneurship skills. This learning resource seeks to develop the capability and capacities of their skill to independently and responsibly participate in society and to increase their employment prospects.
Revive Congo ensures the advancement of citizenship or community development through supporting and encouraging young people in the UK to engage in social action within their community, by organising and delivering community projects, through delivering our summer programme.
4. Achievements and Performance
In this financial year Revive Congo has continued to carry out charitable objectives through the following activities:
Improvement of Living Conditions at Mission Marie Mère (May 2024)
In May 2024, following a targeted fundraising campaign earlier in the year, Revive Congo improved sleeping conditions at Mission Marie Mère orphanage. Prior to this intervention, many children were sleeping on cement beds, which posed risks to their health and dignity. Funds raised enabled us to purchase mattresses and bunk beds, significantly improving hygiene standards, comfort, and safety. This project supported the children’s basic human rights and contributed to their overall well-being, allowing them to rest properly and better engage in daily activities and education.
Online Awareness Campaign: “My Life Would Have Been Different If…” (July 2024)
In July 2024, we ran an online awareness campaign titled “My Life Would Have Been ” Different If… . The campaign featured members of our team from Congolese heritage sharing personal reflections on how their life opportunities may have been negatively affected had they grown up in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The campaign aimed to raise awareness of the structural challenges facing young people in the DRC, particularly limited access to education and employment opportunities, while highlighting the importance of support and advocacy. The campaign helped to engage our audience and deepen understanding of the lived realities faced by Congolese youth.
Youth Digital Skills Training Programme, Kinshasa (August 2024)
In August 2024, Revive Congo delivered a free four-day digital skills training programme for young adults based in Kinshasa. The workshop focused on developing practical skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Participants were supported to apply their learning by either drafting a professional CV or developing a basic business proposal, including a budget using Excel. These were reviewed by facilitators, who provided constructive feedback and guidance.
This initiative responded to evidence that a significant proportion of young people in the DRC lack access to basic IT education. With rapid technological advancement and the global reliance on Congo’s natural resources, we believe it is essential that Congolese youth are not excluded from digital opportunities. The programme aimed to improve employability, confidence, and practical skills among participants and was attended by 6 people.
Educational Support for Sponsored Children - Future Leaders Programme (September 2024)
In September 2024, we supported the children we sponsor at Mission Marie Mère orphanage in preparation for the new academic year. This included enrolling them in school and providing essential items such as school uniforms, stationery, shoes, and other necessities. During this period, we also enrolled two additional children into our sponsorship programme, Esther (aged 4) and Christian (aged 6). This brought the total number of children whose education we support to six, ensuring continued access to primary education in a stable learning environment.
UK Black Business Show – Fundraising Partnership (October 2024)
In October 2024, Revive Congo was invited to attend the UK Black Business Show Week at the ExCeL London Centre. During the event, Bola Sol, Financial Adviser and author of “Your Money Life” , hosted a show where a percentage of ticket sales were donated to Revive Congo. This partnership helped raise funds for our charitable activities and increased awareness of our work among a wider UK audience.
Christmas Fundraiser – Online Campaign (December 2024)
In December 2024, we leveraged our social media platforms to raise awareness that approximately 3.5 million primary-school-age children in the Democratic Republic of Congo remain out of school. We highlighted that behind these statistics are real children and dreams deferred and potential left untapped.
Through the campaign, we invited our supporters to donate in support of our Future Leaders programme, while sharing powerful stories of change that demonstrate the programme’s positive impact on the lives of the orphans and children it serves.
Community Engagement and Church Outreach (January 2025)
In January 2025, we were invited to speak at Eagles Nest Church Arnold in Nottingham, UK. During this visit, we shared information about the work of Revive Congo, the challenges faced by children and young people in the DRC, and practical ways individuals and communities in the UK can support our mission. This engagement strengthened community awareness and support for our charitable objectives.
Youth Digital Skills Training Programme – Follow-up Workshop (March 2025)
In March 2025, we delivered a further free three-day digital skills training workshop in Kinshasa, building on the programme delivered in August 2024. Thirteen young adults attended the training. Following the workshop, we established a WhatsApp group to allow participants to remain connected, receive updates about future opportunities, and access ongoing encouragement.
Participants from both training programmes expressed interest in further learning, including training in artificial intelligence and access to mentorship to support employment,
entrepreneurship, and business development. This highlighted the ongoing demand for skills-based education and guidance among young people.
Emergency Humanitarian Support in Eastern DRC (March 2025)
In March 2025, following reports of the M23 taking control of Goma, Revive Congo provided emergency financial support to an established local organisation, Ubuntu, to assist displaced people who had been forced to flee their camps. In addition, we used our social media platforms and e-newsletter to inform our supporters about the situation in eastern DRC, its impact on children, and ways to support existing humanitarian efforts on the ground.
