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2024-01-09-accounts

GBV UGANDA PROJECTS

ANNUAL REPORT

10[th] January 2023 to 9[th] January 2024,

1196095 Charity number

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Contents

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1.0 Reference details

Registered name: GBV UGANDA PROJECTS

Registered number: 1196095

Address: 10 Bailey Street, Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent South Wales NP23 4DN

Bank: Zempler Bank PO Box 5525, Manchester, M61 0QS

Accountant: Esther Jordan

1.1 Structure, Governance and Management

GBV UGANDA PROJECTS (GUP) was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered on 11[th] October 2021 with a constitution as its governing document.

Should the need arise new trustees will be appointed for a term of two years by the existing trustees taking full account of the individuals’ skills, knowledge, and experience. Any new trustees will be appropriately trained in respect of their responsibilities, procedures, and Charity Commission compliance.

The charity does not employ any staff and is administered by Carole Parsons Founder-director, all decisions regarding finances are discussed and agreed by the appointed trustees at that time.

1.2 Trustees

David James– Chair Carole Parsons – Founder-director Margaret James – Trustee Sarah Stacey – Trustee Marion Namwanje Paine - Trustee Jalia Nabulalu Packwood - Trustee Kelly Leslie – Trustee

1.3 Trustees statement

It is not considered that the charity is exposed to major risks, but this is continually reviewed and should any such be identified, mitigating procedures will be devised and implemented.

GBV UGANDA PROJECTS was awarded an Advanced mentoring and Charity development in 2023 by ‘Hub Cymru-Africa, bringing together charities, individuals and partners across Wales and Africa, whose vision is a globally responsible Wales, which acts in solidarity with the people of Africa.’

1.4 Trustees Annual report

The trustees present their second annual report for the period 10[th] January 2023 to 9[th] January 2024, the financial statements for the same year are appended.

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1.5 Public benefit statement

The trustees of GBV UGANDA PROJECTS confirm that they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have regard for the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and that the public benefit requirement has informed the activities of the charity period up to and including the 9[th of] January 2024

2.0 Founding Directors Statement

There has been a strong relationship between Africa and Wales going back many years. The Welsh Government has a Wales for Africa programme that encourages people to become involved in development work in Africa.

This is characterised by partnerships being formed to share experience, and knowledge in a spirit of mutual respect and reciprocity. This vibrant, civil society-based approach has seen friendships formed across Wales and Africa, as people work together, purposefully, and meaningfully towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and GBV Uganda Projects supports the WalesAfrica Action Plan 2020-2025 by increased leadership, working towards increased rights for women and girls in Uganda, including programmes to reduce domestic abuse, increase business and skills and develop peer to peer learning. In Wales we will increase knowledge and understanding of abuse and its effects on families, communities, and society, we endeavour to support the work of reducing abuse in Wales by displaying resources provided by Welsh Women’s Aid of the support available and the Live Fear Free Helpline 08088010800.

Our partnership with SUP Community Initiatives Africa (NGO) has grown over the last year and much has been accomplished in this time. SUP has formed many new partnerships in Uganda to benefit the work of the beneficiaries and to strengthen the work of the NGO.

One such partnership is with Metge who work in partnership with the Welsh Government with the provision of trees and smokeless stoves in the rural communities. Planting trees in the areas helps with climate change, the environment, they provide shaded areas and the provision of food. The smokeless stoves are healthier, safer and support climate change.

The networks SUP have built with the police, and the prosecution services have boosted the number of victims coming forward to report domestic and sexual abuse to the authorities and a recently built refuge provided by a generous donor to GBV Uganda Projects has created a place of safety for those in danger and fleeing abuse.

The projects continue to grow and expand into other areas empowering women and girls, providing the financial needs for themselves and their families, reducing poverty, providing employment, and contributing towards women in leadership as well as valued members of their communities.

SUP educates the communities on healthy relationships, other life skills and the effects of abuse on family lives and especially on the children who are the future generation. With this holistic way of working, we are starting to note a decrease in abuse, cultural ‘norms and improved power dynamics.

GBV Uganda Projects has increased the number of trustees to seven and have become aware of the need for diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Founder Director

C.A.Parsons

Carole Parsons Dated 17[th] September 2024

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3.0 Introduction

GBV UGANDA PROJECTS work in partnership with (Registered NGO) SUP Community Initiatives Africa (SUP), who work with the most vulnerable in 13 sub counties in the Mbale and Mount Elgon district of Uganda.

SUPs mission is to initiate and support activities geared towards improving the quality of life for the disadvantaged families in the community by capacity building, livelihood support through sustainable projects, environmental promotion, and prevention against gender - based violence.

