T* PAHAR TRUST NEf)AL Annual Report 2024-2025 Year ending March 2025
ABOUT PAHAR TRUST NEPAL
Pahar Trust Nepal (PTN) funded its first school in 1991 and was registered as a charity in 1993. Over the last 30+ years the Trust has delivered over 320 construction projects in primarily remote and disadvantaged areas of Nepal’s Himalayan foothills. The majority of projects to date have been schools but also include health posts, libraries and sanitation projects.
PTN works in collaboration with local communities to identify and address their requirements, to ensure that support will provide tangible impact and will be sustainable in the long-term. Communities are required to contribute directly to the costs of construction projects and this is commonly through provision of local labour or materials. This approach ensures that the communities are directly invested in the success of projects and builds a sense of ownership of the new facilities.
PTN is a UK and Isle of Man registered charity that undertakes fundraising activities to deliver a range of construction projects, which provide new infrastructure, and non-construction projects to provide teacher-training and improved resources to communities.
The UK Trust currently employs three members of staff, the Executive Director, Marketing and Communications Officer and a Project Administration Officer. The UK charity is governed by a Board of Trustees who are proactive in their support and guidance of the Trust.
PTN provides grants to our sister organisation in Nepal. Our Nepali NGO is responsible for the design, construction and financial monitoring of each project and is governed by a local Board. The team of 16 full-time staff organises, plans, implements and monitors the majority of PTN projects. However, where required some of our projects are delivered through other Nepali NGOs, for example with education improvement programmes which provide a holistic approach to education improvement.
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Chairman’s Report
2024/25 has seen the continued development and growth of PTN.
There have been a number of changes during the year including the re-registering of the UK charity as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to ensure that we have the best structure for the organisation into the future. This was a major piece of work so I am grateful to Maggie Young for leading on the process and working closely with Alan. It always helps when all the trustees agree and support the process - thanks to all. As part of this we have also updated our Isle of Man registration to bring this in line with our new ways of working which will simplify things.
After six years as a trustee Maggie took the decision to step down from a formal role but will continue to be involved and support our activities on the Isle on Man. Maggie was an asset to the team and will be greatly missed. In February we welcomed our newest employee in the UK, Anna Owen, who joined as a Project Administration Officer. Anna has already proven to be a great addition to the team and is providing valuable support. She joins Shelby in the team who has continued to deliver on social media profiles and marketing.
In Nepal, we also recruited a new member of staff, Sagar Sunwar as Development Officer who will be supporting the identification of new projects, evaluation and the improvement of our school links programme.
Beyond our construction programme we supported the trial of new personal heating solution developed by MatZero. Funded by Innovate UK we facilitated the trial of an electrically heated sleeping mat at two villages to test this innovative way of providing warmth in remote communities. The trial was a great success and the MatZero team received valuable feedback on the benefits of the heated mat and are now developing the device for further testing and delivery. This was a new project for PTN to work on and it has demonstrated the flexibility and expertise of the NGO team to ensure this was a great success.
I had a very successful visit to Nepal in February and was able to visit several new projects which are well supported by donors and the local community. The welcome at each project was, as usual, almost overwhelming which just serves to demonstrate how much our work in these remote villages is valued by teachers, students and the local community.
Thanks again to our amazing team in our NGO who continue to deliver some of the highest quality school construction projects in Nepal. Alongside their busy workload they always ensure that all of our visitors and donors receive a wonderful welcome that showcases the important work that we deliver.
Finally, I must thank Alan who just seems to take things in his stride and continues to deliver a high level of service to PTN regardless of other distractions he may have had during the year. Although we have no official office, he and I make good use of local cafes for regular meetings.
Jai Pahar Trust Nepal, Jai Nepal
Tim
Dr Tim Mitchell
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Pahar Trust Nepal News
Welcoming two new members to the Pahar Trust Nepal Team
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Anna Owen
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As our newest member of the team in the UK is Anna Owen, who has previously worked in project management for Contact, a cross-sector collaborative group of organisations (government, professional, charitable and academic bodies) working to improve mental health support for the UK armed forces community. She coordinated the South West International Development Network (SWIDN), a cross-sector network for international development organisations based in south west England. Her previous roles have included project and events management for various international development charities and research think tanks, including BBC Media Action, ODI and the Foreign Policy Centre, with the majority of her career having been in the international development charity/not-for-profit sector.
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Project Administration Officer
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SagarSunuwar Development Officer
Sagar Sunuwar is deeply passionate about child development and committed to empowering communities through his work. He was honoured with the Vice Chancellor’s Medal by Pokhara University and awarded the prestigious Nepal Vidya Bhushan Padak 'C' by the Government of Nepal in recognition of his academic excellence.
