Trustees' Annual Report for The Sorn Foundation
For the year ended 31[st] March 2024
1. Trustees' Statement We, the trustees of The Sorn Foundation, are pleased to present the annual report for the year ended 31[st] March 2024. As a charitable organization, our mission is to provide educational opportunities for children in Cambodia, specifically teaching English and Khmer to children from underserved communities. This report provides an overview of our activities, achievements, and financial status for the year, ensuring transparency and accountability to our donors, volunteers, and stakeholders.
The trustees of The Sorn Foundation are:
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Nicola Clements (Chair)
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Louise Jowsey (Trustee)
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Lesley Hearne (Trustee)
We remain committed to our mission of providing quality education and support to the children in our school.
2. Activities and Achievements: The Sorn Foundation operates a small school in Cambodia, where we provide essential education to 44 children. We teach English and Khmer to these children, offering both morning and afternoon classes. The children attend school four days a week, with kindergarten children receiving 1.5 hours of teaching per day, while the older students participate in 2-hour afternoon sessions.
In addition to providing education, we also ensure that each child receives a nutritious meal and fresh water during their time at school. This sustains their energy and focus, helping them succeed in their learning environment.
We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of three volunteers who support the teaching activities. Their hard work and commitment to the children’s educational development have been invaluable in maintaining the quality of education we provide.
Key Achievements and Highlights
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Establishing an IT Suite : Set up a computer lab with five donated computers and a laptop to enhance children's computer literacy.
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Improved Child Identification System : Introduced the use of "Poor Cards" to identify and prioritize children from the poorest families for enrolment at The Sorn Foundation.
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Empowering Education Access : Supported families of thechildren with family books (identity documents), enrolled them in Khmer schools, and supplied school uniforms and bicycles for transportation. Afternoon programs at the Foundation bridge educational gaps and build confidence.
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High-Profile Support : Hosted the British Ambassador Dominic Williams and his family at our school in 2023. He highlighted our work in an interview with The Khmer Times .
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International Women’s Day : Our Head of Operations, Somphors Sorn, was invited to celebrate at the Ambassador's residence, fostering connections and recognition of the Foundation's impact.
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Supporting Deaf Children : Partnered with All Ears Cambodia, providing hearing aids to restore hearing for one child and supporting four others.
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Holistic Support : Supplied essentials like toothbrushes, clean water, nourishing meals, and addressed hunger among our children to support their well-being.
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Donation Network : Facilitated regular clothing and household donations from urban supporters, meeting immediate needs and enhancing dignity for families in need.
These achievements demonstrate our dedication to empowering vulnerable children through education and holistic care, fostering long-term change in their lives.
3. Financial Performance The Sorn Foundation is predominantly funded by our committed group of donors, who generously contribute on a monthly basis via direct debit. The total amount raised through these donations for the year is £2,760. These funds are used to cover the operational costs of the school, educational materials, meals, and the day-to-day running of the school.
We strive to ensure that every penny donated goes directly to supporting the children in our care and enhancing their educational experience.
4. Governance and Structure The Sorn Foundation is governed by three trustees: Nicola Clements, Louise Jowsey, and Lesley Hearne. The trustees are responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of the charity and ensuring that the resources are used effectively to support the school’s objectives. We meet regularly to review progress and make decisions about the future direction of the charity.
5. Plans for the Future Looking ahead, we are focused on continuing to provide quality education to the children of our school in Cambodia. We will explore opportunities to expand our teaching materials and further improve the facilities to ensure a comfortable learning environment.
Additionally, we aim to explore alternative funding sources to support our future growth. In December 2024, we secure our first Corporate Donor, which will accelerate our work and broaden its impact.
We want to purchase playground equipment, open our doors to more pupils, boost our food budget and extend teaching hours.
The trustees are pleased to confirm that the financial statements provide a true and fair view of the foundation’s finances for the year.
6. Conclusion We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to our generous donors, the volunteers, and the Cambodian community for their continued support and dedication to The Sorn Foundation’s mission. The ongoing success of the school is a direct result of their commitment and involvement.
We look forward to continuing to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children we serve and are grateful for the continued support of our community.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees of The Sorn Foundation
Nicola Clements
Chair 08.12.2024