The United Nations defines gender-based violence in the following way:

“The definition of discrimination includes gender-based violence, that is, violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately. It includes acts that inflict physical, mental, or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion, and other deprivations of liberty.” (CEDAW 1992: para. 6). Domestic abuse is a gendered crime - Women’s Aid (womensaid.org.uk)

SUP network with various frontline agencies seeking to reduce the impact of abuse upon individuals, families, and communities. SUP have strong links with the criminal justice systems in Mbale supporting survivors through the criminal and civil legal remedies available to them.

Due to the lack of any benefit system in Uganda survivors of abuse and their families unduly suffer through the lack of education, skills, support, and finances to make a living.

3.1 Risk Assessment

Given the focus on vulnerable individuals, it is imperative that we operate a robust risk analysis system.

The established written analysis of risks to which the charity is exposed is reviewed annually by the trustees and kept under constant review.

Any factors posing a risk during the year are discussed by GUP and SUP and as shown in the report action was taken with regards to:

3.2 GBV Uganda Projects

The charity is grateful for the work of our essential volunteers who have supported the charity through the following areas. We appreciate the time they commit to the Charity and the skills they bring to help towards the healthy growth of GUP.

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Volunteers

3.3 Activities of the charity

GBV UGANDA PROJECTS activities are centred around the prevention or relief of poverty in Uganda by providing grants, items, and services to individuals in need and/or charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty. It is informed through consultation with the communities and organisations with which it is partnered. For further information consult our website www.gbvugandaprojects.co.uk

3.4 Overview of activities 2023

Our second year has been focusing on continued building and strengthening of the charity, developing the links with Uganda, assessing the best investment projects, and looking ahead at the next 5 years.

Consequently, a great deal of work has focused on the following areas. Diversity, equality, and inclusion by expanding our trustees to meet these important requirements. Implementing financial and goal setting plans with SUP for sustainability of the work Expanding on the projects in the rural communities of:

A payment of £14,000 was received for the Wales-Africa funding project. Additionally, GUP contributed £525 towards the purchase of additional sewing machines to support tailors commencing work in the community. This project is funded by the Welsh Government’s Wales Africa Grant Scheme, administered by WCVA.

A grant of £2,500 was awarded by Heb Ffin Charitable Organisation for the procurement of 200 bibles. These were distributed among a newly established church, an existing church, and a study group at the training centre.

A party planning enterprise was established by a women’s community group, featuring two marquees, 300 chairs, and storage facilities. The project, funded at £5,000 by the Heb Ffin Charitable Organisation, has gained increasing recognition within local communities through targeted advertising. Although initial equipment rentals were slow, orders from various communities are now steadily increasing, resulting in emerging profits. The group remains dedicated to the project and has successfully allocated some funds towards their children's school fees and general living expenses. Looking ahead, they plan to expand their offerings by providing marquee dressing services for different events as profitability allows.

Funding amounting to £9,045 from Heb Ffin Charitable Organisation covered costs associated with the goat and water project. Activities included drilling, excavation, and installation of underground

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piping to supply water to the training centre for drinking, sanitation, and hygiene. Two 5,000-litre tanks and powerhouses were installed to ensure continuous water provision for both the training centre and the surrounding community, securing this valuable resource against contamination or theft. The livelihood component of the project involved the distribution of 50 goats to beneficiary groups such as Bungokho Gender Group, Nourish Ministries, Timilila, Namatala Farmers Groups A and B, Pamoja, and Tukolelewamu. To promote sustainability, the project operates a system whereby one kid from every six born is given to another beneficiary, thereby expanding opportunities for women and girls to improve their living conditions.

An anonymous donor contributed an additional £1,570, facilitating the construction of an extra water closet in the community to further protect and maintain the security and cleanliness of the water standpipe.

Finally, £2,775 from the Souter Charitable Foundation was allocated to the food security project. Five groups—Twezimbe, Pamoja, Bungokho, Namatala A, and Namatala B—were provided with seeds (700 kg maize, 700 kg beans, and 300 kg groundnuts) to enhance food production and strengthen resilience.

.

Community sensitization on GBV information. As one of the core programs of our partner SUP, 34 sessions were conducted in communities of Namabasa, Namawanga, Bungokho, Gosoyi and kolonyi in Mbale city, Mbale District and Butebo.

Family planning awareness. This was conducted across women groups about not only child spacing but also mindset change, planning for the future, kitchen gardening, growing of food. security for their families, respect for one another, education of their own children and provision of other basic needs 324 people reached (106 male and 218 female).