With a strong background in NGOs working in the child sector, Sagar has remained focused on supporting children, especially those living in rural and vulnerable communities. In his previous role, he worked to promote access to quality education, healthcare, and a safe, nurturing environment for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Sagar also brings solid experience in social research, having collaborated with university professors on multiple research projects. His key areas of interest include human rights, child rights, sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and climate change. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in the same field.
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Pahar Trust Nepal News
Fundraising for Education: A Fundraiser's Heartfelt Journey to meet the children of Shree Jaya Devi School in Nepal
“Laughing, smiling and singing Nepalese faces - teachers and students - dancing together in the warm glow of the setting sun, form the happy image that will stick with me forever from my trip with Pahar Trust Nepal”
In November 2024, I’d been kindly invited to visit Shree Jaya Devi Secondary School, a project in a remote corner of the Lamjung district, following a fundraising trek I completed around the Annapurna circuit. The rural region had been devastated by an earthquake in 2021, which destroyed some of the school’s classrooms, and left 119 students, ranging up to 16 years old, without proper learning facilities. Pahar Trust Nepal is building a brand-new six-room school building, including a computer and science lab, to provide a better education for the students.
After finishing the Annapurna circuit, Project Engineer, Suraz, picked me up one misty morning to visit Shree Jaya Devi Secondary School. Our first stop on the way was Shree Deurali Basic School, one of Pahar Trust Nepal’s most recently completed projects, to offer a glimpse at what Shree Jaya Devi’s new building would look like, once completed.
We were greeted by rows of adorable, beaming children, looking smart in their school uniforms, standing in front of an equally smart Pahar Trust Nepal building painted brick red with white trim outlining the windows and doors. The chairman then proudly gave me a tour of the newly built building, which he assured me was earthquake-resisilient. The windows would be made of glass once the interior was completed, to let in light even when the monsoon raged outside.
The next leg of our journey took us up a winding path that climbed for over an hour on unpaved, newly turned earth, jolting us from side to side. The difficulty of transporting supplies to this remote village was unimaginable.
Suraz told me that construction had experienced delays over the monsoon season, and had to stop for four months, as the roads became impassable and dangerous. During this time, the village is cut off from the outside world, apart from those brave enough to travel by foot - a grueling eight hour round trip to the nearest town of Besisahar.
My first sight of Shree Jaya Devi Secondary School was breathtaking. The school was perched on an outcrop of rock, surrounded by luscious panoramic views of the valley, while the Annapurna peaks towered in the distance. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the headteacher Shyam Prasad Sapkota, who introduced me to the children, ranging from tottering toddlers to shy teenagers. Each gave me a huge smile, before pressing their palms together in greeting. Their excitement was contagious, and I was led down to the grassy area in front of where the foundations for the new building were being laid, to be treated to traditional dance performances. Before long I was soon up and dancing with them, and I was reminded of the power of dance and song to blend cultural lines and cross language barriers. I twirled some of the younger kids around and tried to keep up with the older one’s dance routines, as the sun sunk over the valley.
After we had finished dancing, I was taken on a tour of the old classrooms and was truly shocked; the stark contrast between the student’s bright, intelligent faces and the dark, dingy and dirty classrooms were appalling. Many of the rooms also stored demolition debris from the old, destroyed classroom, posing a health hazard.
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Pahar Trust Nepal News
The difference between the bright, spacious school I had visited earlier, and the state of the classrooms at Shree Jaya Devi, made me proud that I had chosen Pahar Trust Nepal to fundraise for. Its efforts are vital to provide students in remote villages with appropriate, safe and comfortable learning environments, deserving of the children’s capabilities, and the beautiful landscape around them.
I asked one teacher, specialising in Nepali, about the challenges of working within these classrooms, “It becomes especially difficult during monsoon season, the sound of the rain is so loud on the metal roof that teaching becomes impossible. We are all very excited for the new classrooms, and will be able to teach no matter the weather.”
The rest of my stay in the village was eye opening and culturally immersive. I was welcomed into the home of a local family who had a young son at the school, providing a glimpse into village life. It seemed both simple and rich, with a big emphasis on community and sharing of resources.
Unfortunately, the next day was a spontaneous national holiday, and I was unable to catch the students while they were learning. Instead, the Headteacher organised a trek from the village with some of the teachers. I learned that all the teachers had different ‘mother tongues’, with homes across all different parts of Nepal. Most had finished their teacher training 6 months ago, and had been sent by the government to Shree Jaya Devi School, leaving their families and loved-ones to live there full time. I noticed how easy-going, affectionate, and playful they were with each other, and the students.
I commented on their well-being to the English teacher, to which he replied":
“Of course, how could we teach if we were not happy.”
