- 11..52 F 15416E18-6D3949CGA6E439780FC57C5.Jpeg ANNUAL RETURNS 2•24 - DEC 2•24 http$'JlwÉli.goOg.Cl¥[lrrQvulol#SearCrmerUapaer2o12%4DYrr¢lcregZ*kqbxBL¥f¢LWE4th¢CwgvFnws7vC¢lo1
TRusfEE ANNUAL REfuRNS January- December 2024 Educate An African Child Reglstered Address: l Adler Court Earlham Grove Forest Gate London E7 9DT Trustees Members: Janet George Sandra Jahi Hemuna Pather-carr Cynthia Skeete Iram Bashir Carol Ene Mary Ukah Bank: Co-operative Bank Santander
Charity Commission Annual Return 2024 EDUCATE AN AFRICAN CHILD Charity registration number: 1197100 The Chairfs Summary Introduction Educate an African Child is a charitable organisation that was first established in 2022. Its primary objective is to raise funds to support a nursery school in Enugu, Nigeria, which offers primary education to children from families who cannot afford a basic standard of education. This institution aims to provide a high-quality elementary education for children living in extreme poverty- The beneficiaries primarily include very poor families residing in substandard housing and destitute conditions. Consequently, many parents struggle to adequately feed and clothe their children, living in abject poverty, or at best subsisting on a very low weekly income. Rationale and Overdll Aims of Educate an African Child Joseph and Agnes school as the main beneficiary of the funds raised bythe charty, is committed to delivering a holistic education that provides a solid foundation for its young pupils, thereby improving their prospects for social mobility. however small. The school is a well-equipped instTtution that offers a high standard of teaching and learnin& in addition to social and emotional support for the children. The charitable initiatives of Educate an African Child raise fvnds to sponsorthe education of each pupil. providing essential resources such as books, uniforms, writing materials, recreational equipment, and other leaming tools that promote full engagement in the educational experience. This approach aims to develop pupils into confident, well-rounded leamers capable of realising their potential both academically and personally, through a holistic educational ethos. The school emphasises the modelling of good behaviour and habits in its educational practices. In addition to core academic content, the curriculum includes a variety of extracurricular activities. such as constructive play, maintaining good personal hygiene and encouraging the children to participate in sustainable vegetable gardening. In October of this year, the charity undertook its main annual fundraising event, this being the "Come Walk with Me" sponsored walk. The walkers were able to raise approximately £2,600 that added to the monies donated by a few individuals who sponsor a handful of children which meets with some of the costs to pay staff. The aim of the fundraiser was to raise sufficient funds to buy and construct a climbing frame and slide forthe children's playground. Sufficientfunds were raised
to buy, ship and successfully construct the play equipment. As a result of the charitable support of the agents UPSAT. transportation of goods from the UK to Nigeria were subsidised which significantly reduced our spendingon this important undertaking. This installation has allowed the children to enjoy participating regularly in imaginative play. enhance their physical c(pordination as well as their social and emotional well-being. The children have also leamed to take turns in their play and interact with each other empathetically. The School's Progress to date-An Economic context: The school has continued to grow from strength to strength despite the significant challenges it has countenanced in maintaining the daily financial running of the premises. A downturn in the economic climate in Nigeria caused by a rampant increase in inflation in 2022 to approximately 20.8%. The price hike of essential commodities such as food (up to 23%}, petrol. as well as other energy-based utilities, has warranted a cost-effective approach to spending in the maintenance of the running of the sch¢)ol. This has allowed the establishment to continue to support and provide high quality free education for 9 children between the ages of I to 5 years. This is more poignant eonsidering the fact that the National Bureau of Statistics reported that 63% i.e. 133 million Nigerians lived below the national poverty line. There is further scope to do more to meet with the future objectives and artivities of the school. There is significant potential to improve and widen its facilities by way of action plans devised by the tharitvs governing body in close collaboration with the school's manager/founder and other stakeholders. The plans that intend to be action are to- l. Recruit a fundraiser to increase funds for larger projects such as establishing the primary school build. 2. Undertake our annual" Come walk with me "fundraiserto raise £4-6K to purchase a minibus to transport the children to and from school in light of the soaring and thus prohibttive costs of transportation. 3. Undertake more outreach work so thatwe can increase the number of pupils in attendance to meet ourtarget number of 12 4. Develop a library hub to 21 century 5t3ndards 5. Develop the primary school classrooms for 40-60 places Closing remarks: The charity and its Stakeholders have come a long way and have endeavoured to meet with their aims this year as in previous years. We will continue to work in a collaborative mannerto meet with the above objectives. In doing so we are confident that the school that will continue to excel in providing an enriching and high standard of education that every impoverished child in Enugu should have the opportunityto enjoy to maximize their life chances.
Executive Dirertorfs Overview Introdurtion This Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act and sets out the performance, key activities, and challenges of Educate on African Child {Charity Registration Number: 1197100). Our mission is to transform lives by widening access to quality education for underprivileged children in Nigeria. Through our primary school in Enugu State, we provide free nursery and primary education to chl1 dren from families living below the poverty line, helping to break the cyde of poverty through learning and opportunity. Aims. Objertives, and Purpose Aims Educate an African Child exists to enhance educational opportunities for children in Nigeria, with a particular focus on those from vulnerable families who face significant socio*conomic barriers. Objectives To achieve this aim. our objectives are to: Advance the education of pupils at the Joseph and Agnes Educational Foundation in Enugu State, Nigeria, by providing and supporting the provision of facilities and resourcos for effective learning. Develop the educational capacity and skills of socially and economically disadvantaged communities in Nigeria, enabling individuals to better identify and meet their own needs and to participate more fully in society. Purpose At the heart of our work is a simple but powerful purpose: to ensure that every child has access to quality education. 8y doing so, we empower children to break free from the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their wider communities.
Achievements Despite the economic pressures and logistical challenges faced during the. year, Educate anAfrican Child has continued to make meaningful progress towards its aims and objectives. Our efforts have strengthened both the delivery of education in Enugu and the support we provide to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some key achievements from the past year include- Partnerships with local organisations- We continued to build and strengthen relationships with community groups and churches. These partnerships have enabled us to expand outreach visits to areas where women and children are often found begging for food and money. This work is challenging and requires patience, as it can sometimes take more than a year to encourage an individual to leave behind the perceived security of street begging. Navigating eGonomic challenges- Rising living costs and inflation in Nigeria presented considerable financial pressures. Nonetheless, we maintained core operations and continued to provide free education to children most in need. School development- Renovation work began on the first floor of ourfacility, creating space to accommodate the natural progression from nursery to primary education. This marks an important step towards offering a complete early years and primary school pathway. • Pupil progression Eight children successfully progressed from pre-school into primary level education. This milestone demonstrates the value of continuity in our programme and highlights the impact of sustsined support. Fundraising success A sponsored fundraising walk was successfully delivered in the UK, helping to raise vital funds and awareness. This initiative not only generated financial support but also provided a foundation for building a more sustainable base of members and sponsors.
Staffing- We retained the majority of our dedicated teaching and support staff, although two members left during the year due to dissatisfaction with salary levels. Staff retention remains a key priority given the challenging economic climate. Challenges In addition to the issues outlined in previous reports, a number of ongoing challenges continued to affect our operations during the year: Lack of awareness of poverfs impact - Many communities in Igboland still lack an understanding of the deep impact that extreme poverty and generational educational deprivation can have, particularly for girls and widows. Entrenched societal attitudes towards the value of education for marginalised groups mak& it harjer to ensure equitable access for all children. Barriers within the educational system Although primary education in Nigeria is officially free, hidden costs such as uniforms, books, and informal fees continue to exclude the poorest families. This undermines the principle of universal access and presents a constant challenge for the children we support. Outreach and engagement skills gap - Successfully building trust with women and families living on the streets requires specific outreach expertise. At present. our capacity in this area is Simited, and additional funding will be needed to employ an outreach worker who can collaborate with grassroots organisations to engage families more effectively. Staffing and retention- Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers and volunteers remains difficult due to economic pressures and limited funding to offer competitive salaries. Meeting the national minimum wage in Nigeria is increasingly essential if we are to retain skilled staff and maintain service quality.
Pupil continuity - Only four students were unable to remain in consistent education (furing the year. This was largely due to. homelessness, unstable living arrangements, and our limited ability to cover transport costs. Ensuring continuity of education for these children is one of our most pressing challenges. Financial Challenges The charity continues to face significant financial pressures. In Nigeria, there is little to, no access to grants or government funding. making us almost entirely reliant on private donations. This dependence on a small number of donors leaves our finances vulnerable and highlights the urgent need to diversify income streams. Rising inflation and operational costs have further strained our budget, particularly affecting staff retention and recruitment. Teacher salaries no longer cover basic living costs, making it difficult to maintain stable staffing. We also lack the capacity to employ a dedicated fundraising or development off icer, limiting our ability to secure sustainable income and build stronger partnerships. Addressingthisgap will be critical to our long- term stability and grovrth. Statistical data to provide an Economic and social contexts in Igbo states Literacy Rates: Current literacy rates in Igbo State are estimated at 62%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This figure is significantly lower in rural areas, where literacy can drop to as low as 50%. Poverty Rates: Approximately 43% of the population in Igbo State lives in poverty, severely limiting their ability to afford school fees and educational materials (National Bureau of Statistics, 2023). Cost of Living crisis: The cost of essential goods such as food and utilities are rapidly rising, with a report from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics indicating that the
average price of food items has increased by 32% in the pastyear, directly affecting household budgets. Food Inflation: The National Bureau of Statistics reported that food prices increased by over 300/0 in 2023. This rise has severely impacted nutrition, with 20Yo of households reportedly experiencing food insecurity, further hindering children's ability to learn effectivelv. Academic conteJt Pupil Numbers and Progress During the year, pupil numbers in the nursery and pre-school sections fell from eight to four. largely due to family displacement, homelessness, and rising living costs which made transport to school unaffordable. Despite these challenges, we proudly promoted eight children to Primary l. Their progress in reading, writing, numeracy. and STEM subjects has been particularly encouragin& though IT skills remain limited due to infrastructural challenges such as poor connectivity. Barriers to Continuity Many of the families we serve live on the streets of Enugu, making them difficult to engage consistently. Outreach remains a challenge, with much of the work currently undertaken by our Founder alone. Wider economic hardship-including the removal of fuel subsidies and rising housing costs-has placed additional strain on families, forcing some to prioritise food over transport to school. Educational Approach and Support Despite these barriers, our children continue to thrive. Many are now confidently reading two- to four-letter words phonetically, demonstrating strong progress despite the absence of home support or extracurricular learning. We remain committed to a discovery-based approach, encouraging curiosity. questioning, and social development. We are grateful to our UK link schools, including UCL Nursery and St Winefrid's Primary School, for providing books, furniture, and teaching
resources. We also extend thanks to shipping partners Opsat Ltd and Worldwide Links, whose heavily discounted services allow us to equip our classrooms with quality play materials and furnishing5. Nutrition To ensure no child learns on an empty Stomach. the school continues to provide simple breakfasts and lunches to pupils where needed. Our Greatest Challenges l. Financial Sustainability The charity remains heavily reliant on a small number of donors, leaving us vulnerable to fluctuations in support. Rising inflation and operational costs in Nigeria have increased pressure on our limited budget, particularly affecting our ability to retain staff, cover transport for pupils, and expand outreach. Without dedicated fundraising staff, both in the UK and Nigeria, it is difficult to secure new funding streams or develop sustainable long-term income. 2. Pupil Retention and Continuity of Education Many of the children we support come from families experiencing homelessness, extreme poverty, or frequent displacement. Parents are often forced to choose behveen food for the day and transport to school, which disrupts continuity of education. While we proudly progressed eight children into primary education this year, overall enrolment in nursery and pre-school has fallen, and some pupils have been lost due to unstable housing and financial hardship. 3. Staffing and Outreach Capacity Recruiting and retaining teachers and outreach workers is a continuing struggle. Salaries are no longer sufficient to meet the rising cost of living in Nigeria, and without meeting national minimum wage levels, staff retention remains at risk. In addition, outreach work to engage families living on the streets is currently led almost entirely by our Founder. Without additional trained staff or volunteers. it is challenging to build trust with hard-to-reach families and bring more children into education.
Future Plans Looking ahead, Educote an African Child is committed to strengthening both the educational provision in Enugu and our wider support network. Our plans for the coming year include: Parent and Community Engagement o Host a Labour Day celebration with artivities involving both children ahd families. Provide parents with basic literacy lessons. including how to write their names and signatures, to support confidence and everyday participation. o Deliver environmental and hygiene awareness days for parents and children. Including collaboration with local private schools. Run a school bus driver training day focused on road safety, responsibilities. and basic emergency response. International Links and Enrithment o Develop student exchonge sessions via Zoom with our UK partner schools, allowing children to share their views. culture, and heritage. o Introduce story nights using WhatsApp/Zoom, where children can listen to bedtime stories read by UK parents alongside their peers. Advocacy and Awareness Launch advocacy campaigns to raise awarene55 of children's rights to early childhood education. o Begin constructive dialogue with state education authorities to highlight the challenges faced and to seek improved facilities and resources for disadvantaged pupils.
Capacity Building o Recruit key staff positions including a Head Teacher, Fundraising Development Manager. Outreach Manager, and Volunteer Development Manager. These roles will be critical.in ensuring long- term sustainability, Outreach effectiveness, and the expansion of our programmes. Conclusion The past year h?s brought both progress and significant challenges for Educate an African Child. We are proud of the children who have advanced in their education, the families we have supported, and the partnerships that continue to sustain our work. At the same time, we recognise the financial. social, and operational hurdles that must be overcome to secure a stronger future for the school and its pupils. Our commitment remains steadfast: to provide quality education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Enugu, helping them to break the cycle of poverty and unlock their potential. With the continued support of our donors. partners. and volunteers. we are confident thatwe can build on our achievements, address the challenges ahead, and create lasting opportunities for the children and families we serve. On behalf of the trustees. we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this mission. Together. we are making a tangible difference in the lives of children who might other4vise be left behind.
The Chair's Summary1202&2024) Introduction Educate an African Child is a charttable organisation established in 2022.lts primary purpose is to raise tunds in the United Kingdom to supportthejoseph andAgnes Educational Foundation in Enugu, Nigeria. The school providesfree nurseryand primaryeduc8tionforchildren from families living below the poverty linhOse who cannot afftjrd even the most basic level of schooling. Our benef iciaries are amongthe most disadvantaged. including families living in temporary or substandard housing and experiencingfood insecurtty. Many parents struggle to meet their fatnilies. daily needs. Againstthis backdrop. the school offers a safe. nurturing space where children can leam. play, and dream of a betterfuture. Rationale and OverallAims of Educate an African Child The Joseph and Agnes Educational Foundation MaInsthe principal beneficiaryoffunds raised by Educate an African Child. The school continues to deltver a holistic, values-b8sed education that strengthens children's academic. emotionaL and social development. its goal is to help pupils build a solid educational foundation that can open pathways to social mobility and future opportunty. Funds raised bythe charty cover the costs of learning materials. unrforms. furniture, books. and recreational resources-ensuringthat every child, regardless of circumstance. can engage fully in their education. The school's approach blends strong academic teaching with emotional care. social learning. and life skius such as hygiene. empathy. and teamwork. The School's Progress to Date-An Economic Context The 2023-24 year was marked by both encouraging progress and signtficant external pressures. Pupil numbers in the nursery and pr&school sections decltned siightly-from eight to four- largely due to family displacement and the rising cost of living. Nevertheless. eight children proudly progressed to the Primary 1 stage. showing strong improvements in reading, writing, numeracy. and STEM skills. Teaching staff have worked tirelessly to provlde eonsistent. high-qualty education desprte f inancial Con$tlntS and infrastructural limitations such as unreliable internet access. The schoolcontinuesto provide d8ilybreakfasts and lunchesto ensure no child learns on an empty stomach. Economic hardship in Nigeri8 remains severe. The removal of fuel subsidies, escalating inflation. and rising housing costs have increased povety and reduced family stability. Transport costs have made it difficult for many children to attend school regularly, while teacher retention has been strained by the inabilrtyto match rising wage expectstions.
Despite these challenges. the charrty has achieved several mile8tones: . Successful promotion of eight pupits toTJrimary level. Renovation of the firstfloor of the school to expand primary classrooms. • Strengthened partnerships with local churches and communtyorganisations to reach hard- to-access families. Continued collaboration with UK partner schools. including UCL Nursery and Stwinefrid's Prim8ry School, providing books. furniture. and leaming resources. Supportfrom Opsat Ltd and Worldwide Links. whose (Jiscounted shipping made ttpossibleto transport essential supplies to Enugu. Delivery of the annual"Come Walk With Me" fundraising event. vthich successfully raised vital funds and increased supporter engagement. Future Objectives and Activities The charFty and its trustees have identified several priorities forthe year 8head: 1. Recruitmentand Capacity Building-Appoint a Head Teacher. Fundraising DeveloprTtent Manager, Outreach Manager, and Volunteer Development Managerto strengthen leadership and sustainability. 2. Parent and Communtty Engagement- Host a Labour Day celebration and run parent literacy sessionsfocused on writingi reading. and signing. 3. International Collaboration- Expand student exchange and cultural-learning activitiesvia Zoom with UK partner schools. 4. CommunttyAwareness Initiatives- Deliver environmental and hygiene awareness days. and organise training for school bus drivers on road safety and emergency response. 5. Storytelling and Cultural Enrichment- Introduce wrtual-story Nights-via WhatsApp and Zoom, allowing children in Nigeria to listen to bedtime stories read by UK parents. 6. Advocacy and Partnership Development- Engage with local and state education authorities to advocate for early childhood education and improved school facilities. Closing Remarks Educate an African Child has continuedto demonstrate resilience and purposethroughout another challengingyear. Despite financial and social barriers, the charity has sustained its core mission-providing free. quality education to children vtho would otheTwise be excluded from learning. We extend our sincere gratitude to OLtr supporters. donors. partrTrer schoots, shipping partners. and volunteers. whose generosity and commitment make OLErwork p(Issible. Wrth their continued support, we remain confident in our vision- to give everychild from vulnerable family in Enugu the opportunityto learn. thrive. and build a brighierfLrture up the primarylevel of school Itf& Janet George Chalr
The above accounts have been drawn up In accordance wlth cwrent a¢¢ountiTrg poiicles ond complywith the charitable company'$ memofandum and articles of association. applicable laws and the requirements of the StatemÈnt of Recommended PIce on Accounting and Reporting by Charities. issued in March 2005 bythe Charlty Commission an$ forthe Future We intend to engage our ¢urrent don0 and encourage thern to attract new members by $endingout notices of ourwalks eaTtier. By incentivislngthe ¢urrent donors by providlngvouchers forthose attracting ng7hf donors. We will a150 approach large companiesto $ponsor ouiyrdlks. Additlonally. we intend lo arrange 8 Dinner and Music event in August2026 as a fundraislngevent, to 4rcrease our Income. Whatwe noticed last year. although our donions increased overthe prèvious year by 115Vo and the Go Fund also increased 500% over the pÈ¥iod. ttvrns the direct and indir¢ct ¢osts which were up by 357%. This was dueto fuel short8gts.petrol and electricity price hiko which pushed up our costs In Nigeria. Additionally. transport cost also impacted the saiarle$ adversely. In 2026. Staff salaries are projected to lise bya third to meet national minimum wage Increases In Nigeria. There was also a negatlve impact of exchange r*¢tluctuation. economic unc8rtaintie$ due to the new ruling politicafpartywlth a mojorshift in policie$ such a$ninatIOn of fuel subsidy in Nlgeri8. As a result, we incurred a deficit of£179.11 et the end of 31st December 20 In the UK. the cost of living impacted on the consumers in 2023 which resulted in erodingthe purchaslng power of ¢ODSUTners. The high street retail outlets were also hit and consumers also cut back on contrlbutlngto charities such as ours in 2023. In 2024, thè donors were confiderrt in contributingto our charity and it was 81$0 èvldent in Our Go Fund where the donors were usingthis method offunding as they were gaining in eonfidence. Hemuna Pather-carr October 31st 202S.
10r29125, 11..56 FIA IEducate an Afncan Child IFinanci3J Stemerrt IFOF the Period 1st January 21Y24 to Decanber 2tr24 iincomir¥g Resources monthly tkrtions Go Fund Me . CAF Interest ReceNed Total Income Resouices 47723 1678.07 IResources Expended trect Expenses Isakries and Running Costs ,Total Direct Expenses Admin & Management Web 9te HO5g CAF Tr,lop.tr.ty Shipping Cos Exrwse5 Excess IncomeExFen5 66fi.3 -179.1 OFenW Eaknce $201.59 strteml of Assets & Liabdiriesas at 3 O0ts¢r2024 Ft%edAssets Currer.tAssets 161.17 4688.57 Toial Clwrert curr[55t 5201.59 rrep.i Ltl Net cremSSe 520L59 5201.59 Loru Term Labl Netpssets oftre C 520L59 httpsJInB.9oog.C0nnwI u101#5earclvhernJnèpather2012%40gWÉlcowlFkf¢gztkqbWzZSrdNESIVWFhGzfiprop¢tOr1&ThSsagePartL..
- 11..52 F 15416E18-6D3949CGA6E439780FC57C5.Jpeg ANNUAL RETURNS 2•24 - DEC 2•24 http$'JlwÉli.goOg.Cl¥[lrrQvulol#SearCrmerUapaer2o12%4DYrr¢lcregZ*kqbxBL¥f¢LWE4th¢CwgvFnws7vC¢lo1
TRusfEE ANNUAL REfuRNS January- December 2024 Educate An African Child Reglstered Address: l Adler Court Earlham Grove Forest Gate London E7 9DT Trustees Members: Janet George Sandra Jahi Hemuna Pather-carr Cynthia Skeete Iram Bashir Carol Ene Mary Ukah Bank: Co-operative Bank Santander
Charity Commission Annual Return 2024 EDUCATE AN AFRICAN CHILD Charity registration number: 1197100 The Chairfs Summary Introduction Educate an African Child is a charitable organisation that was first established in 2022. Its primary objective is to raise funds to support a nursery school in Enugu, Nigeria, which offers primary education to children from families who cannot afford a basic standard of education. This institution aims to provide a high-quality elementary education for children living in extreme poverty- The beneficiaries primarily include very poor families residing in substandard housing and destitute conditions. Consequently, many parents struggle to adequately feed and clothe their children, living in abject poverty, or at best subsisting on a very low weekly income. Rationale and Overdll Aims of Educate an African Child Joseph and Agnes school as the main beneficiary of the funds raised bythe charty, is committed to delivering a holistic education that provides a solid foundation for its young pupils, thereby improving their prospects for social mobility. however small. The school is a well-equipped instTtution that offers a high standard of teaching and learnin& in addition to social and emotional support for the children. The charitable initiatives of Educate an African Child raise fvnds to sponsorthe education of each pupil. providing essential resources such as books, uniforms, writing materials, recreational equipment, and other leaming tools that promote full engagement in the educational experience. This approach aims to develop pupils into confident, well-rounded leamers capable of realising their potential both academically and personally, through a holistic educational ethos. The school emphasises the modelling of good behaviour and habits in its educational practices. In addition to core academic content, the curriculum includes a variety of extracurricular activities. such as constructive play, maintaining good personal hygiene and encouraging the children to participate in sustainable vegetable gardening. In October of this year, the charity undertook its main annual fundraising event, this being the "Come Walk with Me" sponsored walk. The walkers were able to raise approximately £2,600 that added to the monies donated by a few individuals who sponsor a handful of children which meets with some of the costs to pay staff. The aim of the fundraiser was to raise sufficient funds to buy and construct a climbing frame and slide forthe children's playground. Sufficientfunds were raised
to buy, ship and successfully construct the play equipment. As a result of the charitable support of the agents UPSAT. transportation of goods from the UK to Nigeria were subsidised which significantly reduced our spendingon this important undertaking. This installation has allowed the children to enjoy participating regularly in imaginative play. enhance their physical c(pordination as well as their social and emotional well-being. The children have also leamed to take turns in their play and interact with each other empathetically. The School's Progress to date-An Economic context: The school has continued to grow from strength to strength despite the significant challenges it has countenanced in maintaining the daily financial running of the premises. A downturn in the economic climate in Nigeria caused by a rampant increase in inflation in 2022 to approximately 20.8%. The price hike of essential commodities such as food (up to 23%}, petrol. as well as other energy-based utilities, has warranted a cost-effective approach to spending in the maintenance of the running of the sch¢)ol. This has allowed the establishment to continue to support and provide high quality free education for 9 children between the ages of I to 5 years. This is more poignant eonsidering the fact that the National Bureau of Statistics reported that 63% i.e. 133 million Nigerians lived below the national poverty line. There is further scope to do more to meet with the future objectives and artivities of the school. There is significant potential to improve and widen its facilities by way of action plans devised by the tharitvs governing body in close collaboration with the school's manager/founder and other stakeholders. The plans that intend to be action are to- l. Recruit a fundraiser to increase funds for larger projects such as establishing the primary school build. 2. Undertake our annual" Come walk with me "fundraiserto raise £4-6K to purchase a minibus to transport the children to and from school in light of the soaring and thus prohibttive costs of transportation. 3. Undertake more outreach work so thatwe can increase the number of pupils in attendance to meet ourtarget number of 12 4. Develop a library hub to 21 century 5t3ndards 5. Develop the primary school classrooms for 40-60 places Closing remarks: The charity and its Stakeholders have come a long way and have endeavoured to meet with their aims this year as in previous years. We will continue to work in a collaborative mannerto meet with the above objectives. In doing so we are confident that the school that will continue to excel in providing an enriching and high standard of education that every impoverished child in Enugu should have the opportunityto enjoy to maximize their life chances.
Executive Dirertorfs Overview Introdurtion This Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act and sets out the performance, key activities, and challenges of Educate on African Child {Charity Registration Number: 1197100). Our mission is to transform lives by widening access to quality education for underprivileged children in Nigeria. Through our primary school in Enugu State, we provide free nursery and primary education to chl1 dren from families living below the poverty line, helping to break the cyde of poverty through learning and opportunity. Aims. Objertives, and Purpose Aims Educate an African Child exists to enhance educational opportunities for children in Nigeria, with a particular focus on those from vulnerable families who face significant socio*conomic barriers. Objectives To achieve this aim. our objectives are to: Advance the education of pupils at the Joseph and Agnes Educational Foundation in Enugu State, Nigeria, by providing and supporting the provision of facilities and resourcos for effective learning. Develop the educational capacity and skills of socially and economically disadvantaged communities in Nigeria, enabling individuals to better identify and meet their own needs and to participate more fully in society. Purpose At the heart of our work is a simple but powerful purpose: to ensure that every child has access to quality education. 8y doing so, we empower children to break free from the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their wider communities.
Achievements Despite the economic pressures and logistical challenges faced during the. year, Educate anAfrican Child has continued to make meaningful progress towards its aims and objectives. Our efforts have strengthened both the delivery of education in Enugu and the support we provide to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some key achievements from the past year include- Partnerships with local organisations- We continued to build and strengthen relationships with community groups and churches. These partnerships have enabled us to expand outreach visits to areas where women and children are often found begging for food and money. This work is challenging and requires patience, as it can sometimes take more than a year to encourage an individual to leave behind the perceived security of street begging. Navigating eGonomic challenges- Rising living costs and inflation in Nigeria presented considerable financial pressures. Nonetheless, we maintained core operations and continued to provide free education to children most in need. School development- Renovation work began on the first floor of ourfacility, creating space to accommodate the natural progression from nursery to primary education. This marks an important step towards offering a complete early years and primary school pathway. • Pupil progression Eight children successfully progressed from pre-school into primary level education. This milestone demonstrates the value of continuity in our programme and highlights the impact of sustsined support. Fundraising success A sponsored fundraising walk was successfully delivered in the UK, helping to raise vital funds and awareness. This initiative not only generated financial support but also provided a foundation for building a more sustainable base of members and sponsors.
Staffing- We retained the majority of our dedicated teaching and support staff, although two members left during the year due to dissatisfaction with salary levels. Staff retention remains a key priority given the challenging economic climate. Challenges In addition to the issues outlined in previous reports, a number of ongoing challenges continued to affect our operations during the year: Lack of awareness of poverfs impact - Many communities in Igboland still lack an understanding of the deep impact that extreme poverty and generational educational deprivation can have, particularly for girls and widows. Entrenched societal attitudes towards the value of education for marginalised groups mak& it harjer to ensure equitable access for all children. Barriers within the educational system Although primary education in Nigeria is officially free, hidden costs such as uniforms, books, and informal fees continue to exclude the poorest families. This undermines the principle of universal access and presents a constant challenge for the children we support. Outreach and engagement skills gap - Successfully building trust with women and families living on the streets requires specific outreach expertise. At present. our capacity in this area is Simited, and additional funding will be needed to employ an outreach worker who can collaborate with grassroots organisations to engage families more effectively. Staffing and retention- Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers and volunteers remains difficult due to economic pressures and limited funding to offer competitive salaries. Meeting the national minimum wage in Nigeria is increasingly essential if we are to retain skilled staff and maintain service quality.
Pupil continuity - Only four students were unable to remain in consistent education (furing the year. This was largely due to. homelessness, unstable living arrangements, and our limited ability to cover transport costs. Ensuring continuity of education for these children is one of our most pressing challenges. Financial Challenges The charity continues to face significant financial pressures. In Nigeria, there is little to, no access to grants or government funding. making us almost entirely reliant on private donations. This dependence on a small number of donors leaves our finances vulnerable and highlights the urgent need to diversify income streams. Rising inflation and operational costs have further strained our budget, particularly affecting staff retention and recruitment. Teacher salaries no longer cover basic living costs, making it difficult to maintain stable staffing. We also lack the capacity to employ a dedicated fundraising or development off icer, limiting our ability to secure sustainable income and build stronger partnerships. Addressingthisgap will be critical to our long- term stability and grovrth. Statistical data to provide an Economic and social contexts in Igbo states Literacy Rates: Current literacy rates in Igbo State are estimated at 62%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This figure is significantly lower in rural areas, where literacy can drop to as low as 50%. Poverty Rates: Approximately 43% of the population in Igbo State lives in poverty, severely limiting their ability to afford school fees and educational materials (National Bureau of Statistics, 2023). Cost of Living crisis: The cost of essential goods such as food and utilities are rapidly rising, with a report from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics indicating that the
