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2023-12-31-accounts

The Asra Hawariat School Fund

Financial Statements and Trustees Report

for the year ended 31 December 2023

David Harrison & Co

Chartered Accountants

The Asra Hawariat School Fund

Index Page
Information 1
Legal and administrative details 2
Trustees report 3
Independent Accountant’s report 6
Income and expenditure account
7
Detailed income 8
Balance sheet 9
Notes to the Accounts 10

INFORMATION

ACCOUNTANTS David Harrison & Co
Chartered Accountants
430 Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 3GY.
BANKERS Ulster Bank Ltd
11-16 Donegall Square East
Belfast
BT1 5UB.
Date
TRUSTEES Name
Address
Appointed
Gillian Cloke 3 Ardmore Park
2001
Holywood
BT18 9BQ.
Richard Cloke 3 Ardmore Park
2001
Holywood
BT18 9BQ.
Nicholas Kaye 68 Cadogan Square
1974
London
SW18 0EA.
Timothy Kinahan
7
Meadow
Grove
1974
Crawfordsburn
BT19 1JL.
Carolyn Barker Mill 23 Dawson Place
2017
London
W2 4TH.
Martha Street 4 Pitchcombe Gardens
2017
Combe Dingle
Bristol
BS9 2RH.
1

ASRA HAWARIAT SCHOOL FUND

Legal and Administrative details

The Asra Hawariat School Fund was founded by a Declaration of Trust dated 10[th] October 1974, and is registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales as Charity No.325121.The objects of the Charity are the relief of poverty and the advancement of education in Ethiopia through the work of the Asra Hawariat School. The Fund has no paid staff and is run on an entirely voluntary basis. The Trustees of the Fund are Gillian Cloke, Richard Cloke, Nicholas Kaye, Timothy Kinahan, Carolyn Barker Mill and Martha Street.

Introduction

The Asra Hawariat School was started at the end of the 1950’s by Asfaw Yemiru who was then a 9[th] grade student at the British Council run General Wingate School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Since then the school, and its related welfare activities, have been able to assist more than 112,000 needy children.

The Asra Hawariat School is a non-political, non-religious and nonprofit-making voluntary organization, aimed at assisting children from the poorest sections of Ethiopian society. Education and other assistance is made without regard to ethnic or religious background or political orientation.

Asra Hawariat School Report 2022/23

The Asra Hawariat School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is a non-fee paying, non-religious and non-political voluntary organization that for decades has worked with the poorest children and their families to provide an education as a route out of poverty. Since its foundation in 1961 by Asfaw Yemiru, an inspirational leader and educator, the school has educated over 125,000 children. Sadly Asfaw died in May 2021 and his wife Senayet Aklilu and her staff are working hard to maintain standards in the schools and carry forward Asfaw’s vision. For the past 30 years the Asra Hawariat School Fund has been the sole overseas funder of this work.

Since the school was founded, much has changed in Ethiopia. There is an emerging middle class and government education has caught up with Asra Hawariat, to the extent that poor pupils can get a good education at a government school. Where the Asra Hawariat remains unique is in its small classes, open and attractive campuses, a strong emphasis on educating girls, high levels of parental and alumni involvement and excellent exam results.

During this last year the Fund (registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales since 1974) commissioned an in-depth report on the state of the schools. This was completely funded by one generous donor. This report has highlighted several issues that need urgent attention. Most pressing is the upgrading of toilet facilities and water supply along with the refurbishment of many of the classrooms. Improvement of computer science teaching needs new equipment and internet access. There are also issues of governance and land-rights; the informal

arrangements that served the school so well for so long during the life of its inspirational founder, are no longer fit for purpose in the modern world. All these issues are being addressed and estimates and costings have been requested.

3

The School

During this academic year the school has had 831 pupils (410 boys and 421 girls) and 47 teaching staff. It follows the national curriculum, with greater emphasis placed on English language, science and maths. 70 girls and 43 boys were entered for the 8[th] grade national examination, all passed. Last year the school was rated as one of the best of the 33 schools in the sub-city.

Alumni

One of the highlights of the past few years has been the increasing role played by some of the school’s alumni, who have been contributing books for the school library, equipment for science classes, and clothes for those worst affected by the pandemic. They have also organized a blood donation session at the school. Some of their number take additional science classes on a Saturday morning. As young professionals they are very hands-on in supporting and advising the school administration in their efforts to implement and advance our Founder’s vision for the 21st century.

School Clubs

There are several lively and educational school clubs, including Health and Sanitation Club, Literature Drama and Music, Girls’ Club, Sports, Arts, Debating, Environmental Protection and Beautification.

