ArrLI-_l Fep.!-I ,'.VISION4KIL)S.Ok vision4ki'Js IMPACTING THELIVES OF CHILDRENAND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH fHELOVE OF CHRIST Annual Report 2023/24 ## **OUR VISION** vision4kids is a Christian based charity with a vision of helping children and young people around the world wherever there is a need to improve the quality of life. In everything we do our aim is to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ and see lives transformed. We base all our work on four main themes: ## Education Promoting and supporting school projects ensuring children and young people have the correct tools and facilities to receive an education. This can include repair and maintenance, construction and building at local schools; supply of teaching material, uniforms, classroom furniture and teaching aids; provision of school meals, funding for educational programmes and guidance to school management. ## Health vision4kids will aim to support projects for healthcare working with established charities as well as individual cases where certain funds or practical help can be offered. Always working in a way that makes life more comfortable for the child in question. This will include paying for hospital, surgery and medical bills for the children ensuring they receive necessary treatment and continued after care by local experts; large scale medical screening of larger groups (eg: a school) including basic treatment for minor ailments by a local qualified doctor. ## Welfare Throughout the world there are many children without basic shelter, clothing and food. vision4kids will look to provide the necessary materials to improve living conditions and relieve poverty giving a better way of life. This will include helping with home renovations, providing food to the child and their immediate family; relief shelter in times of emergency and ensuring the child has sufficient clothing and footwear for school and home. ## Spiritual As a Christian based charity the main theme in all we seek to do is to promote the Gospel and see children and young people’s lives transformed through the saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ. This will include holding children’s Bible Clubs and Sunday School meetings; provision of Bibles and other Christian literature; Bible study and development/counselling classes; visits to local schools to take RE classes and Scripture Union. ## **OUR FUNDRAISING** Our fundraising focus this year has been on generating much needed funds for the running of our school and the construction of new classrooms. Through the year, there have been a number of methods used to raise funds for the charity; these include: **Child Sponsorship Programme** – We have increased the number of sponsor children to 50. Each child has a sponsor family in the UK who provide a £15 donation per month. This contribution goes in its entirety to benefit the child through payment of their school, exam and sports fees; provision of school uniform, shoes and hygiene products; inclusion in school meals; regular health checks and necessary treatments; a Bible; a sack of maize into the family home at the start of each school term. **Fundraising Events** – Through the year we hold a number of events including Concerts, Craft Fairs, Coffee Mornings and Sponsored Walks. These are all great ways of getting people involved and raising funds for the work. We also have volunteers who hold their own event or sponsored activity and donate all the proceeds, which has included a parachute jump. **Street Collections** – A long standing method of raising funds is through Street Collections and ‘Bed Pushes’ in local towns and villages. This involves working with the PSNI and Parades Commission to ensure the necessary legal permits are approved and we are fully covered and insured to collect. We have been overwhelmed by the generous response from the local people each time we hold a collection. **Insight Meetings** – From time to time the team are invited to speak at various church, school and youth groups. These groups provide a donation to go to the project they are interested in. The vision4kids team are volunteers which ensures 100% of the donation goes to the work amongst the boys and girls. **General Donations** – We are so thankful to those supporters who provide donations on a regular, and quite often, a monthly basis. We make full use of the HMRC Gift Aid service which means each donation (where applicable) goes even further. We are thankful to supporters close to vision4kids who cover costs associated with the running of the charity. We operate a number of income channels including cash, cheque, bank transfer and standing order, Give As You Earn through the workplace, Gift Aid, GASDS, PayPal and online donations through our Givey account. ## **CHAIRMAN’S REPORT** This past year has been a time of tremendous progress for both the physical and spiritual work of vision4Kids at Blessed Hill Academy. The Lord has blessed our efforts, and we have seen mighty steps forward in the development of the school and the growth of its community. Significant strides have been made in the construction of the new classroom block, providing much-needed space for our growing student body. We give thanks to God for His provision, knowing that "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it" (Psalm 127:1). These advancements have not only improved the learning environment but have also strengthened the school's foundation for future growth. The appointment of a new school manager, tasked with the pastoral care of the pupils and teachers, has brought fresh energy and leadership to the school. As it says in Proverbs 27:17, _"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."