TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
and
FINANCIAL STATEMENT For the year ended 31[st] December 2020
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MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC AID FOR VIETNAM, LAOS AND CAMBODIA
Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2020
The Trustees present their report for the year ended 31[st] December 2020.
The Charity is an unincorporated association established in June 1965 as the Medical Aid Committee for Vietnam and is registered with the Charity Commission No. 252906. The Charity’s name was changed to Medical and Scientific Aid for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia when aid was also sent to Laos and Cambodia. A new constitution based on the Charity Commission’s model was formally adopted at the Annual General Meeting in July 2010. Medical and Scientific Aid for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, is also known by its abbreviated form of MSAVLC.
Trustees are elected on an annual basis at the Annual General Meeting of the Charity; new Trustees are inducted fully on all the charity’s projects and given appropriate literature. All new Trustees are required to be prepared to take on a specific role in the running of the charity. Trustees can be co-opted onto the Committee, if necessary, to fulfil a role.
The Trustees during the year were:
Mr Peter Lidgard Chairman Mrs Mary Lidgard Honorary Secretary Mr John Firth Honorary Treasurer Mrs Lynn Firth Mrs Susmita Ghosh
The Honorary Officers of the Charity are: President of the Charity: Vice-Presidents: Medical & Scientific Advisor: Dame Judi Dench DBE Sir George Howarth MP Dr. Stewart Benzie Lord Balfe of Dulwich John Pilger Honorary Legal Advisor: Simon Mumford BA
The Principal Address of the Charity is: Anchor Cottage, 3, Horsefair Street, Charlton Kings, CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire, GL53 8JF
Objects of the Charity
The objects of the charity are:-
The relief of sickness, the promotion of good health and the advance of medical research in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
In furtherance of these objectives, the Charity shall have power
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a) To send medical, scientific and food aid, supplies, equipment and literature to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
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a) To further, and to assist in the furtherance of, medical research provided that the useful results of such research shall be disseminated.
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b) To foster the exchange between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and Britain and other nations medical, scientific and technological information and personnel.
Organisation, Governance and Activities 2
The control of the charity is vested in the Trustees and supporters who meet annually to elect Honorary Officers, to receive the Annual Report and Financial Statement for the previous year, and to elect the Trustees for the following year. The day-to-day management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who aim to meet three or four times per year and correspond with each other regularly via email and telephone during the year.
Detailed project proposals from our Project Directors are submitted for approval by the Trustees, and decisions regarding disbursements are taken by the Trustees at their meetings. New and existing projects are reviewed regularly, and accounts, reports and outcomes are provided. It is the aim of the Trustees to send a delegation to visit all funded projects at regular intervals, ideally every two years. During these visits receipts and invoices are checked and the outcomes and impact of projects recorded. New proposals are received, to be discussed and approved by the Trustees.
The charity has taken into account that the risk of accidents or ill health may occur during the Trustees’ visits to projects, and all Trustees are advised to take appropriate measures in the form of insurance and medications.
A Safeguarding Policy is held by the charity and is reviewed every two years.
Donations are received as a result of publicity campaigns, chiefly the publication of the news Bulletin three or four times per year, and by leaflets. From time to time fundraising activities such as suppers, sponsored events, and talks are organised. Donations sent for a specific project, or specified purpose are recorded as Restricted Income and are only used for that specified purpose. All other donations are recorded as Unrestricted Income.
Complete detailed records of Income and Expenditure are maintained by the Honorary Treasurer, and a Financial Statement is prepared at the end of each month for the approval of the Trustees.
The Honorary Treasurer’s Annual Report is included within the Trustees’ Report.
The Charity financially supported during the year:
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The continuation of the project Listen.Out.Loud, Kratie! Run by All Ears Cambodia, for a further year.
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The project has provided primary ear health care, health education and aural rehabilitation of disabling hearing loss in children and adults in eastern Cambodia.
