Friends In Action Intl (NI) Ltd Annual Report 30 September 2023
30 September 2023 2p99
This report aims to keep the Board and its members up to date with ministry activity, developments, future plans and needs. We praise the Lord for the amazing things that He is allowing us to be part of as we serve Him in the UK and W. Africa.
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Contents: Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2023
Achievements and performance…………………………………………………………… 2-3 Financial Review…………………………………………………………………………………… 4-4 Reference and administrative details…………………………………………………… 5 Objectives and Activities……………………………………………………………………… 6 Charitable Objects …………………………….………………………………………………… 6 Public benefit statement……………………………………………………………………… 6
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Annual Report for the year ended 30[th] September 2023
The trustees of Friends in Action International NI are pleased to submit their annual report and accounts for the period 1[st] October 2022 to the 30[th] September 2023.
Achievement and performance
During the year a new logo and branding were developed in-house for Friends in Action Northern Ireland with the charity’s website being updated accordingly.
West Africa 2022-2023
Water well project work continued throughout the year.
A total of 32 boreholes were drilled with 23 successful wells completed during the year. The wells were established in the central, central North, west, south and east of Burkina Faso. The majority of these wells were drilled to provide drinking water to remote village communities across W Africa. A small percentage of the wells drilled provide water to clinics, schools and orphanages in Burkina Faso.
Water towers
5 water towers in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast were constructed converting hand pump wells providing water for 500 people to small scale water distribution networks each meeting the water needs for up to 3000 people.
Numerous wells were repaired and refurbished during the year across Burkina Faso.
The charity now operates 2 field bases. One in Burkina Faso’s capital city Ouagadougou and one in Bocanda, Ivory Coast where the water well drilling rig and support equipment is stored and a volunteer team centre with field office is maintained.
The charity continued to direct its water projects across W Africa both remotely and through field visits as possible in light of security concerns across parts of west Africa.
The charity continues to develop and maintain close working relationships with other missionary organisations serving in west Africa and in the UK.
Due to continuing insecurity and incidences of attacks (including kidnapping in Burkina Faso) there has been ongoing focus on risk assessment and risk management which has curtailed operational activities in some northerly and easterly parts of the country.
Having negotiated the global pandemic and ongoing insecurity in some regions, FIA continues to deliver water projects and support numerous mission organisations in W Africa through: 1. volunteer team trips to Ivory Coast and
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- drilling water wells, development of in-country WASH project services, training and remote project management.
In compliance with UK guidelines on travel and terrorism, the charity did not send any volunteer teams to Burkina Faso from the UK during the period of reporting.
Operationally there continues to be an increased use of in country services in Burkina Faso to replace volunteer teams. There continues to be an increase in the demand for the provision of Water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, project management and service delivery, supporting internally displaced peoples (IDPs) in Burkina Faso.
The season has been very successful in the number of wells achieved with the charity working hard to increase the success rate of good wells. It is estimated approximately 26,500 people have been provided with access to fresh potable water.
The increased water supply will benefit many people, projects and activities.
Ivory Coast Team Centre and Office
Through the year construction works were completed to a new team field centre and office in Bocanda area, Ivory Coast.
A volunteer team went to Ivory Coast for 2 weeks during the year to support the fitting out of this team centre, undertaking electrical, joinery and plumbing works. The team centre and field office are now functional and ready to accommodate future volunteers.
NTM North Coates
The charity made a donation of £700 to support the development of the New Tribes Mission training school in North Coates.
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Financial Performance
Financial performance in the year to 30[th] September 2023 has been broadly consistent with the trustee’s forecasts and expectations; a deficit of income to expenditure of £15,461 was achieved for the year.
The year ended with a general (and sole) fund balance of £137,760 (compared with £153,221 for the same date last year). Detailed accounts attached.
Income receipts for the year totalled £215,240 – an apparent increase of £93,724 (77.1).
Expenditure increased to £230,701 compared to £197,622 an increase of £33,079 (16.74) in the previous year mainly due to increased operational activity and the ongoing establishment of the work in Ivory Coast.
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Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name
Friends in Action International NI
Charity Number
Registered Charity Number Northern Ireland NIC103865
Principal Address
93 Carsonstown Road, Saintfield Ballynahinch BT24 7ED
Charity Trustees as of 30[th] September 2023.
Nigel Reid Chairman
Thomas McCormick Secretary
Michael McClean
Mark Collier
James McCann
Banking AIB (Formerly – First Trust Bank) University Road Belfast BT7 1ND Insurance Broker and Marsh Ltd Underwriter Bedford House 16-22 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7DX
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Objectives and Activities
Charitable Objects
The object of the charity as set out in our Constitution are to support by means of voluntary work and financial assistance any charitable projects for the protection and preservation of health, the relief of poverty, or the advancement of education and Christianity in West Africa and similar needy areas throughout the world.
Public Benefit Statement
The trustees of Friends in Action International N Ireland confirm that they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act (NI) 2008 and the Charities Act NI (2013) to have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and that the public benefit requirement has informed the activities of the Society in the year to September 30th, 2023.
In evaluating public benefit, the trustees note that the provision of publicly available potable drinking water through well drilling, well refurbishment and water tower construction; continues to clearly demonstrate the fulfilment of this public benefit requirement. It is estimated that through the charities work in the year ending 30[th] September 2023 approximately an additional 26,500 people living in W Africa will have access to safe drinking water supplies.
NR Reid Chairman
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