The whole experience hit home the impact that organisations like Pahar Trust Nepal can have on so many lives in rural regions, and made me fall in love with Nepal even more. I’d like to thank everyone who welcomed me from Pahar Trust Nepal and for organising such an eye-opening and memorable experience, that I will cherish forever.
Tilda Teale, November 2024
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Completed projects
Shree Jaya Devi Secondary School, Purano Duwar, Lamjung District
High up in the mountains of the Lamjung District, lies the hard-to-reach village of Purano Duwar, approximately a four hour’s drive east from Pokhara. In 2021, the region was hit by an earthquake and multiple tremors, which damaged over 100 homes in the surrounding areas and caused major structural damage to two buildings at Shree Jaya Devi Secondary School.
The school provides education for 119 students, ranging from early years up to age 16 and the loss of four classrooms through damage added to the school’s lack of space and available resources.
In 2024, Pahar Trust Nepal demolished the two damaged buildings and began work constructing a new, earthquake-resilient, six-room school building, which completed in June 2025. The new building provides the students with the much-needed space to continue their education in a safe and inspiring environment.
Funded by Isle of Man Government - International Development Small Grants Programme
Shree Bhanu Secondary School, Tal, Manang District
In 2021, Shree Bhanu Secondary School was damaged beyond repair, alongside more than a hundred homes and small businesses, when the village was devastated by floods and landslides. Since then, the school’s 46 students have been taught in temporary shelters, or have been sent to schools much further away in other villages.
A new construction site for the school was located a safe distance from the river and work began in early January 2024. Despite earlier delays caused by the heavy monsoon rains significantly damaging the road leading down to the village, the new, ten-room, earthquake-resilient school was completed in December 2024.
The new classrooms have also included an IT suite and a fully equipped science lab.
Funded by The Datum Foundation
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Shree Parwati Basic School Uhiya Village, Darche Rural Municipality, Gorkha District
In 2023, Shree Parwati Basic School asked for our support in helping them to improve the school for their 177 students, ages ranging from early years up to grade 8. The original school, built in 1962, had fallen into a bad state of disrepair over the years, and not being earthquake-resilient, there was a potential for future structural damage.
Two school buildings needed to be demolished to make room for the new earthquake-resilient, six-room, twostorey building.
The new school building, completed in February 2025, brings the total number of classrooms to 12, giving the school an increased capacity for their ever-growing numbers. Nine rooms will be classrooms, leaving room for the remaining classrooms to be a new school library and computer suite, a science lab, and a kitchen and teachers office.
Funded by Naturfreunde Neiderosterreich
Shree Deurali Basic School, Kusunne, Kaski District
With only five classrooms to serve its 70+ students, Shree Deurali Basic School needed more space, more resources, and new toilets with fresh running water.
The work of clearing the land and digging foundations began in December 2023, only a few months after the school had approached Pahar Trust Nepal for support.
As part of the project to deliver a modern, earthquake-resilient two-storey building with four new classrooms, and a four-room toilet block, the original school building was also improved and updated throughout, with the installation of a suspended ceiling, and new masonry walls to provide insulation and warmth. The refurbished classrooms provide a library and a computer suite, and much needed space for increasing student numbers.
The new school building, new toilet block and refurbishment of the older building was completed in March 2025, and will give the students a safe and inspiring learning environment where they can reach their potential!
Funded by Word Brew HQ, FreedomClubb, Bristol Rotary Club, Crawley Spinal Health Chiropractic, Rushcliffe Care, Fairway Learning and K2 Corporate Mobility.
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Shree Rani Thumka Basic School Putali Bazar Municipality, Satupasal, Syangja District
Pahar Trust Nepal was approached by the school committee of Shree Rani Thumka Basic School, in the Syangia District, in September 2023. The school had a number of buildings, some sixty years old, in varying conditions of disrepair and they requested support to provide new classrooms to provide the school's 100 students with much-needed space in a safe environment.
Alongside the construction of a new earthquake-resilient, two-storey, four-room building, it was proposed that the existing buildings with earthquake damage would also be repaired and refurbished.
The new building was completed in August 2024 and gives the children safe and improved classrooms, while the other refurbished rooms will be used to create a library, computer suite, science lab and a kitchen.
Funded by Educate
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Projects currently underway
Shree Latakunja Basic School, Lamjung Region
Serving 104 students from early years through to grade 8, the school has faced significant challenges since it was badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake. The school currently has 12 classrooms of varying ages spread over the school grounds, many of which suffered irreparable damage with deep cracks in the walls, making them unsafe. During the rainy season, water floods into the classrooms, further damaging the structure, school books and uniforms, making it even harder for students to learn.
Temporary classrooms were erected in the school playground, but htese wer made of plastic with tin roofs, which posed a new set of challenges.
