The 4[th] Annual report of Devon Centocow Link CIO
Registered Charity No 1183269
1[st] April 2022 – 31[st] March 2023
Name of Charity: Devon Centocow Link
It was registered as a charity on 7[th] May 2019
Devon Centocow Link (DCL) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees (‘Foundation’ model constitution)
Number: Registered Charity No. 1183269.
Main charity address:
4 Tuffery Court, Devon road, Exeter EX4 7BR
Trustees:
Jane B Habermehl, Chair Stephen P White, Secretary Esther Hannah, Trustee / Signatory Mark Richards. Treasurer (from November 2021)
Bankers:
TSB, 22 The Strand, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1AG
Sort code: 30-93-15 Account no: 00995423
BIC: TSBSGB2AXXX
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A sketch of Centocow Mission Church by Jane Habermehl made during her visit in October 2019.
Summary of Objects
The prevention or relief of poverty in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and in particular but not exclusively in the Centocow area of KwaZulu-Natal by providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare projects and all the necessary support designed to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient.
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Chairpersons Report 1[st] April 2022 to 31[st] March 2023
Overview
This was another busy year for our partners in KZN and we were pleased to once again fund two important projects: The Quaker Relief grant for WLTP was in it’s second year and we successfully secured the third year of funding which began in November 2022 and the First Aid project was rolled out to the Pre-school teacher members of ISCA.
Home based achievements
Mark and Jane designed the new temporary Website and logo and we published a membership pack to attract new members, initially at the Respect Festival. Sadly, we were not able to have a presence at the Respect Festival as Jane and Mark were unable to travel from Spain for the event. We were able to put up an effective display and attract a lot of interest at the International Womens’ day event in March at the Phoenix centre and created a significant list of people interested in receiving newsletters.
Steve’s visit
Steve had another successful visit to Centocow during April. He met with Sibongile and was able to attend one of their workshops.
He bought some basic resources for the pre-schools and attend of the ISCA teachers´ meeting in which the new constitution was finally adopted. Nine members were elected to the management committee and Steve was able to help to transport the members who were to be signatories to the bank to finally establish their own ISCA account.
WLTP
Sibongile’s report shows continuing success, increased community awareness of the work they are achieving and the start of the workshops for men and boys.
Girls are now taking the initiative in clearing waste around local streams as well as testing local water. The introduction of the cleansing, rite of passage ritual for girls has also been continued within the communities.
The girls have passed on their knowledge to their peers at school, thereby developing their leadership skills and have participated in workshops on nutrition and women’s health, substance abuse and safety, human rights and sexual health rights.
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ISCA First Aid Project
In August We were sponsored for funding by Graham Prescott from The Just Trust who forwarded our application for £3000 to the Network for Social Change Charitable Trust . They raised £4325 for us and with the help of Zimbili we organised First Aid training for 60 teachers and First Aid kits for 60 nurseries. This was carried out in January and March 2023
A big thank you to all the trustees
Chairperson
We are continuing to work with our 4 partner organisations; FLP, ISCA,WLTP and Creighton Sunflower HELP
And are grateful for all their support and local knowledge that they bring to us.
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Extracts from the Women’s Leadership Training Programme (WLTP) Report for October 2022 – April 2023
This report will highlight progress made so far of girls’ leadership and working with girls on water in their schools and communities. It will look into the exciting development of working with boys and young men in the Centocow area. This brings back the work WLTP did in the past on decreasing abduction of girls for early marriages. This time, the process reveals the situation and the needs of the boys while looking at improving the relationship they have with girls and other females in their households and communities.
Girls and Water Advocacy
Girls were involved in workshops and actions in their areas. At this time their visibility was noticed by community members who asked questions and showed appreciation to the girls.
The Water Ritual in Makhongwane , aMaKhuze Tribal Authority
In July 2022, WLTP did a Water Ritual with girls and women elders of the Centocow community, focusing on Girls’ Identity, Spirituality and Mental Health. The girls learnt about the culture and traditions associated with Water both the Indigenous Knowledge and understanding the science of Water. It was clear that some parents are still using water for right of passage rituals for girls but others do not.
Despite being winter in Centocow some girls asked their mothers to take them to the clean streams and rivers for a physical, emotional and spiritual healing through interacting with water. Although this work started in July, it is continuing. WLTP is excited about this work as it brings restoration of girls, families and the Earth.
Water Work in Schools
The Girls were expected to do a presentation on water at school, train at least 15 school mates to use water testing equipment and to run a campaign on water which was in a form of petition.