_ The influence of this new leadership has helped to foster a nurturing and spiritually enriching atmosphere for both students and staff. During our visit in January, Stephen and I were greatly encouraged by the proactive and positive attitude of Divah and his wife, Cecilia. We were able to carry out promising business and financial planning in close collaboration with the vision4Kids Kenya NGO members, laying the groundwork for continued success in the year ahead. _"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety"_ (Proverbs 11:14). The highlight of the year for me personally was the mission trip in August 2023, where I had the privilege of leading a team of 16 dedicated individuals. Each day, over 200 children participated in activities, divided into four age groups. We engaged the children with age-appropriate Bible studies, quizzes, singing, and games. It was truly a week filled with joy and blessings. On the final afternoon, five of the older children professed their faith in Christ, an event that brought us all to our knees in thanksgiving _. "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth"_ (Luke 15:7). We give all the glory to God for this spiritual harvest, knowing that He has truly blessed the work of Vision4Kids. Looking back, we see God’s hand in all aspects of the charity’s work, and we are humbled by His grace and provision. As we move forward, we are filled with anticipation for what He will do next _. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us"_ (Ephesians 3:20). We continue to trust in the Lord for the future, confident that He will guide and provide for the ongoing work at Blessed Hill Academy. All the glory belongs to Him alone. _"Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake"_ (Psalm 115:1). We give thanks for the progress made, and we look forward with faith to the year ahead, trusting that God will continue to bless the children, teachers, and everyone involved in vision4Kids. **Irwin Holmes BEM.** Chairman and Founding Trustee – vision4kids _**"Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake"**_ **Psalm 115:1** ## **AG Electrical Transform School Campus** At the beginning of May, a team of electricians from AG Electrical in Newtownards, supported by PB Plumber from England, made the trip to Kiambururu. It had been a year in the planning spearheaded by company owner Adam Gilmore who was keen to use the teams’ skills and expertise to make a difference in the running of the school and in turn, the lives of the pupils. Specialising in electrical work, the team transformed the wiring and lighting at our school campus. The work started weeks before the team arrived with local builders installing new duct around the grounds and constructing a switch room which would be the hub for all the wiring, fuse boards, and switches. The team worked through all types of weather to install new cabling across the site, replace all existing wiring in each of the buildings as well as fit new sockets, inside lights, outside security lights, fuse boards, install and set up a computer suite with a projector, and much more. While the electricians were busy wiring, Peter Booth took charge of the kitchen block tiling worktops, and splash boards, installing new toilets, and providing running water into the food preparation area. A superb effort across the week with a lot of hard work. The team at vision4kids is indebted to Adam and the team for not only funding this project but also giving up work at home and leaving family to come to Blessed Hill Academy. It wasn’t all work for the trip. The team were able to take time out to have fun with the children to play football and games. Special assemblies were held by the children to recognise the team’s efforts, and Adam had the opportunity to share Bible stories. The team also provided electrical training which was deeply appreciated by the local workers. ## **Denis’s Story** As the AG Electrical team worked at the school, a young boy called Denis caught their attention. He lived next to the school compound and was always peering through the fence watching the work. Through the week, the team got to know Denis who loved receiving attention, posing for photographs, and eating everyone’s chocolate. After a few days, the team learned that Denis lived with his two siblings and their dad in a small tin hut no bigger than a large garden shed. Like most children in the surrounding area, the family didn’t have many possessions, very little money, and they often went days without food. This is one reason why Denis loves to come to school. Not only does he learn, and play