Agriculture

The school farm was one of Asfaw’s personal interests, and his illness and death have meant that there is only a small plot now operational for student demonstration purposes. However, there are plans to expand this again, mainly as an income generating scheme as part of the school’s plans to become more financially self-sufficient.

4

Funding

The school budget for 2022/23 means that the Fund is now committed to sending £10,000 monthly out to the school. Inflation is high in the country, and salaries for teachers and other staff have had to be raised by 30%. These figures only cover the current day to day running costs of the schools. As outlined above the Fund will be facing additional demands to improve both the infrastructure of the schools but also to maintain and improve educational standards.

Thanks

Thanks are due, once again, to our Independent Accountant, David Harrison & Co, Belfast who prepare our accounts without charge, and to Barnaby Skinner who has provided the photographs for this report.

And, not least, thanks to all our supporters, whose remarkable generosity in difficult economic times has ensured another good year, and who have helped turn so many dreams into reality.

Asra Hawariat School Fund

(England and Wales registered Charity 325121) 2 Woodland Avenue

Helen’s Bay Bangor Co. Down BT19 1TX Northern Ireland United Kingodm

Tel: +44 (0)28 9185 3601 Website: www.asrahawariatschool.org Email: asrahawariat@btinternet.com

5

Independent Accountant’s Report

Report to the trustees

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Asra Hawariat School Fund for the year ended 31 December 2023.

As the 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 my examination of the 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 Accountants Report

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:

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.

David Harrison & Co Chartered Accountants 430 Upper Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 3GY March 2024

6

The Asra Hawariat School Fund

Year ended 31 December 2023 Note to the Accounts

Last year we reported that:-

‘a payment of £8000 that was transferred to the school’s account on the 24[th] June 2022 has not yet been received by them’.

This situation remains unchanged.

After much correspondence and many phone calls, the Fund referred the Ulster Bank to the Financial Services Ombudsman, who cleared the Bank of any error. The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia say that they sent the money back to us, but no one can find any trace of it.

The Asra Hawariat School Fund

Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2023

INCOME
EXPENSES
Research fee
Travel
Zoom
Good Thinking Design
Bank charges
NET INCOME
TRANSFERRED TO ASRA
HAWARIAT SCHOOL
EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE OVER
INCOME
BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD
BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD
2023
£
122,007
18,761
0
144
117
25
19,047
102,960
110,000
-7,040
182,876
175,836
2022
£
105,763
11,251
3,672
144
187
0
15,254
90,509
97,500
-6,991
189,867
182,876

7

The Asra Hawariat School Fund

Detailed Income

for the year ended 31 December 2023

Total Corporate, School, Trust
and Church Income
Other Income
From Friends
Tax Reclaimed from HMRC
HMRC Interest Received
Bank Interest Received
Total Income for the Year
2023
£
36,892
74,577
8,343
94
2,101
122,007
2022
£
8,790
82,056
14,435
76
406
105,763

8

The Asra Hawariat School Fund

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2023

CURRENT ASSETS
30 Day Business Reserve Account
Bank Current Account
Income Tax Recoverable
CAPITAL
Income & Expenditure Account
2023
£
159,527
7,871
8,437
175,836
175,836
2022
£
165,416
2,949
14,511
182,876
182,876

Rev T Kinahan Mr R Cloke Trustee Trustee

9

The Asra Hawariat School Fund

Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2023

INCOME
EXPENSES
Research fee
Travel
Zoom
Good Thinking Design
Bank charges
NET INCOME
TRANSFERRED TO ASRA
HAWARIAT SCHOOL
EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE OVER
INCOME
BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD
BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD
2023
£
122,007
18,761
0
144
117
25
19,047
102,960
110,000
-7,040
182,876
175,836
2022
£
105,763
11,251
3,672
144
187
0
15,254
90,509
97,500
-6,991
189,867
182,876

7

The Asra Hawariat School Fund

Detailed Income

for the year ended 31 December 2023

Total Corporate, School, Trust
and Church Income
Other Income
From Friends
Tax Reclaimed from HMRC
HMRC Interest Received
Bank Interest Received
Total Income for the Year
2023
£
36,892
74,577
8,343
94
2,101
122,007
2022
£
8,790
82,056
14,435
76
406
105,763

8

The Asra Hawariat School Fund

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2023

CURRENT ASSETS
30 Day Business Reserve Account
Bank Current Account
Income Tax Recoverable
CAPITAL
Income & Expenditure Account
2023
£
159,527
7,871
8,437
175,836
175,836
2022
£
165,416
2,949
14,511
182,876
182,876

Rev T Kinahan Mr R Cloke Trustee Trustee

9