2022-12-31-annual-return - Goshen Ministries

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Goshen Ministries N.I

My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory Phil 4v19

Annual Trustees Report

Goshen Ministries

Northern Ireland Charity Number: 00191874

9 Larne Street Ballymena BT42 3AJ

Northern Ireland

Financial Year: January 2022 – December 2022

Report completed by: Joyce Kerr

Public Benefit of our Organisation

The direct benefits include the relief of poverty, which will reduce the level of hunger, homelessness and avoidable ill health/disease experienced by the beneficiaries in Kenya and Uganda and any areas Goshen works with in the future.

Further benefits include the spreading of the Christian Religion which will promote an improved moral & spiritual framework for beneficiaries and help them to become better contributory members of their community.

The benefits are evidenced as through Goshen Homes as there is placement of children in families with holistic support for the children and care givers.

Provision of food to homeless people, including children and funding assistance to programmes that provide this throughout the year.

Goshen Ministries are in constant contact with the programmes we run and members of Management Committee visit these projects various times throughout the year to offer training, support and monitor how donations practically benefit those in need.

The Chairperson and Treasurer have online meetings each week with the Team in Kenya to oversee, guide and support the work in Kenya.

There is no harm arising from the purposes as we follow health and safety legislation and also function with sensitivity to cultural preferences while offering a holistic supportive framework to staff, volunteers and beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries of the Organisation

Our beneficiaries are

everyone who attends our meetings where the Word of God is taught
children and young people who are on the streets
women who are struggling with parenting, financial burdens, abuse and life issues
families who cannot support themselves
local villages and other organisations
adults volunteering in Goshen Ministries

There is no private benefit flowing from our purposes.

What our Organisation Does

Preaching and teaching the Bible, Word of God, in Ireland, Africa and wherever and however the Management Committee finds possible.
Purchasing, creating and distributing Bibles and other Christian materials. Helping to build schools, dormitories and providing school materials and equipment.
Providing financial assistance to those who are struggling with educational fees or boarding costs and providing assistance for teacher training.
Building family homes for orphaned or vulnerable children to be absorbed into already existing families and supporting them until the family become self-sufficient.
Building homes suitable for the homeless and financially supporting them until such times as they can live independently.
Creating or supporting already existing feeding programmes for street children or others affected by poverty.

Our goal for this year was to extend the reach of the Goshen Ministries into nations other than Kenya which was accomplished by

Donation of baby items and toys which were sent to Uganda by Anna Wylie as part of baby bundles.
Donating clothes to be transported to Romania as partnership with a Church there who distributes to their slum areas.
Collecting for Ukraine at the beginning of the war a monetary donation which was sent to a Church working in the area to purchase mattresses etc.

Northern Ireland

At our Ballymena base we were able to have 17 gatherings with different speakers to preach and share from the Word of God. This really benefited the attendees but also strengthened our connections with other Churches and believers who in turn support the work.

Kenya

The main beneficiaries for this year were our Goshen Family in Kenya where we have a home called Goshen Shalom, where we have created a home place for 17 children. These children vary in age range so we have two small aged 2yrs and 3yrs who started Baby Care this year, as well as others in Primary School and High School. One of our boys completed Primary School at age 15yr, because of interrupted learning due to lack of fees. He did, however achieve high grades which will enable him to enter attend a good High School in the City. All the fees of the children are paid by the Ministry.

We also have two older boys aged 18yrs and 20yrs who thankfully we were able to rescue off the streets and one of them, Emmanuel, is now doing a mechanic’s course and the other one, Polycarp, a carpentry course funded through the ministry.

In Kenya, our home village is called Rabuor and we are reaching out to it through our two mentorship programmes –

Daughters of Destiny

Group of around 30 girls attend weekly
They receive sanitary towels each month
Mentorship is available to them
Our leaders teach them the Bible weekly
Assistance is given financially when possible
For girls aged 13yrs +
They benefit from the social interaction and encouragement

Men on a Mission

Group of approximately 20 young men attend weekly
Bible teaching is given weekly
Group discussions help develop their social skills and confidence
For boys aged 13yrs+
Mentorship, spiritually, morally and educationally is given
Group provides accountability and support for those who had addictions

Future Goals of these Programmes

To provide Career Advice by inviting different Professionals to speak at groups
To promote personal health care and protection by providing information on HIV protection etc.
To develop them in leadership skills by encouraging participation in the groups and providing training in Kids Work etc.
To raise community awareness and responsibility by facilitating a “work programme” where they can provide assistance to the elderly or vulnerable in the village.
To be able to assist some of the members financially by raising funds or finding partners.

