2023-03-31-annual-report

ZOMBA ACTION PROJECT (ZAP) (2003-2023)

20[th] ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023

Charity Ref. Nos. NIC104493/ XR64146

Continuing the relationship set up in 2003, ZAP representatives met up recently with Zomba City Council representatives and Zomba Council staff who, over the past 20 years, had spent a few months in Coleraine under Commonwealth Scholarships.

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

Paul Snelling, Secretary of ZAP, recently returned from a week’s visit to Zomba, writes:

I am saddened to be writing this report as Secretary of the Zomba Action Project (ZAP), in place of our Chairman Wavell Moore MBE, who died in April of this year. In February, Wavell and I had just started to plan the 2023 visit to Zomba; towards the end of February, he advised me that he would not be able to travel that summer and that I should proceed with the plan without him.

I am also saddened by the death of William King MBE on 6[th] June 2023. William, a past Chairman of ZAP and Committee member who made three visits to Zomba over the twenty years of ZAP is remembered still by those with whom he came in contact. He has been an active supporter from its origin in 2003 and remained concerned for helping people with water supply and caring for orphan children.

The burden of loss and sadness falls heavily on the family and friends of both men; and our thoughts are with them.

People of our age started to escape the limitations of Covid in 2022-23; the year when we planned, under Wavell’s leadership, to reinvigorate our relationships with our community and importantly reinvigorate our fundraising capacity. Nonetheless in the preceding two years, ZAP’s funding had held up well, with a steady level of funding from our committed supporters, coupled with significant generosity from a few donors. It is fair to note that we have lost some of this momentum in the past six months.

The visit to Zomba in August 2023 went well, with every support from our ZAP Zomba colleagues. The week’s activities were chosen with two distinct purposes. Firstly, to refresh existing personal relationships and establish new relationships after a three-year gap when the planned 2020 visit and subsequent hopes were interrupted by Covid. Secondly, to illustrate to the ‘Hazelbank 3’, Ian and Jude Walker and Lillian Edgar what life was like in the Zomba region of Malawi; for them to see the needs

2

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

of the most needy people in Zomba and to see what can be done to address that need by providing targeted (albeit limited) support. There was also an educational emphasis as two of the three had experience in education; and a church to church emphasis with Zomba CCAP Presbyterian Church.

Alderman Yvonne Boyle and I, as seasoned (working) visitors to Zomba, were re-invigorated by the interest and enthusiasm shown by our three companions from Hazelbank Church. We visited several projects funded through ZAP by Hazelbank congregation, culminating with a happy afternoon at Mbilima Community based Child Care Centre where the

‘Hazelbank 3’ declared the newly completed Centre open. Where all the children and adults present came from was a mystery, as Mbilima is reached via a very long and very rough clay road.

The success of ZAP is dependent on the two halves of our charity, in Coleraine and Zomba, working together in honest endeavour to raise funds and to use that funding wisely. Our

partnership with Emmanuel International in Zomba is also essential for the effective delivery of larger projects, such as Mbilima. Being supportive of each other’s efforts is one of the foundations of ZAP’s success.

ZAP representatives from Causeway and Zomba together with Special Needs Education Co-ordinators Urban and Rural at the presentation of computers and other items from the recently arrived container.

3

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

SUMMARY OF ZOMBA ACTION PROJECT (ZAP) ACCOUNTS

1[ST] APRIL 2022 TO 31[st] MARCH 2023

INCOME SUMMARY Opening Balance Current A/c PROJECTS AND DONATIONS Fundraising Donations Bank Interest EXPENDITURE SUMMARY Projects in Zomba Area Freight Charges Containers Project Support Costs (ZAP C) Project Support Costs (ZAP Z) Closing Balance Current A/c	£ 6,570.37 34,428.10 50,804.00 2,480.00 1,466.76 7,595.00	£ 61,487.48 40,998.47 123.72 £102,609.67 53,284.00 9,061.76 40,263.91 £102,609.67

4

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

It is important to recognise that all who have supported ZAP for the twenty years have raised over £1,000,000 for development, church, education and health projects in the Zomba area and we should be thankful for what has been achieved.

We have had in Zomba a volunteer Management Board for the last seventeen years who have been responsible for monitoring our projects, providing annual accounts, reports and photographs for the agreed projects carried out each year. We are also thankful to Emmanuel International for implementing our larger development projects. Our thanks to Ruth McCracken who was the Zomba Co-ordinator for the first three years.

