2025-03-31-accounts - Zomba Action Project

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ZOMBA ACTION PROJECT (ZAP)

22nd ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025

Charity Ref. Nos. NIC104493/ XR64146

ZAP has, over the 22 years, mainly promoted sustainable development in its support of projects through local representatives; this year the need to urgently alleviate hunger is illustrated in this picture when maize flour was distributed to a few of the many who were hungry.

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

Chairman’s Comments: Year 1[st] April 2024 - 31[st] March 2025

The year 2024/25 opened with the failure of the maize harvest in many districts of Malawi due to the rains arriving very late in the growing season. In Malawi fifteen million of the nation’s twenty million people live in rural areas and rely on their harvest for their daily food. The cost of living, due to a further devaluation of 25% in the local currency, rose by 35%, and people were unable to buy maize in the local markets.

However, in the Zomba area, Malawians, who come together in their rural communities, planted alternative crops of cassava cuttings, sweet potatoes and ground nuts. This was possible with the help of ZAP and other funders through Emmanuel International, and they were able to survive. The people who suffered most were the elderly and children in the towns and cities. ZAP was able to send a total of £12,000 for emergency food programmes for children, the elderly and Palliative care patients.

I am glad to report that the continued warm-hearted generosity of individuals, organisations and churches enabled a total of £25,051 to be raised during the last year.

During the year the Board agreed a number if life-changing projects and £30,856 was sent to Zomba . These projects ranged from an integrated village development project to Likuni Phala for Child Care Centres, emergency food aid to training in compost making, Secondary and Tertiary education scholarships to educational support for children with special needs.

You will find details of these projects in this report and I trust that you will continue to be encouraged by the positive outcomes for many people in the Zomba area.

With the loss of the container service we agreed explore the possibility of sending smaller items by post. Subsequently we sent two 2Kg parcels of reading glasses, purchased in Coleraine, to Malawi. They arrived safely and without any duty and 140 older people received the correct reading glasses through our Administrator, Ruth Nyirenda. It is possible to get free eye tests in Zomba but the cost of glasses is too costly for most people.

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

Chairman’s comments continued…..

THE FUTURE OF ZAP

Last year it was agreed that we would attempt to devise a plan for rejuvenating ZAP, and to review that plan within the year. It was subsequently agreed that the Board would encourage this option until August/September 2025. If no significant progress was made, the Board would subsequently propose the closure of ZAP in the following year and, as encouraged by our facilitator in 2024, celebrate ZAP’s achievements.

THANKS - I am very encouraged by the continued support during the year of all our donors: individuals, organisations and churches and I offer my sincere thanks on behalf of the Management Board and more importantly the people in Zomba who experienced real improvement in their lives.

Many thanks to all my colleagues on the local Management Board for promoting and managing the work of the Charity and for their years of service for the benefit of the most disadvantaged people in Zomba.

T o our colleagues in ZAP - Zomba , who have given their services voluntarily for the benefit of the people in the Zomba area, I give thanks for all they do for the Charity. They have monitored our projects and reported on their delivery on our behalf. Thanks too to the Honorary Treasurer in Zomba for the excellent Accounts provided. Our thanks to Emmanuel International for implementing our Village Development projects and food programmes.

In the 2025/26 year we have sent over £22,000 to Zomba for tertiary scholarships, blankets for the elderly, administration costs and an Integrated Village Development Project.

We are looking at the future of ZAP and since there has been no progress on reviving ZAP a proposal will be made at the AGM in October to close ZAP this year and finish well. Whatever is decided at the AGM I am certain that we can celebrate ZAP’s contribution to the life and livelihood of the people of Zomba over the last twenty-two years.

Terry McMullan

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

Gomezgani Nyasulu (Gome for short) returned in February 2025 for a 3 month Commonwealth Scholarship in Causeway Coast and Glens Council . The Scholarship funded his travel from and to Malawi and his living expenses here; also, any incidental costs arising from his attachment to our Council.