with his friends, but he also gets two meals per day: his porridge in the morning and a warm cooked meal in the afternoon usually of maize, rice, vegetables, and meat. Denis’ father struggled with poor health and was unable to work, so relied heavily on donations and support from neighbours and family. During a visit to Denis’s home, the team were saddened to see the conditions in which the family lived. The children shared a broken Denis and his father outside their old home bed while their father slept on some old grain bags on the floor. Their kitchen was outside, next to their toilet facilities which can only be described as extremely unhealthy. Yet Denis still had a smile and a wave every time he spied one of the team. Burdened by the great need of this family, the AG Electrical team gathered some finances and planned a small new home for Denis, including a new toilet, and new kitchen, all covered with a tin roof. It still wasn’t going to be a luxurious block building, but it was going to be a massive uplift and improvement on their current situation. Unfortunately, it was towards the end of the team’s visit, so they engaged with local skilled builders to construct the building once they left. Two weeks later and a new home was finished for Denis, his dad, and his brother and sister. Denis’ smile just got bigger. Everyone had a new bed, new furniture, new cooking area, sanitised toilet, some new clothes, blankets, pillows, and a table to do his homework. Everyone was so pleased and excited about a new start in their new home. Denis remembering his father However, their joy quickly turned to mourning when just ten days after spending their first night in their new home, Denis’ dad passed away. Thankfully they got to spend time together and enjoy their new home with comfortable conditions, but it was a tragic time for Denis and the other children. Thankfully, through the help of Samson, and the staff at our school, the children were reunited with their estranged mother, and they all continue to do well in their studies at our school. Denis is now 7 years old and next year will move into class 3. Please remember Denis in your prayers. ## **Support a Child with a Monthly Donation** Denis is just one story of a needy child and his family. There are hundreds more like him who need your help. Our child sponsorship programme has been running for several years and for £15 per month you can help a child like Denis. Through your donation we look to help with: - School uniforms and shoes - Cooked meals at school; Uji porridge, maize, beans, rice, & vegetables - Textbooks, bibles, hygiene products, and medicine - Exam fees and Saturday tuition - The running of the school, teacher salaries, cooks and cleaners, repairs - Village meetings, outreach programmes, and other activities **Can you donate monthly?** Through 2024 we would love to increase the number of monthly donors for vision4kids. If you can contribute, £15 per month to support a child then please get in touch. All donations can be gift aided. The best way to donate is by setting up a monthly standing order transfer with your bank. Please ensure you add your name to the notes field so we can identify who is donating. Our bank details are: Can you sponsor Joy? Name: vision4kids, Bank: Danske Bank, Sort: 95-02-77, Account Number: 40229652 ## **AG Electrical and Sponsors** Vision4kids would like to sincerely thank Adam and the AG Electrical team for their visit to Kenya. Not only did they self-fund the trip, but they raised £20,000 towards the purchase of all equipment, paid local labourers, constructed a new house for Denis, fed the children, and paid for other ongoing repairs at the school including the servicing of our borehole. Not only did people and companies donate funds, many donated items of clothing, kit, tools, and gear for the team to use when in Kiambururu. We are humbled by their generosity and want to say Thank You. ## **August Mission Trip** A team of 16 volunteers came together from Scotland, Northern, and Southern Ireland for one purpose, to serve God through a mission trip to Kiambururu. The team were hosted at Samson’s home compound in new dorm accommodation constructed in recent months. New bunk beds, showers, and toilets ensure anyone travelling to our project have a clean and safe place to stay. Adventure Alternative provided transport, cooks, and helped with all activities for the group. Evey morning the team trekked across the valley through long Napier grass, brown mud tracks, coffee, and banana trees to reach Blessed Hill Academy. Repair tasks were completed, and classrooms painted. Everyone got involved, from the youngest teenager to the oldest in their mid-seventies, there was a job for everyone to do. As always, there were many children on campus to entertain the workers, have some laughs, and play games. Every day after lunch, the team held a Vocational Bible School and had the opportunity to teach the children from God’s Word and sing choruses from the new chorus books purchased by friends of the charity from Northern Ireland. It was an opportunity for every team member to get involved by playing guitar, lead the singing, teaching