2021
ANNUAL REPORT
ORDINARY HERO UK
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WE EXIST TO LOVE THE FORGOTTEN, VULNERABLE, POOR, SICK CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF UGANDA.
WHO WE ARE!
Craig, a builder by trade, fell in love with Gulu, Northern Uganda in 2012 after travelling to help build a classroom. Torn by a 25 year civil war, Gulu was the epicentre of Kony’s LRA army, murdering, raping, and mutilating in a campaign of intimidation that displaced some two million people. Children were abducted and brainwashed into becoming soldiers and slaves. It’s estimated that Kony’s army abducted over 30,000 children, devastated families, livelihoods and communities. In the post-conflict period, the Ugandan Bureau of Statistics reports the north has the highest percentage of people living in poverty of all of Uganda. The devastation to their assets and livelihoods, and the harms they suffered during the attacks continue to affect them today, and many have never been able to recover what they lost.
Craig travelled back and forth for several years with the determination to make a difference to communities where there was no other support available.
Fast forward to 2018 after many years of fund-raising, travelling back each year to Gulu with teams of willing volunteers from the UK, Craig facilitated the building of a community church, a community medical centre and a fully functioning kitchen in a children’s remand home. He and his family decided to sell up in the UK and use the proceeds to relocate to Northern Uganda and throw themselves into full time charity work. OHUK was founded as a way to responsibly manage donations received from volunteers and supporters on community projects facilitated across Uganda.
With the objectives of the relieving of poverty, advancing education, providing recreational and leisure time activity with a view to improving the conditions of life here in Gulu, they are hands and feet on the ground. Their work in the early years could be described as organic and fluid although they have been so intentional in their approach of both building new and strengthening old relationships and connections made over the years while being all in and sold out to serve the community they have relocated into. They look at how they can build or improve community facilities to best support the needs of residents and help develop the community as a whole.
They have really put in the hours and worked so hard on the field and behind the scenes. They’ve started operations in Uganda to work closely with the community with a focus on micro objectives. These are to help relieve poverty, help the well-being of vulnerable children and adults through education, health security, medical provision, mental health awareness (through learning modules) and learning new skills.
With the help and advice of local leaders and local ministries they are bringing care to vulnerable families in need by practically showing love and support on a daily basis. They are intentionally working with vulnerable children and families to help provide health support, food support and education security that poverty can’t provide.
Sometimes the work they do is instantly gratifying, like when they facilitate the provision of life saving medical care but in most cases they are in this for the long haul through investing daily in relationships.
When reviewing our programmes, we have used both the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on the prevention or relief of poverty. Our trustees monitor the programmes undertaken to ensure they are in line with the charitable objectives and are available to our beneficiaries as widely as resources allow.
Lastly, we recognise the importance of our responsibility of the safeguarding of children/vulnerable adults and therefore have in place a safeguarding policy informing all associated personnel of their responsibilities regarding safeguarding.
A FOUNDER’S HELLO!
When we reflect back on 2021, we are awestruck. While grappling with the second year of the pandemic our team in Uganda managed to uphold our core values of community and respect. While our OHUK team never cease to amaze us, last year they exceeded our already high expectations as they wholeheartedly embodied a new value - resilience.
Despite coping with the personal challenges everyone faced as the pandemic trudged on, together, we rallied and supported the vast needs expressed by the community with more dedication and grit that we could have ever imagined. If we can thrive and survive through a two year long pandemic then we can accomplish anything!
It will come as no surprise that the pandemic and lockdowns continued to disrupt our operations and plans in a variety of ways including the cancellation of our personal programmes for the second consecutive year. As a couple we felt a deep responsibility to support our community members through the mental and physical challenges that resulted from the pandemic. Through it all OHUK was creative and resourceful in finding different ways to keep our programmes going, providing emotional and social support and shifting financial resources to focus on pandemic relief. As you will see in this report, our programmes deviated from ‘business as usual’ and reflected our response to the shifting needs of the community and now, as the pandemic comes back under control, we’re looking forward to getting back to what we do best, personally being present to love our community!
Thanks for sticking with us through two years of a global pandemic. Heres to the most amazing 2022.
Love Janine & Craig xxxx
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT ?
Our Approach,
We believe it should be fun to achieve good in the world.
