2025-08-31-accounts - Opportunity Through Education

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year From 1 Sept 2024 To 31 August 2025

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Opportunity Through Education

Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1179046

Charity's principal address The Long House, Hurtmore Road, Godalming, Surrey. Postcode GU7 2RB

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Alan Lion	Trustee
	Nicola Lion	Trustee

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name	Dates acted if not for whole year
None

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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser	Name Address	Name Address
Independent Examiner	Charles Hume

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document CIO - FOUNDATION REGISTERED 03 JUL 2018

(eg. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted

[CIO]

(eg. trust, association, company)

Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a Trustee selection methods term of 3 years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the (eg. appointed by, elected by) charity trustees.

Trustee selection methods

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

OTE was set up to support the work of Nicki and Alan Lion (“the trustees”), plus the work of three partners, Elizabeth Hodgkin (“Liz”), Rebecca Mallinson (“Rebecca”) and Welcome Home School (“WHS”).

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

When the charity started, Liz and Rebecca jointly approach the trustees and asked for assistance. Rebecca had previously been supported by another UK registered charity, but, due to the burden of administration involved, that charity had asked Rebecca to try to find another UK registered charity able to support her. After discussion, the trustees agreed to provide support. The basis upon which OTE supports Liz and Rebecca is contained in a separate document titled:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
“Basis Of Working Together OTE and Partner 20180728.docx”
relationship with any related parties;
In the summer of 2022, the trustees were approached and asked to
trustees’ consideration of support to the Welcome Home School (“WHS”), Tanzania. After due major risks and the system investigation, including a visit to the school in February 2023, the trustees and procedures to manage agreed to offer the same assistance to WHS as to Liz and Rebecca. them.

Section C Objectives and activities

The objectives of the charity are:

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

“The relief of poverty with particular emphasis on education for the young and disadvantaged anywhere in the world.”

The trustees believe that the provision of education is one very practical way to help people out of poverty and into a worthwhile and sustainable

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life.

The review of activities and highlights below sets out how the work of OTE provides significant benefit to the public.

OTE benefitted from the continued support of many generous contributors. Income this year was £55,938 (2024: £72,590) and payments to beneficiaries amounted to £53,420 (2024: £71,273). The drop in income represents the scaling back of the work of both Liz and Rebecca. When OTE originally started in 2018, Liz made it clear that she would inevitably have to step back from her work at some future date. Over the financial year in question she has started to scale back her commitments so that, by the end of 2025, all her remaining students will be fully provided for. The drop in payments to beneficiaries matches the drop in income. OTE Summary of the main activities only holds minimal reserves. undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these In its decision making the trustees of OTE are aware of and have objects (include within this complied with their duty to have due regard to The Charity Commission’s section the statutory public benefit guidance when they have exercised any powers and duties declaration that trustees have to which the guidance is relevant. had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

The trustees wish to thank the following organisations and institutions for their support in the past year:

The Erica Leonard Fund The R&H Grey Foundation The T W Roberts Trust St Clare and St Francis Charity

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;

In addition, the trustees wish to thank the many individuals who have so generously supported the work of OTE in the past year. Without such support, the wonderful transformation of some many young people’s lives that has been achieved would never have happened.

policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

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Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

The following represent just some of the people and projects that have been supported by the charity in the period covered by this review:

OTE Projects

The main work of OTE relates to sponsoring students. Every student sponsored by OTE is either known to or vetted by the trustees. We seek to help young people who cannot help themselves. We focus on students who are orphans or who have fallen on hard times part way through their education and where it is perceived that there will be considerable benefits if that person is given the opportunity to complete his or her education.

One of OTE’s most significant beneficiaries this year has been an orphan in Mozambique, Paulo, and his family. A number of years ago, Paulo and his wife decided to take in three orphan children. They have raised the children and, supported by OTE, are providing them with education. To try to ensure a more sustainable solution to their financial needs, with the help of OTE, Paulo has completed a teacher training programme and is currently seeking employment.