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The purchase of five binocular headlights for All Ears Cambodia. These headlights are used for ontological examination and treatment of infectious diseases and anomalies of the outer and middle ear. The headlights were employed in multiple sites, in Siem Reap, Battambang and other outreach clinics.
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The conclusion of a two-year Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Rehabilitation Project (PQR Project) run by the Disability Development Services Program (DDSP) in Cambodia, and the commencement of a new two-year project.
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This project has improved the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families, through access to health, rehabilitation, livelihood, and social inclusion.
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A Health and Wholeness Project at ‘Daughters of Cambodia’.
This project helps young women and men in Cambodia escape the horrors of sex trafficking and start sustainable new lives for themselves. It provides skills and training, paired with vital health and support services needed to aid their physical, psychological, and social recovery.
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An emergency fund to ‘Daughters of Cambodia’ during the Covid 19 pandemic. This fund went to help buy food and provisions for twenty girls for a sixmonth period.
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Sponsorship of children, and gifts for children, at New Hope Children’s Home, Poipet, Cambodia.
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This project helps the Home provide shelter and stability for orphaned and abandoned children. The children receive loving care, education, health, and welfare support.
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Continuation of the First Aid Project and an emergency fund to New Hope Children’s Home.
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Masks, hand cleansers, spray and food were delivered to the poor, as well as vital first-aid services.
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Funding for the Joan McMichael Prize for staff at the British Friendship Hospital in Ky Anh, Vietnam.
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This small annual fund acts as an incentive to improve the care and performance of all staff at the hospital.
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Wheelchairs for The Vietnamese Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA). 178 traditional wheelchairs and 62 specialised wheelchairs were distributed to thirteen provinces throughout Vietnam, to assist the victims of Agent Orange to become mobile and more self-sufficient.
Further details of the clients benefitting directly or indirectly from the charity’s funding is provided in the ‘Projects’ section of the charity’s website (www.msavlc.org), in the quarterly Bulletins and on our Facebook page. The Trustees believe that all of the funding for the projects supported in 2020 was for the public benefit, as set out in the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance.
Review of Objectives, Progress and Achievements during 2020
As well as carrying out their respective executive roles, Peter Lidgard compiled and edited the Bulletin, Mary Lidgard liaised regularly with all project directors, and managed all emails sent to the website contact address, and John Firth maintained the charity’s mailing list.
Lynn Firth was responsible for the distribution of the Bulletin by post and email, each quarter, and for compliance with General Data Protection Regulations. Susmita Ghosh managed the MSAVLC Facebook page.
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Jon Dainton and ex-Trustee Deborah Dainton continued to maintain and update
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the smooth running of the MSAVLC website.
The Trustees held meetings four times during 2020 and were in touch regularly by telephone and email, when necessary. One of these meetings was held in person and three via Skype due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
A meeting of the Trustees took place in January 2020.
It was noted that the MSAVLC website had been updated by Deborah and John Dainton.
The Curry and Quiz night held last October had raised over £1,544, half of which was donated to MSAVLC funds.
New Hope Children’s Home had been contacted to find out their plans for the future, and John White from Global Care is to visit in February and report back to us.
Sadly, Prof. Trinh the director of the Highland Education Development Organisation (HEDO) had died at the end of last year. Although the Trustees agreed in principle to fund further midwives’ courses, it was decided to postpone them until the Trustees were able to attend under the new management.
We requested information from Daughters of Cambodia about their plans for future funding, and we had received information on this and pie charts outlining their income and expenditure, which were found to be satisfactory.
Brian Stenson, a former Trustee had been to S.E. Asia in December and visited Daughters and DDSP on our behalf. He found both projects to be run very successfully and efficiently.
The Newquay Evangelical Church Sunday School had raised funds for the children at New Hope Children’s Home.
MSAVLC had now received the legacy from Joyce Woodward which would substantially boost our funds.