“When we taught in classrooms with cracked walls, we were constantly worried about the roof collapsing during lessons. The lack of a proper, stable school building makes it difficult to feel safe.”
- Bimal Kumar Khatri, science teacher at Shree Latakunja Basic School
Pahar Trust Nepal have demolished one of the school buildings and work is underway to provide Shree Latakunja with a new earthquakeresilient, six-room school building, ensuring that the children and teachers have a safe and secure learning environment to inspire them to reach their full potential.
Funded by Isle of Man Government - International Development Small Grants Programme
Shree Jana Jibraj Sushila Secondary School, Jhimpa, Baglung District
Approximately five hours away from Pokhara, this rural school delivers education to over 380 students, ranging from Early Years to Grade 10. During the 2015 earthquake, one of the school buildings suffered terrible damage. The teachers and community managed the best they could, but desperately needed somewhere safe for their children to learn. In November 2023, we were approached by the Headteacher, requesting our support.
“We fixed what we could and taught students safety protocol in case something happened: to calmly leave the building in single file and to wait outside”
- Yamkanta Poudel, Head teacher.
Earlier this year, the earthquake-damaged school building was demolished to make way for the new earthquake-resilient, six-room, school building. The new classrooms will be equipped with modern learning materials and age appropriate furniture, providing muchneeded resources and space for the growing student population.
Funded by Lex Webster and Ali Cashmore
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Maternity Suite, Ramgha health Centre, Madhya Nepal Municipality-4, Duipiple, Lamjung
In 2022, we were approached by the community of Duipiple in the Lamjung District requesting support for the construction of a new maternity unit at the Ramgha Health Post. The health centre serves around 2,000 households and is the centre point of 3 districts – Kaski, Tanahun and Lamjun. It currently provides medical support to an estimated 50-60 patients every day. They currently do not have facilities for admissions other than for maternity deliveries of which, there are approximately 60-70 child births annually and maternity cases are increasing day by day.
The Nepali government has been encouraging facility-based deliveries to reduce maternal and neonatal risk, however, for rural communities, travelling to urban health facilities is often difficult without transport and the indirect out-ofpocket costs can be high. Patients must take time away from income generating activities and find child care. Community-based health centres offer essential support for pregnant women, helping ensure safer deliveries closer to home.
The new maternity suite will provide an improved and dedicated delivery unit to ensure that expectant mothers are given quality care and support. The new building will also increase the capacity for providing beds for pre/postdelivery as well as increasing the ability for the health centre to provide support for minor emergencies and treatment by freeing up space in the current building. The building will be constructed with the potential for future extension to provide a second storey to include additional maternity beds and an operating ward.
The new maternity suite will provide - A check-up room Vaccination room Special delivery room with pre and post delivery room Maternity ward Operation theatre Doctor and nurse rooms Blood store room
Work on the maternity suite began in December 2024 and the planned completion date is July 2025
Funded by Dick Crowther
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Walk For Nepal Campaign May 2025
The Walk for Nepal campaign aimed to raise £10,000 to support two key school building projects - Shree Ganesh Himal and Shree Latakunja - while also deepening donor engagement and fostering long-term support from donors. Through a creative, multi-channel approach using social media, newsletters, our website, JustGiving, and personal networks, the campaign encouraged active participation and fundraising. The initiative successfully surpassed its engagement goal, with 96 participants (and 3 dogs) across 8 UK teams and a partnered walk in Nepal, organised by PTN’s sister NGO to mark the Nepali New Year. The Nepal event, with 49 local participants, raised £1,408.22 and helped deepen community ties and local awareness of PTN’s mission.
In total, the campaign raised £11,279.60, exceeding its target and supporting not only the two original schools but also a third, Shree Jaya Devi Secondary School. The average donation was £28 via JustGiving, rising to £34.70 when including website contributions. There were 322 online donations, along with several offline gifts. The walkers collectively covered over 876 km, more than 1.2 million steps, led by Trustees, Ambassadors, and dedicated supporters, the campaign also succeeded in introducing PTN to new audiences, laying the groundwork for ongoing donor relationships and future collaborative fundraising efforts.
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Science in Sky
In 2024, we completed our pilot project, Science in the Sky, which aimed to address some of the challenges facing STEM education in Nepal’s most remote regions.
The concept for Science in the Sky was developed a year earlier in collaboration with our team in Nepal and four schools with which we had built strong relationships with both headteachers and students.
Throughout 2024, we fundraised to ensure that all four schools involved in the pilot project would have fully equipped science labs. These schools included Shree Suryodaya in Ghamrang, Shree Buddhodaya Higher Secondary School in Gilung, Shree Himalaya Secondary School in Singdi, and Shree Pasgaun Thanti Secondary School in Pasgaun.