We do our work for the joy of it: for the joy as a community making a lasting impact on another, and for the joy it brings to the people of our communities. Our mission statement is simple; Fostering growth and self-sufficiency in communities through relieving the everyday stresses of poverty through access to education, food security, health and economic well-being. We have established community and initiated programmes that integrate into peoples everyday lives. Craig and I believe that with access to education, creative expression and physical activity children are set up to thrive in all areas of life. Our multi-faceted approach allows us to reduce the barriers to education so that healthier children are raised.
Relationship is more important than task,
By focussing on the needs of the people around us our goals are accomplished via relationships. Our desire is to place importance on the feelings and happiness of the people around is rather than on our to-do lists. Craig and I believe through fostering positive relationships we can encourage great teamwork.
A culture of learning,
We know we don’t have all the answers which is why we listen more than we talk. We question our assumptions and are open to admitting when we are wrong. We realise good intentions are not enough when it comes to serving a community and we actively work to not replicate the bias and mistakes so often made by western philanthropy. Craig and I strive to be humble, curious, flexible and responsive to criticism and feedback. We act according to our core values which are:
. Altruistic . Stouthearted . Excellent . Friendly . Generous . Responsive . Resilient
Our strategy,
We begin by working with locals and leaders who know the most about the true needs, therefore, can help guide and assist us in implementing the most effective programmes. We ask first what the best way is to help, and then we take action. We believe this method assures the best, not only for those benefiting from the programmes, but also our OHUK family who assist with supplying the funds. We are committed to this wholeheartedly and work very hard behind the scenes.
Each one purchased stands in the gap for many children who cannot otherwise attend school.
RESPONDING TO COVID-19
Communities lost their sources of incomes due to the long lockdowns, prices of food hiked resulting in enormous unbudgeted expenses for OHUK.
We responded by fundraising through our best year yet with fun runs, sponsored walks, bake offs and the sale of our customised t-shirts and hoodies - this garment.
The continued unfolding COVID-19 crisis required us to adjust our operations on a daily basis. We shifted protocols, stepping up and responding to the pandemic. The pandemic has left a trail of hunger in its wake because of hiked food prices, the loss of income and long lockdowns. Our team continued to deliver life saving food to families in hard to reach areas.
THIS GARMENT PROVIDED FOOD FOR ANOTHER HUMAN
Your purchases made a huge difference between a child going to bed hungry or eating a nutritious meal. Meals were also provided for our students during home-school time. Our t-shirts and hoodies are still available and are still providing life saving food hampers to many families. Basically, each one sold = food for a family for a month. As a non-profit organisation, every penny makes a difference.
LITTLE HEROES EDUCATION PROGRAMME
Education is not free for any child in Uganda. It is a seemingly impossible task for many children and their families to fund an education, and a lot of children only manage to pay part of their fees.
THE POWER OF EDUCATION
Education is one of the most effective, long term ways to build peace. If the kids at our schools know peace, love and hope, we believe they will give peace, love and hope back to those around them. Often times, what individuals bring into adulthood is what they experienced in childhood. By investing in long term goals for these children, together we can create lasting change in areas plagued by conflict.
2021 brought with it a unique set of challenges for Uganda. It had the longest running school closure in the world. Our OHUK team delivered stationary, art supplies and established two home school centres to keep our students active, engaged and learning. This also provided teacher support for furloughed teachers. We remained in contact with each one of their students to support their studies.
Our education program in Uganda continues to flourish and we are looking forward to expanding them through 2022. Through 2022 we aim to equip our students with additional skills such as leadership, peace building and entrepreneurship so they can enter adulthood with a strong sense of who they are and contribute to their communities for years to come.
THIS GARMENT PROVIDED EDUCATION FOR ANOTHER HUMAN
We are always saddened to see how many children can not attend school in our community because their families can not afford the school fees, not only that, but by how many children are being sent home from school because they do not have shoes to wear, or a pencil to write with or their families have fallen behind with paying school fees.
We have provided a scholarship for many children in our community to attend junior and senior schools in the area but we know we can and want to do much more, especially in the wake of the devastation COVID-19 (and subsequent 2 year school closure) has left for children already in need.
We responded in 2021 by adding another customised, original t-shirt - to stand in the gap for kids in need of education and education supplies. ALL proceeds from these t-shirt sales contribute positively to education in the lives of vulnerable children. We want to get kids back into school learning and with the right materials.