Gome’s first arrival in February 2020 for the same scholarship was interrupted by COVID, when he spent just over two months in isolation like the rest of us before being able to return to Malawi. Council, at that time, was operating in emergency mode so his programme of work had to be put on hold. He was subsequently given the opportunity to complete his scholarship in 2025.

Gome, who is an Environmental Health (EH) officer in Zomba Council, was attached to Council’s EH office in Ballymoney. Our Council and his Council both undertake similar functions albeit resources in Zomba are limited compared to here. Nonetheless, there is scope for the transfer of concepts and this is what Gome concentrated on. He was well supported by his EH colleagues in Ballymoney and is very appreciative of that support.

Our Council’s hosting of the Scholarship is undertaken under a Memorandum of Understanding with Zomba City Council.

Photo taken at Reception held for Gome at CCAG Offices which was attended by Councillors, work colleagues and ZAP representatives.

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

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SUMMARY OF ZOMBA ACTION PROJECT (ZAP)
ACCOUNTS
1 [ST] APRIL 2024 TO 31 [st] MARCH 2025
INCOME SUMMARY £ £
Opening Balance
Current A/c 35,799.73
PROJECTS AND DONATIONS
Fundraising 3,681.00
Donations 21,370.59 25,051.59
Bank Interest 83.44
£60,934.76
EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
Projects in Zomba Area 30,856.91
Project Support Costs (ZAP C) 1,299.07
Project Support Costs (ZAP Z) 4,000.00 5,299.07
Closing Balance
Current A/c 24,778.78
£60,934.76
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Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

ZAP DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING

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Year Ended 31 March 2025
PROJECTS/EVENTS £ £
ZAP Gifts 3,681.00
REGULAR DONATIONS
CC&G Councillors & Staff 880.00
NHSCT Staff 31.00
Campbell Memorial 1,200.00
Other regular donations 426.00 2,537.00
DONATIONS THROUGH MEMORIAL GIFTS, GROUPS/SCHOOLS etc.
£100 and over
Hazelbank Presbyterian Church 8,680.94
Ballywillan Presbyterian Church 1,000.00
Cunningham Memorial PW 250.00
Kilrea Primary School 383.00 9,310.94
OTHER DONATIONS
General Donations 4,129.99
GIFT AID Refund 5,392.66
TOTAL £ 25,051.59
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Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

ZAP PROJECTS 2024-25

	£
EI Cyclone Freddy Food Emergency Response	6,932.00
EI Crisis Food Security assistance in 2 Districts	1,000.00
Crisis Food support for elderly 4 Projects	2,975.00
Student Scholarships
13 Tertiary Student Scholarships	3,230.00
6 fees and support, 7 are receiving Govt loans
And only receive small top up assistance
Secondary School pupils:	410.00
Reading Glasses (posted)	150.00
Teachers Packs	110.00
Solar Lights for schools	212.00
Special Needs Education Basic Resources	390.00
Computer for tertiary student	190.00
Resources for needy students	575.00
Zomba Schools Sports Resources	946.00
Training in Soap Making in rural area	390.00
Zomba Athletics Academy - Competition support	750.00
Likuni Phala for 3 EI Child Care Centres	600.00
2 Fertiliser /Compost Making Training	1,370.00
Home Based Care Assistance 8 CBOs	400. 00
Palliative Care Training for CBOs	260.00
4 Wheelchairs	710.00
Food Assistance for CBO Palliative Care patients	1,178.00
Likuni Phala for 2 Orphan Groups in CBOs	300.00
Children’s Cancer Care Queen Elizabeth Hospital	250.00
EI Sitima Integrated Village Development Support	7,680.94

TOTAL £31,008.94

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

SCHOLARSHIPS

It was reported last year that three secondary school scholarship students were selected for University. Four more were selected this past year to start university degrees. They also have been able to obtain loans and are studying at University but ZAP is only able to support them with a small top up assistance and computers.

