nternational Grassroots Initiatives Funding and Trainin9 CCNI 104617 Glft Internatlonal Annual Trustees Report Aprll 2022- March 2023 Purposes of the Charlty; Advance educatlon and promote the preserrfatlon of health of the people In the area of benefit by the provision of resources, training and grants with the object of improving the conditions of Ilfe for the inhabitants of the area of benefit. Relieve poverty and hunger in the area of benefit by any charitable means and in particular the provlslon of grants and tralnlng to empower economically challenged people to establish and maintain projects which will enable them to relieve their own povertv. RecruiL select and send out volunteers from the UK fLY seNice within the area of benefit and any other method the committee may from time to time decide. Gift International has considered the Commission's guidance and the criteria for public benefit: Benefit must: flow from the charitys purposes • be capable of being demonstrated be beneficial, not harmful. GIFf International activities endeavour to reflect The United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development. The seventeen goals aim to focus on the following: l. No poverty 2. Zero hunger 3. Good health and wellbeing 4. Quality education 5. Gender equallty 6. Clean water and sanitatlon 7. Affordable and clean ener Decent work and economic growth 9. Industry innovation and infrastructure 10. Reduced inequalities 11. Sustainable cities and comrnunities 12. Responslble consumption and productlon 13. Climate action 14. Life below water 15. Ufe on land 16. Peace, Justlce and strong institutions 17. Partnerships for the goals Throu8h strategic planning, community consultation and beneficiary feedback, Glft Intemational has ensured that our activities clearly support and flowfrom our purposes, are clearly demonstrated and have been beneflclal and not harmful in any way. Gift International Is a 'Grassroots Inltlatlves Fundlng and Tra Inln¢ provider for remote and economically challenged communities mainly in Kenya, but also retsins the ability to support projects in similar developing countries. By fundraising through, for example, community events, coffee mornin85, illustrated talks and lectures, and receiving 8eneral donations, Gift I ntemational ralses funds In Nl and beyond, for use in the areas of beneflt. Fundlng facllitates a variety of needs Including the provlsion of teacher tralnln8 workshops, bursarles for student education, the bulldlng of schools, resourcing of classrooms and individual student support where there is demonstrable need, health and nutrition initiatives. capacity-building trainin8 workshops for local community representatives and the provlslon of small start-up funds for sustainable enterprlses in identlfied communities. Community consultations and the identification of self-managed projects have enabled development of local enterprises ranging from the planting of tree nurseries and expansion of existing woodk)ts to Incorporate more native specles, bee-keepin8 projects for the production of honey and wax products, a range of agricultural developments includlng maize mlll construction and equipment, training for and set-up of dairy cow and poultry projects, to facilitating driving qualifications, dressmaking and tailoring courses and the provlslon of sewlng machines. Health benefits come from initiatives such as adult edU￿tIOn with a special focus on women's educatlon, provision of mosquito nets, sustainable provision of mllk through dairy cow projects and training in basic hygiene and access to emergency medical aid through provision of mobile phones for rapid communication in remote areas. A Mother and Baby project in the Masai Mara enables mothers-to-be in one area of GI￿ International operation to attend a maternity clinic, if desired, for the birth of their baby and provKles essential inoculations a nd a starter pack of requisites for the newborn babies and their mothers. Education benefits come from Inltlatlves such as school construction and provision of equlpment, teacher training, school fees fund5, tertiary student bursaries, adult trainin8 course provision and knowledge and skills shared by volunteers in the areas of benefit. Impart of the Pandemlc. While the Coronavirus pandemic has become much less impactful on a day-to-day basis in both the UK and Kenya, the legacy of this diff icult tlme remalns. During 2022 the GIFT Internatlonal programme of tslks resumed but the momentum was reduced and, sadly, a number of groups we would have engaged with on a very regular basis prior to the pandemic have decided to cease operation, largely due to their age demographlc. GIFT would Ilke to acknowledge the long-term support and frlendshlp of these groups, not only for the flnancial support they provkled over many years but also the ongoing encoura8ement and their care for beneficiaries In Kenya. With regard to events, we have not initiated any new public events