a memory verse, or sharing a Bible The two youngest members, Sarah and Grace Glenn, painting the school fence story. It was a great time for everyone to experience missionary work and appreciate how the gospel message is the same for every child, no matter where they are in the world. The inter-school’s sports tournament attracted over 500 children from the local area; football, games, volleyball, and touch rugby were enjoyed by all. After lunch, charity chairman, Irwin Holmes BEM had the opportunity to share the gospel with the boys, girls, teachers, parents, and local villagers. We are thankful for children who trusted in Christ as their Saviour and are pleased that they continue to attend the children’s meetings and are routinely visited by Samson. Irwin addressing the children at the sports tournament The trip turned out to be extremely eventful for one young couple. After one of the meetings, the team watched as Luke McKinley dropped on one knee to propose to his girlfriend Hannah Holmes. Thankfully, the proceedings were under the watchful eye and permission of Hannah’s father Irwin. The whole school erupted with excitement for this special moment. We would like to wish Luke and Hannah God’s blessing for the future and trust the honeymoon will be back in Kiambururu – there are a few hundred children who would like to see them again. Congratulations to Luke & Hannah On Sunday, the team travelled into Nairobi to attend church and enjoy fellowship with our friends at Trinity Baptist. The next morning, they headed back into the city, this time with 35 pupils for a safari at Nairobi National Park. This was extremely exciting as for many of the children, it was their first time out of the village and their first sighting of a lion, giraffe, and elephant. What a blessing to see so many smiles, with each child thankful for the wonderful experience of enjoying a trip away with the mission team. The trip was a massive success, and we thank God for His faithfulness to each member of the team, and for His hand of safety for the duration of the trip. Everyone returned with hundreds of photographs, precious memories, and hearts full of love for the children of Kenya, and a greater desire to see the work of God continue. ## **Dedication of Classrooms** The climax to the trip, and the final full day in Kiambururu, seen the dedication of four new classrooms in loving memory of dear friends and supporters of the charity. Mrs Rosemary Legge, wife of County Down artist Ken Legge, was remembered with the remaining three classrooms dedicated to people from Ballymoney. Mrs Marguerita Holmes the mother of trustee Irwin, Mrs Gillian McCahon the wife of David and mother of Jenny, and the late councillor Alderman John Finlay, husband of Linda and father of Naomi and Rebekah. Like many others, those remembered enjoyed viewing the updates from the children of our school and were a great encouragement through their prayers, giving, and support for the charity. God willing, the classrooms will be fully finished by early 2024 and pupils able to enjoy the new facilities during the first term of the new school year. In addition to the classrooms there will be full toilet and washing facilities for all pupils. ## **Ken Donates His Paintings to Mission Work** For several years, Newtownards man Ken Legge has been selling his artwork with all profits going to missionary work around the world. With an eye for detail, and a love for God’s creation, Ken is well known for the many beautiful paintings of notable Irish landscapes, from Scrabo Tower to the Shimna River, from Alfie and Ken (right) with one of his recent paintings an old cottage in Fermanagh, to a flight of ducks over Strangford Lough. Through each of his paintings Ken’s main goal is to glorify God while raising much needed funds for mission work. Before he puts brush to canvas, he offers a prayer, “Lord, please guide my hand across this canvas for your glory,” and then commences to create another masterpiece of colour and creativity. At a recent exhibition held in Castle Espie, and facilitated by the helpful centre manager Tara Mackie, Ken was able to sell his paintings to raise thousands of pounds for his chosen charities – Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons UK) and children’s charity vision4kids. Thanks to the support of his good friend Alfie Gibson, they have been able to display hundreds of paintings at several locations around the province. Ken reports, “I’d like to thank everyone who has purchased an original painting from me, the profits go to help those who need it the most, especially the children in Kenya. I’m so thankful to Alfie who has come alongside me to encourage and set-up the displays, he has been so helpful since my dear wife Rosemary went home to Heaven.” Up until last year Ken was ably assisted by his wife Rosemary, but sadly she passed away in November. Ken and Rosemary both loved to hear about the work of vision4kids amongst the boys and girls of a poor village in Kenya. Over the years Ken has raised thousands of pounds to help fund building work at the school as well as a school meals programme while Rosemary sold handmade jewellery. In