ALSAMA PROJECT
Private Company Limited by Guarantee
Charity Registration No: 1191810 Company Registration No: 12433605
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
ALSAMA PROJECT Contents Period ended 31 July 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 2 |
| Report of the Trustees | 3-10 |
| Report of the Independent Auditors | 11-14 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 15 |
| Balance Sheet | 16 |
| Cash Flow Statement | 17 |
| Notes forming part of the Financial Statements | 18-25 |
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ALSAMA PROJECT Legal and administrative information Period ended 31 July 2025
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The structural and administrative details for the Charity are as follows:
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1.1. Name: Alsama Project
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1.2. Type of entity: Private Company Limited by Guarantee
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1.3. Date of incorporation: 30 January 2020
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1.4. Registered Charity Number: 1191810
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1.5. Company number: 12433605
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1.6. Registered and principal office: 5[th] Floor, 30-31 Furnival Street, London, EC4A 1JQ
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2.1. Meike Ziervogel
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2.2. Elizabeth Mary Robertson
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2.3. Richard Verity
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2.4. Christopher John Lindsay Teesdale
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2.5. Suhir Helal
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2.6. Dr Paul Mitchell
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2.7. Ketish Pothalingham
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2.8 Trevor Russell (appointed 4[th] August 2025)
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2.9 Krishnan Narayanan (appointed 4[th] August 2025)
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The bankers are: Banque Banorient France
193-195 Brompton Road London SW3 1LZ
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The solictors are: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP 22 Bishopgate London EC2N 4BQ
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The auditors are: Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
3rd Floor 44 Peter Street Manchester M2 5GP
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ALSAMA PROJECT Trustees Report Period ended 31 July 2025
The trustees present their report together with the financial statements for the seven month period ended 31 July 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019.
Financial review, achievements, performance and future plans
History
Alsama Project began as a small female empowerment centre in January 2020, providing awareness, cricket and yoga sessions to teenage girls in Shatila refugee camp. These girls were living in poverty, vulnerable to early marriage, and were almost all illiterate. It was their request to learn Arabic, English and budgeting that compelled Meike Ziervogel
Education Centres
Alsama Project currently supports five education centres, two in Shatila camp, Beirut, two in Bourj el-Barajneh camp, Beirut and one in Jaramana, Damascus. Our students are out-of-school refugee teenagers, the majority of whom are female.
In December 2022, Alsama Project was educating 400 teenagers in two centres. In April 2023, we opened our third and in March 2025 we launched our centre As for 2026, Alsama is planning to open a 5[th] Alsama school. Currently, across our five education centres Alsama educates 1,130 teenagers. Over the next five years, Alsama aims to expand to more than 40 education centres and play a key role in delivering education opportunities to refugees returning to Syria.
The Alsama Team opening Bourj 2 February 2024
Curriculum Development
It is a significant challenge to educate out-ofcurriculum has been specially designed to fit 12 years of standard schooling into 6 years. Our curriculum has been designed using 4 inputs: international standards, internal expertise, external consultation and student feedback.
Alsama curriculum: developing a growth mindset, taking responsibility, preparing for higher education or employment, building essential competencies, living with ethics and
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ALSAMA PROJECT Trustees Report Period ended 31 July 2025
balance, and discovering their own definition of success.
Alsama project aims to provide a world-class, holistic education, rather than basic literacy and numeracy. Students study Maths, English, Arabic, IT, Science, Professionalism, Awareness, Art, Music and Yoga. Lessons are focused on
Sustainability
Our education system is consistent and sustainable. We teach for 5 days a week, 44 weeks a year. This is achieved at 1,240.
A major focus for Alsama in 2024 was securing formal school accreditation. To achieve this, we hosted a virtual WASC visit and undertook a comprehensive, organisation wide review of Alsama. In February 2025, both Shatila centres were successfully accredited, followed by accreditation of both Bourji centres in June 2025. As a result, all Alsama students now graduate from an internationally accredited school, strengthening their eligibility for higher education and access to professional employment pathways. We continue to maintain a strong and collaborative relationship with WASC, working closely with their team to drive ongoing reflection, quality assurance and continuous improvement across all centres.
Alsama is deeply embedded into its communities. 91% of paid staff are local, and we offer employment opportunities to top students. We provide awareness, empowerment and literacy classes to parents. Alsama operates under the protection of its camp neighbours: we respect local expectations and have established mutual trust. This ensures our longevity. Last September we had a waiting list of 850 prospective students demonstrating our community support.