In the year to 31[st] March 2023 ZAP raised over £41,000 for projects in Zomba but our total expenditure on projects and administration in Zomba came to over £60,000. We closed the year with a balance of just over £40,000 which will be mainly expended in the next two years on continuing scholarships for Secondary and Tertiary students to complete their studies and other small projects that have been regularly supported.

We have come to the realisation over the past two years that our support base has been reducing and our fundraising capacity has been greatly reduced. In the first five months of the 2023/24 we have received just over £14,000 most of which has funded education and development projects and administration costs in Zomba or is designated for specific purposes.

On 31August 2023 the balance in hand was: £39,130.00 ZAP is committed to funding the existing scholarships costing £31,213.00 This leaves a balance in hand of: £7,917.00

Our sources of income in the remaining seven months of 2023/24 are mainly ZAP Gifts and my conclusion is that, unless we can return to previous levels of fund raising over the next year or two, ZAP’s future is uncertain.

Terry McMullan Treasurer

5

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

ZAP DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING

Year Ended 31 March 2023

PROJECTS/EVENTS	£		£
ZAP Gifts			6,570.37
Community Choir Praise Service	1,360.00		7,930.37
REGULAR DONATIONS
CC&G Councillors & Staff	840.00
NHSCT Staff	12.00
Campbell Memorial	1,200.00
Other regular donations	420.00		2,472.00
DONATIONS BY CHURCHES/GROUPS/ORGANISATIONS
£100 and over
Hazelbank Presbyterian Church
(Mbilima Child Care Centre (2))	10,600.00
St Colomba’s Primary School Kilrea	200.00
Aghadowey PW	120.00
Ballywillan Presbyterian Church	1,000.00
Kilrea Primary School	340.00
Killowen Parish	691.00		12,951.00
OTHER DONATIONS
General Donations	10,407.38
Donations towards freight	924.00		11,331.38
GIFT AID Refund			6,190.00
Bank Interest			123.72
TOTAL		£ 40,998.47

6

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

ZAP PROJECTS 2022-23

Student Scholarships 14 Tertiary Student Scholarships 32 Secondary School pupils: Campbell Scholarships 354.00 Additional Scholarships 1,392.00 Adult Literacy - Kapalo Baptist Church Teachers’ Packs Solar Lights for Schools Mbilima Child Care Centre (sponsored) ZCC Mtiya Ward CBO Child Care Centre Mtagaluka Integrated Village Development Likuni Phala for 4 EI Child Care Centres Child Care Centres Hunger Response through ZAP Church Group Reusable Sanitary Pads for pupils, athletes, prisoners Tikonze CBO to complete building Cancer Care at QE Children’s Hospital Home Based Care for 10 Community Based Orgs (CBO) 2 Wheelchairs Likuni Phala for Orphans at 2CBOs Zomba Arts Platform Zomba City Festival Zomba Athletics Academy (ZAA) Boxes of educational materials, school uniforms, children’s and baby clothes and blankets, medical supplies, computers, wheelchairs, toys etc were sent out by container. TOTAL £

£ 14,662.00 1,746.00 775.00 300.00 1,625.00 17,600.00 4,000.00 3,630.00 600.00 610.00 300.00 650.00 400.00 850.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 2,156.00 50,804.00 2,480.00 53,284.00

7

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

Cyclone ‘Freddy’ brought devastation to the southern part of Malawi in February 2023. It was not just the initial cyclone but the continuing wind and rain that flattened crops, flooded large areas of low-lying land and collapsed and damaged homes and infrastructure. The whole Zomba region was badly affected as failed harvests have caused hunger; the rebuilding and repairing of homes, schools and roads lack funding.

Through Emmanuel International (EI) ZAP was able to assist in the initial crisis response quickly with food, clothing and accommodation by releasing funds which were designated for other projects. These are still to be replaced. Other support to help replace crops is ongoing.

ONGOING FOOD SUPPORT

Many families continue to struggle to have enough to eat. By providing money for the purchase of Likuni Phala (fortified porridge) for Pre School children attending ZAP’s Child Care Centres ZAP is helping these families. This is much appreciated in these communities.

8

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

CONTAINER UPDATE

The sending of items in a container has become a challenge as past arrangements are no longer available to ZAP. The items that ZAP has been sending are very much needed and appreciated. Two part containers were sent in the past year and it was great to be able to include a number of computers alongside other items listed in the accounts. ZAP is looking for alternative ways to transport items but the quantity of goods sent in future is likely to be greatly reduced.

Our thanks to all who have supported and provided goods for the container.