STANDING IN THE GAP
When we stand in the gap for others, we are asking you to help others when they cannot help themselves. We are asking you to protect, care, and assist others when all seems lost. No one wants to see others hurt, scared, or hopeless. By seeking out the needs of people and expanding and growing based on those needs, we hope to make a lasting impact.
For OHUK standing in the gap looks like saying yes to assist with medical fees for a young women we heard of who had miscarried, thank you heroes for standing in the gap for her. It looks like saying yes to sending fruit to the local remand home to help supplement the kids limited diets. It looks a lot like saying yes and then finding a way to make it possible regardless of circumstances. It looks like not judging others.
SPECIAL TOUCHES
The health and well-being of our community depends on more than just nutrition, and we provide a few special touches for our community in addition to delivering food through COVID crisis.
To make the holiday season brighter, in December, we provided each families with cake and soda, and because every birthday is worth celebrating, a personalise a birthday cake is delivered for as many as we can fund.
Home-schooling through the pandemic.
LETS BUILD
Established in 2014 the community medical centre serves over 600 people a month. It is located in Pece, on the outskirts of Gulu City. 2022 will see another addition to its services, funded by OHUK.
Each year since 2012 we have brought a team together from across the water and together with a local team we have invested into the future of our community through structures. Some of our builds include adventure playgrounds, a church, toilet facilities and a fully functional kitchen for the local remand home.
Craig and I would love to welcome you to come build with us, join our internship programme or just come do life alongside us to experience life in the Pearl of Africa, Uganda.
Our annual report tells the story of what happened because you stood alongside OHUK. 2021 was another year full of challenges. The unfolding COVID-19 crisis required us to adjust our operations. Then and now, we treat people with respect and dignity no matter their circumstances. These are anxious times. Our deepest gratitude goes to the entire OHUK community for their commitment and care. Because of you, our community know we are there for them.
Thank you for loving and advocating for our friends around the world. Thank you for taking action. Thank you for giving, praying, and sharing. You are making a difference and we couldn’t do any of the work we do without you.
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LETS STAY IN TOUCH!
HELLO@ORDINARYHEROUK.COM
PO BOX 1231 / GULU / AFRICA
@ORDINARYHEROUK
FACEBOOK.COM/ORDINARYHEROUK
UK CHARITY NUMBER 1182592
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HELP US TO LOVE WITH OPEN ARMS LIKE YOU DO.
A LOVE THAT ERASES ALL THE LINES AND SEES THE TRUTH.
OH THAT WHEN THEY LOOK IN OUR EYES THEY WOULD SEE YOU GOD, EVEN IN JUST A SMILE, THEY WOULD FEEL THE FATHERS LOVE.
AMEN.
ORDINARY HERO UK 1182592
Receipts and payments accounts For the period 1ST JANUARY2021 31ST DECEMBER To from
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Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Operations (donations and fundraising) 10,046 10,542 - 20,588
Program fees 7,705 - 7,705
Sales income 13,666 - 13,666
- -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - - -
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 23,712 18,247 - 41,959
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - -
Total receipts 23,712 18,247 - 41,959
A3 Payments
Operations 7,512
Sales 5,027
Programs 26,096
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total 12,539 26,096 - 36,635
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - -
Total payments 12,539 26,096 - 38,635
Net of receipts/(payments) 11,173 - 7,849 - 3,324
A5 Transfers between funds - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end - - - -
Cash funds this year end 11,173 - 7,849 - 3,324
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Unrestricted | Restricted | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | funds | funds | |
| B1 Cash funds | Cash at bank | Total cash funds | to nearest £ 12,994 - - 12,994 |
to nearest £ - - - - |
| (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
Agreement Error | Agreement Error | ||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | |||
| funds | funds | |||
| B2 Other monetary assets | Details | to nearest £ - - - - - - |
to nearest £ - - - - - - |
|