Elizabeth Hodgkin Projects

Liz’ continued to help a number of students who are nearing the end of their education programmes. As mentioned above, Liz has been scaling back her projects whilst continuing to ensure that students who are midcourse will be financially secure for the remainder of their courses.

Rebecca Mallinson Projects

If you want to read about Rebecca’s inspirational work please visit her blog site: https://living-in-nimule.blogspot.com/

Here is Rebecca’s summary of the year: As you will see, in the period covered by this review, things changed significantly. Firstly, after many successful years setting up and helping run Cece Primary School, Rebecca has moved on. The situation can be summarised by these sentences from her September 2023 blog:

“Problems have arisen between me and the landowners who gave us the land in 2016 through a land agreement. The landowners have now become very hostile and full of demands for their own clan. They have completely no thought for the school or the pupils. The constant chorus has been, ‘What’s in it for us?’

According to their mentality, white people are rich and are supposed to give to them freely. When I refused, saying that all the money I have is from fundraising for the specific purposes of education, I have been shouted down very aggressively. The landowners are completely ignoring the fact that our school is for disadvantaged families, not just for themselves.

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Section D Achievements and performance

I have been looking for a way forward as I do not want to see the school fail. We have over 240 pupils and 19 staff, all of whom will lose out if the school collapses. On a personal level, I have taught in the school since 2015 and have very strong teacher-pupil relationships with a good number of our pupils.” After discussions, including consultation with OTE, Rebecca concluded that the right course of action was to move on from January 2024. She therefore sought to find a suitable school for all the Cece Primary School pupils. The buildings at Cece would be passed on to the landowners from January 2024, with the view to turn it into a private school, so hopefully the buildings will not be wasted. The desks and other equipment fundraised by Rebecca were moved to Liberty Primary School. The move to Liberty Primary School in January 2024 saw the start of new challenges for Rebecca. Over 150 students from Cece enrolled at Liberty Primary School with the number gradually increasing to over 200. Rebecca agreed with the original owner of Liberty Primary School to join this school as Director of Studies as well as fundraiser and teacher. A number of the teachers from Cece came with her. She summarised her new challenges when she wrote: “At Liberty, we are back at square one. In January 2024 there were no school buildings, no toilets, no storeroom or teachers’ room, no food, very few teachers and large numbers of cows around the school site. In short, it has been terribly difficult, but things are gradually taking shape.“ Rebecca has shown amazing resilience during these trials. During 2024 and 2025, as can be seen in the financial report, building work took place to improve the learning environment. Most importantly, in early 2025 St Francis and St Clare Charity made a donation covering the construction of a kitchen and operation of a school feeding programme, which made a huge difference to pupil attendance and general health. In spite of all the above challenges, pupils have done very well academically, so that in 2023 and 2024 the school leavers’ final exam results were the highest in the Nimule area, with a 100% pass rate. Rebecca has similar expectations for the cohort of 2025. In addition to Liberty Primary School, Rebecca has continued to support a number of deaf and blind children to attend special schools in Uganda. She is also supporting her school leavers so that they are able to attend secondary school in Nimule. All this work is done through OTE. She is a wonderful example of a truly dedicated person helping those in need. Welcome Home School (WHS) Tanzania WHS is a thriving primary school, as the photos on OTE’s website demonstrate. The money collected by OTE and passed to WHS was

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Section D Achievements and performance

used for the following purposes:

Total Funds Received and Allocated:

School library development: £1,276
School fees for 8 children: £4,067
Desks and chairs for Class 5: £1,600
Support for new school bus £915
Uniform support for Karibu Nyumbani children: £380
• Donations from volunteers for outings and their stay (Roger, Hilary, Gloria): £1,395
Other donations & Gift Aid for School Hall roof: £4758.60

Grand Total: £14,391.60 .

Below is a summary of some of the projects:

Library Project

One of the greatest blessings this year was the completion of our school library. Through the dedication of a young volunteer, Andres, and generous donors in England, we received enough books to fill the library. The cost of carriage and importing from England was paid by OTE the sum of £1276. This has already had a positive impact on reading culture, study habits, and curiosity among our pupils. Classroom Resources Project We sincerely thank OTE for the donation of £1,600 which provided desks and chairs for Class 5. These have greatly improved comfort, posture, and concentration in the classroom and have created a more respectful learning atmosphere.

