Charity number: 1209458 ## Burundi Ac:on Trustees’ Annual Report & Accounts For the period 6 August 2024 to 31 March 2025 ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** Burundi Ac*on is a Charitable Incorporated Organisa*on which is governed by our Cons*tu*on. Registered Charity number: 1209458 Trustees: - Fabien Raymondaud (Chair ) - Mitchell Payne - Rev Gary Green - Dorothy McLean - Claude Chappe - Andrea MacDonald Green Oak, Upper BaSlefield, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 4AA Bankers: The Co-Opera*ve Bank Plc Burundi Action | Trustees’ Annual Report 2024–25 | Charity No. 1209458 P a g e | **2** ## **Burundi Ac*on** ## **Report of the Trustees** For the period 6 August 2024 to 31 March 2025 ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** Burundi Ac*on is a Charitable Incorporated Organisa*on (CIO) governed by its Cons*tu*on dated 16 May 2024. The charity’s objects are focused on the relief of poverty, advancement of educa*on and training, and the relief of sickness and preserva*on of health in Burundi. The charity trustees are the only vo*ng members of the CIO. ## **Trustee Appointment and Terms** Trustees are appointed by resolu*on of the exis*ng trustees in accordance with the Cons*tu*on. Trustees serve on a fixed-term basis and may be reappointed. When appoin*ng new trustees, the board considers the skills, knowledge and experience required for the effec*ve administra*on of the charity. ## **Trustee Mee1ngs and Decision Making** The trustees meet formally at least quarterly, with addi*onal mee*ngs or consulta*ons held as circumstances require. Decisions may be taken at mee*ngs or by wriRen/electronic resolu*on, in line with the Cons*tu*on. Financial posi*on, programme ac*vi*es, safeguarding maRers and risk are reviewed regularly as part of trustee oversight. ## **Financial Oversight and Controls** The charity holds its funds in a UK bank account where access is held by at least three trustees. Two authorised signatories are required for payments. The Chair maintains the charity’s financial records and reports income and expenditure to the trustees. Programme plans and budgets are agreed at trustee level in advance. Our expenditure in Burundi is generally small-scale and aligned with agreed priori*es. Any significant changes or excep*onal costs are communicated to the trustees. ## **Overseas Delivery and Monitoring** Charitable ac*vi*es are delivered in Burundi through trusted local individuals with whom the charity has established working rela*onships. Oversight is maintained through regular communica*on, photographic and narra*ve repor*ng, and direct observa*on during periodic trustee visits to the country. Trustees use this combina*on of repor*ng, direct rela*onships and in-country visits to monitor how funds are applied and to assess needs and outcomes. Due to local banking constraints, high transfer fees on small amounts, and prac*cal limita*ons in the areas of opera*on, the charity has at *mes used Muhecash to move funds. Trustees are aware of the associated risks Burundi Action | Trustees’ Annual Report 2024–25 | Charity No. 1209458 P a g e | **3** and mi*gate these through limi*ng transfer amounts, using trusted intermediaries with a track record of reliability, maintaining clear records of amounts sent, and requiring confirma*on of receipt and use of funds. ## **Safeguarding and Welfare Oversight** The charity works with vulnerable children and families. Trustees review welfare situa*ons and have not proceeded with ac*vi*es where risk was considered too high. The trustees are in the process of strengthening formal safeguarding procedures. Concerns may be raised through more than one channel, and trustees maintain oversight of child welfare through regular updates and communica*on with those providing day-to-day care. ## conflicts of interest in line with the Cons*tu*on and withdraw from decisions where appropriate. The charity’s funds are applied solely to further its charitable purposes. ## **OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARITY** its Cons*tu*on, are: 1. The preven*on or relief of poverty in Burundi by providing: grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or chari*es, or other organisa*ons working to prevent or relieve poverty. 2. The advancement of educa*on and training for children and teachers in Burundi by the provision of but not limited to equipment, books and sponsorships. 3. The relief of sickness and the preserva*on of health among people residing permanently or temporarily in Burundi. The charity pursues these purposes in Burundi by providing prac*cal assistance and support to individuals and families experiencing hardship, with a par*cular focus on vulnerable children and those with limited access to essen*al services. ## **PUBLIC BENEFIT** when planning and reviewing the charity’s ac*vi*es. The charity’s work is directed toward the relief of poverty, the advancement of educa*on, and the relief of sickness and preserva*on of health among vulnerable individuals and families in Burundi. suppor*ng individuals and families experiencing poverty, poor health and limited access to educa*on and essen*al services. ## **ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS** ## **Context of the Charity’s Work** Burundi Action | Trustees’ Annual Report 2024–25 | Charity No. 1209458 P a g e | **4** educa*on, and reduced presence of interna*onal support in parts of Burundi. The charity focuses on providing