Waste to Water Sources
The Girls in eMaKhuzeni Tribal Authority saw the amount of waste near streams and bus stops in their areas. They went to collect the waste so that it doesn’t get washed away towards the Pholela River which runs through their area. the waste was now becoming a health hazard and had potential to spread again. At the end, the girls had to burn that waste even though burning waste is not their option because of CO2 and Climate Change.
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Leadership Workshops and Water Advocacy give Purpose on Girls and Youth
The water advocacy work has given girls youth purpose and sense of activism in their areas. On the 31 December 2022, one took the initiative to test water in one of the streams. This was such an important act of this age group to decide to spend their New Years Eve to know about water. Surely these young people are fascinated by water and find purpose in it. Boys from the community also took part. This kind of working together is a positive sign WLTP would like to see multiplying. Promoting Water Citizen Science proved to be the way to go.
The Boys Workshop in Ixopo
WLTP had not held a workshop for 11 to 16 years old boys since pre-Covid times because of problems with funding. The lead facilitator was. Phiwa Mungwe, a 26 year-old “graduate” of WLTP’s Inhlabamkhosi (the Trail Blazers) Project in the past. The WLTP area coordinators assisted him, but recused themselves during the Sexuality session. SiNqobile Mbhele from Centocow and Thobeka Hadebe from Hlokozi, young men who are good role models, also attended. They will assist in working with the boys going forward.
The Workshops focused on Norms and Expectations. Trust building. Leadership. Sexuality and Morality. Alcohol and other Substance Abuse. Media. Patriarchy and GBV. Education - dreams and aspirations.
For most of the boys, this was their first workshop and they were shy at first. However, they soon participated confidently and many issues were picked up during discussions. It was good to hear the boys’ dreams and aspirations. But it emerged that boys are vulnerable and many lack family support systems. Boys spend far less time with their families than girls.
This is the area to follow up on as it indicated some deep issues and could be the cause for many problems we see in society. Some of the boys spend a lot of time on social media, mainly for fun or leisure. Most of the boys have experimented with drugs and/ or alcohol.
The Boys’ comments: A selection
“Gender based violence is not a good thing. It is wrong, and it violates other people. I will make sure that I help those who are the victims of GBV. I also heard about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and how it can ruin my whole life. I will make sure that I never taste it.“ Lwazi Mntungwa
“Since I learned about the dangers of social media, I will make sure that I cut the time I spend on it and take more time doing things that will develop my mind and with my family” Nhlakanipho Nxasana.
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The Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that all of the charity’s work is for the public benefit, both in Devon and in South Africa.
The Trustees of the Charity are legally responsible for the overall management and control of Devon Centocow Link (DCL) and meet regularly.
The trustees’ report and accounts were approved by a meeting on 8[th ] December 2023 and signed on their behalf by
Jane Habermehl
Chair
Stephen White Secretary
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Devon Centocow Link CIO Reg. Charity No: 1183269
Accounts for the period 1st April 2022—31st March 2023
These Accounts have been prepared on a Payments and Receipts Basis
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Devon Centocow nk Receipts and Payments A(counts 2022- 2023 Recelpts Unrestrlrted Funds Tthl Last Year 2021-22 Funds FunL15 Regular Donatvjns Occasional Donation5 665 665 645 533 533 Grant Fundinz Fund Raising Other- Gift Aid and Comrni5styJn5 Refund from Wise Foreign CencY Adjustment 9.865 9,865 22 5,499 22 147 147 352 511 511 21 21 TOTALS 10,376 11,764 6,496 PaymEnts Grants WLTP 5.021 5,021 3,754 738 713 FLP 1SC4- Pre-schools Total Grants 6,271 li,Z92 6,271 11,292 Admln 126 Finall and ProfessiL¥1 Publicrty & Marketinz li 265 265 Total Admln Z65 355 218 TOTALS 11.557 11,647 5,261 Net of Receipts I (paents) £ 1298 117 1.022 Transfers beiween furbds Cath Funds at last yearend 2022 1.153 $42 1,695 Cash Funds at this year Ènd 2023 £ 951 1.812 1.695 Statement of Assets and LOablltlOesat 3tst Marth 2023 Cash Funds Total FDd$ Cash at Bank (TSBI VFX acc Balance 521 430 235 626 756 1.056 ImlxofGBP&ZAftI Total Cash Funds 951 1.812 io
CHARITY COMMISSION. Indewident •xaminee$ FOR ENGLAND AND WALESI report on the accounts IfvIAAcrf 2013 1183261 2011 z3 ETIAEI) OVIL cths CL¥sr 3JS. Oti•bw>)18 li
See our Website: www.devon-centocow-link.org.uk or Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ Devon.Centocow.Link.
Email: info@devon-centocow-link.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)7974694545
Registered Charity Number 1183269
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