| B3 Investment assets | Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) - - - - - |
|
| B4 Assets retained for the | Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) - |
|
| charity’s own use | - - - - - - - - |
|||
| Fund to which | Amount due | |||
| B5 Liabilities | Details | liability relates | - - - - - (optional) |
|
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Signature | Name |
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CC16a
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Last year
to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - 35,792
35,792
31,281
31,281 4,511 - - 4,511
Endowment funds
to nearest £
-
OK
Endowment funds to nearest £
-
Current value (optional)
-
Current value (optional)
When due (optional)
Date of approval
- Checklist The Directions and documèntatlo Step don•7 Workin9 paper referèncè Direction 1: Check wh•th•r th• charity is eligible to have an independent examination Checked the charity audit Ihreshokl applwrKJ to the accounts to be reviewed Checked an audf( is rK)t required for an other reason conf1rnd the cha Is el1le for iThlependenl examInat)n Confim)ed the amount of the ¢anWs irthme to figu shown the accounts linc111r0 any branthesl and (x)nfirrrd that income atml assets are bebw the audii thresknkl or, rf applicable, obtained a ¢x)py of the lettei from the Commi55MJn rovin an audii dispensation If the charty has one or more subshsiaries o)nfiTm&Y that go)up account5 are not required b law If a chartsbk company checked that the atrt exemptK)n slatetnent has been made If applicable. red)ecked the threthkj cakubtK)n duriThJ the examination If the charrtls iome is rre than £250.(KK) confirned that the examiner is a member of one of the listed iK)dies If applicable, informed the trustees that the drity 15 not ible foi an independent examinatK)n If receipts and payments accounts have been prepareLI. checked that the charrty's gross IrMe is less than £250,0(KJ and that rt is not a com an If receipts ar%J payments accvunts have PTepar&J. the that there is Th) requirement to prepare accrua15 accounts in Ihe chari ovèmi documenl or for an other reason If applicable, informed the trustees that the (tharrty is nol eligible to prepare receipts and payments accounts Direction 2: Check for any conflict of int•r•st that prevents the examiner from carrying Out thèir independent examinatlon Confirmed that Ihefe are no ck)se personal rdationships v the Irtjstees that compromise independence ConfirnRd as haviThJ m the day to day involvement in the administratKin of the ¢*arrty If prOdIng olher seN¢es to the tharity then confim)&Y that all the criteria in DirectK>n 2 necessa for independence are met Identrfied that there are no circumstances in the examiner's Jthlgment that wouhl reasonably lead to the perception that the exaTniner is not iTKlependent (k
The Directions and documentation Stop done? Working paper r•f•rent• Consider&J whether sufficiently skilled to cary out the examination and. where required, (x>nffir[1 MembeIp of a listed bod If applicable, infomied the trustees that you are t elwJible to out the inde ndent examin8tK)n Direction 3: Record your independent examination File of worknw papers prepar&1 to doojment the vK)rk undertaken (see the Direction for gUar on key Evidence of a intmenl on file 11 issued, letter of eroa emenl s ned b the trustees on fi Documentation of steps required by Direction 1 are all Documentation that steps required b DirectK)n 2 are all done Analytical review documented Areas of concem entIfied and tTh)ted vthetherthese ere resolved or if unresolved arKI sKJnthant have 1ndlJ them in the examinerfs port VerifirAtK>n and vouchiThJ proCedUS UlertakeTr 8rKI any checks made are on fi Copy of approved aco)unts on fi Copy of trustees. annual on fi Copies of inlomatM)n relied uwn as part of the èxaminatK)ll are on file If applicable, copies of written assLsrances given Recorded the conclusK)ns drawn as an out(x)me of the independent examinatJn that SUPFOrt Ihe examinerfs retKJrt are on file Recorded any matters of material SwJnfficar aboLrt ¥thich a rewrt must be made direct lo the CommtSSK)n Recorded whether to exercise dire1)n and report on relevant matters direct to the Commission Direction 4= Plan our inde ndent examination Obtained an understsnding ol the charity's constitLrtK)n. objethves, organisational structure, the fijnds managwj. its actiwties and ac(x)unli rewr(Is and s tems Planned specrfic examinatK)n procedures appropriate to the circumstances ol the tharrty Reviewed whether any areas for improvement were advised to the tnjstees in the pviouS yearfs independent examir*rfs report lor audrt rert arKI wnanagement letter) and IcM)ked to seerfan action taken conside the financ¢al risks hjentifigj and, Whe 3c(xuals accounts prepar&l. considered whether the trustees have ewdence that sknws that the charrty is a goir¥J concem Noted any implicatKTrns for the examinerfs rep)rt and for s¢parale reportin to the CommissK)n