Health and Wellbeing Activity Day at Mission Marie Mère (March 2025)
Also in March 2025, we organised a health and wellbeing activity day at Mission Marie Mère orphanage. Each child received personal hygiene items, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, and a flannel. Volunteers delivered practical sessions on dental care and personal hygiene, helping children develop healthy habits and improve their overall well-being.
Advocacy Report on International Aid Cuts (April 2025)
In April 2025, following funding cuts by the UK and US governments, Revive Congo published a report examining the potential impact of these reductions on the Democratic Republic of Congo and on charities such as ours. The report highlighted concerns including the worsening healthcare crisis (notably malaria and cholera), shortages of medical supplies, increased food insecurity affecting nearly 27 million people, and the heightened vulnerability of over five million displaced people. It also addressed the potential decline in education opportunities, as many community schools rely on international aid to operate. The report aimed to inform stakeholders and raise awareness of the broader humanitarian consequences of reduced aid.
London Marathon Fundraising Challenge (April 2025)
In April 2025, an individual based in the UK from Congolese heritage discovered Revive Congo and volunteered to run the London Marathon in support of our work. Through this personal fundraising challenge, they raised funds to support our programmes, while also helping to raise awareness of our mission among new audiences. This initiative demonstrated the growing engagement of the Congolese diaspora and the wider public in supporting our charitable objectives.
Analysis of our Online Campaign reach
Overall, our online campaigns reached more than 142,000 members of the public through our social media platforms, website, and digital communications. These activities were used to raise awareness of the Democratic Republic of Congo and to promote Congolese culture and heritage.
5. Financial position
The charity’s gross income on general funds for the year was £8,872 The main source of income were from donations (monthly, and one-off) Expenses totalled £8,113
There was no write-off from Trade Debtors on the Balance Sheet.
Reserves brought forward at the start of the year were £3,643 leaving a balance carried forward at 31 May 2025 of £4,402.
6. Future plans
Following activities delivered in the financial year of 24/25, the key objectives in 25/26 are:
-
To work with our partner Mission Marie Jane orphanage in order to enrol the children we are supporting into the next academic year under our Future Leaders Programme. We also intend to send two more children to school in the next academic year.
-
To reach over 150,000 members of the public via our social media handles, website and online campaigns in order to raise awareness and promote the culture and heritage of the DRC.
-
We plan to visit Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to strengthen our governance, programme delivery, and oversight of our activities. A key objective of this visit will be to recruit two Trustees based in Kinshasa, which will improve local representation, accountability, and informed decision-making.
During the visit, we also aim to identify and secure a suitable venue that can be used on a regular basis to support the expansion of our Youth Digital Skills Programme. This will allow us to extend the duration of the programme, deliver it more consistently, and introduce a structured curriculum to enhance learning outcomes for participants.
In addition, we will monitor and evaluate the Future Leaders Programme.This will include reviewing progress, assessing programme effectiveness, and identifying areas for improvement to ensure the programme continues to meet the educational and developmental needs of the children.
-
To deliver the Youth Digital Skills Programme on a quarterly basis, with one training cycle running every three months. This will allow for more consistent skills development, regular engagement with participants, and improved monitoring of outcomes.
-
To increase total supporter donations by 40%
----- Start of picture text -----
REVIVE CONGO No: 1178341
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period 01/06/2024 31/05/2025
from To CC16a
Section A Receipts and payments
funds funds funds Total funds Last year
£ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Individual Donations 6,952 - - 6,952 16,135
Funding Grants - - - - -
Sponsorred Events 1,610 - - 1,610 -
Other 310 - - 310 -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 8,872 - - 8,872 16,135
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 8,872 - - 8,872 16,135
A3 Payments
Cost of Generating Funds 8,113 - - 8,113 15,277
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total 8,113 - - 8,113 15,277
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total payments 8,113 - - 8,113 15,277
Net of receipts/(payments) 759 - - 759 858
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 3,643 - - 3,643 2,785
Cash funds this year end 4,402 - - 4,402 3,643
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Categories Details funds funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds Cash Funds held in Bank 4,402 - -
- - -
- - -
( g Total cash funds p 4,402 - -
payments account(s)) OK OK OK
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
funds funds funds
Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets - - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
Fund to which Current value
Details asset belongs Cost (optional) (optional)
B3 Investment assets - -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Fund to which Current value
Details asset belongs Cost (optional) (optional)
B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use - -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Fund to which Amount due When due
Details liability relates (optional) (optional)
B5 Liabilities -
-
-
-
-
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Date of
Signature Print Name approval
C. Katako Chris Katako 31.01.2026
----- End of picture text -----