A proposal to extend the Listen.Out.Loud Kratie! Project had been received and it was agreed to fund it for one more year. It was also agreed to purchase some equipment for All Ears Cambodia.
It was agreed to review the MSAVLC Winding Up Policy and also the Safeguarding Policy.
It was decided to hold the next AGM in April at the Vietnamese Embassy in London.
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A meeting of the Trustees took place in April 2020, by Skype, as the Covid 19 pandemic prevented meeting in person.
Unfortunately, the proposed Trustees’ visit to S.E. Asia this year has been put on hold until it is safe to do so. Also, the proposed AGM which was due to be held in April had been postponed.
Our Honorary Treasurer, John Firth had sent off the money for the sponsorship of our four children at New Home Children’s Home, and also the money for the Joan McMichael prize which is awarded annually at the British Friendship Hospital in Ky Anh, Vietnam,
The Organic Farm Shop in Cirencester is to sell second-hand books and intend to donate some of the profits to MSAVLC.
DDSP and Daughters of Cambodia had both sent us satisfactory reports of their
work.
Good wishes for our health due to the pandemic had been received from many of our project partners.
John White, director of Global Care, visited the New Hope Children’s Home in February and reported that they intend to withdraw their support at the end of the year, but that they will grant the Home money to help set up a school before they pull out. It was decided to find out more of the plans for the future of the Home before we decide what our actions will be. School reports and photographs of all our sponsored children at the Home had been received.
A proposal for an emergency relief fund to support some of the girls at Daughters of Cambodia during the Covid 19 crisis was approved.
The Vietnamese Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA) sent a proposal for the provision of wheelchairs and this was approved.
The policy for the unexpected winding up of the charity was discussed and is to be amended.
The charity’s Safeguarding Policy was reviewed and will be again in two years’ time. Peter Lidgard was again appointed as Safeguarding Officer.
A meeting of the Trustees took place in July 2020, again by Skype.
Following the guidance from the Charity Commission in view of the Covid 19 pandemic, the AGM was cancelled, and it was agreed to send off the Annual Report to the Commission as soon as we can. All the present Trustees agreed to continue in their respective roles for a further year.
John White from Global Care informed us that the situation at the New Hope Children’s Home is at present fairly stable, and the Home has a number of selfsufficiency projects that are working well. Global Care have agreed to continue their sponsorship scheme for a further year until December 2021 and are awarding the Home $15,000 USD to set up a new school in November. It was agreed that we should increase our sponsorship money for the children. Trustees from MSAVLC hope to visit the Home as soon as the pandemic allows.
Thanks, from Daughters of Cambodia and VAVA, had been received for their funding, and a report was received from Daughters outlining their work during the last quarter.
We were informed that sadly Rod Prince, an ex-Trustee and long-time supporter of MSAVLC, had died.
A proposal had been received from the Disability Development Services Program (DDSP) asking to continue their PQR Project for the next two years from July 2020 to June 2022. The figure suggested seemed very high and there was a mistake found in the calculations. After several discussions with the project leader a more satisfactory proposal had been submitted, and this was approved by the Trustees. Sadly, some of DDSP’S donors had pulled out their support which was thought to be due to financial restraints caused by the Coronavirus.
Our financial situation was discussed, and our Honorary Treasurer suggested that the amount of our funds held in investments should be reduced, and this was agreed by the Trustees.
The Honorary Secretary and the Honorary Treasurer both submitted their Annual Reports for 2019 to the Trustees, and all agreed that they were acceptable and that all funding was for the public benefit.
It was agreed that the Annual Report could now be sent to the Independent Examiner, and if approved by her, it could be sent to the Charity Commission.
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The Charity’s Winding Up Policy had been duly amended and deemed satisfactory by the Trustees.
A meeting of the Trustees took place by Skype in October 2020.
The Trustees’ Annual Report had now been sent to the Charity Commission. Money had been sent to DDSP to continue the support for the PQR project and a receipt had been received.