Extracurricular Development
Alsama recognises the importance of extracurricular activities in creating well-rounded, empowered individuals.
1. Music
In September 2023, Alsama opened its Music department. At the time of writing, 400 students receive one group music lesson per week. Alsama also offers instrumental lessons on piano, guitar, violin, oud and derbaké to 120 students. Our music programme focuses on collaboration and performance: we held our first concert in late 2023, including ensemble and individual performances. We now hold 3 concerts per year in March, June and December.
In 2025, we currently provide music lessons across all four education centres and offer more instrumental lessons. The music department has worked hard in 2025 to create a more structured music curriculum across our schools. Our syllabus combines performance and music theory and incorporates both Western classical and non-Western musical traditions. We held two professional collaborations in 2025, with Garsington Opera and the City of London
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Symphonia. We have also recently started music outreach trips, such as the recent visit to the Sursock Musuem, as well as planned future attendance at concerts in Beirut.
2. Hiking
hiking programme. For many of our students, who live in overcrowded urban camps, this was their first time in nature. In 2024, we had 4 hikes in the Chouf mountains, and our top class is currently preparing to take their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Building on this momentum, the programme has expanded significantly. As of 2025
the opportunity to participate in two hikes per year. By organising students into groups and offering hikes across a range of difficulty levels, we have strengthened the structure and accessibility of the programme. Following the launch of the Duke of Edinburgh Award last year, we now have 25 Bronze and 18 Silver DOE participants.
Cricket
Cricket Hubs
In October 2018, we ran a one-week cricket camp, supported by Capital Kids Cricket and McKinsey. On the first day, 20 children attended. On the second, 200 children turned up. By the end of the week, Alsama had decided to establish dren with 6 hours of cricket training every week.
By 2025, Alsama has now expanded to 16 cricket hubs across three camps, Shatila, Bourj al Barajneh and Al Marj, a tented camp in the Bekaa valley. We currently have 829 cricket players which are spread across softball and hardball. 2025 was also the year Alsama hosted its first hardball tournament in which Alsama played against teams from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India.
Community Impact and Partnerships
community. Cricket is a non-contact sport, which means that boys and girls can play together without transgressing cultural boundaries. It requires a wide range of strategic and athletic skills, making it accessible to children with differing abilities. Cricket training works in parallel with our education centres to foster collaboration, leadership and commitment.
Our programme connects refugee players to a wider community, in Lebanon and beyond. In 2023, we held six championships: single-sex, mixed and hardball. We play regular matches with other local teams from Pakistan, India and UNIFIL.
We have continued to develop our coaching capacity. In 2023, we ran our fourth Leadership Course, supported by the Marylebone Cricket Club. After completing 8 hours of intensive training per day, 14 students advanced to ICC
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ALSAMA PROJECT Trustees Report Period ended 31 July 2025
Level 2. In 2024 we hosted group of students will take their ICC Level 1 exam in late 2024.
Academic Scholarships
Alsama Project is preparing a pathway to support high-achieving students to access higher education and skilled employment following their G12++ qualification. Alsama is working with five top global universities; The University of Leicester, university of Cambridge, MUBS Lebanon, Arizona State University and Moravian University all who have pledged tuition funding for 35 Alsama students. Alsama is working to expand partnerships with scholarship providing foundations and universities to support sustainable access to scholarships for future high-achieving Alsama students.
G12++ Qualification
t Grade 12-equivalent exam qualification tailor-made for refugee/displaced youth, providing them with an officially recognised certificate to open up pathways to higher education. Using data from across its education centres. Alsama has developed a solution to a global problem: only 7% of all university-age refugee youth access tertiary education (UNHCR). The G12++ offers an accessible, inexpensive examination that tests critical thinking and applicable skills, rather than simple recall.
In 2023, Alsama designed its prototype examination, developed with input from professional test writers and academics. We have since benefitted from partnerships with Cambridge Assessment, Oxford Measured and other pre-eminent assessment consultancies who have helped guide our work. Alsama has also created a network of
Since then, Alsama has been pursuing equivalency from Ecctis, a UK-benchmarking agency that will confirm G12++ equivalency with UK school-leaver exams. This will pave the way for official international accreditation and broader university recognition in 2026. However, pioneering Universities have already committed to supporting the G12++, both in its development and in accepting the G12++ as an admissions tool, and by offering undergraduate scholarships to students successful in earning the G12++ certificate. These include, in Labanon: The Modern university of Business and Science, in the UK: University of Leicester and The University of Cambridge and in the US: Moravian University and the Arizona State University.