To deliver the project successfully, we knew that providing science labs and equipment alone would not be enough. It was equally important to ensure that the students were supported by teachers who used modern teaching methods and had upto-date, subject-specific training. This would not only build the teachers’ confidence but also make their teaching more effective.
To achieve this, we partnered with Global Action Nepal (GAN) and engaged nine teachers from five schools in the Lamjung District to participate in both face-to-face and online teacher training. (Although the training was initially for the four schools involved in the Science in the Sky project, another school nearby, Shree Banasthali Secondary School, heard about the project and put two of their teachers forward to join the other teachers in receiving the training).
This ongoing training will support the capacity-building of science teachers, helping them transition from traditional teaching methods to activity- and project-based learning. The goal is to foster a more experimental approach to science education, which will significantly enhance students' learning outcomes. The training also empowers teachers to use the new science equipment with confidence, allowing them to engage students in practical experiments that encourage critical thinking, innovation, and creativity.
Science in the Sky will directly benefit over 500 children in its first year at these four schools.
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Pahar Trust Nepal UK Charity number: 1209231
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements
For the period 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
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The Pahar Trust Nepal
| Contents | Page |
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| Trustees’ Report | 1 - 4 |
| Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | 5 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 8 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 9 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 10 - 18 |
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the period from 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025.
This is a short reporting period due to the re-registering of Pahar Trust Nepal as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in July 2024 and the cessation of the old UK Charity (1028469) at the same time. This set of financial statements cover the period from the date of registration of the Charity to the end of the financial period. On the date of registration all assets and liabilities were transferred from the old Charity to the new CIO of the same name.
Pahar Trust Nepal also has a charity registered on the Isle of Man (Isle of Man charity no. 987). During the period the Isle of Man charity updated its governing document to a new Trust Deed. The new Trust Deed streamlines the mission of the charity to support the UK CIO and contribute towards its fundraising efforts.
Charitable mission
Pahar Trust Nepal helps to improve education, health and sanitation facilities for disadvantaged communities in Nepal. We aim to provide some of the world’s poorest children with a high standard of education and to support them to realise their potential while building skills and resilience within communities to improve their sustainability and opportunities to develop.
The Charity also makes donations for the sponsorship of Nepalese school children and supports teachers.
Objectives
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To provide students with an environment to study that is safe, pleasant and conducive to receiving a high standard of education.
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To ensure that quality teaching is provided using innovative methods while maintaining clear links to the Nepali curriculum.
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To remove practical, social and cultural barriers to education and health making them as inclusive as possible.
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To provide improved access to health services and WASH facilities to disadvantaged communities.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Trustees’ Report (continued)
Main activities and achievements
During the period The Trust continued the delivery of 6 major construction projects including the construction of two new school buildings funded by IOM Government, a new health centre in Duipiple and three other new school buildings.
In December 2024, Sagar Sunuwar was recruited to the NGO team in Nepal as Project Development Officer who will bring new expertise to project identification and evaluation while also supporting the further development of in-country fundraising opportunities. In the UK a new Administration Officer, Anna Owen was recruited and is proving to be a valuable addition to the team.
In April 2025, Maggie Young and David Wait stepped down as Trustees and are thanked for their great contribution to the development and continued success of PTN.
During the period the charity undertook a range of activities to further its charitable purposes for the public benefit. These included delivering major construction projects to improve educational and health facilities in disadvantaged communities in Nepal, supporting the sponsorship of Nepalese school children, and providing training and resources for teachers. The Trustees are satisfied that these activities directly contribute to advancing education, health and community development thereby delivering demonstrable public benefit in line with the charity’s objectives.
Trustee Recruitment and Appointment
Trustees are appointed in line with the provisions set out in the constitution. New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees following consultation to address skills requirements in the Trustee body and voted in with a majority decision recorded in meeting minutes. Trustees are appointed for a three-year term, and may be reappointed for two further three-year terms to total of nine-years. In exceptional circumstances, tenure beyond the nine-year limit may be approved, provided the decision is justified and formally recorded at the Annual General Meeting.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Trustees’ Report (continued)
Governance and Management
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, ensuring it delivers its objectives and complies with all legal and regulatory requirements. The Board meets regularly to review performance and set policy. Day-to-day management of the charity is delegated to the Executive Director, who reports to the Board.
The Trustees confirm that they have had regard to the UK Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when exercising their duties and in planning the activities of the charity in the period.
Pahar Trust Nepal is governed by a constitution dated 22 July 2024 and is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) from that date.
The charity’s financial instruments comprise cash at bank and in hand and basic investments held in a portfolio managed by an Investment Manager. The charity does not engage in complex financial instruments. The trustees consider that the charity’s exposure to price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk is minimal.
