## **Rising Stars of Malawi** 

Registered Charity 1209948 

10[th] September 2024 to 31[st] December 2025 

## **Trustees** 

Dr Jonathan Dean (Chair) Ms Janet Dean Dr Lisa Rodolico (joined 19[th] January 2025) Mr Peter Walker (Treasurer) Ms Emma Williamson (Safeguarding lead) 

## **Bankers** 

Cooperative Bank Plc (Online account) 

## **Official Address** 

50 Loddon Road Norton Subcourse Norwich NR14 6RT 

## **Website** 

www.risingstarsofmalawi.org 

## **Report of the Trustees** 

## **Our methodology** 

## **Community-Driven Solutions** 

We listen first, then act.  Every initiative is developed with and for the community we serve. 

As Trustees, we believe lasting change comes through true partnership. Our model is simple but powerful: we provide the nutritious food and program expertise, while communities contribute spaces, local knowledge, and volunteer support. This approach ensures community ownership, maximizes funding impact, and creates truly sustainable programs. 

## **Resourceful & Responsible** 

Rather than building expensive new structures, we breathe new life into existing community spaces. With our local partners, we revitalise existing projects who request fresh impetus. This approach allows us to direct more resources to what matters most—feeding children and creating local employment opportunities. 

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## **Lean & Agile** 

With minimal overhead and bureaucracy, we respond quickly to emerging needs and opportunities. 

## **Sustainable Solutions** 

We leverage existing resources, like community buildings, to maximize the impact of every donation. 

## **Local Employment** 

Our programs are implemented by local staff, creating jobs while ensuring cultural relevance. 

## **Achievements** 

The Board of Trustees are delighted with the outcomes of this first period as a registered charity. 

We began supporting a children’s feeding programme in Mulanji, rural Malawi. We oversaw and funded a building project on the site, making significant improvements to the physical facilities for the children and support workers, including a covered cooking area.  Having initiated physical improvements to the project site and advising our local partner on how to better to engage and support the local community, our support for the project came to an end in mid 2025. 

A further project was quickly identified during a visit to Malawi by the Chair of Trustees.  Following the signing of a Service Level Agreement, we engaged with our new partner Mmela Wathanzi.  The main focus is again on children. Supporting a feeding programme is key, however, a link has been made with the local health officials to ensure that a de-worming programme is conducted alongside the provision of nutritious food. 

The website of the charity has been established and is updated regularly to provide information about the projects we support. 

## **Resources** 

Income has come from generous individuals (£8,145), most of who give regularly, providing a steady of funding to plan for the future. 

Fundraising activities (£2,603) supported the individual giving, as well as a donation from a local Rotary Club.  The cost of fundraising (£459) represents an excellent return of invest of more than 6:1. 

The Trustees have initiated a Reserves Policy equal approximately three months operational costs, including transfer of funds to projects. 

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The charity does not employ any staff and all work conducted by the Trustees is on a voluntary basis.  During the period of this report, no expenses were claimed by the Trustees. 

## **Safeguarding** 

The Trustees are very aware of their responsibility and the importance of appropriate safeguards when working with children, especially in a remote setting.  There is a safeguarding policy in place.  This has been discussed with our partner in Malawi and reporting requirements including in the service level agreement. 

No safeguarding issues have been raised during the period of this report. 

## **Future Plans** 

We are pleased with the level of engagement and reporting with Mmela Wathanzi and are looking to grow this partnership. 

As well as maintaining support for the feeding and education programme, there is a need to continually improve the physical infrastructure of the site.  We are also exploring partnerships to provide sustainable dental care for the children in the project, helping to build lifelong healthy habits. 

## **Financial Statement** 

**Profit & Loss Account** 

|**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>Gifts<br>£8,148<br>Fundraising<br>£2,603<br> <br>£10,751<br> <br>Admin<br>£14<br>Cost of Fundraising<br>£429<br>Project funding<br>£7,493<br>£7,936<br>Surplus/deficit<br>£2,815|**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>Gifts<br>£8,148<br>Fundraising<br>£2,603<br> <br>£10,751<br> <br>Admin<br>£14<br>Cost of Fundraising<br>£429<br>Project funding<br>£7,493<br>£7,936<br>Surplus/deficit<br>£2,815|**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>Gifts<br>£8,148<br>Fundraising<br>£2,603<br> <br>£10,751<br> <br>Admin<br>£14<br>Cost of Fundraising<br>£429<br>Project funding<br>£7,493<br>£7,936<br>Surplus/deficit<br>£2,815|
|---|---|---|
||£7,936||
|||£2,815|



## **Balance Sheet** 

|**nce Sheet**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Current Assets||||
||Cash b/fwd|£0||
||Cash c/fwd|£2,815||
||||£2,815|



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