The G12++ Advisory Board comprises Presidents and Pro-Vice Chancellors of these partner Universities, as well as visionary leaders in the space of refugee empowerment and of education and assessment.
In 2026, we will launch the first official G12++ exam in February, secure International accreditation and university recognition and will take Alsam
Social Enterprises
Alsama currently incubates two social enterprises: Alsama Studio and the Arabic Language School.
Embroidery Cooperative
Alsama Studio -made tatreez embroidery while generating dignified, sustainable income for refugee women. Based in Shatila Refugee Camp, the Studio is made up of 50 female artisans, many of whom are mothers of Alsama Students.
Led by Zeinab Mekdad, Director of Alsama Studio, the enterprise produces embroidered clothing, accessories and homeware, including purses, belts, cushions, bags and bookmarks.
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Arabic Language School
Founded in 2024 by an ex-Alsama student, the Arabic Language School offers beginner to advanced Arabic lessions in the Levantine dialect to anyone who want to learn Arabic.
Staffed by students who have achieved an excellent level of English and Arabic, the language school creates opportunities for students to begin learning business skills and earning independent income.
HQ
-theoffice in our first education centre in Shatila. This means our administrative team is in close contact with the communities we serve.
In 2025, Alsama strengthened its HQ. We hired a Growth Officer to lead the expansion of our new schools and a MEAL Officer to ensure we are meeting our targets in the schools we already have. Additionally, we have increased staff in
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The increase in staff in 2025 has allowed Alsama and Power BI. These systems have greatly improved our databases and reporting allowing for better decision making and accountability.
Alsama remains an active member of the Lebanon Humanitarian and Development Forum and the Education Sector, enabling close collaboration with peer organisations and alignment with national priorities.
Over the past year, Alsama has strengthened and professionalised its internal operations through the introduction of a scalable, benchmarked salary structure and continued maintenance of WASC accreditation across all centres. We have also invested in systems and governance, rolling out the Odoo enterprise system to automate HR and finance processes and updating core organisational policies on safeguarding, recruitment, data protection, emergency response and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. operational resilience and readiness for continued growth.
Franchise
Over the past year, Alsama has focused on laying the foundations for sustainable growth, ensuring that our educational model can expand without compromising quality, consistency, or safeguarding. This work has centred on strengthening our internal systems, governance and core educational frameworks so the organisation is operationally ready to grow.
During 2025, we made significant progress in strengthening our HR, finance, safeguarding and data systems, creating a more resilient operational base. We also developed practical tools to support future expansion, including
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onboarding materials, launch guidance and operational handbooks for new centres. Alongside this, a McKinsey supported project focused on teacher training, curriculum development and instructional quality, helping to clearly pproach.
In 2025, Alsama piloted a partner-run centre, generating valuable operational and educational learning. Building on these insights, we are planning to open our first full centre in Homs at the start of 2026, marking an important phase of growth.
The February 2026 escalation of conflict in Beirut has increased humanitarian needs, with civilians facing displacement and disruption to essential services including education. The situation remains unpredictable, creating operational challenges and increasing risks for charitable activities in the region. The trustees continue to monitor remains compliant with its humanitarian objectives. Already during the autumn 2024 escalations, Alsama showed the ability to adapt to periods of uncertainty by ensuring continuation of education through online teaching as well as offering temporary education for those that are displaced.
Sustainability and Reserves
Alsama Project operates its own education centres and cricket hubs. This means that our costs are steady and longterm. 60% of our on-the-ground costs in Lebanon represent staff employed as freelancers, who are paid monthly. Most other costs are also regular, e.g. rent and transportation and these costs are paid by Alsama Project Lebanon and reimbursed by us. Alsama Project does not subcontract to third parties. All expenditure is supervised by the CEO, Meike Ziervogel.
Costs have risen in 2025, as we have opened a fifth education centre and will continue to rise as we plan to open a sixth education centre in 2026 and further cricket hubs. Costs are also increasing due to high inflation in Lebanon. Alsama
and maintain reserves with prudence.
The non-renewal of funding by any one significant donor could have serious adverse effects on the provision of education. To ensure stability, the trustees currently maintain at least 6 rolling basis. For the 2025/26 fiscal year we forecast to spend around $2,000,000; the current level of reserves (including restricted and unrestricted funds) of $1,340,000 is just below this range but we anticipate that we will bring in $2,200,000 in donations this year which will lead to an increase in our reserve levels.
