'.+,r.q ST BERNADETTE'S THIRD WORLD GROUP CHARITY REGISTRATION NO: NIC104667 TRUSTEES REPORT 2023- 2024
St Bernadette's Third World Group clo Mary McKnight, Apartment 14, Bell Towers South, Ravenhill Road. Belfast BT6 OGR Charity Number: NIC104667 Trustees Report for the period- 1st April 2023- 31st March 2024 Section 1: Oryanisation Overview and Purpose St Bernadette's Third World Group is a charity registered with the Charities Commission in Northem Ireland. St Bernadette's Third World Group adopted the written Constitution (Trust Deed) on 11 th January 2016 (approved by the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland) and was formally registered on 2nd February 2016. The charity is a grant making trust which will apply its income by making grants to charities operating in Lima, Peru. In setting our objectives and planning our activity for the year the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the Charity's purposes and provide a benefit to our beneficiaries namely the children and young people living in impoverished areas in Lima, Peru. 1.1 St Bernadette's Third World Group Trustees Trustees are appointed on an annual basis at the Annual General Meeting. The current trustees were appointed on 11th January 2016. Seamus Dawson stood down at the AGM in September 2019 and Peter McGettrick was appointed. Cliriil" Treasurer Mrs Pcili-lcicl Nlcri Assistant Treasurer Mrs Ma McKni Trustee Mrs Marie Mclvor Trustee Mrs Eileen Gra Mr Peter McGettrick ht 1.2 St Bernadette's Third World Group Purpose The Charity is established to advan education, to prevent or relieve poverty and to relieve the needs of children and young people living in impoverished areas (the beneficiaries) in Lima, Peru (the area of benefit) and to provide recreation facilities with the object of improving the conditions of life for the beneficiaries by making grants and providing financial assistan to charities which are established for similar purposes operating in the area of benefit. To further such other purposes that are charitable under the law of Northern Ireland as the trustees in their absolute discretion from time to time determine.
Purpose l.. Advancement of Education The benefft which flows from the advanment of education is that children who have fallen behind, are out of the state education system are given the opportunity to learn and gain an education. We have supported a project which specialises in children with learning difficulties and provides a psychologist assisted study programme to help the children overcome their emotional and learning difficulties. We aim to continue to provide the financial support to this setting and possibly others in the area. Purpose 2.. Preventing and relieving poverty All our purposes are intertwined with preventing or relieving povety of the beneficiaries. The benefit which flows from this is that by providing food at all of the activities that the children attend, the children are nourished. By helping them come to terms with their emotional issues, the children and young people are being given helping hand through the provision of various support. This should all help to give them a better start in life and hopefully help them find employment when they are older. We will continue to provide financial support to Gharities in Lima that work to prevent or relieve povety. Purpose 3.. Pmvision of a safe Residential Home The benefft which flow3 from relieving the needs of children and young people is that those who have been abused or mistreated re1ve care and attention in a safe environment which is neSSary to help them overcome their experiences. We have provided financial support to a residential home for troubled and abused children which provides specialist psychological help to the young people. We aim to continue to provide financial support to this setting and possibly others like it in the area. Purpose 4.. Provision of recreational facilities The benefft which flows from providing financial assistance to charities which provide recreation facilities is that the conditions of life for the beneficiaries will be improved. Children and young people will be able to participate in various recreational activities which helps them to develop new skills and benefit from social interaction with their peers in a safe and stimulating environment. We have funded a Children's ntre in Lima which hosts 600 children on a daily basis where the children can participate in activities such as dan, art, study and play areas. We would anticipate continuing to provide financial assistance to this ntre and any other similar project in the area. Purpose 5.. Further such other charitable pUoseS Our fifth purpose is to further such other purposes that are charitable under the law of Northern Ireland as the trustees in their absolute discretion from time to time detemiine. While the main benefft will primarily focus on the first four charitable purposes, however from time to time trustees may make grants and financial contributions to any charitable need they feel worthy of financial assistan. The trustees have chosen this purpose so that they will not be restricted in who or what they help as different situations present themselves. They will judge each case on
merit and need to recognise that it must be one of the twelve charitable Purposes as outlined in the Charities Act. Section 2: St Bernadette's Third World Group Activities In the year 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 the charity raised funds in the local community, in particular St Bernadette's Parish, Belfast, primarily renewal of child sponsorships and donations. We also received donations from schools, benefactors and other charitable organisations. Sponsorship payments were collected as normal at St Bernadette's Church, Rosetta Road, Belfast. All Sponsors reiVed a renewal letter accompanied by a personal letter from Father Tony Coney In his letter he highlighted a link to a Utube video, compiled by the staff at the Childrens Centre, of the Annual Festival in Lima. The Sponsors responded generously. Those who could not attend Church sent payment by cheque directly to the Treasurer which were immediately lodged into the Charity account. Sectlon 3: Raview of Charity's Financial Position In the period 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 St Bernadette's Third World Group raised £ 33,265.38 Opening Balance: £171,486.69 Total Income for period April 2023 to March 2024: £33.265.38 which includes Gift Aid: £3,157.48 Minus Expenditure - Sponsorship Mailshot Postage September 2023: . £200 Minus Expenditure - 1 Grant sent to Father Coney as follows: . £26,489 The closing balance was £ 178,063.07 The trustees agreed that this balance is held in the account for ongoing grant applications in the future, which the trustees deem worthy of support. 26th January 2024 Grant Application This Grant will be used to continue the excellent work of St Bernadette's Civil Association. They have been working in the area of children's rights in the district of San Martin de Porres for 27 years. The Association began with the Children's Centre, Casa del Nino. The establishment of a Defence Desk for the promotion of Children's rights, has grown into a sophisticated system for detecting and addressing issues of child abuse in the Community. The St Bernadette's programme now also includes a highly respected residential rehabilitation programme for child victims of sexual abuse, The Casa Hogar Rehabilrtation Centre. The Association also includes an intensive reintegration programme for, The Escuelita Remedial School for vulnerable and disadvantaged children on the verge of school expulsion. The Programme provides intensive modules in maths and literacy, psychosocial support and family engagement. The two more rentlY added modules combined have
rehabilitated hundreds of child victims of abuse into families capacitated to keep them safe. The Defence desk has addressed thousands of cases brought to its attention through legal accompaniment information provision, referral to state services and social worker support. Through the Defen Desk, with rising numbers of child victims of abuse, it became more apparent to engage in prevention efforts to address the root cause of these problems and so the school outreach programme was borne. The Programme now provides training in local primary schools to parents, teachers and students on child protection. St Bernadette's has thus evolved from a Children's Centre project into a comprehensive programme for realising the rights of vulnerable Peruvian children to a quality education, access to justice and a life of dignity, free from abuse. DECLARATION The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity trustees: Signature Full Name Position Date Patricia MCFI Chair erson gi Signature Full Name Position Dats ni ht Treasurer Slo