Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/01/2023 Period start date To Period end date
31.12.2023
Charity name: The Happiness Project Ghana
Charity registration number: 1190295
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1. Advancing the education of the pupils at Kankaboom Children’s School by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities for education 2. Helping to prevent or relieve poverty in Ghana, West Africa 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 selfsufficient 3. Creating a world in which all children are free to develop and flourish. Helping to shape a society in which all children have access to education and medical care. 4. Supporting families struggling with various challenges and give them the assistance they need to encourage self- sustainability |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The charity supports the community through: -High quality educationfrom kindergarten 1&2 till basic 3 in Kankaboom Children’s School which is built by the charity and is regularly adjusted to meet the needs of our students, staff and the local community.- -Family social supportto encourage families to help themselves in the long run, e.g., by us providing microgrants, loans, or resources to start businesses to support their own families in the future. -medical care for families in rural communities(after assessment and if logistically and financially possible) to provide transportation to hospital assist in purchasing treatments to most common illnesses. Where possible the Happiness Project Ghana will |
| take community members to the hospital and covers their costs as well as educating them on how to spot symptoms in the future and the importance of health care. The charity also organises clinics to be run through the community to test community members for illnesses such as HIV, Malaria or Diabetes for free and provide treatment if tested positive. -Guaranteed free medical insurance, for students and staff of Kankaboom Childrens’s School: Which does not cover all treatment/medication but does reduce the cost of most. The cost of medical insurance for a child is £2.50 per year. Every student is enrolled in the Ghanaian medical insurance system. -_Implemented feeding_programwhich guarantees every student a healthy and nutritious lunch during the school day. -Constant access to clean drinking water for students and staff of Kankaboom Children’s School which is not accessible in rural communities. Clean drinking water protects our students and staff from water- borne diseases that can be fatal when ingested, such as typhoid, cholera, and Hepatitis A & E. The charity ensures, that the access to clean water is constantly given for our staff and students. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have been provided with access to the Public Benefit Guides produced by the Charity Commission |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | 2023, The Happiness Project Ghana focused on consolidating stability and strengthening the educational environment for all beneficiaries. Following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the school successfully re- established regular operations and expanded its capacity. Additional teachers were recruited, enabling improvements to both the curriculum and the school meal programme. These developments built on the significant infrastructure improvements completed in 2022, when the school was fully renovated and a new canteen was constructed. The recruitment of additional teaching staff has positively transformed daily school operations and enabled the establishment of structured routines that support effective teaching and learning. During the summer holidays, a Summer School programme was implemented. This initiative provided continued educational opportunities for all students, with a particular focus on children with additional learning needs. The programme also ensured that children had access to a safe and supportive learning environment during the holiday period while their parents were working. As a result of these efforts, clear progress has been achieved. Students’ educational outcomes have improved significantly, and the sense of community within Kankaboom has been strengthened. Teachers have received training and professional development, enabling them to deliver higher quality education and further improve the learning environment. In addition, the regular provision of school meals has had a positive impact on students’ wellbeing. Improved nutrition has contributed to better health, increased concentration, and stronger engagement in the classroom. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the reporting period, The Happiness Project Ghana remained in a stable and positive financial position. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation experienced an increase in donations, which strengthened the charity’s financial capacity throughout the year and towards the end of the reporting period. At the same time, it was anticipated that expenditure in 2023 would be significantly higher than in 2022. This increase was primarily due to the school operating throughout the full year, the recruitment of additional staff, and the expansion of the school meal programme. As a result, the organisation reassessed its fixed operating costs and adjusted its financial planning accordingly. In order to ensure financial stability, a portion of the reserves from 2022 was carried forward into 2023. Combined with the increased level of donations, this enabled the charity to consistently cover its fixed operational costs and maintain the stability of its programmes. In addition, the improved financial position allowed the organisation to undertake minor renovation and maintenance works at the school, further strengthening the learning environment for the beneficiaries. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Happiness Project Ghana maintains financial reserves in order to ensure the continued and stable operation of the school and its programmes. Based on the organisation’s experience over recent years, operating costs have increased significantly. In addition, Ghana has experienced periods of high inflation, which has affected the cost of staff, food supplies and general school operations. Given that the operation of a school requires consistent and reliable funding, the charity considers it essential to maintain a level of reserves. These reserves ensure that the school can remain open and continue to provide education, meals and a safe learning environment for its beneficiaries, even in periods of financial uncertainty or rising costs. Holding reserves therefore enables the organisation to meet its responsibilities, maintain financial stability and ensure the continuity of its educational programmes.. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | The total reserves, including the 2022 reserves as well as income and expenditure in this financial period are: £10.397,76. |
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 reserves Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 deficit Explanation of any Para 1.23 uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution adopting the Charity Commission’s model constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| 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 |
Para 1.25 | New trustees are appointed by a decision of the charity trustees- The decision is based on skills, knowledge, experience and passion towards the charity’s purposes, work, and visions. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The Happiness Project Ghana is led and managed by volunteer Trustees. In the financial period there are 3 volunteer trustees and 10 paid staff members in Ghana, working for the school. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The charity works independent and is not related to any other party. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The Happiness Project Ghana |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | HPG |
| Registered charity number | 1190295 |
| Charity’s principal address | 290 Andover Road RG20 0LL Newbury |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadee Faye Gerayesh-Nejad |
Chair | |||
| Hannah Meyer | Trustee | |||
| PhilipLLoyd | Trustee | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) |
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
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) Hannah Meyer Position (eg Secretary, Trustee (Treasurer) Chair, etc)
Date 06.03.2026
Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) for The Happiness Project Ghana (1190295)
Financial Period 01/01/2023 – 31/12/2023
| Income | £ | Expenditure | £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Donations | 5,927.03 | School Operations | 3,410.00 |
| German Donations | 18,650.97 | School Meals | 8,188.00 |
| Grants | 0 | Staff Costs | 5,741.00 |
| FundraisingIncome | 0 | Maintenance & Renovations | 3,290.00 |
| Other Income | 0 | Administrative Costs | 1,200.00 |
| Total Income | 24,578.00 | Total Expenditure | 21,829.00 |
| Net Income for the Year | 2,749.00 |
Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2023
| Assets | £ |
|---|---|
| Bank Account |
10,397.76 |
| Cash in Hand |
0.00 |
| Total Assets |
10,397.76 |
| Funds / Equity |
|
| Opening Balance (Funds carried forward from previous years) |
7,648.60 |
| Net Income for 2023 |
2,749.16 |
| Total Funds | 10,397.76 |
Notes to the Accounts
1. Basis of Accounting
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and include all income received and expenditure paid during the financial year. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and applicable charity accounting guidance.
2. Income
The charity’s income during the year consisted mainly of voluntary donations from supporters in the United Kingdom and Germany.
3. Expenditure
Expenditure during the year relates primarily to the support and operation of the school project, including school operations, school meals, staff costs, maintenance and administrative expenses.
4. Reserves
At the end of the financial year the charity held reserves of £10,397.76 in its bank account. These reserves include funds carried forward from the previous year (£7,648.60) and the surplus generated during the current financial year.
5. Trustee Remuneration
No trustee received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses during the year.
Approved by the Trustees on: [06.03.2026]
Name: Hannah Meyer
Signature: