Trustees’ Annual Report
Reporting Period: 17 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
Charity name: Food for a Future
Charity registration number: 1197539
Objectives and Activities
Food for a Future is a UK charity dedicated to relieving poverty and financial hardship for children and families in Cambodia. Our primary objective is to support education, training, and access to essential foods and goods/services to enable impoverished children to attend school and improve their educational opportunities.
During the reporting year, our charity focused on three main programmes. Our education programme provided underprivileged children with access to education by supplying rice to feed families, along with provisions to the family including school supplies and learning materials to allow their children to attend school. This initiative has given children, who would otherwise have no access to an education, the opportunity to attend school and uplift their educational prospects. Our sewing programme was initiated during the year with the aim of equipping young women with valuable vocational skills through training in sewing and tailoring, enhancing their employability. Similarly, our mechanics programme provides vocational training and skills development in automotive repair to young adolescents, offering them sustainable livelihood opportunities.
These programmes have made a significant impact in alleviating poverty and financial hardship among children and families in Cambodia. By empowering them with education and sustainable livelihoods, we strive to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for the communities we serve.
As trustees of Food for a Future, we confirm our adherence to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission. We have diligently considered the Commission's guidance in our decision-making processes, ensuring that our charitable activities align with the Commission's principles and objectives. By doing so, we aim to maximize the positive impact of our work and fulfil our duty to effectively serve the public benefit.
Achievements and Performance
We are delighted to report on the significant achievements of Food for the Future and the positive impact we have made on the lives of our beneficiaries and society as a whole during the reporting period:
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Education Programme:
Through our monthly sponsorship of rice to families in Cambodia, we have successfully supported 14 students in attending school. By addressing the issue of food insecurity, we have enabled these students to focus on their education without the burden of hunger or having to work to provide for and feed their families. All students have shown positive progress, attending classes regularly, and their achievements are well-documented through attendance records and report cards. Our close collaboration with the school head and the village chief has ensured that our efforts are aligned with the students' educational needs.
Sewing Programme:
The establishment of our "Learn to Sew" programme as an apprenticeship scheme has empowered young women in our sponsored village to become qualified seamstresses. With the purchase of two sewing machines and supplies, and the employment of a sewing teacher, we have enrolled eight ladies in the programme. Over a six-month period, these women and teenage girls will receive training from qualified sewing teachers, equipping them with advanced sewing skills. This programme not only provides economic opportunities for the participants but also contributes to the development of a sustainable local industry.
Mechanics Programme:
Our five young mechanics have made commendable progress through the mechanical skills apprenticeship programme. This three-year initiative has paved the way for them to become fully qualified bike mechanics. By providing them with practical training and mentorship, we are enhancing their employability and facilitating their journey towards self-sufficiency. This programme demonstrates our commitment to vocational training and equipping individuals with valuable skills for a sustainable livelihood.
Health & Wellbeing:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our local coordinator in Siem Reap worked diligently with the Village Chief and local health centres to educate families and individuals on preventative hygiene measures. We provided vital information and resources to help them navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic. Furthermore, we facilitated vaccinations at local health centres to protect vulnerable individuals from the COVID-19 virus, contributing to the overall health and wellbeing of the community.
Official Charitable Registration:
We are delighted to announce that during the reporting period, Food for a Future received official registration as a charity in both the United Kingdom and Cambodia. This achievement solidifies our commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to the highest standards of governance. It also strengthens our ability to serve our beneficiaries effectively and attract further support for our charitable endeavours.
Overall, the achievements of Food for a Future have made a tangible difference in the circumstances of our beneficiaries. Through our various programmes, we have empowered individuals, provided educational opportunities, improved livelihoods, and contributed to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve. We are immensely proud of our accomplishments and remain dedicated to creating a positive impact on society as a whole.
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Financial Review
We have conducted a thorough review of the charity's financial position, encompassing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. We are pleased to report a healthy financial position, with diversified income sources and efficient expense management. Detailed information can be found in the financial statements. It should be noted that minimal reserves are held to ensure the sustained continuity of our programmes, recognizing that interrupting children's schooling at any time would be detrimental. The amount of reserve held at the end of the reporting period totalled: £3,511.
We would like to emphasize that no remuneration is paid to any of our trustees or our local coordinator in Siem Reap, and all activities involved in running and managing the charity are conducted on a purely voluntary basis. Our trustees and local coordinator generously contribute their time, expertise, and resources without any financial compensation. This commitment ensures that the resources and funds received by the charity are maximized for the intended beneficiaries, allowing us to make a greater impact in fulfilling our mission. We are grateful for the selfless dedication of our trustees and volunteers, whose efforts are instrumental in the success of our charitable endeavors.
Principal Sources of Funds:
During the reporting period, the principal sources of funds for our charity were primarily from individuals who generously sponsored our students and programmes. Their support played a crucial role in enabling us to provide educational opportunities, vocational training, and essential resources to our beneficiaries. Additionally, we were fortunate to securing funding from a corporate sponsor who extended their support specifically towards the establishment and resourcing of our sewing programme. This contribution has been instrumental in empowering young women in our sponsored village to become qualified seamstresses and creating sustainable livelihoods. We are deeply grateful to all our donors and sponsors for their invaluable support, which has been vital in driving the success of our charitable endeavours.
Investment Policy and Objectives:
We prioritise investing in projects and initiatives that align with our charitable mission and have a positive impact on society. Through this strategy, we aim to support initiatives that address pressing social and environmental challenges, such as our education, sewing, and mechanics programmes. By leveraging our financial resources, we not only create direct benefits for our beneficiaries but also contribute to wider societal benefits, such as poverty alleviation, skills development, and sustainable industries. Our investment policy reflects our commitment to responsible and impactful investing, ensuring that our financial resources are aligned with our charitable goals and contribute to positive social change.