Reserves Policy
The Trust maintains an unallocated cash reserve which is sufficient to protect ongoing construction projects from the risk of disruption, to provide limited resources in the event of a natural disaster in Nepal and to enable the Trust to meet administration costs for 12 months. While at the same time ensuring income is not retained for longer than required. The reserves policy is reviewed by the Trustees on an annual basis.
Future aims and objectives
The Trust is committed to continuing to deliver improved education, health and WASH facilities in rural Nepali communities in collaboration with PTN(NGO) in Nepal as delivery partner. The re-registration of the Trust as a CIO will also provide improved organisational structure as the charity continues to develop and grow.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Trustees’ Report (continued)
Address of principal office
42 Pooles Wharf Court Hotwells Bristol United Kingdom BS8 4PB
Trustees
The Charity is administered by Trustees, who provide their services free of charge, comprising:
Patron: Lieutenant General Sir David Bill KCB Trustees: Dr T Mitchell - Chair H Hancox M Young (resigned 24 April 2025) Major D Chand D Wait (resigned 24 April 2025) M Commander K Fowler H Burchill (appointed 18 June 2025)
Results
Pahar Trust Nepal raised £230,944 during the period and made grants and sponsorship donations totalling £326,853. The net outflow for the period was £169,882.
Independent Examiners
Lynsey Smith FCA on behalf of Atla Audit and Assurance Limited has been appointed as Independent Examiner.
On behalf of the Trustees
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustee’s Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.
The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”, and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources for the Charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (2019) (“Charities SORP”);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity. The accounting records enable the Trustees to ensure that the financial statements comply with the UK Charities Act 2011, the Charities SORP and the documents constituting the Charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
The Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Pahar Trust Nepal
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Charity”) for the period ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Charity’s Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of our examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
The Charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Lynsey Smith FCA For and on behalf of ATLA AUDIT AND ASSURANCE LIMITED Chartered Accountants
Ground Floor, Dorchester House Belmont Road Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 4RE
�����%����
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Statement of Financial Activities
for the period 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
| Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Period ended | ||
| Funds | funds | 31 March | ||
| Notes | 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Incoming resources | ||||
| Donations and sponsorship | 4 | 22,751 | 194,052 | 216,803 |
| Fund Raising | 331 | - | 331 | |
| Investment income | 10 | 13,810 | - | 13,810 |
| ────── | ────── | ───── | ||
| Total incoming resources | 36,892 | 194,052 | 230,944 | |
| ────── | ────── | ───── | ||
| Direct charitable expenditure | ||||
| Project grants to Nepal | 5 | - | (324,377) | (324,377) |
| Child sponsorship | 5 | - | (2,476) | (2,476) |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| - | (326,853) | (326,853) | ||
| Other expenditure | ||||
| Administrative expenses | 6 | (8,540) | (18,197) | (27,737) |
| Wages | 7 | (5,132) | (41,507) | (46,639) |
| Cost of goods sold | - | - | - | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| Total expenditure | (13,672) | (386,557) | (400,229) | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| Net incoming/(outgoing) | 23,220 | (192,505) | (169,285) | |
| resources | ||||
| Fund balance transfer | 571,004 | 290,072 | 861,076 | |
| Restricted balance funds transfer | (128,513) | 128,513 | - | |
| Fund balance | 465,711 | 226,080 | 691,791 | |
| ══════ | ══════ | ══════ |
The notes on pages 10 to 18 form part of these financial statements.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as at 31 March 2025
| 31 March | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | |||
| Notes | £ | ||
| Non-current assets | |||
| Computer Equipment | 8 | 1,199 | |
| ────── | |||
| Total Non-current Assets | 1,199 | ||
| ────── | |||
| Current assets | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 9 | 239,818 | |
| Accrued income | 10,869 | ||
| Investments | 442,305 | ||
| ────── | |||
| Total assets | 694,191 | ||
| ────── | |||
| Liabilities | |||
| Accruals | (2,400) | ||
| Net assets | 691,791 | ||
| ══════ | |||
| Income funds | |||
| Restricted funds | 226,080 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 465,711 | ||
| Fund Balance | 691,791 | ||
| ══════ |
The notes on pages 10 to 18 form part of these financial statements.
�����%���� These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on …………………… and were signed on their behalf by: Trustee…………………………………... Trustee…………………………………... ��##��%��� �!( ������%����� Name………………………………….. Name…………………………………...
