## Trustees' Annual Report ## Financial Year : 08/03/2023- 08/03/2024 ## Charity : Kabalikat in North West - NIC 101862 ## I. Summary of Kabalikat in North West's Main Activities and Achievements : Kabalikat in North West (KINW) was constituted on the 19[th] of February 2014 at Ardmore Church Hall ,49 Ardmore Road Derry-Londonderry BT47 3QP through an Inaugural Meeting . We are based at Holywell DiverseCity Building 10-14 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PW. Kabalikat is a Filipino word for “Solidarity”, shoulder to shoulder, “you’ll never be alone. ## 1.1 Purposes - Public Benefit- The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science. In line with our governing document, Kabalikat in North West is established to advance for public benefit, community development and cultural richness in any charitable way but in particular the development of programmes of activities within our community and with other communities and charity organisations to encourage the promotion of Filipino culture and its heritage, develop its unique variety of cultures to include people from diverse ethnic ,religious and cultural backgrounds fostering the skills, talents and abilities and to instil a sense of pride in the beneficiaries own identities by supporting education, trainings and opportunities and finally, to affiliate all generations through activities for cultural sharing, language, traditional music, crafts, art workshops and customs and traditions. ## 1.2 Beneficiaries : Main : Filipino community members and their families in the North West Indirect Beneficiaries : Black and Ethnic Minority community members and the local public from Derry City and Strabane District Council areas. ## 1.3 Activities : ## 1.3.1: GR Week September 2023 – Safe Spaces for All- Philippine Karaoke , Traditional Games and Sports In line with Good Relations Week 2023 celebration’s theme, “Embrace Together for Meaningful Change Kabalikat held a sporting and traditional games activities to build a stronger and shared society. The event was a huge success with participation not only from the Filipino communities from the North West, but also from Belfast, Bangor, North Coast and from the island of Ireland. Communities from the Africa, China and locally have engaged to the event. Children and young people have engaged in the traditional games handed from one generation to the next and everyone joined in the karaoke which is very popular past time in the Philippines ## Photo B- Good Relations Week: Spro-Safe Photo C – Good Relations Week 2023 Traditional Games Photo D- Good Relations Week –Photo D Achievements of the Project : The project aims have been met as there are a very high level of attendance from different communities , connecting with each through culture enhances intercultural communication for mutual respect and promote diversity Our children and young people and volunteers were proud of their unique identity and attendees learned more of Filipino culture. Restrictions on who can benefit : We have not charge anyone on this project . Also the venue has access to facilities regardless of anyone and has been risk assessed by one of the management committees. Due to covid-19 pandemic we have to restrict the numbers of participants at one time and also source out outdoor venues that can facilitate social distancing. ## 1.3.2 – Kabalikat Welcomes Project –ongoing Beneficiaries: Filipino community members, BME communities and local public Activities: This has been an ongoing project since April 2017 .Kabalikat welcomes international nurses who are working for public and private sectors. As nurses are integral part of the healthcare, and Kabalikat truly understands the obstacles and barriers of coming to a new country, culture, weather, accents and the homesickness and feeling of isolation away from home and family, Kabalikat, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Western Health and Social Care Trust, BME and local communities have pledged their support to integrate them to the workforce and to the local community. Due to social distancing, only one Kabalikat representative welcomes the new arrivals. ## Photo of Kabalikat welcomes ## 1.3.3 Christmas Togetherness Event December 2023 Kabalikat held a togetherness event for the Filipino community members, their families and friends to help in the feeling of isolation. The event showcase traditional games, gift-giving, a taste of Filipino food and delicacies and precious moments of social integration and networking. ## 1.3.4 Participation outside our community I. Kabalikat aims to develop programmes of activities with wider communities and that is why we put high regard on the importance of participating to projects of different communities. 1.3.4.1 –Halloween Festival Parade – Kabalikat participated in one of the biggest parades with colourful outfits to celebrate the Halloween festival which is very popular in Londonderry. Photo A - Photo B Halloween Parade 2023 ## 1.3.4.2 Philippine Cultural Share Kabalikat in North West facilitated cultural workshop at Rathmore Business park organised by Creggan enterprises. Kabalikat shared our Philippine rich history and culture to women 50 years and over. Photo A –Philippine Cultural Share ## Photo B –Philippine Cultural Share 1.3.4.3-St Patrick’s Festival Celebration- March 2023 -Kabalikat took part in the celebration to commemorate Saint Patrick and the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. ## 1.3.4.4 - Kabalikat has held 4 management committee meetings for the year. ## 1.3.5.1 Kabalikat Annual General Meeting Kabalikat in North West held a successful Annual General Meeting on the 17[th] March 2023 at Foyle arena, Limavady Road, Londonderry. Chairperson’s report, Treasurer’s report, summary of activities for the past year , future projects , renewal of membership and new membership are some of the activities of the day. ## 2- Advancement of Citizenship and community development Purposes : Kabalikat in North West is establish to advance for public benefit , community development and cultural richness in any charitable way through the promotion of community development