10 YOUNG ZOMBA ATHLETES WERE ABLE TO COMPETE

INTERNATIONALLY after being assisted with passports and travel to competitions. Mphatso, a blind T12 18 year old winning gold in 400m and 1500m in the Region 5 Youth Games. He went on to represent Malawi at a International Disability Games in Italy.

Financial support has been vital to initally enable these athletes to compete as they come from very disadvantaged families.

9

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE

ZAP donors have supported 32 Secondary and 14 Tertiary Students in this financial year.

Three more secondary school scholarship students have been offered places at University. ZAP is still looking for sponsors to support them. They are currently applying for loans. Any support for scholarships will be welcome.

MORE SOLAR LIGHTS FOR SCHOOLS

Enabling solar lights to be purchased for schools has been helpful for those students sitting their Standard 8 Exams at the end of Primary School. The students are enabled to study in the evenings as darkness is always about 6.00 pm. Further support for the purchase of Solar lights has made it possible for ZAP to gift solar lights to more schools enabling more pupils to study for their

exams.

10

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

----- Start of picture text -----
Causeway
Coast and
Glens
COLERAINE
NORTHERN
IRELAND
----- End of picture text -----

ZOMBA ACTION PROJECT (ZAP) is a registered charity established in March 2003 by Coleraine Borough Council and now supported by Causeway Coast and Glens (CC&G) Borough Council.

ZAP raises and manages funds for approved projects to help disadvantaged people in ZOMBA, MALAWI and in doing so helps give the CC&G community an increased world vision.

----- Start of picture text -----
ZOMBA
MALAWI
----- End of picture text -----

ACTIVITIES

Working with partners in Zomba:

• ➢ To identify and supervise projects that contribute most to alleviating disadvantage

Supported by

• ➢ Assisting communities to enjoy better health and education and move towards sustainable development

CC&G ZAP Board of Management 2022-2023

Chairperson: Mr Wavell Moore MBE (Decd. 12.5.23), Secretary: Mr Paul Snelling, Treasurer: Rev Dr Terry McMullan

Committee Chairpersons: Development: Mr William King MBE (Decd. 6.6.23), Education: Mr Ken Ford, Health: Mrs Joyce McMullan Co-opted Members: Ms Roisin McCaughan, Cllr. Stephanie Quigley

CC&G Borough Council Representatives: Alderman Y Boyle, Cllrs: M Knight-McQuillan, M A McKillop and H Dallat O’Driscoll

ZOMBA ZAP Board of Management 2022-2023

Co-ordinator/Consultant: Dr Nellie Mbano, Chairman/Consultant: Dr Zondiwe Mbano, Secretary: Mr L K Mteleka: Treasurer: Mr Benjamin Khoswe, Vice-Treasurer: Mr T V Matande; Committee Chairpersons: Church: Mrs M Maluwa Banda, Development: Mr E J B Sekeleza, Education: Mr D M Phiri, Health: Mrs Jean Machinjili Zomba City Council Representative: Mr Busta Chiona

Consultants: Mr Maxwell Mjathu (Church), Mrs Wezi Mjathu (Development) Administrator: Ms Ruth Nyirenda

11

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2022-23

OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THE WORK of the Zomba Action Project (ZAP) ✓ Make a donation large or small – One off or regular ✓ Support Fundraising Events or organise one ✓ Through ZAP Gifts – identifying how your gift is used ✓ Serve on a Committee and/or assist with promotion activities – web site and general communication ✓ Sponsor scholarships or particular project support ✓ Volunteer to visit Zomba on a team Thank you to those who already support in these ways

If you can make a donation to ZAP please complete:

Name____________

Address___________

Post Code____ E-mail Address___

I enclose a cheque for £ payable to Zomba Action Project (ZAP), and send it to ZAP c/o Cloonavin Building, 66 Portstewart Road, COLERAINE BT52 1EY.

I want to maximise my gift using Gift Aid. I am a UK taxpayer and want ZAP to claim back the tax on all my donations made in this tax year, and in the future until I notify otherwise.

Signature:___________

Date________

Donations can also be made online through Zomba Action Project Facebook page by clicking on the ‘Donate’ button then e-mail: [e-mail] to let ZAP know of your donation.

For more information or to request a speaker for your organisation contact: Zomba Action Project (ZAP) – Paul Snelling Mob: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] or Joyce McMullan Mob: [phone] ZAP Facebook: Zomba Action Project Charity reference No. NIC104493/XR64146

12