Trustees' Annual Report for the period From Period start date T Period end date 1 1 2024 o 31 12 2024 Section A Reference and administration details Charity name Children of Cameroon Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1202175 Charity's principal address West Lodge Creedy Park Crediton Postcode EX17 4EB
Section A Reference and administration details
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled Trustee name Office (if any) year to appoint trustee (if any) 1 Christina Clover 2 Jo Poulton 3 Tim Thorogood 01/01/24 - 29/09/24 4 Teh Francis Yai 5 6 7 8 Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole year
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Constitution of Children of Cameroon Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) How the charity is constituted
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(eg. trust, association, company)
Appointed by trustees Trustee selection methods
(eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include Children of Cameroon is overseen by a board of three trustees. In additional information, where October 2024, one trustee (Tim Thorogood) stepped down, leaving a relevant, about: smaller but committed team who continue to guide the charity’s strategic ● policies and procedures and financial decisions. No new trustees were appointed during this adopted for the induction and period. training of trustees;
The charity employs three field workers based in Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Belo, Cameroon. These staff members are responsible for monitoring and supporting the children we work with, conducting home visits, and liaising with families and schools. They are managed remotely by the UK team, with regular communication and oversight.
● the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related
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parties;
| ●trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. |
We continue to work in close partnership withGoodness and Mercy Mission (GMM)in the Belo region of Cameroon. GMM helps identify children in need of support and provides on-the-ground assistance with grant delivery and staff coordination under an ongoing Memorandum of Agreement. |
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Children of Cameroon did not work with any other formal partner organisations in 2024, but we were grateful to receive a one-off grant from the De Silva Foundation , which independently identified our charity and offered funding in support of our work. No trustees received payment or financial benefit from the charity in 2024. All staff payments were for field work in Cameroon or for approved administrative and financial tasks. During 2024, trustees reviewed and updated all major policies, including those related to safeguarding, data protection, financial accountability, and risk management . Trustees are aware of the risks involved in operating in politically and economically unstable regions, and systems are in place to monitor and respond to changing conditions.
| Section C Objectives and activities | Section C Objectives and activities |
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| Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within TAR |
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| For the public benefit the prevention or relief of poverty in Cameroon by providing assistance for children and young people to enable them to attend education and training in particular but not exclusively by providing grants. |
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| The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the |
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guidance is relevant.
Children of Cameroon provides support for children and young people in Cameroon to enable them to access education and training, primarily through the provision of grants. In 2024, the charity supported approximately 45 children across three permanent operational areas: Belo, Bamenda, and Yaoundé. Each location is overseen by a dedicated paid field worker, replacing the former model of volunteer support in Cameroon.
this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
Donations are received through the charity’s website, Facebook, social media campaigns, GoFundMe fundraisers, and word of mouth. These donations are typically directed to specific children, though some are directed to fundraisers supporting multiple named children. Donors are able to choose which child to sponsor or contribute to targeted campaigns. In December 2024, a grant from the De Silva Foundation enabled around seven of our unsponsored children to receive essential school textbooks.
The grants provided to each child continue to cover school-related costs such as tuition fees, uniforms, shoes, bags, stationery, and textbooks. These expenses, though often not included in Cameroon’s "free" schooling system for younger children, pose a significant barrier to access without outside support.
In cases where children or their families face broader challenges — such as inadequate nutrition, housing or healthcare — and with the consent of donors, part of the child’s grant may be allocated to these needs to ensure they are able to continue their education effectively. Funds raised in the UK are remitted to Cameroon in scheduled disbursements. Each grant is documented and tied to specific, reported expenses. Donors receive monthly reports on how their funds are used and the progress of the children they support.
Section D Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity In 2024, Children of Cameroon continued to expand its reach and deepen during the year its impact, supporting a total of 45 children across three regions of Cameroon: Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Belo . This growth included the identification of 15 new children in need of support, while a small number of children exited the programme due to completing school or moving away. Of the 45 children supported throughout the year, 28 were sponsored , either for the full calendar year or following new sponsorships during the year. The remaining children received vital assistance through targeted fundraising and donations , allowing us to ensure that every child had access to the essentials needed for education. We continued to provide individualised support to each child, including school fees, uniforms, bags, shoes, stationery, and — where possible — textbooks. In December, 7 unsponsored children received a boost
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through a grant from the De Silva Foundation , which enabled us to purchase around 30 textbooks tailored to their age and curriculum needs.
The charity also continued to run a number of seasonal campaigns and events, which were enthusiastically supported by our donor community:
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🎄 Our Christmas Dress Appeal once again ensured every child received a brand-new outfit to celebrate the festive season.
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🎄 ♀ Our Easter swimming days took place in two regions , bringing children together for celebration, community, and fun.
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🎄 Over the summer, we ran our Back to School Appeal , raising funds for unsponsored children. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we successfully ensured all 45 children were able to return to school for the new academic year.
One of the most significant indicators of our impact was academic performance. Of the 42 children eligible to sit end-of-year exams, 38 were promoted to the next class — a testament to their dedication and the support they received.
We also made important strides in organisational growth. In early 2024, we expanded our Cameroon-based team by hiring two additional field workers , joining our existing field staff member in Belo. The new field workers are based in Yaoundé and Bamenda , allowing us to provide consistent, localised support in all three regions. Both new team members underwent police background checks prior to having any contact with children , and each successfully completed a trial month before formal employment began in April.
2024 also marked a year of strong community engagement, successful fundraising, and deepened trust with our supporters. Through a combination of individual sponsorships, general donations, and campaign-specific fundraising , we were able to meet all our key goals, deliver consistent updates to donors, and continue building a child-first model of support that is personal, transparent, and empowering.
Section E Financial review
Children of Cameroon does not have a policy on reserves.
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
Details of any funds materially N/A. in deficit
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Section F Other optional information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Christina Clover Full name(s) Christina Clover Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Chair Date 23/6/2025
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Summary
Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Totals
Receipts
Donations 382.28 653.04 345.00 635.00 1233.18 500.00 979.38 1522.25 657.71 1336.54 663.00 1381.75 10289.13
Grants 492.80 492.80
Gift Aid 675.77 633.50 1145.25 2454.52
Total receipts 382.28 1328.81 345.00 635.00 1233.18 1133.50 979.38 1522.25 657.71 1336.54 1808.25 1874.55 13236.45
A3 Payments
Grants 40.00 321.00 712.50 205.00 842.00 275.00 170.00 2545.00 886.00 1233.00 1560.00 1412.00 10201.50
Staff/volunteer costs 120.00 133.50 70.00 261.01 80.00 151.00 270.00 115.00 140.00 180.00 120.00 1640.51
Expenses 94.59 104.54 2.97 5.94 180.42 2.97 2.97 50.94 3.96 3.96 5.94 87.00 546.20
Total payments 134.59 545.54 848.97 280.94 1283.43 357.97 323.97 2865.94 1004.96 1376.96 1745.94 1619.00 12388.21
banks
Net of receipts/(payments) 247.69 783.27 -503.97 354.06 -50.27 775.53 655.41 -1343.69 -347.25 -40.42 62.31 255.55 848.22
Cash funds this period end 905.28 (BANK ACCOUNT END 2024)
Cash funds last period end: 56.78 (BANK ACCOUNT FROM END 2023)
Net cash in/out flow: 848.5
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