2022-12-31-accounts

Rossholme in Kenya Acorns of Nairobi

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 1 January 2022 To: 31 December 2022 Charity name: ROSSHOLME SCHOOL IN KENYA Charity registration number: 1178553

Chackeridge Cottage Ashbrittle Wellington Somerset TA21 0LJ

www.rossholmeinkenya.org [e-mail] 01823 673324 07860 115951 Registered Charity Number 1178553

Chairman’s Annual Report 2022/23

The past year has seen significant developments at Rossholme, both in terms of numbers of pupils and staff but also in contacts, links and the proposals for the school’s future.

We now have 425 pupils attending the school daily from the ages of 3-12. Joyce Aruga continues to provide excellent leadership and she employs 11 qualified teachers, 2 cooks and a security guard who lives on the premises. The standard of teaching and education remains high and excellent results have been achieved in public examinations. The first cohort of children passed out of the school in December and the majority have continued their education into Junior Secondary school in Nairobi, meaning they have to walk 5 kms into school.

The premises acquired at very short notice by Joyce Aruga in December 2019 have proved to be so much better and she has also acquired additional space to the rear of the premises to accommodate extra classes in the past year. As a charity, we now send nearly £1000 per month to cover the cost of rent and salaries. The school also receives funding from the USA to cover the cost of daily meals for all children.

We have continued to work closely with Meghan Wright and Tushinde who have an office and employ staff on the ground within Kiambiu Slum where Rossholme is located. Tushinde offer outreach support to families within the slum and have actively supported up to 10 children at Rossholme . We had been holding £10,000 which had been donated by Trustee Doug Brodie and his brother, for the establishment of a pre-school to be called Kirsty’s Place in memory of their mother. We had been unable to find suitable premises so the money has been handed over to Tushinde who have found premises and will be setting up several Kirsty’s Places for younger children who would then hopefully progress into Rossholme.

We have also established very useful links with East Africa Childrens Project (EACP) and their Chairman Pieter Lagaay in particular, and also with St James Preparatory School in Kensington, London. EACP have donated funding for solar panels to provide lighting within the school premises and also 300 new locker desks. St James School have undertaken to raise funds for Rossholme.

www.rossholmeinkenya.org [e-mail] 01823 673324 07860 115951 Registered Charity Number 1178553

Chackeridge Cottage Ashbrittle Wellington Somerset TA21 0LJ

I visited the school in June and was given the news that the landlord wished to retire and was giving us first refusal on acquisition of the school’s land and property for a fee of KES4,500,000 (c.£25,000 at current rates). All slum land in Nairobi is owned by the Government so title deeds would not be an option. However, advice from Tushinde and also from our Nairobi lawyer, means that we can gain a certificate from the Chief and the local authority, giving us control and enabling us to improve and develop the property. We have therefore launched a campaign to raise the £25k needed by the end of the year and, with significant help from EACP, we feel confident that this is achievable.

Appeals and fundraising activities have proved successful and we have gained a number of additional regular donors.

Wendy Venn retired as a Trustee last year; she and her husband had been very supportive and raised considerable amounts for us. Nick Griggs has been appointed as a new Trustee and has taken on the role of Treasurer. Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to find a suitable Kenya-based candidate but we plan to appoint an additional Trustee shortly.

It has been a very good year for Rossholme School in Kenya and I feel confident that our future is secure and we can look forward to developing the premises.

Judith Webb

Chairman of Trustees, Rossholme School in Kenya

Chackeridge Cottage Ashbrittle Wellington Somerset TA21 0LJ

www.rossholmeinkenya.org [e-mail] 01823 673324 07860 115951 Registered Charity Number 1178553

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	To provide education and health care to disadvantaged children in slum areas of Nairobi, Kenya and support the safety, education and well-being of children and their supporters.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	The trustees confirm they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	At the year-end the charity held bank balances of £16,917. During the year payments of £14,150 were made to the Rossholme School in Kenya. Further payments of £456 were made to support activities to promote donations to the charity. Donations and other income totalled £13,146 during the year.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	The Trustee look to hold a prudent reserve to support the future monthly payments to Rossholme School in Kenya. At the year-end a further reserve was held to support the work with Tushinde described in the Chairman’s report
Amount of reserves held	At the year-end the charity held bank balances of £16,917.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	n/a
Details of fund materially in deficit	n/a
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	n/a

Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing document	CIO-FOUNDATION Registered 29 May 2018
How is the charity constituted?	CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	The Trustees are selected by unanimous agreement of the existing trustees.

www.rossholmeinkenya.org [e-mail] 01823 673324 07860 115951 Registered Charity Number 1178553

Chackeridge Cottage Ashbrittle Wellington Somerset TA21 0LJ

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	ROSSHOLME SCHOOL IN KENYA
Other name the charity uses	Rossholmein Kenya
Registered charity number	1178553
Charity’s principal address	CHACKERIDGE COTTAGE ASHBRITTLE WELLINGTON TA21 0LJ

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4	Trustee name	Office (ifany)	**Dates acted if not for whole year **
	Judith Webb	Chair
	Douglas Brodie
	Nicholas Griggs	Treasurer	9 March 2022 to 31 December 2022
	WendyVenn

There are no corporate trustees or trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity.

Chackeridge Cottage Ashbrittle Wellington Somerset TA21 0LJ

www.rossholmeinkenya.org [e-mail] 01823 673324 07860 115951 Registered Charity Number 1178553

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

No funds were held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

None

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position Date	SJB Webb	Nick Griggs
	Sylvia Judith Brownlow Webb	Nicholas Griggs
	Chair	Treasurer
	4 November 2023
	4 November 2023

Chackeridge Cottage Ashbrittle Wellington Somerset TA21 0LJ

www.rossholmeinkenya.org [e-mail] 01823 673324 07860 115951 Registered Charity Number 1178553