## TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
## and
FINANCIAL STATEMENT For the year ended 31[st] December 2021
1
## MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC AID FOR VIETNAM, LAOS AND CAMBODIA Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2021
The Trustees present their report for the year ended 31[st] December 2021.
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 Ms Jenny Gold (Co-opted May 2021)
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
- a) To send medical, scientific and food aid, supplies, equipment and literature to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
- a) To further, and to assist in the furtherance of, medical research provided that the useful results of such research shall be disseminated.
- 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 mainly as a result of publicity campaigns, chiefly the publication of the news Bulletin three or four times per year, from leaflets, and by notifications in Facebook and on our website. From time-to-time fund-raising 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 by the Trustees.
The Honorary Treasurer’s Report is included within the Trustees’ Annual Report.
The Charity financially supported during the year:
- The continuation of the project Listen.Out.Loud, Kratie! run by All Ears Cambodia, for a fourth year.
- The project has provided primary ear health care, health education and aural rehabilitation of disabling hearing loss in children and adults in eastern Cambodia.
- The continuation of a two-year Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Rehabilitation Project (PQR Project) run by the Disability Development Services Program (DDSP) in Cambodia.
- The project has improved the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families, through access to health, rehabilitation, livelihood, and social inclusion.
- A Health and Wholeness Project at ‘Daughters of Cambodia’.
- The project helped young women and men in Cambodia escape the horrors of sex trafficking and start sustainable new lives for themselves. It provided skills and training, paired with vital health and support services needed to aid their physical, psychological, and social recovery.
- Sponsorship of children, and gifts for children, at New Hope Children’s Home, Poipet, Cambodia.
- The project helped the Home provide shelter and stability for orphaned and abandoned children. The children receive loving care, education, health, and welfare support.
- Continuation of the First Aid Project at New Hope Children’s Home.
- A Greenhouse and Vegetable Farm Project at New Hope Children’s Home.
- Equipment and seeds were purchased to enable the Home to grow
- vegetables for the children and to strive to become more self-sufficient.
- Funding for a hospital bed at The British Friendship Hospital in Ky Anh, Vietnam.
- Wheelchairs for The Vietnamese Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA). 500 wheelchairs were distributed to 52 provinces throughout Vietnam, to assist the victims of Agent Orange to become mobile and more selfsufficient.
3
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 2021 was for the public benefit, as set out in the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance.
## **Review of Objectives, Progress and Achievements during 2021**
As well as conducting 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.
- Jenny Gold was co-opted onto the Trustees in order to liaise with New Hope
- Children’s Home.
The Trustees held meetings three times during 2021, via Skype due to the Covid 19 pandemic. They were in touch regularly by telephone and email, when necessary.
## **A meeting of the Trustees** took place by Skype in February 2021.
The main points from that meeting follow:
It was noted that a proposal for the continuation of the Health and Wholeness Project, from Daughters of Cambodia, had been circulated to all the Trustees. It had been approved and the funds had been sent to them.
The Honorary Secretary had sent proposed amendments for our website to our website manager.
Money had been sent to New Hope Children’s Home to pay for our sponsored children and for Christmas gifts for them.
Narrative reports and newsletters had been received from Daughters of Cambodia and Disability Development Services Program (DDSP) in Cambodia. Both were highly satisfactory.
John Ramsden, deputy ambassador to Vietnam in the early 1980’s, had produced a book of photos and accounts of his time in Vietnam. He had kindly donated twenty copies of the book ‘Hanoi after the War’ for us to sell for funds for MSAVLC.
Ms. Tran Tu Nga, a French/Vietnamese woman had started a court case in Paris against the Agent Orange producers to expose the war crimes committed by these companies. All of our current projects were discussed and appropriate funding for the future agreed upon.
Concern was raised for New Hope Children’s Home as their main funding comes from Global Care, a Coventry based charity, who were intending to discontinue their support at the end of the year.
The Honorary Treasurer stated that we were in a good financial position at present and noted that our expenses in 2020 were only 1% of our total spending for the entire year.
It was agreed to send money to the British Friendship Hospital in Ky Anh, Vietnam, to purchase a bed.
Due to the pandemic, no plans could be made at the time to hold the AGM.
## **A meeting of the Trustees** took place by Skype in May 2021.
The main points from that meeting follow:
Some work had been done to update our website, but there is still more to be
done.
Fourteen of John Ramsden’s books had been sold.
Unfortunately, the case brought about by Ms Tran Tu Nga against fourteen multinational agrochemical companies who had supplied Agent Orange to the US Government, was rejected by the French courts. They stated that they had no jurisdiction to judge the wartime activities of the US Government.
$35,000 USD had been sent to The Vietnamese Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA), for the purchase of wheelchairs. Photos and videos of them being delivered had been sent to us.
It was agreed to send money to New Hope Children’s Home to continue the running of the First Aid Project, and to purchase equipment, a greenhouse and seeds for a Farm Project.