Two more Students, Kelvin and Mustapher, supported through their four year degrees, have been successful and are to be congratulated. They will graduate in November 25. Kelvin studied BSc in Nutrition and Food Science and Mustapher

a degree in Human Science and Community Services. They are most grateful for the support they received over several years which has enabled them to achieve qualifications which would otherwise have been impossible. We wish them success in their future lives and employment.

YOUNG ZOMBA ATHLETES were able to continue competing in National and International competitions with the support of ZAP.

The Athletic Academy now has about 60 members who train regularly. The best athletes compete in cross country, track and longer races in Malawi and, if selected internationally . The financial support of ZAP has been vital, enabling these athletes to

compete as most come from very disadvantaged families and are unable to finance themselves for travel, shoes or sports kit.

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION SUPPORT (SNE)

Teachers in SNE are enthusiastic but poorly resourced. The support given by

ZAP to purchase basic resources was greatly appreciated.

WHEELCHAIRS There is an ongoing need for wheelchairs with parents or siblings carrying children with walking disability on their backs as they don’t have wheelchairs

HUNGER RELIEF The Project list shows the range of crisis food distribution that ZAP funding supported in response to requests from the Zomba Committees and training was funded in compost/fertiliser making to improve crop yields in this season’s planting.

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

SITIMA INTEGRATED VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Thanks to the generosity and support from Hazelbank Presbyterian Church in donating their Harvest Offering, it was possible to fund this project which was identified and delivered by Emmanuel International Malawi (EIM), based in Zomba; EIM are well equipped and experienced to carry out such projects.

This project is a response to the 2024 to 2025 food security crisis triggered by the El Niño-induced drought.

Construction and rehabilitation of three shallow wells to increase access to safe drinking water for approximately 450 households.

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Water secured at one of
the wells
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Distribution of 60 goats to 60 households through a pass-on program to promote sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty.
Provision of 90 grafted fruit trees and 90 giant bamboo seedlings to 90 households to enhance environmental sustainability and household nutrition.

EIM Update reports: ‘The digging of the wells is undertaken in the dry season and is progressing well. The Sitima Integrated Village Development Project is progressing well, with major components such as water infrastructure development and procurement of key livelihood inputs nearing completion. The next phase of activities will focus on distribution and capacity building for beneficiaries. Emmanuel International Malawi remains committed to empowering the community of Sitima to build long-term resilience and improve their livelihoods through integrated, sustainable development interventions.’

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

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Causeway
Coast and
Glens
COLERAINE
NORTHERN
IRELAND
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ZOMBA ACTION PROJECT (ZAP) is a registered charity established in March 2003 by Coleraine Borough Council, the predecessor of 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.

ACTIVITIES

ZOMBA
9 MALAWI Working with partners in Zomba: ➢ To identify and supervise projects that contribute most to alleviating
ZOMBA ACTION PROJECT disadvantage
➢ Assisting communities to enjoy better health and education and move
Supported by towards sustainable development
➢ To identify and supervise projects that contribute most to alleviating disadvantage

CC&G ZAP Board of Management 2024-2025

Chairperson: Rev Dr Terry McMullan, Secretary: Paul Snelling, Treasurer: Rev Dr Terry McMullan

Members: Roisin McCaughan, Joyce McMullan, Lilian Edgar, Jude Walker CC&G Borough Council Representatives: Aldermen Y Boyle and Aaron Callan, Cllrs: Margaret-Anne McKillop and Leanne Peacock

ZOMBA ZAP Board of Management 2024-2025

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: Mrs C Likongwe Education: Mr D M Phiri, Health: Mrs Jean Machinjili Zomba City Council Representative: Mr Busta Chiona Consultant: Mr Maxwell Mjathu Administrator: Ms Ruth Nyirenda

Zomba Action Project Annual Report 2024-25

OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THE WORK of the Zomba Action Project (ZAP)

ZAP will continue to make good use of all donations until its formal closedown, anticipated as being late summer 2026. Until then project funding will continue as usual with whatever funds are available. A final gather-up of remaining funding will then be allocated to a general project, such as a feeding programme.

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: joyce.mcmullan@tiscali.co.uk to let ZAP know of your donation.