average price of food items has increased by 32% in the pastyear, directly affecting household budgets. Food Inflation: The National Bureau of Statistics reported that food prices increased by over 300/0 in 2023. This rise has severely impacted nutrition, with 20Yo of households reportedly experiencing food insecurity, further hindering children's ability to learn effectivelv. Academic conteJt Pupil Numbers and Progress During the year, pupil numbers in the nursery and pre-school sections fell from eight to four. largely due to family displacement, homelessness, and rising living costs which made transport to school unaffordable. Despite these challenges, we proudly promoted eight children to Primary l. Their progress in reading, writing, numeracy. and STEM subjects has been particularly encouragin& though IT skills remain limited due to infrastructural challenges such as poor connectivity. Barriers to Continuity Many of the families we serve live on the streets of Enugu, making them difficult to engage consistently. Outreach remains a challenge, with much of the work currently undertaken by our Founder alone. Wider economic hardship-including the removal of fuel subsidies and rising housing costs-has placed additional strain on families, forcing some to prioritise food over transport to school. Educational Approach and Support Despite these barriers, our children continue to thrive. Many are now confidently reading two- to four-letter words phonetically, demonstrating strong progress despite the absence of home support or extracurricular learning. We remain committed to a discovery-based approach, encouraging curiosity. questioning, and social development. We are grateful to our UK link schools, including UCL Nursery and St Winefrid's Primary School, for providing books, furniture, and teaching
resources. We also extend thanks to shipping partners Opsat Ltd and Worldwide Links, whose heavily discounted services allow us to equip our classrooms with quality play materials and furnishing5. Nutrition To ensure no child learns on an empty Stomach. the school continues to provide simple breakfasts and lunches to pupils where needed. Our Greatest Challenges l. Financial Sustainability The charity remains heavily reliant on a small number of donors, leaving us vulnerable to fluctuations in support. Rising inflation and operational costs in Nigeria have increased pressure on our limited budget, particularly affecting our ability to retain staff, cover transport for pupils, and expand outreach. Without dedicated fundraising staff, both in the UK and Nigeria, it is difficult to secure new funding streams or develop sustainable long-term income. 2. Pupil Retention and Continuity of Education Many of the children we support come from families experiencing homelessness, extreme poverty, or frequent displacement. Parents are often forced to choose behveen food for the day and transport to school, which disrupts continuity of education. While we proudly progressed eight children into primary education this year, overall enrolment in nursery and pre-school has fallen, and some pupils have been lost due to unstable housing and financial hardship. 3. Staffing and Outreach Capacity Recruiting and retaining teachers and outreach workers is a continuing struggle. Salaries are no longer sufficient to meet the rising cost of living in Nigeria, and without meeting national minimum wage levels, staff retention remains at risk. In addition, outreach work to engage families living on the streets is currently led almost entirely by our Founder. Without additional trained staff or volunteers. it is challenging to build trust with hard-to-reach families and bring more children into education.
Future Plans Looking ahead, Educote an African Child is committed to strengthening both the educational provision in Enugu and our wider support network. Our plans for the coming year include: Parent and Community Engagement o Host a Labour Day celebration with artivities involving both children ahd families. Provide parents with basic literacy lessons. including how to write their names and signatures, to support confidence and everyday participation. o Deliver environmental and hygiene awareness days for parents and children. Including collaboration with local private schools. Run a school bus driver training day focused on road safety, responsibilities. and basic emergency response. International Links and Enrithment o Develop student exchonge sessions via Zoom with our UK partner schools, allowing children to share their views. culture, and heritage. o Introduce story nights using WhatsApp/Zoom, where children can listen to bedtime stories read by UK parents alongside their peers. Advocacy and Awareness Launch advocacy campaigns to raise awarene55 of children's rights to early childhood education. o Begin constructive dialogue with state education authorities to highlight the challenges faced and to seek improved facilities and resources for disadvantaged pupils.
Capacity Building o Recruit key staff positions including a Head Teacher, Fundraising Development Manager. Outreach Manager, and Volunteer Development Manager. These roles will be critical.in ensuring long- term sustainability, Outreach effectiveness, and the expansion of our programmes. Conclusion The past year h?s brought both progress and significant challenges for Educate an African Child. We are proud of the children who have advanced in their education, the families we have supported, and the partnerships that continue to sustain our work. At the same time, we recognise the financial. social, and operational hurdles that must be overcome to secure a stronger future for the school and its pupils. Our commitment remains steadfast: to provide quality education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Enugu, helping them to break the cycle of poverty and unlock their potential. With the continued support of our donors. partners. and volunteers. we are confident thatwe can build on our achievements, address the challenges ahead, and create lasting opportunities for the children and families we serve. On behalf of the trustees. we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this mission. Together. we are making a tangible difference in the lives of children who might other4vise be left behind.