A goat and turkey project as a means of livelihood support. 60 turkeys and 50 goats from GBV Uganda and funding from Heb Ffin were distributed to beneficiaries in groups of Bungokho gender group, Nourish Ministries, Timilila, Namatala Farmers group A, Namatala Farmers group B, Pamoja, Tukolelewamu. As a way of sustainability, 2 pouls were passed over to two other beneficiaries from each turkey, this enables the turkey project to replicate itself and in time other communities will benefit. The goat project replicates itself as I kid from 6 born is given to another beneficiary, we have found this a fair way of increasing the prospects for other women and girls to come out of poverty and afford their daily living needs.

A water project Funded by Heb Ffin consisting of drilling, digging, and laying underground pipes supplying water to the training centre for drinking, sanitary purposes, and hygiene standards. Large 5,000 litre tank and a powerhouse were put in two places to serve the training centre and the community. Electricity supplies were connected, and two standpipes were put in place for the community to use. A septic tank has been installed with male and female toilet areas each one has flushing toilets and hand washing facilities.

10 further sewing machines Funded by Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust, as one way of empowering students who completed the course to have tailoring machines for income generation, 10 sewing machines were distributed to 10 community workers to support them to generate income for improved living standards. Prior to acquiring the machine, a business site was visited, capacity assessment to pay back the cost of the sewing machine on a loan basis was conducted by the team

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and led by the project coordinator, agreement forms were signed on terms and conditions including the instalment plan and period of repayment.

Skilling, as one way of capacity building among GBV survivors, 26 students were enrolled under the tailoring skilling project. Funding of £3454 generously provided by Brian Murtagh Charitable Trust to help give the beneficiaries an opportunity to not only learn but also apply and practise new skills in a safe environment for better livelihood. Practical materials were bought for vulnerable students and food for one student to enable her to concentrate in class. One of the students during her industrial training, was able to acquire a skill on making back bags, cross bags helping to boost her sales.

To help the tailoring students and project beneficiaries address personal or emotional challenges that may affect them while studying, the SUP project coordinator and other staff provided advice and support to help them manage their journey through life, learning and work. As a result, project beneficiaries were emotionally stable and had the confidence to voice their opinions as well freely interact with others and contest for leadership positions on the student’s council of SUP. This works towards a key objective in supporting the Welsh Government International 2020-2025 plan for empowering women and girls.

Environmental conservation: Through the partnership with METGE, (The Mount Elgon Tree Planting Enterprise) the communities were sensitised on the usefulness of lorena stoves and were shown how to mould them, the communities moulded 67 stoves during the training, this has helped towards

economic saving in terms of firewood, sickness due to smoke inhalation and sore eyes from the fumes. The women have commented on the huge difference this has made, and cooking is more pleasurable, and the safety of using the Lorana stoves is reducing the risk of fires in the huts.

Disaster awareness. As one way of disaster mitigation and prevention, communities in Namabasa were advised on how to plant trees as well as move away from disaster prone areas like Doko and parts along the river in Namatala. Community members were also advised to plant fruit trees having a multipurpose in areas of food security, disaster prevention, mitigation and income generation. This was possible with the partnership of Mount Elgon Tree Growing Enterprises (METGE). They supported SUP with 11,710 seedlings for fruit trees which included; avocadoes, guavas, jack fruits, jambula, anona, albizia, musizi, caliadular, tspabar, acrocapus and cedrella. These will be helpful to households in terms of income strengthening in 5 – 10. years to come.

A generous donor granted us the finances to commence expanding the tailoring centre creating a complete training centre incorporating a larger tailoring workshop, a hairdressing training room and hair salon, a craft room, 2 counselling rooms and a shop. A women's refuge with the capacity to hold 3 families with separate sleeping accommodation, and shared communal areas of a relaxation room, showers, toilet facilities and cooking facilities.

A road (albeit a mud road) leads from the main road to the training centre and signs have been installed for directions to the training centre.

We would like to thank all of our funders and donors for supporting this work and making a difference to the lives of the beneficiaries and reducing poverty in the communities.

During 2023 much of the building work was completed and during the team's visit in 2023 we were pleased to see the excellence of the building work and excited that new training facilities will be built in and ready later in 2024.

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A shop and a hair salon will be added to raise income for sustainability of the training centre in the future years.

To accommodate the growth and sustainability of the training centre, 10% of the hair salons takings, 10% of any clothing sold, the sewing machine repayments from the community tailors, 15% from the party planning hire and 10% of the honey sold will all help contribute towards sustainability.

Forward plans for 2023-2025 (all have now been achieved)

4.0 The way forward in 2024:

To complete the training centre building work, the funding is already in place for this to be completed but the actual work will take another 6-10 months to complete. The shell of the buildings is complete, but the roof, windows, doors, and interior fittings need to be bought and installed.