VAVA had sent us an email giving details of the number of wheelchairs purchased, details of where they were distributed, receipts and photos of the recipients. All were very satisfactory.
A mid-term report detailing the progress of the Listen.Out.Loud Kratie! Project, and of where the binocular headlights had been distributed, had been received.
Daughters of Cambodia had submitted a late request for funding for a further Health and Wellness Project to run from October 2020 to September 2021. They also submitted a Narrative Report and Financial Report for the previous year. It was not possible to study these at the meeting, so the Trustees were instructed to consider both and report back to the Secretary if they were satisfied with them.
A project update had been received from Global Care, outlining the work that had been achieved at New Hope Children’s’ Home this summer.
The Highlands Education Development Organisation (HEDO) was discussed. Due to the continuing pandemic, it was decided that Midwives’ Training Courses should be
postponed until things are totally back to normal, and when we are allowed to gather in big groups again.
All the projects that we have supported were discussed, and it was reported that some of them had not been in touch with us for a long time. It was decided, therefore, to classify them as ‘past projects’. If we receive any new requests from them, they would then be considered carefully, and if accepted, they would be classed as ‘new projects’. Our website is to be amended accordingly.
During 2020
The Trustees were able to continue with their work during the pandemic communicating by Skype, emails, and telephone, and all of our current project leaders were kept in constant communication.
The Daughters of Cambodia request for the funding of a further Health and Wellness Project was approved by the Trustees and the funds sent.
The Bulletin was published in February, May and November, and circulated by email or post to all our supporters.
Future Plans and Key Objectives
The Trustees aim to continue with their Skype meetings three or four times per year whilst the pandemic persists and correspond with each other regularly via email or telephone.
The Trustees aim to maintain regular liaison by email or telephone with all project leaders of the projects which we are currently supporting.
As soon as the pandemic allows, a delegation of the Trustees will travel to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to visit and evaluate the charity’s current projects and visit some related organisations. Their objectives will be:
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To discuss with directors, the projects which we have funded recently, and proposals for future funding,
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To view and check any equipment which has been purchased recently using MSAVLC funds,
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To meet patients and clients who have benefitted from the aid sent by the charity,
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To check records of transactions, receipts and maintenance protocols,
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To obtain verbal or written reports and photographs, to facilitate reporting back to the Trustees, supporters and donors,
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To assess a potential project to fund in Laos.
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However, we appreciate that this may not be possible for some time, and in the meantime as many as possible of the above objectives will be caried out remotely.
We aim to keep our Website, Facebook, and Mailing List up to date, in order to inform our donors and supporters of the charity’s activities, and we aim to publish our Bulletin three or four times a year.
We will support fund-raising activities where appropriate.
Finances
The attached Financial Statements show the state of the charity’s finances on 31[st] December 2020 which the Trustees consider to be satisfactory.