since the pandemic, so, in this reportlng perlod, fundralslng has been limlted to regular glvers and one-off donations, for whlch we are most grateful. We attended one community fair at the end of 2022, ralslng £75.00 from sales. On top of Kenya's difficultles wlth covld, continued drought, belleved to be assoclated wlth cllmate change, has afferted muth of the country, with some areas reporting 4 consecutive years without Slgnif icant rainfall. Access to clean drinking water, water for Ilvestock and availa bility of food have been serlous Issues and we have on occaslon stepped In to assist with food provlslon. The way In thich we bud8et- one year In advance - means that we only take on new projects that we can comfortably budget for and have raised the funds to deliver. Some projects ideally roll on from year to year le.g the Mother and Baby Projettl but again we ensure that the funds are uaranteed before we undertake to deliver them in the communitles. Despite financlal concerns arislng from the impact of the pandemic years, through the generous commitment of donors, we have been able to malntain all existln8 ongoing projects, for which we are most grateful. Once agaln, throughout 2022123, we were greatly heartened to receive reports and indivldual messages from the communities to say that the measures we had implemented over the years were helping to sustain them through uncertain and economically challenging times. For budgeting purposes and for ease of reporting we manage projects under four headings: Al Sustalnable Community Development- agrlcultural projects, beekeeping development, water harvesting. Bl Education and Training - education/trainin8 bursaries for individuals, whole School development, community training courses. Cl Communlty Health and Well-being- Mother and Baby &Jpport, Cleft Palate surgery and community medical support. DI Humanita rian Fund for families and individuals experiencing hardship - feed the children, medlcal emergencies etc Projects under A), Bl and Cl are planned and budgeted for a year in advance based on available funding. Ideally, some projects will deliver goals under more than one heading e. the Gede Beekeeping Project which supports the expansion of honey woduction auoss the area but also provides training for individuals and groups. Where communities can demonstrate a range of benefits, these strengthen their application for funding. Projects under DI are reattive and subject to ava ilability of residual funds in that funding year. In most such cases relatively small amounts of funding will be made available and not exceed slngle payments of £SOO. Maln Achlevements 2022-2023: The maln achievements of the charlty durlng the year 2022 - 2023 addressed all purposes of the charity. Although a very sm311 charitable organisation, Gift International continues to make signif icant and lasting impact on the lives of benef iciaries in Ken￿d. A. Sustalnable Communlty Development e& agrlcultural projects, beekeepln8 development, water harvestlng. Tree Plantln8 In Kenya Over the past two decades GIFf International has funded the planting and maintenance of 5ever31 tree nurseries and supported training pro8rammes for those engaged in developing tree nurserles. Planting trees is a relatively simple task, yet the results can be hugely valuable to people and the envlronment. Once a tree Is mature It can absorb 20kg of carbon every year from the atmosphere, thereby maklng a major contributlon to mltigating climate change. Plantlng tree5 In Kenya will provide shelter, food, tlmber products and an Income. Trees enhance biodiversity, improve soil quality and provide the income that funds education and healthcare for some of the most challenged communities. Bulldlng on earller successes, GIFf International seeks to expand tree plantlng In selected areas. In 2022123 we provided funding for further woodlot planting and maintenance at Gede in the coast region, including the maintenance of a variety of fruit and nut trees lots (cashew, coconut, neem and mangol that are not only a source of income and food, but also act a vltal carbon store. Bee Keeplng Enterprlses GIFf International has worked in association with Northern Ireland beekeepers who have for many years provided funding towards running beekeeping training courses, supplying betrkeeping equipment, starter hives, smokers, along wlth honey separators that are essential for produttion of quality honey. Under the management of a former G1￿-fUnded universlty graduate, working with a fellow beekeeperfrom the coast area, a programme offunded training courses for 6 local bee-keeping groups with 'on the ground, coaching, mentoring and on-going support contlnues to operate. The programme also includes restoration of the lool environment, such as replanting depleted mangrove swamp, to ensure suitable foraging for bees. Considerable progress was made within the local communities, and honey produrtion provided much needed revenue to group