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on …………………… and were signed on their behalf by:
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Statement of Cash Flows
for the period 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
| Period ended 31 March | |
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| £ | |
| Operating cash flows | |
| Net outgoing resources |
(169,285) |
| Intercompany balance | 254,380 |
| Adjustments for: | |
| Investment income | (3,326) |
| Fair value movement on investments | (11,206) |
| Depreciation | 307 |
| Increase in debtors | (10,869) |
| Increase in creditors | 2,400 |
| ────── | |
| Total operating cash flows | 62,401 |
| ────── | |
| ting cash flows | |
| Fixed asset purchase | (1,129) |
| ────── | |
| Total investing cash flows | (1,129) |
| ────── | |
| Financing cash flows | |
| Cash transfer from predecessor charity | 178,546 |
| ────── | |
| Total financing cash flows | 178,546 |
| ────── | |
| Total cash flows | 239,818 |
| ══════ | |
| Cash at beginning of period | - |
| Cash balance at 31 March 2025 | 239,818 |
| ═════ |
The notes on pages 10 to 18 form part of these financial statements.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Notes to the financial statements
forming part of the financial statements for the period 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
1. Accounting convention
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, comprising the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ published in 2019 and Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102, together with the reporting requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and the updates in the Charities Act 2022.
Pahar Trust Nepal is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered in England and Wales (charity number 1209231). The charity’s principal office is 42 Pooles Wharf Court, Bristol, BS8 4PB. The charity operates in accordance with its constitution dated 22 July 2024.
The accounts are prepared in Sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to the financial statements.
2. Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. Thus, the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
3. Accounting policies
a) Incoming resources
Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity has entitlement to the income, the amount can be reliably measured and it is probable that the income will be received.
-
i. Legacies Income from legacies are recognised when probate is granted and there is sufficient information to measure them.
-
ii. Donations
Donations are accounted for when received.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Notes to the financial statements
forming part of the financial statements for the period 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
a) Incoming resources (continued)
-
iii. Grant Income Grant income is recognised when the Charity is entitled to receipt. Grants receivable on terms that require the Charity to provide reports are recognised in income when the performance obligations are satisfied.
-
iv. Gift Aid Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid Gift Aid declaration and the donation has been received from HMRC.
-
v. Investment Income Investment income is recognised when the Charity’s right to receive payment is established. It consists of interest income, dividend income, gain/losses realised on sale of investment and changes in fair value on revaluation.
Volunteer time is not accounted for as this cannot be estimated reliably.
b) Direct charitable expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis. All expenses, including support costs and governance costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings in the statement of financial activities. All administrative expense relating to the Nepal office rent and expense have been allocated to the individual projects as part of the associated income when the donor has specifically provided for these costs or where they can be reliably estimated as part of the project’s full costs.
Irrecoverable VAT is included in the expense item to which it relates.
Construction project grants are recognised when the Charity formally notifies the recipient of the award. Grants where there are annual reviews or other milestones upon which future funding is conditional are not recognised as a liability unless all conditions are met.
Other expenses are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to the expenditure.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Notes to the financial statements
forming part of the financial statements for the period 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
c) Taxation
Income derived from a UK CIO, established for charitable purposes only, is exempt from UK corporation tax.
d) Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised at cost. Depreciation is provided to write-off the cost of assets on a straight-line basis over their expected useful lives as follows: Computer equipment – 3 years
e) Fund accounting
Restricted funds can only be used for purposes specified by or agreed with the donor.
Unrestricted funds are available to disburse at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the charitable objects of the Charity.
f) Investments
Investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in the statement of financial activities as part of investment income. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
g) Financial instruments
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances are initially measured as transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Financial liabilities are classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Notes to the financial statements
forming part of the financial statements for the period 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
g) Financial instruments (continued)
Basic financial liabilities (continued)
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The Charity does not acquire options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments. The investment portfolio is managed by a professional investment advisor under terms agreed by the Trustees.
h) Critical accounting judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgement, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
A significant estimate made by the Trustees, included in the accounts is the fair value measurement of the investments recognised. These values are based on market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Notes to the financial statements
forming part of the financial statements for the period 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
4 . Income
| 2025 | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Donations | 216,665 |
| Fund raising | 469 |
| Investments | 13,810 |
| ────── | |
| 230,944 | |
| ────── |
The grants are received subject to reporting requirements.
5 . Expenditure of charitable activities
| 2025 | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Construction grants | 308,237 |
| Other grants | 16,140 |
| Child sponsorship | 2,476 |
| ────── | |
| 326,853 | |
| ────── |
Grants paid during the year included £308,237 relating to construction projects in Nepal, which were mainly school buildings, and £16,140 for non-building projects. Non-building projects are primarily intended to develop the education of children in Nepal.