GUP will seek further funding streams to continue to meet the need of more project’s skilling the girls and women, we plan to seek possible funding streams for skilling the boys who also suffer from abuse and the lack of school fees for their education, many male youths are the head of the household after parents have passed away or they have been abandoned. Employment opportunities are poor in the rural areas and vocational training for the boys will work towards reducing poverty, increasing education and giving them a sense of purpose.

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At GUP we have a small planning team seeking funding events and presentation avenues, and we are aiming at 3 funding events in the next 12 months with further plans to broaden this as we learn from each event, this is a relatively new area to us after the restrictions of covid. We plan to bring back several crafts made by our Ugandan tailors to sell at the events as well as crafts made by volunteers and the GUP team.

GUP will continue to link in with Welsh Women’s Aid for resources on abuse and support available in Wales, we have noticed information has been taken when we have given talks and several churches and other venues have been willing to display the Wales feel free Abuse helpline cards within their facilities, making this helpline more widely available to members of the public.

GUP will seek and attend training events to add to the charity skill sets, this being writing proposals, researching funding streams and capacity building training offered by Hub Cymru-Africa and WCVA during the coming year, and we will support SUP with researching grant funding, and completing proposals for themselves for sustainability purposes and for the NGO growth

5.0 Financial review

During the fiscal year GUP has received funds by means of one-off donations, monthly donations and grant funding from foundations and trusts. We will endeavour to claim gift aid in the next financial period.

GUP continues to work with SUP with financial plans working towards sustainability.

Reserves Policy

Due to the charity having no recurring overhead costs we do not hold finances in reserve at this stage, however we plan to review this in the coming year.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds are governed by the restricted purpose within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for restricted purposes. All received restricted funds have been spent in accordance with the above information.

Foreign Exchange transactions

SUP holds an account in Uganda in order to receive funds from GUP. GUP sends direct payments via the UK bank to SUP bank. GBV have at times used:

Businesses authorised to provide 'Payment services.’

Regular accounts for each project are provided by SUP and a yearly accumulated balance of the accounts is sent annually to GUP.

Accounts 10[th] January 2023 to 9[th] January 2024

GBV Uganda Projects

10th January 2023 to 9th January 2024

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pts
Donations
Interest received
Bank Compensation
Total		 Restricted Unrestricted
£
75,756.35
£
5,472.43
£
75,756.35
£
5,472.43

Receipts

Payments
Bank charge
Bibles
Centre Costs
Construction
Digital
Equipment
Gifts
Miscellaneous
Other
Projects
Tailoring
Website
Total
Net Cash		 Restricted
Unrestricted
£
-
£
0.90
£
450.00
£
-
£
-
£
33.08
£
31,481.42
£
1,357.07
£
-
£
-
£
-
£
-
£
-
£
-
£
-
£
160.00
£
62.50
£
351.50
£
23,690.00
£
525.20
£
15,655.00
£
105.00
£
-
£
430.80
£
-
£
71,338.92
£
2,963.55
£
4,417.43
£
2,508.88

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£ Previous Cash Balance b/fwd 870.74 £ Cash Balance as at 9th Jan 2024 7,797.05

Statement of financial activities

Opening Balance 10th January 2023 870.74 £ Donations 10th January 2023 to 9th January 2024 (restricted) 75,756.35 £ Donations 10th January 2023 to 9th January 2024 (unrestricted) 5,472.43 £ Bank interest - £ Total 81,228.78

Expenditure Restricted Unrestricted
Description Funds Funds
£ £
Bank charge - 0.90
£ £
Bibles 450.00 -
£ £
Centre Costs - 33.08
£ £
Construction 31,481.42 1,357.07
£ £
Digital - -
£ £
Equipment - -
£ £
Gifts - -
£ £
Miscellaneous - 160.00
£ £
Other 62.50 351.50

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----- Start of picture text -----
£ £
Projects 23,690.00 525.20
£ £
Tailoring 15,655.00 105.00
£ £
Website - 430.80
0
£ £
Total expenditure 71,338.92 2,963.55
£
Grand total 74,302.47
Closing balance as of 9th January
2024 7,797.05
----- End of picture text -----

Accounts amended by E.Jordan Signature: E. Jordan Dated: 26[th] August 2025

OPINION

We have audited the financial statements of GBV Uganda Projects for the year ended 9th January 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting and organisational policies.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion, the financial statements:

~ give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 9th

January 2024 and of the charity's net movement in funds for the period 10th January 2023 to 9th January 2024 then ended;

~ have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

~ have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act.

Signed

… P. W Hall

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……………………………….

P WHall

17th September 2024

Statement of the trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with the applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provision of the constitution requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding any assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above.

D.James

David James Chair Dated: 17[th] September 2024

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