## **VISION INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES** ## **(A company limited by guarantee)** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022** The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Vision International Ministries for the 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022. The Annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019). Since the charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted. ## **Objectives and activities** ## **a. Policies and objectives** In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the charity commission relating to public benefit. The advancement of the Christian religion in Malawi and throughout Africa for the benefit of the public through the following activities; - The provision of a place of worship; - Raising awareness and understanding of the Christian beliefs and practices; - Holding church services and public meetings for praise, worship, Bible teaching, prayer and fellowship. The prevention and relief of poverty for the benefit of the public through the following activities; - The construction of vocational training centres, feeding stations and orphanages; - The provision of items to those thought to be in need: The advancement of education for the benefit of the public through the following activities; - Constructing schools; - Providing teachers and trainers to educate children and adults in schools; - Providing activities, education and teaching for children and young people. ## **b. Activities undertaken to achieve objectives** The charity raises funds for achieving its objectives through the sale of donated goods and furnishings in a charity shop and from renting its owned premises to a charity with similar charitable purposes. ## **Achievements and performance** ## **a. Main achievements of the charity** The organisation has been concentrating for some time on its projects in Malawi. The Nadazi school project was completed in 2011. It consists of a full primary school with 1250 children enrolled, including approximately 300 orphans. Teachers' offices, 2 teachers' houses and toilet blocks and borehole etc. Ongoing financial support for this work is continuing. The charity also sends containers of vital supplies of aid directly to Malawi. Page 2 **VISION INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES** ## **(A company limited by guarantee)** **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022** ## **Achievements and performance (continued)** ## **b. Review of activities** Vision International Ministries commenced two Feeding programmes in rural villages each with the 50 most vulnerable orphans in early 2010. These programmes continue to be fully financed by the charity. Clothing and medical assistance is provided and in some cases school fees. These are located at Ntakataka and at Bondo both in the region of Chief Kachindodamoto (Dedza area Central Malawi). The Emily Garrett project approximately 1 hour away is very isolated and difficult to get to with no other outside help apart from Vision Ministries. It is also funded completely by Vision International Ministries and under the care of ELIM Missions Malawi. It includes a Primary School and Community Church, staff house, orphan home, borehole, toilet block etc. There is also important feeding for children. Ongoing financial support for books and staff will continue for the foreseeable future. No school fees are charged as this is an area of extreme poverty. The transport costs in relation to this project have been considerable due to the difficult location. We have the full support of the Senior Chiefs, local MPs, the Education Minister, Local Authorities and all local church denominations. Also we are welcome by the Malawi Government Assembly. Visioncraft (craft section vocational training) is registered in Malawi as an FBO (Faith Based Organisation) and the sale of crafts has helped set up a computer college where students recently completed their course including "Young People" school teachers. Some are still studying but most have been helped to find jobs, mainly in teaching posts. They also have 2 feeding programmes with over 50 orphans in each which was started approximately 6 years ago in rural villages. The Trustees receive weekly feeding reports on the activity of the feeding programmes. This work was undertaken after discussions with the local MP and Senior Chief who both have a heart for the children and continue to lend their support. Although Vision International Ministries works in rural areas where poverty and disease is rife they are seeing lives dramatically changed, especially in regards to children. These people are truly the WARM HEART OF AFRICA. We want to do something to help them so our mission statement simply is to "help and encourage those who are prepared to help themselves and to show them how they can do just that". Vision International Ministries welcomes all who wish to participate in activities and programmes run by the charity, which exists to promote the advancement of the Christian religion and provide educational opportunities. During the year ended 30 April 2016 the charity completed the purchase of new premises in Newtownards. This has provided a new base for the charitable activities and since 2019 has begun an additional source of incoming resources from renting parts of the property to other charitable organisations with similar charitable purposes. During the year in-person visits to the projects in Malawi were able to resume after travel restrictions eased, and the Trustees continued to provide vital financial aid and shipping aid containers. ## **Financial review** ## **a. Going concern** After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies. Page 3 **VISION INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES** ## **(A company limited by guarantee)** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022** ## **b. Reserves policy** Vision International Ministries subscribes to a high standard of accountability and stewardship. The results for the year are set out in the attached financial statements. The results for the year and the financial position were considered satisfactory by the trustees who expect growth in the foreseeable future. During the year and at the year end all the general funds under the control of the charity were unrestricted income funds. The Board confirm that the charity's assets are available and adequate to fulfil the obligations of the charity and that the funds are not excessive, given the assets, commitments and size of the charity. ## **c. Principal risks and uncertainties** The Trustees continue to monitor the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the ground in Malawi. The Trustees continue to adhere to all UK goverment restrictions and advice around Covid-19. ## **Structure, governance and management** ## **a. Constitution** Vision International Ministries is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 20th April 2010. The charity is constituted under a Memorandum of Association dated 27th January 2016 and is a registered charity with HMRC under number NI00170. The charity is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under number NIC 106627. ## **b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees** The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Memorandum of Association. ## **c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies** Vision International Ministries has a Board of three professional people – one minister of religion and two professionals who function as Directors. This Board is responsible for the setting of policy, decisions on the annual programme of work, the financial management and supervision of any staff or volunteers appointed to work on behalf of the charity. ## **Plans for future periods** It is anticipated that all future developments will continue to focus on the advancement of religion, the relief of poverty and the advancement of education in Malawi, particularly school projects and feeding projects. Page 4 ## **VISION INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES** ## **(A company limited by guarantee)** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022** ## **Statement of Trustees' responsibilities** The Trustees (who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102); - make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 19 July 2023 and signed on their behalf by: ................................................ **Mr Victor Garrett** Trustee Page 5