During the period £2,476 was also paid for the sponsorship of a number of Nepalese children’s schooling fees and supporting teachers.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Notes to the financial statements
forming part of the financial statements for the period 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
6. Administrative expenses
| Period ended | |
|---|---|
| 31 March 2025 | |
| £ | |
| Travelling and accommodation | 11,842 |
| Fundraising costs | 5,309 |
| Telephone and computer costs | 811 |
| Independent Examiners fee | 1,800 |
| Investment management fees | 4,329 |
| Postage/stationary/Bank fees | 448 |
| Depreciation | 307 |
| Sundry | 2,891 |
| ────── | |
| 27,737 | |
| ────── |
The Trustees are entitled to reclaim costs incurred in carrying out their duties for the Trust. During the period £1,012 reimbursements were made to Trustees travelling in the UK or Nepal. This reimbursement and the Independent Examiners fee are considered to be the only governance costs of the charity as the Trustees give their time free of charge. All other expenses not directly related to projects are considered to be support costs of the charity.
7. Employees and Trustees
| Period ended 31 | |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | |
| £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 37,688 |
| Social security costs | 6,453 |
| Pension contribution costs | 2,498 |
| ────── | |
| 46,639 | |
| ────── |
None of the Trustees received any remuneration during the year.
The total average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is 2.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Notes to the financial statements
forming part of the financial statements for the period 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
8. Fixed assets – Computer equipment
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Cost | |
| Transfer from old PTN UK | 1,698 |
| Additions | 1,129 |
| ────── | |
| Carried forward | 2,827 |
| ────── | |
| Depreciation | |
| Transfer from old Charity | (1,321) |
| Charge for the period | (307) |
| ────── | |
| Carried forward | (1,628) |
| ────── | |
| Net book value | |
| ────── | |
| 31 March 2025 | 1,199 |
| ────── |
9. Cash
Income is classified as restricted if it is allocated to a certain project either by the donor or by the Trustees. Of the cash balance of £239,818 at 31 March 2025, £226,080 was restricted.
10. Investment income
| vestment income | |
|---|---|
| Interest income Dividend income Changes in fair value |
2025 £ 241 2,363 11,206 |
| 13,810 |
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Notes to the financial statements
forming part of the financial statements for the period ended 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
11. Investments
| Transfer from old Charity Purchases Disposals Changes in fair value At 31 March 2025 |
£ 432,883 - - 9,422 |
|---|---|
| 442,305 |
Included within investments is cash or cash equivalents of £7,833, which is held in the investment portfolio and managed by the charity’s investment advisor. This cash is available for reinvestment and forms part of the total investments disclosed in the statement of financial position.
12. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted | Restricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | funds | Total | |
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Investments | 442,305 | - | 442,305 |
| Fixed assets | 1,199 | - | 1,199 |
| Debtors | 10,869 | - | 10,869 |
| Creditors | (2,400) | - | (2,400) |
| Cash | 13,738 | 226,080 | 239,818 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| 465,711 | 226,080 | 691,791 | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── |
13. Related party transactions
The entity was under the control of its Board of Trustees and there is not deemed to be one ultimate controlling party.
The day-to-day management of the Charity is undertaken by the Executive Director who reports to the Board of Directors.
The Trustees are entitled to reclaim costs incurred in carrying out their duties for the Charity. During the period, the organisation paid the following to Trustees in respect of travel and advertising expenses: £1,012.
During the period, T Mitchell made charitable donations of £900.
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Pahar Trust Nepal
Notes to the financial statements
forming part of the financial statements for the period ended 22 July 2024 to 31 March 2025
14. Commitments
At the period end the outstanding commitments relating to construction projects that had not been completed are listed below.
| Project name | 31 March |
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| £ | |
| Shree Jaya Devi | 14,565 |
| Shree Latakunja | 15,536 |
| Shree Jana Jibraj | 9,652 |
| Shree Prabha College | 36,356 |
| Shree Siddheswori | 43,813 |
| Ganesh Himal | 12,353 |
| Duipiple Health Centre | 14,796 |
| ────── | |
| 147,071 | |
| ────── |
15. Transfer of Assets and Liabilities from the old UK Pahar Trust Nepal charity and the Isle of Man charity Pahar Trust Nepal
On 22 July 2024, following a restructuring of the charity’s operations, most activities, assets, and liabilities of the Isle of Man charity (Isle of Man charity no. 987) were formally transferred to Pahar Trust Nepal UK CIO (charity no. 1209231). At the same date the old UK Pahar Trust charity (UK charity no. 1028469) stopped its operations and so ceased to have dual operations with the Isle of Man charity. From this date the financial records of the UK and Isle of Man Pahar Trust Nepal charities were separate. At this time all activities, assets and liabilities of the old UK Pahar Trust Nepal charity were transferred to this charity. The transfer was effected at book value as at the date of transfer. The summary of assets and liabilities transferred is as follows:
Description £
| Fixed assets Investments Debtors Inter-company balance Cash Creditors Total net assets transferred |
377 432,883 1,850 254,380 178,546 (6,960) |
|---|---|
861,076 |
18