members. Comprehenslve reports are submitted to GIFT in a timely manner, and we continue to be happy with the progress being made. Our grateful thanks 8Oto our N.1. beekeeper supporters who initiate and host fundraising events and In so dolng spread the word across the N.1. communlty. We acknowledge with thanks once agaln, durln8 2022, the fundralslng efforts of beekeepers Robert and Helen Ditty, who along with theirfriends provide generous support for GIFf International beekeeping enterprises In Kenya. EIEN'&'ROB TY Satuiday 25th lune 202J Plans to expand the beekeeping project in Laikipia continue to be delayed due to prolonged drought. Despite these issues, where the bees have been sustained, the existing project continues to bring in valued revenue to the ￿mMunIty. The fundamentsl problem of water Supply is uitical to the well- belng of people, livestock, and the environment in general. The provision of boreholes is currently outside the f inancial scale of GIFT International and, indeed, such consideration is a highly complex matter requiring rigorous technical knowledge. The recent prolrferation of borehole schemes in some areas has brought additional problems with ground water, salinisation etc so must be approached with caution. When we are in a position to revisit the area, we will discuss appropriate development opportunities and hope we can resume expansion of the beekeeping project in a way that meets the local communities, needs. Posho Mlll Expanslon The GIFf-funded posho mill at Gede continues to be of support to the local community. Fundin8 was made available for the addition of equipment enabling production of higher quality products to be achieved locally. Nashula Poultry Projed, Lalklpla. GI￿ Internatlonal was approached by a long-standlng contsct from the Lalklpla North dlstrlct seeking support for development of a community poultry farming project. The problem of water availability is escalating as drought and climate change impact deeply. Previously the community was able to draw waterfrom the Nanyuki River, the source of which is Mt Kenya. In recent tlmes, the pemanent rlver has dried up and the cnmmunity is havlng to brlng in water in tankers, However, storage of large enough quantities of water to justify the cost of hiring tankers is inadequate and they requested funds for two new tanks. Stage one of this support, the provislon of two tsnks. and associated pipework, will help with forward plannlng to ensure they are not left without vltal water supplies for the community and the poultry project. B. Educatlon and Tralnlng- educatlon/tralnln8 bursarles, whole school development, communlty tralning courses. Kakayuni School for the Deaf Gift International continues to make significant contributions to Kakayuni Special School for the Deaf. Thts school caters specifically for deaf pupils from a very extensive geographical area. Pupils are all boarders and GI￿ Intemational has worked with the Principal, Staff and School Committee representab'ves to develop sustainable enterprises that bring immediate financial and material benefit to the sdiool that will also help to enhance the skills of these very disadvantaged young people, helpin8 to prepare them for Ilfe after school. Our relationshlp with Kakuyuni School for the deaf contlnued and although lockdown had made it impossible for our project representative to travel to Mombasa to purchase resources as planned, we were able, Just at the end of the 2021-22 reportin8 period, to fund the purchase of a comprehensive assortment of toys and games for the children, providing them with a range of suitable activities for pupils aged 4 - 19, outside of forma I lessons. I n addition, we had provided much needed physiotherapy equipment for use by the school. We were therefore very pleased to receive a report from the school durlng 2023 that these addltlons had been well recelved by the children and staff alike. Durin8 2022 we became aware of a shortage of beds at the school due to high demand for places at Kakuyuni, and were delighted to provide funding for the construrtion of 8 new bunk beds along with assoclated bedding and good quality, lon8-lastin8 mosqulto nets. A letter of apprec5ation was recelved from the school principal: KAkL+YUNI 5PFf.IAI SCF..101 FOR THE DEAF P.0. BOX I I5.8V2Q2. w 4fAMU PATE.3110112023 MofTO.. Ablpd dJllèipr,¢ Ernoll'.*akuvuTrischooltorpi*IArM71) has II>LfEa.I'rJ. Arknowlpdie our appro¢iTirion. As a comFp.unity Xakuyuni we were dellghled io ieceNe a 81ft ifi form ol o donaiioo thu5.'. 