Alsama Project is delighted that so many of its donors have repeatedly donated to the charity. 4/5 of donations in 2025 were donations from foundations, corporations and individuals who have gifted previously. This is particularly gratifying as it shows that not only are so many donors maintaining their commitment in 2025 from previous years but some have substantially increased their donations. In addition, Alsama Project received some especially generous first-time donations in 2025 from a number of foundations and individuals. The trustees are extremely grateful for this continued support. In 2025, we will continue to show all our donors the impact of their donations on educating and empowering the refugee communities which we serve.
Alsama Project uses cash balances to earn deposit interest ahead of the months before the cash is spent. It also aims to maintain more of its cash balances in US dollars to hedge it against movements in sterling and Euro. In 2025 balances have been built up in the sister Alsama Project US and kept in US dollars while earning interest.
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Risk Management Policy
Staff in Beirut have continued to regularly review risks, update policies and processes, with external guidance from Skadden. Risks are grouped in categories, including financial, political and safeguarding. We have expanded our categorisation of risk regi
This year, we continued to expand risk related policies such as our Conflict of Interest Policy, Enhanced Safeguarding Practices and Fraud Policy. These policies were created by HQ with significant input from on-the-ground staff.
Internal Financial Controls are reviewed annually. Maintaining reserves at the current levels secure in the UK helps ensure there are sufficient resources in the event of adverse shocks in Lebanon.
Structure, governance and management
Governing document
Memorandum and articles incorporated 30 January 2020 as amended by special resolution registered at Companies House on 2 September 2020 as amended by certificate of incorporation on change of name dated 7 October 2020.
Directors/trustees and induction, training
The Board of Trustees meets four times a year to administer the company. One of these meetings is usually held in -the-ground operational challenges. In 2025 this meeting was held and the trustees were able to strengthen our strategic and financial governance.
The trustees have the power to appoint new or additional trustees. New trustees undergo induction training to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law and the content of the Articles of Association.
Objectives and activities
of the public under the laws of England and Wales as the Trustees shall in their absolute discretion determine, including (but not limited to): the relief of poverty or financial hardship among refugees and asylum seekers by providing grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty; acting as a resource for refugees and asylum seekers by providing advice and assistance and organising programmes of physical, educational, arts and other activities as a means of:
(a) advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills, capacities, and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals.
(b) advancing education
(c) relieving unemployment
(d) providing recreational and leisure time activity in the interests of social welfare for refugees and asylum seekers who have need by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, poverty or social and economic circumstances with a view to improving the conditions of life of such persons.
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ALSAMA PROJECT Trustees Report Period ended 31 July 2025
Public Benefit
seekers, primarily by providing education and cricket to refugee teenagers in Lebanon.
Board of Trustees.
K Pothalingam Trustee
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ALSAMA PROJECT Report of the Auditors to the Trustees of Alsama Project Period ended 31 July 2025
Opinion
period ended 31 July 2025 which
comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cashflows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
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July 2025 and of its incoming
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resources and application of resources, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
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ALSAMA PROJECT Report of the Auditors to the Trustees of Alsama Project Period ended 31 July 2025
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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report; or
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sufficient accounting records have not been kept: or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records: or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial stateme
as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate , they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
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ALSAMA PROJECT Report of the Auditors to the Trustees of Alsama Project Period ended 31 July 2025
Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:
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or error;
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the results of our enquiries of management and members of the Board of Trustees of their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities;
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policies and procedures relating to:
identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; and
the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations; and
the matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas: (i) The presentation of the charitable recognition, (iii) the classification of restricted funds in the financial statements, and (vi) the management override of controls. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charitable company operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Charities Act, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Statement of Recommended Practice - 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued by the joint SORP making body.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial a material penalty. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included employment law, health and safety at work, GDPR, and the UK Companies Act and Charities SORP.
Audit response to risks identified
In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:
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reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with relevant laws and regulations described above as having a direct effect on the financial statements;
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enquiring of management and members of the Board of Trustees concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;
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performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud;
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reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and reviewing correspondence with relevant authorities where matters identified were significant;
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ALSAMA PROJECT Report of the Auditors to the Trustees of Alsama Project Period ended 31 July 2025
- in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.
We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.