prac*cal, direct assistance to individuals and families experiencing poverty, poor health and vulnerability, par*cularly children. ## **Family and Community Support** During the repor*ng period, the charity con*nued to provide essen*al support to vulnerable families in Burundi. This included assistance with food, rent, basic living needs, access to healthcare and support with educa*on costs. Support was directed toward stabilising living condi*ons and improving access to essen*al services. Previous interven*ons, including improvements to housing condi*ons and access to safe water, con*nued to have a posi*ve effect on beneficiary wellbeing during the year. ## **Support for Vulnerable Children** experiencing significant welfare challenges. At the start of support, the children required medical aRen*on and basic care. Over the course of the year: - The children received medical treatment and recovered from serious illness - They were provided with stable accommoda*on and daily care within a family-based se\ng - - Ongoing support for nutri*on, health and educa*on has been maintained interven*on combined with con*nued support. ## **Educa1on and Health Support** The charity con*nued to assist with school-related costs and educa*onal materials for children in supported households. Access to healthcare was provided when needed, including support for treatment and essen*al medicines. These interven*ons aimed to reduce the impact of poverty on health and educa*on outcomes. ## **Economic Resilience Support** The charity also supported small-scale income-genera*ng ac*vity within the community by providing limited start-up assistance to help stabilise household income. This was intended to reduce dependency and improve longer-term resilience. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## **Financial Overview** During the period from 6 August 2024 to 31 March 2025, the charity received total income of £21,494 and incurred total expenditure of £19,224, resul*ng in a surplus of £2,269 for the year. The surplus is retained to support con*nuing and future charitable ac*vi*es. Burundi Action | Trustees’ Annual Report 2024–25 | Charity No. 1209458 P a g e | **5** The charity’s income was derived primarily from individual dona*ons and small-scale supporter fundraising. The charity did not receive government funding during the repor*ng period. Expenditure during the period totalled £19,224. This included direct charitable support costs in Burundi (food and essen*als, family support, rent, educa*on and medical costs, and basic household items) as well as loan repayments totalling £6,878.79 rela*ng to earlier charitable commitments. The loan was fully repaid during the repor*ng period. Trustees confirm that funds were applied in furtherance of the charity’s objects and that costs were kept propor*onate to the charity’s size and ac*vi*es. ## **Reserves Policy** The charity operates on a small scale and works in a context of immediate and unpredictable need. The trustees aim to hold a modest level of unrestricted reserves to provide con*nuity of support for vulnerable beneficiaries and to allow the charity to respond to urgent situa*ons such as medical needs or sudden hardship. At the end of the repor*ng period, the charity held free reserves of £2,269. Given the charity’s limited income and the ongoing commitments to vulnerable families and children, this level of reserves is considered prudent but modest. The trustees will con*nue to monitor reserves in line with an*cipated commitments and fundraising capacity. ## **Financial Management** Trustees apply a cau*ous approach to spending and seek to ensure that the majority of funds are applied directly to charitable purposes. Where funds are transferred overseas, trustees maintain oversight through financial repor*ng, communica*on, and monitoring arrangements as described in the governance sec*on of this report. ## **PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS** The trustees intend to con*nue the charity’s core ac*vi*es in line with its charitable objects. Priori*es for the coming period include: - health and welfare support. - Maintaining essen*al support for families in Mbuye and Bujumbura facing hardship, par*cularly rela*ng to food, healthcare and educa*on access. - Exploring small-scale, sustainable income-genera*ng ini*a*ves that may strengthen household resilience and reduce long-term dependency on external assistance. - Developing rela*onships and partnerships that may support improved access to educa*on, including opportuni*es focused on girls’ educa*on, where these can be undertaken safely and in line with the charity’s safeguarding approach. - the charity’s con*nued responsible opera*on as ac*vi*es develop. The trustees will con*nue to review ac*vi*es considering local condi*ons and available resources, and will priori*se safety, sustainability and the effec*ve use of charitable funds. Burundi Action | Trustees’ Annual Report 2024–25 | Charity No. 1209458 P a g e | **6** ## **RISK MANAGEMENT** ## **Safeguarding risks** The charity works with vulnerable children and families. Trustees mi*gate this risk through ongoing welfare review, cau*ous decision-making about new ini*a*ves, and strengthening formal safeguarding procedures. **Overseas opera1onal risks** Ac*vi*es take place in a context with limited infrastructure and banking access. Trustees manage this through working with established local contacts, maintaining communica*on and repor*ng, and monitoring