11 Y Deck•: ljecl 4 bpds lor Dach 8ondef 21 16 Maa501 sht.i*ly. B lor i?dLh iendpr 31 8 mosquito n*-ts- A foi e&ch 8Ènd In this reRxrd ihiip*lii'i' wish to yoii to deli¥er du¥ prot(i%* thanks and aDpfeLialioll to C31ft Iihl<.fDatioNdl foi tlieir continued sUPPOrt ai)d luytr lo*ard5 tho dL'df Lbil￿Ten In Kdkuyur*i yclwyl I Ihe We •Kdin wish to Ibo .k you lor yotsi Big Hearl Iy*41d% the needy and in parr¢cular, th• deaf childrtn ID Kakiiyuni School Ic" the Oeat. Thdnling you once atr'.31n aorni sesi Student Fundln8 During this reporting year, Gift International continued to fund education fees and sthool materials for students at all levels of education. ￿(h support ensures continued attendance, tuition and boarding fees. We were pleased to support the final graduation of one of our GIFT-supported students in May 2022. We are currently supporting one young girl from the coast to pursue secondary education and have funded driving lessons for a project contact in Laikipia. Support for a student who we funded through his Primary education at Kakuyuni School for the Deaf has been extended to cover his secondary school fees and upkeep at a boardlng school that caters for the deaf. It is very pleasing to note that not only has this candidate continued to progress well academically, he is also perfomiing well in sports. We have been in discussion with staff from Kakuyunl School to see how GIFf might continue to offer sUPPOrt for students once they leave Kakuyuni and hope to implement a suitable project in 2023/24. Tralnln8 Under Phase 2 of the Nashula Poultry Project. GIFT International provided funding for key members of the project team to attend a five day consortium on Poultry Farmin8 Training with the aim of Implementing key findSngs where posslble and cascadlng the learning to the communlty and beyond. The report from the Trainlng was very posltive and the co-ordlnator set up a further trainin8 day for the Nashula group within a month of attendlng the course. The Nashuki Project members meet quarterly and share dividends with the needy among the community. Their support includes a programme of outreach to families and the elderly in need of food and water. C. Communlty Health and Well-belng. Mother and Baby Supp(￿t. Cleft Palate sur8ery and communlty medical support. Mother and Baby Support Projett, Trans Mara dlstrict. Kenya. Following a consultation facilitated by a local GIFT International associate in which the ladies of a Maasal village GI￿ has worked with for many years in Transmara District, It was established that there are expected to be around 20 births in the village each year. It is well documented that vthere a mother-to-be can attend a maternity f3cility, it is likely that the mother will have an opportunity to rest a little before the birth, potential complications can be detected quickly, and in the majorlty of cases the babywill be delivered well, with no spread of disease between mother and baby, Of the mothers consulted, everyone optsd fora cllnlc delivery, if possible, but the reality of the costs associated with attendin8 a facility and the challenge of travelling to and from a clinic result in most mothers glvin8 birth at home wlthout professlonal medlcal Intervention or support. In partnershlp wlth GIFf Internatlonal, 3 famlly of long-term supporters successfully plloted a programme of support for mothers-to-be durln8 the calendar year 2020 where a percents8e of sales of ￿ttle Love blankets, designed and marketed bcally in Northern Ireland, supported mothers and new-bom babies in the Masai Mara. The project Is managed and admlnlstered by a local GIFf assoclate who keeps records of the births. Assisted by members of the local Ladies Group, he purchases baby requisites and ensures they are delivered to the mothers prior to the birth of their babies. Additional support is provided by a Gl Fr representative in Nairobi and, where applicable, a generous volunteer from Northern Ireland assists with transportation of resources. Transport to the cllnic Is provided elther dlrertly by the project coordlnator or by organising taxls for mothers in labour/returning home. A supply of blankets and other baby items are Issued to the new mothers. Every new-born baby receives essential vacclnations throughout the flrst year and all return home wlth a new mosqulto net. In agreement with the main funding provider for the Mother and Baby project, it was agreed that where possible, funds could also be made avallable for emergency infant medlcal interventlon. This has proved very helpful In several instances where we have been able to react qulckly to relieve physical suffering andlor financial hardship that would have prevented intervention taking place. N.B. The recipient community is aware that funding is not guaranteed beyond any given year. We will, however, be in discussion with the project supporters at the end of 2023 to assess future funding opportunities, and wlth the reciplent community to Identify current needs and costs. We are particularly keen to estsblish if there is something we can fund in support of matemal health that will benefit the entire community in addition to the mothers and babies in direct receipt of support. Cleft Palate Support. Durin8 2020 GIFT had initiated a project to raise funds in support of children in need of cleft Ilp and cleft palate surgery. Although the condltion is not fully understood, there