through social, cultural, educational and economic projects undertaken either independently or in partnership with other organisations and charities in Northern Ireland . ## Activities : Kabalikat has developed programme in particular the “Safe Spaces for All” during Good Relations Week 2023 where our community and wider communities integrate and interact through various activities such as dance, physical sports and traditional games shared with different communities in Derry and Strabane District Council areas. Through social, educational, cultural, sporting activities held throughout the year, Kabalikat in North West has promote social inclusion as invites are open to all regardless of age, sex, gender, race, nationality , religious and political backgrounds and so the charity's purposes are intended to benefit the public in general. We have active volunteers to date of different ages and gender and they all assisted in registration, setting up venues, risk assessment, ushering of attendees, feedback collection, stewarding, cultural performances and more. Kabalikat in North West has extended our participation to different Communities Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Peace IV projects and have positive effects on our participation as it increases the awareness of diversity and all are voluntary sectors and some are underrepresented groups. Through our participation to voluntary organisations , we assisted in extending their activities to further benefit the public. Kabalikat in North West is an entirely voluntary organisation and has no paid staff and rely on volunteers. Aside from our 7 volunteer Trustees , we have additional 12 active volunteers. Through membership to Foyle Racial Equality Forum (FREF) comprises of 18 different organisations and mostly voluntary , we work to mainstream Racial Equality and our very own Project Coordinator is sitting as a board member for 4 years running. Beneficiaries : Filipino community members and families, BME Communities and local organisations across the North West area. Overall Achievements : Kabalikat in North West with all activities have achieved its purposes for the public benefit for (1) advancement of culture, arts, heritage and science and (2 ) advancement of citizenship and community development. We have been a full member of Foyle Racial Equality Forum comprises of 18 different BME community organisations, statutory and nonstatutory to include the PSNI, Western Health & Social Care Trust and the Housing Executive. We have arranged programme of activities directed for public benefit for promotion of diversity, inclusion, social integration, promotion of our Philippine culture through music, dances, food, language, history classes and arts and craft workshops in a positive way and have extended invites and participation to all regardless of backgrounds. We also actively participated in different activities of different local and BME groups including the local Council ‘s Good Relations initiative promoting diversity and intercultural sharing. As evident by increase membership , our community members are more engaged and increase in participation. ## Kabalikat statement to Public Benefit Guidance : Kabalikat in North West's Charity Trustees have complied with our duty to have due regard to the commission's public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties which the guidance is relevant. There is no harm flowing from our purposes. In setting up our objectives and planning for our activities for the year, the Kabalikat in North West trustees have carefully consider the Charity’s Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that all the programmes have helped to achieve the charity’s purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries. The private benefit has been incidental to the public benefit. One of our Trustees have facilitated inclusion workshops in their professional capacity , open call have been posted in our social media with details of dates and minimum requirements for facilitation and on one of them already in the database as Philippine workshop facilitator . We have strictly observed our governing document (5.6, 5.8 and 5.9). Out of pocket expenses such as parking and travel mileages for trustees have been reimbursed, appropriate forms and protocols have been observed. As per our Constitution and by - laws and have been religiously complied by Trustee/committee 5.6 states that Committees/trustees may not gain financially from the work of the Association except as stated in the paragraph below: 5.8 Any members of the committee who is professional, may charge and be paid the usual profession fees for business done when instructed by other members of the committee to act in professional capacity on behalf of the Association, should not be present during the discussion about payments or contracts with the Association and must relinquish their voting rights. 5.9 The committee must be composed such that majority will not gain financially from the Association, out of the 7 committee members , no one is related to each other. ## Names of Trustees 2023-2024 Jesus Castaneda–Chairperson Anna Marie Santos-Vice-Chair Karizza Mae Bayla –Secretary Stella Castaneda -Treasurer Jason Aquitania – Press Relations Officer Joseph (Jay) Munoz – Field Officer Mah-Ann Hughes – Field Officer Report prepared by : Jonah Atos Jonah Atos Volunteer- Project Coordinator Approved by :_Jesus Castaneda - _Jesus Castaneda_ Position-Chairperson Date: 2[nd] August 2024 Kabalikat in North West Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Year Ended 3[rd] March 2024 Unrestricted Funds £359.54 Assets (Restricted Fund) purchased 2016 HP laptop - bought @ £349.99 Projector Epson -bought @ £329.99 Portable Speaker -bought @ £141.98 Projector Screen -bought @ 44.00 Acer Tablet 10 " -bought @ £149.99 HP desktop printer 2600 series – bought £@29.994 ACER notebook -£279.00 bought on 1[st] July 2021 Sound system - £332.94 bought on 22/11/2022 Approved by Trustees on 17[th] March 2024 at Kabalikat Annual General Meeting 2024 and signed on their behalf by : Jesus Castaneda Jesus Castaneda Chairperson