Risks and Assessment:
While our work has yielded significant achievements, we recognize the potential challenges that may impact our operations and ability to fulfil our mission effectively. Some key risks include:
- Operational and Logistical Challenges: As we work in a developing country, we face operational and logistical risks, including infrastructure limitations, political instability, and regulatory changes, which may hinder the smooth implementation of our programmes.
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Programme Sustainability: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of our programmes, such as the education, sewing, and mechanics initiatives, requires ongoing support, capacity building, and community engagement. Failure to address these factors may undermine the effectiveness and impact of our efforts.
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External Factors : External factors beyond our control, such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, or changes in government policies, can significantly impact our operations and the communities we serve.
We continue to look at ways to mitigate these risks by considering diversifying our funding sources, conducting risk assessments, maintaining financial reserves, and establishing contingency plans. We are committed to actively monitoring and addressing these risks to safeguard the continuity and success of our charitable endeavours.
Structure, Governance and Management
Our charity operates under a Constitution/Trust Deed, which serves as our governing document. It outlines our purpose, structure, governance arrangements, and legal obligations, providing the framework for our charitable activities. The charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
Trustees
In accordance with our charity's constitution, the trustee selection methods are as follows:
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Eligibility: Every charity trustee must be a natural person.
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Age Restriction: No individual under the age of 18 years can be appointed as a charity trustee of the CIO.
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Automatic Cessation: No individual can be appointed as a charity trustee if they would automatically cease to hold office under the provisions of clause [12(1)(e)].
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Acceptance of Office: Before acting as a charity trustee, whether through appointment or re-appointment, the individual must expressly acknowledge their acceptance of the office of charity trustee. The specific method of acknowledgment is determined by the charity trustees.
These constitutional provisions ensure that trustee selection is conducted in accordance with the age requirements, eligibility criteria, and acceptance of office, as outlined in our charity's constitution.
Our charity has established policies and procedures to ensure effective induction and training of trustees. New trustees receive important documents, including the Constitution and the latest Trustees' Annual Report and Statement of Accounts, to familiarize themselves with our governance framework and financial position. While an orientation visit to our operations in Siem Reap may not always be feasible, we highly value its potential benefits in providing firsthand insights and enhancing trustees' understanding of our charitable work.
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Organisational Structure:
Our charity operates under an organizational structure which includes a Board of Trustees overseeing the governance and strategic direction of our organization. Additionally, we have a local coordinator based in Siem Reap who plays a crucial role in managing and coordinating our operations on the ground. This structure ensures effective decision-making, accountability, and efficient implementation of our charitable activities in the community of Siem Reap.
Related Parties:
In our Annual Report, we disclose the presence of related parties among our trustees. This includes a disclosure that siblings hold positions as trustees, as well as the disclosure that one of the trustees is the daughter of another trustee. We want to assure our stakeholders that despite these familial relationships, we uphold transparency, fairness, and good governance to ensure that all decisions are made in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries, free from any preferential treatment based on family ties
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Food for a Future |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charity number | 1197539 |
| Charity’s principal address | Pwllmeyric Lodge, Badger’s Meadow Pwllmeyric, Chepstow, NP16 6LE Monmouthshire |
Charity Trustees Who Manage the Charity:
| Trustee name | Office(if any) | Dates acted if not for wholeyear |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Gittins | Chair | FullyAppointed duringreporting period |
| Samantha Man | Secretary | FullyAppointed duringreporting period |
| James Lovell | FullyAppointed duringreporting period | |
| Alice Gittins | FullyAppointed duringreporting period |
Declarations
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above:
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees:
Signature:
Full Name: Sarah Louise Gittins Position: Chair Date: 31 December 2022
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Food For A Future No (if any) Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 1st Jan 22 31st Dec 22 To from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds
Total funds Last year funds funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
| A1 Receipts | A1 Receipts | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income from Sponsors | 5,954 | - | - | 5,954 | 5,162 | |||||||
| Bank Compensation | 500 | - | - | 500 | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 6,454 |
- | - | 6,454 | 5,162 | |||||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, | ||||||||||||
| (see table). | ||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| **Total receipts ** | 6,454 | - | - | 6,454 | 5,162 | |||||||
| A3 Payments | ||||||||||||
| Expenditure | 2,338 | - | - | 2,338 | 4,351 | |||||||
| Bank Charges | 105 | - | - | 105 | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| **Sub total ** | 2,443 | - | - | 2,443 | 4,351 | |||||||
| A4 Asset and investment | ||||||||||||
| purchases, (see | table) | |||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| **Total payments ** | 2,443 | - | - | 2,443 | 4,351 | |||||||
| **Net of receipts/(payments) ** | 4,011 | - | - | 4,011 | 810 | |||||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| A6 Cash funds last year end | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| **Cash funds this year end ** | 4,011 | - | - | 4,011 | 810 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Details Cash In Bank at end of Dec 23 Details Details Details Details Signature SL Gittins S Man Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
to nearest £ to nearest £ 7,836 - - - - - 7,836 - Agreement Error OK to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Print Name Sarah Gittins Samantha Man Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) |
to nearest £ Endowment funds |
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| OK | |||
| to nearest £ Endowment funds |
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| Current value (optional) |
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| Current value (optional) |
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| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| SL Gittins | Sarah Gittins | 3/9/2024 | |
| S Man | Samantha Man | 3/9/2024 |