are many factors believed to be the cause of cleft liplpalate deformlty, resulting In l in 5(10 - 700 births in Kenya presenting with cleft Ilp and/or cleft palate. These include inherited genes, early or unhealthy pregnancy, lack of access to maternal health senllces, poor dlet, exposure to toxlc elements, Sncludlng smoklng and alcohol consumptlon In pregnancy. Cleft Ilp or cleft palate need not be a dlsablllty, and yet, to be born with this condition In a community that lacks access to medical suppo¢ condemns many to a life of abandonment, bullying, and dlfflculties wlth eating or learning to speak, wlth negative consequences for education and life opportunitles. Itdoesn'tjust affect the indlvidual chlld, the tholefamlly may be stlgmatlsed, which can further exacerbate the tendency to hide children away. Effective surgery to repalr cleft lip and cleft palate can change all that and GIFT International, along with our Kenyan travel providers, FA￿ Safaris Ltd, who will assist with overseein8 the project, seek to establish a project to support cleft palate surgery for children in need. Problems encountered through the pandemlc led us to put the project on hold until such times as we can meet with relevant mediol teams to ensure that everythin8 goes ahead as planned. One aspect we want to be very sure of is the aftercare of children receivin8 surgery as this is vital to their full recovery and wellbelng. Donations already ralsed towards cleft palate support have been reserved for thls purpose and, post pandemlc, and upon our return to Ken￿d when we wlll meet wlth potentlal partners, we wlll seek new dellvery partner. We will continue to raise funds for this worthy cause. D. Humanftarlan Fund for lamllles and Indhrtduals experlendng hardshlp -feed the chlldren, and Indivldual medlcal emergencies. During the past tsvo years we supported inten￿ntiOn for tNiin baby girls displaying hip and le8 problems soon after birth. It is pleasing to report that both little girls are doin8 well, with one now demonstrating good mobility and the other showing signrficant improvemenL Support for contlnued physiotherapy is a big help in this case and we will keep the situation under review throughout the childrens, pre-school years. This support demonstrates the importance of early Intervention. Through our long assoclation with schools for children with physical disabilities we have encountered many children who, through lack of early intervention, have suffered disabilities that could, at an early stsge, have been greatlv improved. Emergency Feedln8 Programmes. The Committee agreed that one remote Masai community near Ngong, Kajaido County, with whom we have had a longstanding relationship, should continue to receive regular support from general funds for the provision of food and water (brought from Nairobil. This community Is severely disadvantaged by drought and the support provided has been gratefully received. Throughout the year we made several additional donations towards essential health and well-being including funds towards critical medical operations and aftercare. Concluslon. The actlvlties Outllned above clearly requtre significant fvnding. Gl FT International has been the reclpient of funds through communlty talks, activities and events run by the Committee and others, 8enwal donations, and the generosity of regular w.vers to facilitste these projects. Amazon Smile provlded valuable funds from supporters durlng 2022 but regrettably, due to a poli change, wlll cease to be a source of funds In 2023. We continue to benefit from payments vla Easyfundraisin8 which brings additional and very welcome funding. We are 8fdteful to a Benevity supporter for yet another very generous donation during this financial year. We gratefully acknowledge our beekeeping friends, who once agaln made a generous donatlon to our beekeeping projects. We are grateful to a broad denomination of churches and community groups who invite us to speak about the work of GIFT International, a number of whom ask us back year on year. We are also very grateful to all our Indlvldual supporters who have made substantial donatlons, and those who provide support In kind both In Northern Ireland and In Kenya. GI￿ Internatlonal Is a small, entlrely voluntary, organlsatlon and without the klnd 8eneroslty of all our supporters we could not provide the range of support provided by GIFf International in Kenyd, The encouragement and support of all means everything to us. Many messages of gratitude have been sent throughout the year by reclplents, both Indlvlduals and communlty 8roups, and we wlsh to pass a general message of thank5 from recipients In Kenya to eath and every supporter here in Northern Ireland. "Other than our bank accoun¢ we have no other assets or Ilabilities". Note. In keeping with our policy on projert sensitivityi permissions to use photos included in the report have been granted. Janet Wilson. Chairperson, GIFT International. June 2023