recognition of Rosemary’s love for the children of Kiambururu, a new school classroom Rosemary and Ken worked together to host exhibitions to raise funds for vision4kids and other missionary organisations is being built in her memory. During the summer a dedication stone was unveiled with the classroom due to be completed early next year. Charity Chairman Irwin Holmes BEM commented, “Rosemary’s love and concern for the children of this village will not be forgotten, and we trust this stone will be a legacy to the hard work by Rosemary, and her husband Ken.” Everyone involved with the charity would like to thank Ken and Alfie for their hard work in recent months. If you’d like to see more of Classroom dedicated in memory of Rosemary ## **Elaine’s 3 Month Visit to Kiambururu** For the final three months of 2023, Elaine Campbell (one of our board members) has been in the village to help run the NGO charity and prepare for the 2024 academic year. Her help has been invaluable, and our team of Samson, Fred, Bob, and Monicah have loved having her stay for an extended period. Elaine has been busy in our charity office ensuring all NGO and school policies are up-to-date and has conducted child safeguarding training with all our teachers and other staff. It has also been an opportunity to conduct children’s meetings as well as mentoring and praying with the older children from our school who are sitting national exams. Elaine had the opportunity to follow up on some past pupils from our school who were previously part of our child sponsorship programme. It was great to see many of the children, who are now young adults, doing well at work, in further education, and some preparing for university. More importantly, she was delighted to see how they are going on with God and living for Him, a living testimony to those around them. During November, Elaine was joined by Naomi Lamont and Krista Watt who were keen to put their talents to good use, teaching revision classes, creating learning aids for the pre-school, and helping Elaine run a three-day Vocational Bible School for all children of the village. It was great to see hundreds of children listen to the Bible stories, play games, recite God’s Word, and sing choruses. ## **New Year’s Sit Out 2023** On Friday 29th December, Stephen Fletcher from the town held his 24-hour sit out to raise funds for children’s charity vision4kids. This was his 5th annual New Year’s sit out and once again it was a massive success with £6,015 raised through various channels online and in-person donations. On the day, a total of £1,662.82 was raised through the public collection with the remainder online. Stephen thanks his supporters, “Once again, I’m humbled by the generous support of the people from Ballymoney, and those further afield who donated. Every year I’m surprised, but so thankful, for the massive response to the work of vision4kids and its school project with the children of Kiambururu, in Kenya.” Just a few weeks after the sit out, Stephen, along with fellow trustee Irwin Holmes BEM, travelled to Kenya to see firsthand how the funds were being spent in the running of the school. January commenced the 2024 academic year in Kenya, and it was great to see 164 local children registered at the vision4kids charity school. The boys and girls, predominately from poor homes, enjoy a Christian based education, good teachers, porridge in the morning, a cooked meal for lunch, with fresh drinking water from the bore hole. Stephen reports, “It was great to see each of the children looking so happy for the start of another school year. They are thankful for the support of people from Northern Ireland who contribute to the running of the school. Our next classroom block is nearing completion, with construction expected to be finished by Easter. This will provide a further 4 classrooms for the school allowing the children to move from their current temporary tin structures.” ## **Zoom Prayer Meeting** You are invited to join one of our Zoom prayer meetings when supporters from around the globe meet online to pray with Samson for the work in Kenya. Despite the distance between attendees, we know the presence of God as we pray. Add the dates below to your diary and register via rebekah@vision4kids.org Saturday 24[th] February 2024 @ 10am Monday 20[nd] May 2024 @ 7:00pm Saturday 17[th] August 2024 @ 10am Monday 25[th] November 2024 @ 7:00pm All meetings at UK local time noted above ## **Trustees and Directors** 2023/24 Trustees and Management Board **Trustee:** Mr Stephen Fletcher **Trustee:** Mr Irwin Holmes **Trustee:** Mrs Cherith Fletcher ## **Board of Directors:** Mr Stephen Fletcher (President) Mr Irwin Holmes (Chairman) Mrs Cherith Fletcher Miss Rebekah Bleakley Miss Elaine Campbell Mr Mervyn Glenn Mr Stephen Murray Mrs Rhonda Glenn Mr Stephen Cassells Mr Samson Kangethe All trustees and directors serve in these capacities on an entirely voluntary basis. |**HEAD OFFICE:**|
88A Finvoy Road, Ballymoney, County Antrim, BT53 7JQ| |---|---| |**Tel:**|028 2766 7472| |**Email:**|stephen@vision4kids.org| |**Web site:**|www.vision4kids.org| |**Facebook:**|vision4kids| |**Twitter:**|@vision4kids|