The Charity’s bankers are: The Cooperative Bank plc 1 Islington High Street London N1 9TR
The Charity’s Independent Examiner is: Mrs Nicola Hewlett MAAT 43, West Street, Minehead, TA24 5EJ
| notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2020total | 2019total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | f | f | f. | ||
| rircoME | |||||
| Donat;oninotgift-aided | |||||
| singlepayments | 2 | 3,337 | L37 | 3,474 | 1o,252 |
| regular payments | 3 | 2,860 | 0 | 2,860 | 3,975 |
| Donationsgift-aid€d | |||||
| singlepayments | 7 | 4,49? | 50 | 4,543 | 5,828 |
| regular payments | 3 | 6,269 | s60 | 6,829 | 6,889 |
| Legaeies | 7 | 0 | 7 | 364,744 | |
| Gift ald-tax reclaimed | 5 | 2,697 | 140 | 2,831 | 3,254 |
| lnterestreceived | 130 | 0 | 130 | 372 | |
| Investmentircome | 31,926 | 0 | 31,926 | 24,266 | |
| Other income | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total received(A) | 51-,714 | 887 | 5?,601. | 419,580 | |
| EXPENDITURE | |||||
| Projeat expenditur€ | |||||
| ProjectsinVietr€rn,taos & Crmbodia | 6 | 116,039 | 10,987 | t27,026 | ?ltqo |
| Hon^projectexpenditur€ | |||||
| Bulletins | 7 | 940 | 94C | L,214 | |
| 6eneral.dministration | |||||
| accountingcosts | 8 | 100 | 100 | 50 | |
| fundraising (excluding bulletins) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| travel | 108 | 108 | 99 | ||
| publicity/PR | 0 | 0 | |||
| postage | ?3 | 23 | 35 | ||
| admin | 0 | 0 | 30 | ||
| copying | 0 | 0 | 17 | ||
| bank charges | 82 | 82 | 92 | ||
| stationery | 105 | 105 | |||
| Total spent{B} | 117,398 | L0,987 | 128,385 | 78,961 | |
| llrr$qlBPr-us/pEHg,T(A-B ={} | -5s,684 | -10,100 | -75,784 | 340,5r.9 | |
| ADJUSTME'{TS & TRAiISFERS | |||||
| revaluation of investments | 55,574 | 0 | 55,574 | lLO,142 | |
| writtenoff | 0 | -120 | |||
| Total adrustments & transfers(D) | 55.574 | 0 | 55,574 | 110,O72 | |
| NFIMQV-F!'IEHT llq rUltlDSiC+D =E) | -10.110 | -10,100 | -7A,21A | 450,641 | |
| NECONCITIATIONOIFUNDS | |||||
| brought forwardfromprevious year(F) | 1,113.180 | 11,576 | 7.1_24.756 | 674,116 {2018} | |
| earriedforward to nextyear(E+F) | 1-,103,070 | L,476 | 1,704,547 | 1,124,757 |
| notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2020t6tal | 2019total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| f | E | , | |||
| AS5€r$ | I | ||||
| €ashfunds | |||||
| Co-op Bankcurrent account | 6,17L | 0 | 6,L7L | 7,&2 | |
| Santander current account | 1C | 539 | 0 | 639 | 618 |
| Paypalaccount | 11 | 768 | 0 | 768 | 2,798 |
| Heldascash | 0 | 135 | 135 | 1aq | |
| COIF1Cdepasit fund | 11 | 7A2.5L2 | 1.341 | 183.854 | 56,798 |
| 190,091 | r.476 | 191,557 | 67,351, | ||
| lnvestment funds | |||||
| COIF1A.Aethicalfund | 912,979 | 0 | 9t2,979 | L,057,4A6 | |
| Other monetaryassets | |||||
| None | 0.0c | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Totalass€ts | 1,103,070 | 1,476 | Lr44,547 | 1,124,757 | |
| UAgILITIES | I | ||||
| Committed funds held | 72 | ||||
| JoanMcMichaelprizefund | a5 | 0 | 848 | 848 | 1,L29 |
| NewHopeChildren'sHome | 0 | 279 | 279 | 247 | |
| gritish Friendship Hospital | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79 | |
| Hoa BinhPeaceVillage | 0 | 115 | 115 | 45 | |
| VAVAHaTinh{NguyenSyThang) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,974 | |