4
Letters, drawings and school reports had been received from our three sponsored children at New Hope Children’s Home and it was rewarding to see how they had grown, matured, and looked fit and healthy. Jenny Gold was co-opted to the Trustees to take over the responsibility of checking on the sponsored children when Global Care withdraw their support for the Home, at the end of the year.
A proposal had been received from All Ears Cambodia asking to continue
funding the Listen.Out.Loud Kratie! Project for a further year, and this was agreed by the Trustees.
A newsletter had been received from Daughters of Cambodia outlining their valuable work in the last three months.
Mr. Trinh Ngoc Kim, who had taken over the management of HEDO, had sent a proposal for MSAVLC to fund a new Midwives’ Training Course in Cao Bang Province, Vietnam in March. However, the Trustees had previously agreed that, as they were not able to travel to Vietnam due to the pandemic, funding further courses should be postponed until they were able to visit.
Money had again been raised for MSAVLC, by the sale of second-hand books at the Organic Farm Shop in Cirencester. Thanks was given to David, Fiona and Hilary for organising this.
Our financial position was discussed, and it was reported that our funds are in good shape at present.
It was decided to hold an AGM in Cheltenham later in the year, if the pandemic restrictions permitted.
**A meeting of the Trustees** took place by Skype in October 2021. The main points from that meeting follow:
Unfortunately, no more work had been done to update our website, due to the ill health of our website manager.
Most of John Ramsden’s books had now been sold.
Details of the distribution of the wheelchairs bought by VAVA had been sent to us, along with the names of the recipients and the provinces where the wheelchairs had been sent. As usual VAVA’s reporting was clear and explicit.
The equipment for the greenhouse project at New Hope Children’s Home had now been purchased. Receipts and photos had been sent to us of the items purchased and of the erected greenhouse.
Due to the pandemic, Trustees had been unable to visit S.E. Asia, but the Honorary Secretary had been able to keep in close contact with, and received satisfactory reports from, all our current project leaders.
Daughters of Cambodia – Newsletters and reports were received in February, May and August.
DDSP – A Narrative Report and Financial Report had been sent to us, along with a revised budget from July 2021 to June 2022. This was deemed to be satisfactory. All Ears Cambodia – A report was received on the use of the headlights
purchased last year for use in their clinics. A mid-term report of the progress of the Listen.Out.Loud Kratie! Project was received in September.
New Hope Children’s Home – News and photos of the Greenhouse Project were received, as well as reports on all our sponsored children.
VAVA – Reports, receipts and photos were received.
We were pleased to receive an email from Mr. Tran Duc Hieu from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, with an attached letter from Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, VUFO President, on the 60[th] anniversary of the start of the Agent Orange disaster. She expressed her profound gratitude to each and every one of us for our long companionship, sharing and invaluable support over the past decades.
The CCLA Investment Management had requested information from us to prevent money laundering and this had been supplied to them.
Our Honorary Treasurer reported that our funds remained healthy, and the COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund had produced a 9% return, which is considered quite remarkable in these troubled times.
It was decided to hold the AGM in Cheltenham in October, as some restrictions due to the pandemic had been lifted.
5
A proposal had been received from Daughters of Cambodia to fund a Health and Wellness Recovery Project from October 2021 to September 2022. This was discussed, the proposed funding was higher than previous years with additional items requested. It was pointed out that Daughters had been through an exceedingly difficult period during the pandemic as their Visitor’s Centre, Spa and Cafe had been closed and they had not been able to sell their goods. The Honorary Secretary was instructed to find out more about the Project before a decision could be made.
Simon Mumford, our Legal Advisor had now retired from his firm, and we are to enquire from him if he is still willing to act for us in his retirement.
## **During 2021**
Due to the pandemic, Trustees had been unable to visit S.E. Asia, but the Honorary Secretary had been able to keep in close contact with, and received satisfactory reports from, all our current project leaders.
The Trustees were able to continue with their work during the pandemic communicating by Skype, emails, and telephone.
The Daughters of Cambodia request for the funding of a Health and Wellness Recovery Project was approved by the Trustees and the funds had been sent.
The Bulletin was published in February, May, August and November, and circulated to all our supporters: Approximately 229 by email, and 154 by post.
The AGM was held on the 16[th] October 2021 at The Charlton Kings Social Club and Institute, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and was well attended considering the pandemic. As it was not possible to hold an AGM in 2020 a brief outline of the charity’s activities in 2019 were reported upon by the Honorary Secretary, as well as the charity’s activities for 2020.
## **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 circumstances allow, 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:
- To discuss with directors, the projects which we have funded recently, and proposals for future funding,
- To view and check any equipment which has been purchased recently using MSAVLC funds,
- To meet patients and clients who have benefitted from the aid sent by the charity,
- To check records of transactions, receipts and maintenance protocols,
- To obtain verbal or written reports and photographs, to facilitate reporting back to the Trustees, supporters and donors,
- To assess a potential project to fund in Laos.