Use of our report
Charities (Accounts p trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Jamielee Johnston (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
Statutory Auditor
3[rd] Floor 44 Peter Street Manchester M2 5GP
Dated:
Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
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ALSAMA PROJECT Statement of Financial Activities Period ended 31 July 2025
| **Notes ** | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| Period | Year | ||||||
| ended | ended | ||||||
| 31 July | 31 | ||||||
| 2025 | December | ||||||
| 2024 | |||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||
| Charitable income: | |||||||
| Donations from charitable | |||||||
| foundations, private individua | 3 | 346,947 | 643,011 | 989,958 | 754,442 | 877,548 | 1,631,990 |
| and corporations | |||||||
| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| Total income | 346,947 | 643,011 | 989,958 | 754,442 | 877,548 | 1,631,990 | |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| Expenditure | |||||||
| Charitable Activities | 4 | 2,041 | 856,984 | 859,025 | 567 | 1,151,183 | 1,151,750 |
| FX of Lebanon NGO | 4 | (1,777) | - | (1,777) | 5,409 | - | 5,409 |
| Fund Raising | 4 | 69,585 | - | 69,585 | 144,203 | - | 144,203 |
| Emergency | 4 | 5,307 | - | 5,307 | 35,322 | 1,883 | 37,205 |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| Total expenditure | 4 | 75,156 | 856,984 | 932,140 | 185,501 | 1,153,066 | 1,338,567 |
| FX Gain/(Loss) | 49,959 | - | 49,959 | (11,363) | - | (11,363) | |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| Net movement in funds for | 321,750 | (213,973) | 107,777 | 557,578 | (275,518) | 282,060 | |
| the period | |||||||
| Transfer between funds | (347,243) | 347,243 | - | (254,713) | 254,713 | - | |
| Fund balances brought | 1,103,157 | 181,272 | 1,284,429 | 800,292 | 202,077 | 1,002,369 | |
| forward 1 Jan 2025 | |||||||
| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| Fund balances carried | 1,077,664 | 314,542 | 1,392,206 | 1,103,157 | 181,272 | 1,284,429 | |
| forward 31 July 2025 |
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ALSAMA PROJECT Balance sheet Period ended 31 July 2025
| Period ended 31 July 2025 Notes $ Fixed assets Intangible fixed assets 8 17,501 _ Current assets Debtors 9 647,126 Bank account funds 752,192 _ 1,399,318 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 (24,613) ___ Net Current Assets 1,374,705 ___ Net Assets 1,392,206 Unrestricted Funds General Fund 11 1,077,664 Restricted Funds 11 314,542 ___ Total Funds 1,392,206 |
Year ended 31 December 2024 $ - _ 730,461 579,499 _ 1,309,960 (25,531) _ 1,284,429 _ 1,284,429 |
|---|---|
| 1,103,157 181,272 _ 1,284,429 |
The company is entitled to exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the period ended 31 July 2025, although an audit has been carried out under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011.
The trustees/directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to the accounting records and the preparation of the financial statements.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with the section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
These financial statements were approved by the trustees on and are signed on their behalf by:
K Pothalingam Trustee
The notes on pages 18 to 24 form part of these financial statements
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ALSAMA PROJECT Statement of Cash Flows Period ended 31 July 2025
| Net movement in funds for the period Adjustments for: Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors _ Net Cash flow from operating activities Cash flow from investing activities Net Cash flow from investing activities Cash flow from financing activities Net Cash flow from financing activities Net increase/(decrease) in cash Cash and cash equivalents at start date _ Cash and cash equivalents at end date |
Period ended Year ended 31 July 2025 31 December 2024 $ $ 107,777 282,060 83,335 (334,370) (918) (1,245) _ _ 190,194 (53,555) (17,501) - _ _ - - - - _ _ - - 172,693 (53,555) 579,499 633,054 _ _ 752,192 579,499 |
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ALSAMA PROJECT Notes to the Financial Statements Period ended 31 July 2025
1. Accounting policies
Charity information
Alsama Project is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 5[th] Floor, 30-31 Furnival Street, London, EC4A 1JQ
The guarantors at 31 July 2025 are the trustees in office at that date and detailed in the trustees report. Their liability in respect of the guarantee as set out in the Memorandum of Association is limited to £1 per guarantor.
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102
Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in US dollars which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest $.
Alsama Project meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the accounting policy note.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
The investments are held at cost less impairment as the fair value cannot be reliably measured. The Trustees are not aware of any material impairments in the investments other than those disclosed.