the use of funds through regular updates and visits where possible. ## **Financial sustainability** spending decisions, maintaining modest reserves, and priori*sing essen*al support. ## **Legal and contextual risks** The charity operates in a changing social and regulatory environment. Trustees monitor local condi*ons and avoid ac*vi*es where risks are considered too high. The trustees review risks as part of their ongoing oversight and adjust ac*vi*es where necessary to ensure the safety of beneficiaries and the responsible use of charitable funds. ## **EXTERNAL SCRUTINY OF ACCOUNTS** The charity’s gross income for the period was below £25,000. Under the Chari*es Act 2011, chari*es with income below this level are not required to have an independent examina*on or audit. There is no requirement in the charity’s governing document or from any funder for external scru*ny of the accounts for this period. Accordingly, no independent examina*on or audit has been undertaken for the year ended 31 March 2025. ## **CUSTODIAN FUNDS** The charity did not hold any funds as custodian trustee on behalf of others during the repor*ng period. ## **APPROVAL** ## **Approved by the trustees on:** 15[th] January 2026 **Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees** Name: Fabien Raymondaud Role: Chair of Trustees Signature: Burundi Action | Trustees’ Annual Report 2024–25 | Charity No. 1209458 P a g e | **7** ## **ACCOUNTS** For the period 6 August 2024 to 31 March 2025 |**Receipts and Payments Account**|| |---|---| |**Receipts**|| |Dona*ons and supporter income|£21,494| |**Total Receipts**|£21,494| |**Payments**|| |Charitable support costs in Burundi|£12,346| |Loan repayments (fully repaid in year)|£6,879| |**Total Payments**|£19,224| |**Net movement in funds**(surplus for the period)|£2,269| |**Statement of Assets and Liabili1es**|| |As at 31 March 2025|| |**Assets**|| |Bank balance|£2,269| ## **Liabili1es** None Burundi Action | Trustees’ Annual Report 2024–25 | Charity No. 1209458 P a g e | **8** ## **Burundi Action – Profit & Loss Statement** View shown: Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 (full-year view). Annual Return period: 06/08/2024–31/03/2025. |**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**|**Income**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Category**|**Apr 2024**|**May 2024**|**Jun 2024**|**Jul 2024**|**Aug 2024**|**Sep 2024**|**Oct 2024**|**Nov 2024**|**Dec 2024**|**Jan 2025**|**Feb 2025**|**Mar 2025**|**YTD**| |Patrice Van Isacker|£100.00|£100.00|£100.00|£100.00|£100.00|£100.00|£2,000.00|£100.00|£100.00|£0.00|£300.00|£300.00|£3,400.00| |DeafReach|£1,250.00|£1,250.00|£1,500.00|£1,500.00|£1,500.00|£1,500.00|£2,500.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£11,000.00| |Caroline Pawed|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£1,000.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£1,000.00| |Gofundme|£116.02|£0.00|£31.79|£0.00|£96.85|£9.46|£145.15|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£399.27| |TerryMcCabe|£333.00|£0.00|£0.00|£333.00|£0.00|£333.00|£0.00|£0.00|£333.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£1,332.00| |Christopher Kendall|||||||||||£100.00|£0.00|£100.00| |DorothyMcLean|||||||||||£200.00|£2,200.00|£2,400.00| |PayPal GivingFund|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£296.08|£0.00|£0.00|£1,450.90|£1,746.98| |Etsy: Sales of Jewellery|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£116.03|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£116.03| |**Total Income**|**£1,799.02**|**£1,350.00**|**£1,631.79**|**£1,933.00**|**£1,696.85**|**£2,058.49**|**£5,645.15**|**£100.00**|**£729.08**|**£0.00**|**£600.00**|**£3,950.90**|**£21,494.28**| |**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**|**Expenses**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Category**|**Apr 2024**|**May 2024**|**Jun 2024**|**Jul 2024**|**Aug 2024**|**Sep 2024**|**Oct 2024**|**Nov 2024**|**Dec 2024**|**Jan 2025**|**Feb 2025**|**Mar 2025**|**YTD**| |Food & essentials for Mbuye|£649.00|£657.00|£688.00|£484.08|£568.57|£509.81|£320.26|£0.00|£360.00|£229.89|£401.00|£1,272.34|£6,139.95| |Egide & familyAid|£146.00|£165.00|£0.00|£123.19|£147.91|£158.17|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£500.00|£0.00|£800.00|£2,040.27| |School Grants|£111.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£250.00|£0.00|£0.00|£90.91|£451.91| |Medical Care|£0.00|£47.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£47.00| |Rent|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£879.12|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£879.12| |Furniture|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£878.64|£909.09|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£1,787.73| |Jean-Marie Nziniza CoopProject(Mugogo)|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£1,000.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£1,000.00| |Loan Repayment|£1,000.00|£1,000.00|£2,400.00|£78.79|£1,200.00|£1,200.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£0.00|£6,878.79| |**Total Expenses**|**£1,906.00**|**£1,869.00**|**£3,088.00**|**£686.06**|**£1,916.48**|**£1,867.98**|**£320.26**|**£1,757.76**|**£2,519.09**|**£729.89**|**£401.00**|**£2,163.25**|**£19,224.77**| ||||||||||||||| |**Net Profit/ (Loss)**|**-£106.98**|**-£519.00**|**-£1,456.21**|**£1,246.94**|**-£219.63**|**£190.51**|**£5,324.89**|**-£1,657.76**|**-£1,790.01**|**-£729.89**|**£199.00**|**£1,787.65**|**£2,269.51**|