The Chair's Summary1202&2024) Introduction Educate an African Child is a charttable organisation established in 2022.lts primary purpose is to raise tunds in the United Kingdom to supportthejoseph andAgnes Educational Foundation in Enugu, Nigeria. The school providesfree nurseryand primaryeduc8tionforchildren from families living below the poverty linhOse who cannot afftjrd even the most basic level of schooling. Our benef iciaries are amongthe most disadvantaged. including families living in temporary or substandard housing and experiencingfood insecurtty. Many parents struggle to meet their fatnilies. daily needs. Againstthis backdrop. the school offers a safe. nurturing space where children can leam. play, and dream of a betterfuture. Rationale and OverallAims of Educate an African Child The Joseph and Agnes Educational Foundation MaInsthe principal beneficiaryoffunds raised by Educate an African Child. The school continues to deltver a holistic, values-b8sed education that strengthens children's academic. emotionaL and social development. its goal is to help pupils build a solid educational foundation that can open pathways to social mobility and future opportunty. Funds raised bythe charty cover the costs of learning materials. unrforms. furniture, books. and recreational resources-ensuringthat every child, regardless of circumstance. can engage fully in their education. The school's approach blends strong academic teaching with emotional care. social learning. and life skius such as hygiene. empathy. and teamwork. The School's Progress to Date-An Economic Context The 2023-24 year was marked by both encouraging progress and signtficant external pressures. Pupil numbers in the nursery and pr&school sections decltned siightly-from eight to four- largely due to family displacement and the rising cost of living. Nevertheless. eight children proudly progressed to the Primary 1 stage. showing strong improvements in reading, writing, numeracy. and STEM skills. Teaching staff have worked tirelessly to provlde eonsistent. high-qualty education desprte f inancial Con$tlntS and infrastructural limitations such as unreliable internet access. The schoolcontinuesto provide d8ilybreakfasts and lunchesto ensure no child learns on an empty stomach. Economic hardship in Nigeri8 remains severe. The removal of fuel subsidies, escalating inflation. and rising housing costs have increased povety and reduced family stability. Transport costs have made it difficult for many children to attend school regularly, while teacher retention has been strained by the inabilrtyto match rising wage expectstions.
Despite these challenges. the charrty has achieved several mile8tones: . Successful promotion of eight pupits toTJrimary level. Renovation of the firstfloor of the school to expand primary classrooms. • Strengthened partnerships with local churches and communtyorganisations to reach hard- to-access families. Continued collaboration with UK partner schools. including UCL Nursery and Stwinefrid's Prim8ry School, providing books. furniture. and leaming resources. Supportfrom Opsat Ltd and Worldwide Links. whose (Jiscounted shipping made ttpossibleto transport essential supplies to Enugu. Delivery of the annual"Come Walk With Me" fundraising event. vthich successfully raised vital funds and increased supporter engagement. Future Objectives and Activities The charFty and its trustees have identified several priorities forthe year 8head: 1. Recruitmentand Capacity Building-Appoint a Head Teacher. Fundraising DeveloprTtent Manager, Outreach Manager, and Volunteer Development Managerto strengthen leadership and sustainability. 2. Parent and Communtty Engagement- Host a Labour Day celebration and run parent literacy sessionsfocused on writingi reading. and signing. 3. International Collaboration- Expand student exchange and cultural-learning activitiesvia Zoom with UK partner schools. 4. CommunttyAwareness Initiatives- Deliver environmental and hygiene awareness days. and organise training for school bus drivers on road safety and emergency response. 5. Storytelling and Cultural Enrichment- Introduce wrtual-story Nights-via WhatsApp and Zoom, allowing children in Nigeria to listen to bedtime stories read by UK parents. 6. Advocacy and Partnership Development- Engage with local and state education authorities to advocate for early childhood education and improved school facilities. Closing Remarks Educate an African Child has continuedto demonstrate resilience and purposethroughout another challengingyear. Despite financial and social barriers, the charity has sustained its core mission-providing free. quality education to children vtho would otheTwise be excluded from learning. We extend our sincere gratitude to OLtr supporters. donors. partrTrer schoots, shipping partners. and volunteers. whose generosity and commitment make OLErwork p(Issible. Wrth their continued support, we remain confident in our vision- to give everychild from vulnerable family in Enugu the opportunityto learn. thrive. and build a brighierfLrture up the primarylevel of school Itf& Janet George Chalr
The above accounts have been drawn up In accordance wlth cwrent a¢¢ountiTrg poiicles ond complywith the charitable company'$ memofandum and articles of association. applicable laws and the requirements of the StatemÈnt of Recommended PIce on Accounting and Reporting by Charities. issued in March 2005 bythe Charlty Commission an$ forthe Future We intend to engage our ¢urrent don0 and encourage thern to attract new members by $endingout notices of ourwalks eaTtier. By incentivislngthe ¢urrent donors by providlngvouchers forthose attracting ng7hf donors. We will a150 approach large companiesto $ponsor ouiyrdlks. Additlonally. we intend lo arrange 8 Dinner and Music event in August2026 as a fundraislngevent, to 4rcrease our Income. Whatwe noticed last year. although our donions increased overthe prèvious year by 115Vo and the Go Fund also increased 500% over the pÈ¥iod. ttvrns the direct and indir¢ct ¢osts which were up by 357%. This was dueto fuel short8gts.petrol and electricity price hiko which pushed up our costs In Nigeria. Additionally. transport cost also impacted the saiarle$ adversely. In 2026. Staff salaries are projected to lise bya third to meet national minimum wage Increases In Nigeria. There was also a negatlve impact of exchange r*¢tluctuation. economic unc8rtaintie$ due to the new ruling politicafpartywlth a mojorshift in policie$ such a$ninatIOn of fuel subsidy in Nlgeri8. As a result, we incurred a deficit of£179.11 et the end of 31st December 20 In the UK. the cost of living impacted on the consumers in 2023 which resulted in erodingthe purchaslng power of ¢ODSUTners. The high street retail outlets were also hit and consumers also cut back on contrlbutlngto charities such as ours in 2023. In 2024, thè donors were confiderrt in contributingto our charity and it was 81$0 èvldent in Our Go Fund where the donors were usingthis method offunding as they were gaining in eonfidence. Hemuna Pather-carr October 31st 202S.
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