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.
6
## **Finances**
The attached Financial Statements show the state of the charity’s finances on 31[st] December 2021 which the Trustees consider to be satisfactory.
The Charity’s main 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
9
## **Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 December 2021**
|notes
**INCOME**
**Donations not gift-aided**
single payments
2
regular payments
3
**Donations gift-aided**
single payments
2
regular payments
3
**Legacies**
4
**Gift aid - tax reclaimed**
5
**Interest received**
**Investment income**
**Other income**
6
**Total received (A)**
**EXPENDITURE**
**Project expenditure**
**Projects in Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia**
7
**Non-project expenditure**
**Fundraising**
bulletins
8
**General administration**
accounting costs
9
travel
postage
admin
10
copying
bank charges
7
stationery
**Total spent (B)**
**ADJUSTMENTS & TRANSFERS**
revaluation of investments
**Total adjustments & transfers (D)**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
brought forward from previous year (F)
**carried forward to next year (E + F = G)**
**NET SURPLUS / DEFICIT**
**(A - B = C)**
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**(C + D = E)**|Unrestricted
Restricted
2021 total
2020 total
£
£
£
£
9,475
300
9,775
3,474
3,190
0
3,190
2,860
5,846
90
5,936
4,543
6,327
560
6,887
6,829
0
2,000
2,000
7
3,581
140
3,721
2,831
17
0
17
130
27,925
0
27,925
31,926
790
0
790
0
**57,152**
**3,090**
**60,242**
**52,601**
82,312
1,297
83,609
127,026
1,283
1,283
940
75
75
100
15
15
108
201
90
291
23
30
30
0
11
11
0
140
140
82
80
80
105
**84,146**
**1,388**
**85,534**
**128,385**
-26,995
1,703
-25,292
-75,784
123,342
0
123,342
55,574
**123,342**
**0**
**123,342**
**55,574**
96,348
1,703
98,050
-20,210
1,103,070
1,476
1,104,547
1,124,757 (2019)
**1,199,418**
**3,179**
**1,202,597**
**1,104,547**|
|---|---|
10
## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2021**
|notes
**ASSETS**
11
**Cash funds**
Co-op Bank current account
Santander current account
12
Paypal account
13
Held as cash
COIF 1C deposit fund
14
**Investment funds**
COIF 1AA ethical fund
**Other monetary assets**
None
**Total assets (G)**
**LIABILITIES**
11
**Committed funds held**
14
Joan McMichael prize fund
15
New Hope Children's Home
Hoa Binh Peace Village
16
VAVA
**Total liabilities (H)**
**Net assets (G - H)**|Unrestricted
Restricted
2021 total
2020 total
£
£
£
£
57,238
0
57,238
6,171
660
0
660
639
1,447
0
1,447
768
0
135
135
135
103,752
3,044
106,796
183,854|
|---|---|
||163,096
3,179
166,275
191,567
1,036,322
0
1,036,322
912,979
0
0
0
0|
||**1,199,418**
**3,179**
**1,202,597**
**1,104,547**
0
829
829
848
0
0
0
279
0
250
250
250
0
2,100
2,100
100|
||**0**
**3,179**
**3,179**
**1,476**
**1,199,418**
**0**
**1,199,418**
**1,103,070**|
## **Notes to the accounts**
- 1 These accounts have been prepared in accordance with guidelines set out by the Charity Commission.
- 2 Single payments received by cash, cheque or BACS transfer into our Co-op Bank account, and by direct transfer or debit/credit card into our PayPal account.
- 3 Regular payments received by standing order into our Co-op Bank, Santander and PayPal accounts.
- 4 From the estate of Mr Jo Bossanyi deceased
- 5 As at 31 December 2021 we had reclaimed tax on all gift-aided donations received prior to 1 December 2021; tax reclaimed is classified as unrestricted, except where we have received a substantial gift-aided restricted donation.
- 6 £740 raised from the sale of books donated by the author, John Ramsden. £50 received from Co-op Bank as compensation for a banking error.
- 7 See back page for projects. Charges incurred in transferring money overseas are classed as project expenditure.
- 8 'Bulletins' item includes all associated postage, printing and stationery costs.
- 9 Cost of gift to independent examiner; financial report (year ending 31 December 2020) examined free of charge. 10 Relates to refreshments at the AGM.
- 11 The charity owns no property, has no employees, no borrowings and no debts.
- 12 The Santander account remains open (monthly charge 30 pence) solely to receive a £2 monthly standing order from an unknown donor.
- 13 The Paypal account mainly receives donations made through our website plus seven monthly standing orders.
- 14 All restricted funds are committed to the project or purpose specified by the donors.
- 15 The Joan McMichael prize (£300) is awarded annually. Prize winners are decided locally at Ky Anh Hospital. The prize was not awarded in 2021 because of a processing error by Co-operative Bank.
- 16 Includes £135 held as cash.
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