1.3 Reporting period
The company year-end has been shortened to 31 July 2025 therefore, these financial statements represent the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 July 2025. Whereas the comparative represents a full year from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.
1.4 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.5 Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after nay performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
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ALSAMA PROJECT Notes to the Financial Statements Period ended 31 July 2025
1. Accounting policies (Continued)
Donations and grants
Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, are included in income when these are received except as follows:
-
When donors specify that donations and grants given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred to those periods.
-
When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred and not included in incoming resources until the preconditions for use have been met.
-
When donors specify that donations and grants are for particular restricted purposes, which do not amount to pre-conditions regarding entitlement, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable.
1.6 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
-
Expenditure on charitable activities includes the cost of
-
FX of Lebanon NGO comprises foreign exchange losses arising as the charity operates in Lebanon
-
Costs of raising funds comprise of costs
-
Emergency expenditure includes
Allocation of Governance and Support costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel and governance costs
Alsama Project UK works in partnership with Alsama Project Lebanon, a Lebanese registered NGO. Two UK trustees, Meike Ziervogel and Richard Vertity, form part of the management leadership of Alsama Project Lebanon. Alsama Project UK reimburses all the costs of Alsama Project Lebanon.
Both Governance costs and Support costs are allocated to the other activities in proportion to direct
1.7 Intangible fixed assets
Amortisation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, net of anticipated disposal proceeds, over the estimated useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Intangible fixed assets 3 years
1.8 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowing in current liabilities.
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ALSAMA PROJECT Notes to the Financial Statements Period ended 31 July 2025
1. Accounting policies (Continued)
1.9 Financial instruments
financial instruments.
Financial assets and liabilities are recognised when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument. The Charity holds basic financial instruments which comprise cash at bank, trade and other receivables and trade and other payables.
Basic financial instruments such as social investments, debtors, bank balances and creditors are recognised at transaction value.
1.10 Taxation
The Charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
1.11 Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
2. Critical accounting estimates and judgements
There are currently no significant judgements and estimates applied by the trust which are considered key to the preparation of the financial statements.
3. Income from Donations
| Income from Donations | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Year | |||||
| ended | ended | |||||
| 31 December | ||||||
| 31 July 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Donations from charitable | ||||||
| foundations, private | ||||||
| individuals and | ||||||
| corporations | 346,947 | 643,011 | 989,958 | 754,442 | 877,548 | 1,631,990 |
| ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | |
| Total | 346,947 | 643,011 | 989,958 | 754,442 | 877,548 | 1,631,990 |
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ALSAMA PROJECT Notes to the Financial Statements Period ended 31 July 2025
4 Charitable Activities, Fund Raising, Support and Governance costs
| Freelancer | Reimburse | Other | Shared | Support | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costs | Alsama | UK Costs | Education | Governance | ||
| Project | Costs | Allocation | ||||
| Lebanon | ||||||
| 2025 Current Period | ||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
| Shatila 1 | 72,716 | 52,527 | 998 | 33,188 | 27,245 | 186,674 |
| Bourj 1 | 46,072 | 38,851 | - | 33,188 | 18,328 | 136,439 |
| Shatila 2 | 52,658 | 50,949 | 998 | 33,188 | 22,576 | 160,369 |