New School Bus

We are very grateful to members of the Oxford prayer group who supported the buying of the New school bus to carry children to school each day. Amount used from donations- £915.

A BIG THANK YOU

None of the above work would be possible without the extremely generous financial support that OTE receives from its many supporters. "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

Section E Financial review

The charity holds limited reserves. It has little or no ongoing expenditure Brief statement of the commitments as all the administration is done by volunteers and all charity’s policy on reserves administrative costs are currently covered by the trustees. Where OTE is expecting to sponsor a student for a number of years, the trustees may hold a suitable amount in reserve to cover future years’ costs. However, the amounts so retained are relatively small.

As at 31/08/2025 the charity had a total of £9,223 (2024: £6,704) in its bank account.

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Details of any funds materially in deficit

Not applicable.

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;

The charity’s accounts have been produced on a receipts and payments basis. At the year-end, the charity was due Gift Aid from HMRC for the period from 13/06/2025 to 31/08/2025.

A claim for a payment of £2,352.95 was due at 31/08/2025. This was actually processed in the next financial year (01/09/2025 to 31/08/2026) and will be accounted for in that year since the charity’s accounts are produced on a receipts and payments basis.

investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

None.

Section G Declaration

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Signed Electronically Full name(s) Alan Keith Lion Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair etc)

Date 26[th] February 2026

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	Charity Name Opportunity Through Education	Charity Name Opportunity Through Education	Charity Name Opportunity Through Education	No (if any) 1179046	No (if any) 1179046
	Receipts andpayments accounts
	For the period from	Period start date 9/1/2024	To	Period end date 8/31/2025

Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Direct Donations 5,310 Returned of Failed Transfer Give As You Live 57 Income Tax Refund 890 6,257 *Sub total* Total receipts 6,257 A3 Payments Payments To Beneficiaries 4,968 Travel Costs Bank Fees Failed Bank Transfer Sub total 4,968 *Sub total* Total payments 4,968 Net of receipts/(payments) 1,289 A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end 5,309 Cash funds this year end 6,598 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ *Sub total*(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). A4 Asset and investment purchases,(see table)		to the nearest £ 26,645 4,191 30,836 30,836 30,350 30,350 30,350 486 63 549 Restricted funds REB	to the nearest £ Restricted funds LIZ	Total funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ Restricted funds WHS
			3,990 905 4,895	11,322	47,267
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				2,628	8,614
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				13,950	55,938

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			4,895	13,950	55,938

			3,710 3,710	14,392	53,420
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				14,392	53,420

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			3,710	14,392	53,420

		486	1,185 888 2,073	- 442	2,518
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		63		444	6,704
		549		2	9,222

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Details Santander Business Account Details Details Details Details Signature Signed Electronically *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))	to nearest £ 6,598 - - 6,598 OK to nearest £ - - - - - - Print Name Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates	to nearest £ Restricted funds
		2,624
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		2,624
		OK
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Signed Electronically	Alan Lion

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CC16a
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Last year

to the nearest £

58,892 7,400 31 6,267 - - - - 72,590

72,590

63,848 - 25 7,400 - - - - - 71,273

71,273 1,317 - 5,387 6,704

Dat8 of approval 212612026

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Opportunity Through Education On accounts for the year ended 31" August 2025 Charity no (if any) 1179046 Set out on pages 1and2 I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust'l for the year ended Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the reqLJiremenls of the Charities Act 2011 ('Ihe Act'i I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151{bl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no olher matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 11 MAR 2026 Name". Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any1= Address: CHARLES R. HUME. FCA Pirfold. Hurtmorè Road. Goi5almiTrg. Suriey GU7 2RB 01483 414302 &07484 128152 Email.. tharleshume@?ol.eom IER October 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern {see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. r/, o14¢y IER October 2018