2024-12-31-accounts

Rossholme in Kenya Acorns of Nairobi

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 1 January 2024 To: 31 December 2024 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 2024

We have been delighted to welcome a new trustee to our board. Carolin Shaw (CS) who was appointed in June 2024. A former Rossholme School (in Somerset) pupil, she lives in Somerset and has undertaken to relieve me of several tasks including publicity.

As well as generous financial support, Doug Brodie (DB) provides invaluable help and support to Rossholme with his background and knowledge of Kenya.

We have 525 pupils attending the school daily from the ages of 3-12. Joyce Aruga (JA) remains Head and her resilience, perseverance and single mindedness enable her to manage every project and difficulty thrown at her! She employs 13 qualified teachers, 2 cooks and a security guard who lives on the premises. 203 pupils are funded by their parents but remaining pupils are subsidised with support from various different sources, including Rossholme School in Kenya, Tushinde and other sources from whom JA receives income.

She continues to receive financial support from the US and she has also built up a good relationship with East Africa Children’s Project (EACP), a UK charity from whom we have received considerable financial support this year for solar power, desks and computers and a major contribution towards the acquisition of the property. The completion of the kitchen project has also made an enormous difference to the school

Having acquired the land and premises, we no longer have to pay rent so our monthly payments to RinK normally now amount to £640 to pay salaries and other essential costs. This includes the ongoing costs of providing internet access to the students and teachers via Starlink.

I mentioned in my previous report that we were hoping to set up Kirsty’s Places as Day Care Centres within Kiambiu following generous donations amounting to £10,000 from Trustee Doug Brodie and his brother, themselves brought up in Kenya. Named in memory of their late mother, the first of these was set up last August by Tushinde but unfortunately, although most of the equipment was rescued, the record breaking floods meant that the property had to be destroyed because of its proximity to the river.

Another Rough Ramble for Rossholme was completed by Kitty Hollingsworth and her nephew Christian Edbrook on 2[nd] November 2024 and raised over £1,700.

I envisage an active year ahead with the proposed new school building and I am most grateful to all our trustees for their contributions to the further development of Rossholme.

Chackeridge Cottage www.rossholmeinkenya.org Ashbrittle [e-mail] Wellington 01823 673324 07860 115951 Somerset TA21 0LJ Registered Charity Number 1178553

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 £8,209. During the year payments of £10,630 were made to the Rossholme School in Kenya. Further payments of £285 were made to support activities to promote donations to the charity. Bank charges less interest totalled £47. Donations and other income totalled £13,763 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.
Amount of reserves held	At the year-end the charity held bank balances of £8,209
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.

Chackeridge Cottage Ashbrittle Wellington Somerset TA21 0LJ

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

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	ROSSHOLME SCHOOL IN KENYA
Other name the charity uses	Rossholme in 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 5	Trustee name	Office (ifany)	Dates acted if not for whole year
	Judith Webb	Chair
	Douglas Brodie
	Nicholas Griggs	Treasurer
	Steven Swan
	Carolin Shaw		24 June 2024 to 31 December 2024

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) SJB Webb Nick Griggs Full name(s) Sylvia Judith Brownlow Webb Nicholas Griggs Position Chair Treasurer Date 20 September 2025

Chackeridge Cottage Ashbrittle Wellington Somerset TA21 0LJ

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