| VAVA Hanoi | 0 | 100 | 100 | 6,908 | |
| Cashfor review visit | 135 | 135 | 135 | ||
| 0 | 1,476 | L,476 |
| notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2020total | 2019total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | f | f | f. | ||
| rircoME | |||||
| Donat;oninotgift-aided | |||||
| singlepayments | 2 | 3,337 | L37 | 3,474 | 1o,252 |
| regular payments | 3 | 2,860 | 0 | 2,860 | 3,975 |
| Donationsgift-aid€d | |||||
| singlepayments | 7 | 4,49? | 50 | 4,543 | 5,828 |
| regular payments | 3 | 6,269 | s60 | 6,829 | 6,889 |
| Legaeies | 7 | 0 | 7 | 364,744 | |
| Gift ald-tax reclaimed | 5 | 2,697 | 140 | 2,831 | 3,254 |
| lnterestreceived | 130 | 0 | 130 | 372 | |
| Investmentircome | 31,926 | 0 | 31,926 | 24,266 | |
| Other income | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total received(A) | 51-,714 | 887 | 5?,601. | 419,580 | |
| EXPENDITURE | |||||
| Projeat expenditur€ | |||||
| ProjectsinVietr€rn,taos & Crmbodia | 6 | 116,039 | 10,987 | t27,026 | ?ltqo |
| Hon^projectexpenditur€ | |||||
| Bulletins | 7 | 940 | 94C | L,214 | |
| 6eneral.dministration | |||||
| accountingcosts | 8 | 100 | 100 | 50 | |
| fundraising (excluding bulletins) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| travel | 108 | 108 | 99 | ||
| publicity/PR | 0 | 0 | |||
| postage | ?3 | 23 | 35 | ||
| admin | 0 | 0 | 30 | ||
| copying | 0 | 0 | 17 | ||
| bank charges | 82 | 82 | 92 | ||
| stationery | 105 | 105 | |||
| Total spent{B} | 117,398 | L0,987 | 128,385 | 78,961 | |
| llrr$qlBPr-us/pEHg,T(A-B ={} | -5s,684 | -10,100 | -75,784 | 340,5r.9 | |
| ADJUSTME'{TS & TRAiISFERS | |||||
| revaluation of investments | 55,574 | 0 | 55,574 | lLO,142 | |
| writtenoff | 0 | -120 | |||
| Total adrustments & transfers(D) | 55.574 | 0 | 55,574 | 110,O72 | |
| NFIMQV-F!'IEHT llq rUltlDSiC+D =E) | -10.110 | -10,100 | -7A,21A | 450,641 | |
| NECONCITIATIONOIFUNDS | |||||
| brought forwardfromprevious year(F) | 1,113.180 | 11,576 | 7.1_24.756 | 674,116 {2018} | |
| earriedforward to nextyear(E+F) | 1-,103,070 | L,476 | 1,704,547 | 1,124,757 |
| notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2020t6tal | 2019total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| f | E | , | |||
| AS5€r$ | I | ||||
| €ashfunds | |||||
| Co-op Bankcurrent account | 6,17L | 0 | 6,L7L | 7,&2 | |
| Santander current account | 1C | 539 | 0 | 639 | 618 |
| Paypalaccount | 11 | 768 | 0 | 768 | 2,798 |
| Heldascash | 0 | 135 | 135 | 1aq | |
| COIF1Cdepasit fund | 11 | 7A2.5L2 | 1.341 | 183.854 | 56,798 |
| 190,091 | r.476 | 191,557 | 67,351, | ||
| lnvestment funds | |||||
| COIF1A.Aethicalfund | 912,979 | 0 | 9t2,979 | L,057,4A6 | |
| Other monetaryassets | |||||
| None | 0.0c | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Totalass€ts | 1,103,070 | 1,476 | Lr44,547 | 1,124,757 | |
| UAgILITIES | I | ||||
| Committed funds held | 72 | ||||
| JoanMcMichaelprizefund | a5 | 0 | 848 | 848 | 1,L29 |
| NewHopeChildren'sHome | 0 | 279 | 279 | 247 | |
| gritish Friendship Hospital | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79 | |
| Hoa BinhPeaceVillage | 0 | 115 | 115 | 45 | |
| VAVAHaTinh{NguyenSyThang) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,974 | |
| VAVA Hanoi | 0 | 100 | 100 | 6,908 | |
| Cashfor review visit | 135 | 135 | 135 | ||
| 0 | 1,476 | L,476 |