| Bourj 2 | 49,560 | 22,606 | - | 33,188 | 15,575 | 120,929 |
| Shared Costs | 66,752 | 61,688 | 4,312 | (132,752) | - | - |
| __ | ___ | _ | ___ | ___ | ___ | |
| Education Centres | 287,758 | 226,621 | 6,308 | - | 83,724 | 604,411 |
| Excellence Academic scholarships | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| G12++ | 9,125 | 280 | 21,644 | - | 6,701 | 37,750 |
| Cricket | 62,616 | 67,821 | 841 | - | 28,332 | 159,610 |
| Franchise | 17,215 | 37,998 | - | - | - | 55,213 |
| __ | ___ | _ | ___ | ___ | ___ | |
| Charitable Activities wholly or | ||||||
| partly funded by restricted | 376,714 | 332,720 | 28,793 | - | 118,757 | 856,984 |
| donations | ||||||
| Studio | - | 350 | - | - | - | 350 |
| FX of Lebanon NGO | - | (1,130) | 138 | - | (785) | (1,777) |
| Fund Raising | 15,434 | 1,850 | 39,949 | - | 12,352 | 69,585 |
| MCC Dinner | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Emergency | - | 1,977 | 3,330 | - | - | 5,307 |
| Governance | - | 9,660 | 5,562 | - | (15,222) | - |
| Support | 65,904 | 38,383 | 10,815 | - | (115,102) | - |
| Arabic School | 266 | - | 74 | - | - | 340 |
| Amortisation | - | - | 1,351 | - | - | 1,351 |
| __ | ___ | _ | ___ | ___ | ___ | |
| Total expenditure | 458,318 | 383,810 | 90,012 | - | - | 932,140 |
| __ | ___ | _ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
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ALSAMA PROJECT Notes to the Financial Statements Period ended 31 July 2025
4. Charitable Activities, Fund Raising, Support and Governance Costs (Continued)
| Freelancer | Reimburse | Other | Shared | Support | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costs | Alsama | UK Costs | Education | Governance | ||
| Project | Costs | Allocation | ||||
| Lebanon | ||||||
| 2024 Comparative Year | ||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
| Shatila 1 | 141,587 | 53,830 | 829 | 26,639 | 23,597 | 246,483 |
| Bourj 1 | 94,485 | 52,557 | 45 | 26,639 | 17,686 | 191,413 |
| Shatila 2 | 85,715 | 63,900 | 612 | 26,639 | 18,064 | 194,930 |
| Bourj 2 | 73,670 | 52,704 | - | 26,639 | 15,196 | 168,209 |
| Shared costs | 69,165 | 35,196 | 2,196 | (106,556) | - | - |
| ___ | ___ | _ | ___ | ___ | ___ | |
| Education Centres | 464,621 | 258,189 | 3,681 | - | 74,543 | 801,035 |
| Excellence Academic scholarsh | - | 8,858 | 812 | - | 1,163 | 10,833 |
| G12++ | 12,113 | 990 | 87,110 | - | 12,050 | 112,263 |
| Cricket | 101,271 | 85,840 | 9,587 | - | 23,652 | 220,350 |
| Franchise | 6,702 | - | - | - | - | 6,702 |
| Arabic School | 39 | 65 | 463 | - | - | 567 |
| ___ | ___ | _ | ___ | ___ | ___ | |
| Charitable Activities wholly | ||||||
| or partly funded by | 584,746 | 353,942 | 101,653 | - | 111,408 | 1,151,750 |
| restricted donations | ||||||
| FX of Lebanon NGO | - | 5,409 | - | - | - | 5,409 |
| Fund Raising | 34,810 | 188 | 57,400 | - | 15,478 | 107,876 |
| MCC Dinner | - | - | 36,327 | - | - | 36,327 |
| Emergency | - | 37,205 | - | - | - | 37,205 |
| Governance | - | 4,807 | 10,083 | - | (17,890) | - |
| Support | 50,132 | 42,534 | 16,330 | - | (108,996) | - |
| ___ | ___ | _ | ___ | ___ | ___ | |
| Total expenditure | 669,688 | 447,085 | 221,793 | - | - | 1,338,567 |
| ___ | ___ | _ | ___ | ___ | ___ | |
| Period ended | Year ended | |||||
| 31 July 2025 | 31 December | |||||
| 2024 | ||||||
| Governance costs | $ | $ | ||||
| Lebanese NGO Audit | 5,545 | 7,806 | ||||
| UK Audit | 7,100 | 6,750 | ||||
| UK Accounts | 1,780 | 1,264 | ||||
| Legal Advice | 797 | 2,070 | ||||
| 15,222 | 17,890 |
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ALSAMA PROJECT Notes to the Financial Statements Period ended 31 July 2025
4. Charitable Activities, Fund Raising, Support and Governance Costs (Continued)
7,100 (2024: £6,750). In addition, non audit fees of £1,780 (2024:
£1,264) were paid to the firm of auditors for the provision of accountancy services.
| Period ended 31 July 2025 5 Support Costs $ Bank charges 8,480 Support staff 70,000 Refreshments, team building 7,834 Office rental 2,782 Transport 5,765 Office costs 13,951 Legal Fees 5,686 Accountancy fees - Foreign exchange 604 115,102 5. Net movement in funds 2025 $ The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting): 7,100 7,100 |
Year ended 31 Decembe 2024 $ 11,263 51,571 646 10,767 4,668 22,164 2,991 2,922 2,004 108,996 2024 $ 6,750 6,750 |
|---|---|
6. Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year
Trustees expenses
During the year, expenses totalling £Nil (2024: £635) were reimbursed to 1 trustee.
