Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 2nd January 2024 To 1[st] January 2025
Charity name: Workneh Dechasa Education Foundation (WDEF)
Charity registration number: 1192747
Objectives and Activities
| SORP ref |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 |
To advance education for the public benefit in Malkaa Dhagaa-Gudar (Guder), Oromia, Ethiopia by: a) providing and assisting in the provision of an Elementary School (the school) in cooperation with local NGO’s and the educational authorities in Oromia b) the provision of educational equipment at the school. |
| 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 runs fundraising activities so that funds are available to carry out the school build in Oromia. |
| 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 used the guidance set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) to help compile this report. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP ref |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 |
WDEF does not make/give grants. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 |
Social investment is not suitable for our charity. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
All Trustees and members are volunteers and contribute to fundraising in different ways. |
| Para 1.38 |
One volunteer continues to be a significant fundraiser for WDEF by running fitness classes, social events and physical challenges (listed on our website(https://workneh.org.uk) He has also encouraged other volunteers to become a raise funds through future sporting events. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Other | The Trustees and Core Group members have increased their support in terms of their time and commitment to the charity, as we make progress with the project. Communications with the Local Authority and NGOs in Ethiopia have also increased with monthly joint meetings scheduled to assist with the smooth progress of the project. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP ref |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
The charity is working with the local community in Oromia to organise the school build. In the first quarter a Memorandum of Understanding and a Finance Agreement was signed by the charity and the local NGO to clarify roles and responsibilities of both parties. In the second quarter, Trustees and members visited Addis Ababa to resolve issues and monitor progress. The third quarter saw the de facto phase of the project delivery in Oromia begin.The transfer of funds resulted in preparation for the school build; fencing & storage has been completed to keep materials, machinery and other supplies safe and secure. NGO members, District officials and community representatives participated in the cornerstone laying ceremony, marking the beginning of the school build on 26thNovember. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
At the beginning of the project, we aimed to raise £100K to realise the project aims. Our fundraising activities coupled with one-off and regular donations, with additional Gift Aid when applicable has given a healthy balance. |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 saw more activities taking place, with our volunteers completing 9 marathons/Fitness |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
activities over the year. There were several other events organised that contributed to our fundraising. We have raised almost one third of our target to date. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 |
There are no investments made with any of the funds raised to date |
| Other | ||
| Financial Review | ||
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 |
Key points to note for the year Annual Income:The Foundation received an income from contributions, donations, sponsorship from sporting events and other fundraising events. Expenditure:Much of the work of the foundation relies on volunteers who give free services. However, we have increased the number of volunteers for sporting events in 2025 (e.g. the London Marathon), so entry fees have been an additional expenditure. As the project has begun in earnest, there was a transfer of funds to cover this phase of the project As of 1st January 2025, the balance was £30,576.61 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 |
There is no policy for holding reserves |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 |
N/A |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 |
There is no need at present to hold reserves |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 |
The funds are in credit |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
N/A |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Fundraising Activities are the main source of income. There are regular donors who contribute monthly. |
| Para 1.47 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 |
At present the are no plans to adopt social investments. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 |
Economic instability in the UK and economic and political instability in Oromia, provide risks in terms of interest rates/inflation fluctuation resulting in rising costs etc. This is kept under review in newly established monthly joint meetings. Risks that impact socially, e.g. pandemics, climate change have reduced recently but are still factored into the charity’s risk assessments. Technological aspects can affect communications with Oromia and this has been planned for in the risk assessment. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
WDEF is registered with the Charity Commission |
|
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Charitable Incorporated Organisation with an Association Constitution. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO: Members elect a board of trustees who have the responsibility of managing the activities of the charity in accordance with its governing document. |
| 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 | Trustees are elected by the membership They serve a three-year term. One-third of Trustees resign according to their length of service. Members select or reselect Trustees at Annual General Meetings. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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 | Trustees attend training to ensure they are well supported in their roles. All policies are up-to-date and have been reviewed regularly. An additional policy covering Equal Opportunities has been adopted. A policy covering the use of Social Media is currently under discussion. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | There are 5 Trustees. Positions are for Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice- Treasurer. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | N/A |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Workneh Dechasa Education Foundation |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | WDEF |
| Registered charity number | 1192747 |
| Charity’s principal address | 35, St. Peter’s Road, London N9 8JJ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aster Belay | Chair | November 2022 | WDEF Membership | |
| Siobhan Crawley | Vice-Chair | November 2022 | WDEF Membership | |
| Brian Foster | Secretary | November 2022 | WDEF Membership | |
| Feyisa Demie | Treasurer | November 2023 | WDEF Membership | |
| Teferi Degeneh | Vice- Treasurer | November 2023 | WDEF Membership |
– 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 N/A held in this capacity
Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
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 Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
Signed on behalf of the charity’s Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
|---|---|
| 1st June 2025 |
WORKNEH DECHASA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE REPORT FINANCIAL YEAR 2nd January 2024 TO 1st January 2025
| Balance brought forward | Balance brought forward | **£25,041.17 ** | Balance brought forward | Balance brought forward | £5,801.41 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenditure | Turnover | Income | Expenditure | Turnover | |
| Online donations | £11,733.24 | £14,379.98 | ||||
| Regular donations | £1,679.53 | £1,300.00 | ||||
| Cash donations | £1,464.64 | £3,708.83 | ||||
| Bank transfer donations |
£150.00 | £203.00 | ||||
| Interest | £58.82 | £19.07 | ||||
| Charitable donation | £50.00 | |||||
| Room hire | -£75.00 | |||||
| Bank charges | -£110.00 | -£81.12 | ||||
| Promotions | -£670.42 | |||||
| Fees | -£1,217.50 | -£290.00 | ||||
| School build | -£7,527.87 | |||||
| TOTALS | £15,136.23 | -£9,600.79 | £5,535.44 | £19,610.88 | -£371.12 | £19,239.76 |
| Balance Carried Forward | £30,576.61 | £25,041.17 |