OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2023-12-31-annual-report

NIPSA GLOBAL SOLIDARITY AND DEVELOPING WORLD FUND

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE'S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The management committee present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note to the financial statements and comply with the charity's constitution, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

The charity is established to prevent or relieve poverty, sickness, disease or human suffering and to promote human rights throughout the world.

The main project during the year in furtherance of the Charity’s objectives were:

The management committee have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Achievements and performance

Centre for Global Education - Project Nour: Educating Palestinian and Syrian Refugees in Beirut, Lebanon

Project Partners: Centre for Global Education (Belfast) and the Women’s Program Association (Lebanon).

Grant received: £11,500.00 on 19 January 2023 (Year 2 of 2).

Project Delivery Dates: 01 March – 31 August 2023.

Project Aim:

Project Objectives:

To provide 100 Palestinian and Syrian refugee children, aged 6 to 14, with:

• Two field trips outside the camp to leisure facilities to escape the often stressful living environment in Mar Elias.

• A safe and structured play environment inside the camp which supports formal sector learning, cultural events, arts and crafts, and fun.

Project Location : The project was delivered in Mar Elias Refugee, Beirut, Lebanon.

NIPSA GLOBAL SOLIDARITY AND DEVELOPING WORLD FUND

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Project Delivery

The project was delivered over a period of six months (March to August 2023) to 100 Palestinian and Syrian children aged 6-14 years. The children were divided into four groups of 25 and attended the Women’s Program Association from Monday - Friday, 8.30am to 12.30pm. Each group was facilitated by a trained member of the WPA team with the necessary skills and experience to deliver education activities and psycho-social support. The children received training in key areas of the curriculum: Mathematics, English, Arabic, literacy, numeracy and arts and crafts. Each child received a snack every day and was taken on two field trips outside the camp to leisure facilities where they could play and have fun.

Project Outcomes

Formal Education

The children received classes every day from 8.30am – 12.30pm that covered key areas of the schools’ curriculum including Arabic, English, Mathematics and Life Skills. The children attended English, Arabic, and Maths classes that were specifically tailored to their needs and designed to make learning engaging and fun. The English classes introduced them to the basics of the English including vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills. Through interactive activities, games, and storytelling, the children developed their language abilities while also gaining an appreciation for different cultures and ways of communication. In the Arabic classes, the children explored their native language in depth. They learned to read and write Arabic, delving into its rich history and literature. This not only strengthened their language skills but also fostered a sense of cultural identity. Mathematics classes were a space for the children to discover numbers and problem-solving. Through hands-on activities and creative exercises, they grasped fundamental mathematical concepts, improving their analytical skills and critical thinking. These classes aimed to make mathematics less intimidating and more enjoyable, instilling a love for numbers and logic.

Arts and Crafts

All of the children had the opportunity to participate in classes focused on arts and crafts, including drawing, wall murals and paper crafts. Artistic expression was encouraged that allowed children to unleash their self-expression, imagination, creativity and develop their fine motor skills. The classes also observed international days such as Refugee Day on 20 June in which they produced art and had discussions on the life of a refugee. The paper crafts often complemented the core curriculum subjects (literacy and numeracy) and resulted in colourful wall murals.

Day Trips

Project Nour provided two day trips over the duration of the project for the 100 children. They were taken to Playtown, a leisure facility for children where they could have fun in a safe environment as well as get creative and build friendships. This outing was met with enthusiastic participation, fostering not only enjoyment but also aiding in the development of social skills. For the second trip, the children were taken to Al-Awali river to cultivate a sense of adventure and appreciation for the outdoors, promoting teamwork and unity. The outing facilitated a deeper connection with nature, camaraderie with peers, and instilled valuable life lessons on cooperation and environmental conservation.

Cultural Activities

The children had the opportunity to participate in cultural activities including traditional dance which is a central element of Palestinian and Syrian life. Dabka is traditional Palestinian song and dance that young people learn from an early age. The project marked special occasions such as Mother's Day, Eid Al-Adha, and International Dance Day, fostering a sense of cultural heritage, community, and inclusivity.

Evaluation

In May 2023, CGE Director, Stephen McCloskey, visited Mar Elias to meet the project staff including: May Khashan (Project Co-ordinator); Imad Alawneh (Mathematics teacher); Siham Zammar (Life skills teacher); Aline Howeijeh (Arabic teacher); Salwa al-Haj Hassan (Life skills teacher) and Maya Moussa (English teacher). He also visited the Women’s Program Association head office and met with Leila Kaissa (Director) to discuss and plan the programme in 2024.

Next Steps

The Centre for Global Education received a two-year grant of £23,000 (£11,500 per annum) from NIPSA’s Developing World Fund to continue the programme in Lebanon. Year one of the programme will be delivered from 1 May to 31 October 2024.

NIPSA GLOBAL SOLIDARITY AND DEVELOPING WORLD FUND

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Management Committee has complied with its duty to have due regard to the Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant .

Financial review

The charity returned net incoming resources for the year of £7,322 (2022 - £2,325 net outgoing resources), resulting in unrestricted funds of £23,243 (2022 - £15,921). The management committee is satisfied with the financial result for the year and with the level of reserves at the year end.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is governed by its constitution.

The management committee who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements The management committee who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements
were:
D Crilly (Retired 1 June 2023)
I Boersma
R Clifford (Retired 1 June 2023)
S Antal
S Bell (Retired 1 June 2023)
L Collins
R O'Sandair
B O'Reilly (Retired 1 June 2023)
A Trainor (Retired 1 June 2023)
J Scott (Appointed 1 June 2023)
E Dawson (Appointed 1 June 2023)
M Loughran (Appointed 1 June 2023)
T Creaney (Appointed 1 June 2023)
W Brooks (Appointed 1 June 2023)
S Conlon (Appointed 1 June 2023)

Members of the management committee are appointed as required and in accordance with the constitution. Up to six members are elected at the annual NIPSA delegate conference and up to four members are appointed from members of the General Council of Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance.

Responsibilities of the Management Committee

Members of the management committee are responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The management committee's report was approved by the Management Committee and signed on their behalf by:

R O'Sandair (Chairperson)

I Boersma (Vice-Chairperson)

28 August 2024