Step Working paper reference uired Standa arKI (xJnskler&Y rf the have been ke I lo the uir&J staThJard Ask1 the Injstees aiKKrt they ensure the aco)urit records are a)mplete If correthns male or rrdS cTrat duriro the examinalw)n. the trustee a dl for these has twi ht aThJ obtainj Ask the trustees rf cairi&J out a revie ofthe thaTrVs Noled any implK3lKJns for the examYrfs rw aThl for pardte rert1Thj to the Commissi( Direction 6: Che¢k that the accounts ar• consl$tènt with thg accounti copar1 the acwunts with the uThJe Checked )me entries fM the IBtiro oftrawcth)ns of Incon arnt experMlrtUW8 to as bank ststements. aThJ recei If applicable. confim&J that the trustees habp laken the ressary slep5 to èrT$IrE that StrICt orerKkn%eJ fLThJs are (x)rTEdy reported in accounts nL t)th supwrtaj the rn the awmjllts Direction 7: tl thè accounts arn prepared on an accn place the examiner must check rf thtse weY• property disclosed in the notes to the accounts rnle arKI a coMpte ConshYerl vhthr are any nlCall)n5 for examinerfs rtaThYre If re(sipts arvj pats 8(XXMJllts pr8pa aThJ 3 paty trdnsa(thn te was provkywl. th8n Th)te for an IKatK>ns for the examinerfs Direction 8: Chock the reasonablerbes5 of th8 significant estlmates and judgments and xcountlng polic•es used in accounlsng lor the types of fund held arKI in th• fvjl have been wrrBdy ac*jnt for rep)rt in the acwunls Checked the Wnats1er of any svJnrfK2nt estwnates or
The Dire¢tion$ and (hxumentation St•p done7 Working paper rèterence Where accruals accounts are prepad. checked that the accountirrfJ policies adopted are )nSIstent wth the SORP aThJ area nate to the actiwties of the whe accruals accounts are prepa, checked that the accounts were re ar&1 on a 1X)nrn basis Noted any Implicatn5 for the examinerfs report and for separate reportin to the Commission D1Ction 9: The examiner must check whether the trustees have conSided the financial circumstanc•s of the charity at the end of thè reporting period and. if the accounts are prepared on an accruals basis, check whether thè trust••s hav• made an assessment of the charitys position as a going concem when approving the accounts Asked the tnjstees whether they expect the (tharrty to be able to settle outstsndirKJ invoKes. bills arKI ¢x)mmilments as and when they fall due Nl¢ N(t Asked the trustees atout the reserves policy and the adequa¢y of the level of reserves heh Where accruals a¢¢ounls are prepared. thed{l that the trustees. have made an assessment of g)iTrJ concem aThJ that their assessment is reasonable gen thè irrformalK>n awailabbe it Where accruals actounts are prepaTed, checked that the SORP'S di%losures aiK)Ut going (X)nrn have been made It Noted any implicath)ns for the examinerfs report and for separate reporting to the CommissK>n Direction 10: Check the form and content of the accounts Where receipts and payments accounts have been ppared, hecked that the charrty Can lawfvlly pare such acLy)unl5. that all the aco)unliThJ statements a present and that the funds of the charty are correcuy identrfied Where accruals accounts are prepared. chec*ed Ihat they wrth the SORP and applirable accounti standard If the chanty is a company. checked that the accounts also com wththea licable com uirements Note(l any implicatK)ns for the examinerfs report aThJ for separate K)rtin to Ihe ComfflissK>n Direction 11: Identify items from the analytical review of the accounts that need to be follrywed up ftx lurther explanation or eNYdence Carried OLrt an anal cal review r4lt
St•p
Worklng
paper
ferenc•
accounts for e
natK)n or SUprtI
Ifthe acww7ts (x)uhJ be materiaty m*tl. addii•)nal
were undertaken arKJ the examw is Satis that the rtthsl
Notwj any IMrAKat for the exaMw5 arml for
soparate
DirBctlon 12: C<xnpaffe the truslws. annual rep(¥i wrth th•
Checked that any fyure lor reser¥e5 qtj in Ihe trtee5.
nnual
rt is not maleria
Compared the trusl&s' annual rewrt vhth the aco)unts forany
material irKJ)nsi
Noted any imp5KatKJns forthe exam$ rwt arnl lor
rate re
to the Commiss
DSrection 13: Write and sign the indepond•nt tlmInlk
ReweNwJ thè (x)ndu5K)ns lyom the ind
ent examinatK)n
ConsKIwd %thether the exalninat has •lenlifiI a matter of
conrn that slM)uhJ be re[)rt in the exaMIrt
Reportwj Matte of Tnaterial sbJnffjKxnce di[1 ID tr
Commission
A4. E.