7. Employees
The charitable company employs 1 member of staff (2024: 1). The teachers and coaches contracted by the UK charity are paid as freelancers. The average number of freelancers is 139 (2024; 130), no freelancer was paid more than $79,140 (2024; $76,680) (£60,000 at average exchange rate 1.319 and 1.278 respectively).
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ALSAMA PROJECT Notes to the Financial Statements Period ended 31 July 2025
| 8. Intangible fixed assets Cost or valuation At 1 January 2025 Additions At 31 July 2025 Amortisation At 1 January 2025 Charge for the period At 31 July 2025 Net book value At 31 July 2025 At 31 December 2024 9. Debtors Inter-entity account with Alsama Project Inc (sister NGO registered in USA) Capital Kids Cricket Inter-entity account with Al Sama Project Prepayments Accrued income 10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Embroidery Cooperative Accruals Inter-entity accounts with Al Sama Project |
2025 $ 552,245 9,484 - 20,397 65,000 647,126 2025 $ 4,853 6,680 13,080 24,613 |
2025 $ - 18,852 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 18,852 | |||
| - 1,351 |
|||
| 1,351 | |||
| 17,501 | |||
| - | |||
| 2024 $ 660,231 3,038 67,192 - - |
|||
| 730,461 | |||
| 2024 $ 7,050 18,481 - |
|||
| 25,531 |
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ALSAMA PROJECT Notes to the Financial Statements Period ended 31 July 2025
| 11. Movement in funds At 1 Jan 2025 Current Period 2025 $ Restricted Funds: Education Centres 169,956 Excellence Academic scholarsh - G12++ 11,316 Cricket - Franchise - _ Total restricted funds 181,272 Unrestricted funds: General funds 1,103,157 _ Total unrestricted funds 1,103,157 _ TOTAL FUNDS 1,284,429 2024 Comparative Year At 1 Jan 2024 $ Restricted Funds: Education Centres 187,125 Excellence Academic scholarships - G12++ - Cricket 14,952 Franchise - _ Total restricted funds 202,077 Unrestricted funds: General funds 800,292 _ Total unrestricted funds 800,292 _ TOTAL FUNDS 1,002,369 |
Incoming $ 507,508 - 59,071 57,729 18,703 _ 643,011 346,947 _ 346,947 _ 989,958 Incoming $ 678,539 - 123,579 75,431 - _ 877,548 754,442 _ 754,442 _ 1,631,990 |
Outgoing Transfers FX $ $ $ (604,411) 208,852 - - - - (37,750) - - (159,610) 101,881 - (55,213) 36,510 - _ _ _ (856,984) 347,243 - (25,197) (347,243) - _ _ _ (25,197) (347,243) - _ _ _ (882,181) - - Outgoing Transfers FX $ $ $ (802,917) 107,210 - (10,833) 10,833 - (112,263) - - (220,351) 129,968 - (6,702) 6,702 - _ _ _ (1,153,066) 254,713 - (185,501) (254,713) (11,363) _ _ _ (185,501) (254,713) (11,363) _ _ _ (1,338,567) - (11,363) |
At 31 Jul 2025 $ 281,905 - 32,637 - - _ 314,542 1,077,664 _ 1,077,664 ___ 1,392,206 |
|---|---|---|---|
| At 31 Dec 2024 $ 169,956 - 11,316 - - _ 181,272 1,103,157 _ 1,103,157 ___ 1,284,429 |
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ALSAMA PROJECT Notes to the Financial Statements Period ended 31 July 2025
11. Movement in funds (continued)
Name of restricted fund description, nature and purposes of the fund
Education Centres To fund the four education centres for out-of-school refugee teenagers Excellence academic To fund students to attend international schools and colleges scholarship G12++ To fund students obtaining an accessible qualification Cricket To fund cricket hubs providing cricket training Franchise To fund replicating Alsama educational success on a global scale
12. Related party transactions
Some donations to Alsama Projects are paid via Capital Kids Cricket (CKC) a UK Charity of which Richard Verity is a trustee. At the period end Alsama Project was owed £9,484 (2024; £3,038) from CKC. The balance shown represents the balance of monies received by CKC that are yet to be remitted to Alsama Project.
During the period expenses were paid totalling £2,178 (2024: £Nil) to Percy Verity, the son of Richard Verity, for services provided to Alsama Project.
13. Analysis of changes in net funds
The charity had no material debt during the year.
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