Kid’s Club

a group of 30 – 40 young children gather each week
they hear lessons from the Bible, have quizzes and learn memory verses and sing.

Our aim is to teach these children about Jesus and to give them security and strength in knowing they are loved, accepted and designed by a loving Creator, Father.

Trips

The beginning of this year found three of us from the N.Ireland in Kenya, Joyce Kerr, Patricia Otieno and Danielle Millar. We travelled with a suitcases of gifts for a very special Christmas and we celebrating bringing in the New Year with them. We also carried sheets, towels, clothes, shoes and toiletries for the home. We participated in the programmes ran within the compound, did street outreach and took part in various Church programmes. During this trip we addressed staffing issues and worked a lot in counselling the children individually and in groups.

Two of us, Joyce Kerr and Patricia Wright went back again on a mission trip in July and we had a great time with the family. As we are both committee members we spent a lot of time developing, training and encouraging the committee there and putting structure in place to protect the children and staff.

A great time was had by the younger children who went to Impala Park this year. Absolutely wonderful to get them out of the village and to widen their horizons by seeing various animals and to watch as they soaked in the information about their national wildlife. The older children benefitted from a visit to their local Museum which taught them more about their own history and culture. It is so important to us that the children maintain awareness of their own heritage and family lineage. This is why we also went with them to visit any family they had even grandmothers, uncles etc so we could reassure them that we are not there to replace their living relatives but to create a healthy atmosphere and relationship with them where possible.

Patricia and I returned in December again for a special important occasion, her wedding to our Manager there in Kenya. It was quite an undertaking as we also hosted our Pastor, Thomas Todd and Committee Member, Margaret Johnston who attended the wedding with Patricia’s Mum and sister. Pastor and Margaret also enjoyed seeing the work and participating in the various activities, Church seminars, street work and just getting to know our children. This was so good for our Goshen Kenya Family as it widens their circle of belonging and also broadens their horizons to the world outside their village and Kenya.

Elections

Patricia and I were there during the Presidential elections of Kenya and it was such a learning curve for us to experience this with our family. The tension, the troubles and riots all meant we were restricted to the compound for weeks. We gained first hand understanding of what it was like for families not to be able to get food, go to school or church as well as to live under threat. Thankfully we have a great God that we have faith in to protect us and we were able to support the children and team through this time.

Intakes

This year we were able to take in five children two girls, one we estimate to be around 5yrs, the other 4yrs. A boy approximately 5yrs and another boy rescued from the streets aged 16yrs. The ages have to be guessed in some cases because relatives cannot always remember the birthday of the children. So when they come to Goshen we investigate as well as possible with family, neighbours, schools etc. and actually choose a date as accurately as possible. Not all of the births are registered and we have to go through the official channels to obtain birth certificates. This gives the children a sense of identity, significance, belonging and acceptance. These children were enrolled in school, given necessary medical attention and counselling as they were absorbed into the Goshen Family.

Birth

It was an absolute delight to be there for the birth on 24[th] October 2023 of our beautiful girl, who was born to one of rescued street boys. To see him settled and become a father was indeed a great joy. We as Goshen Ministries were able to create a Care Plan for Mum throughout pregnancy and birth, purchasing the necessary items and paying and medical bills. We will continue to support this small family and they have a small structure built on our compound until they are able to be self-sufficient.

Self-sufficiency

During this year it was great to see the development of the Garden and the chicken business. We also have a beautiful goat and some ducks.

Impact

The impact of the work accomplished throughout this year was great as

people heard the Gospel of Christianity and some came to Christ while others were built up and encouraged.
groups of people, here and in Kenya received Biblical training and teaching.
children were rescued from the streets and their lives were saved.
the importance of family was maintain when some families were reunited with their children and other family connections were restored.
financial burdens were eased in many different situations by donations, payment of medical fees, transport, education fees or business start-ups.
children received education who would not otherwise be in school.
village schools were supported by the enrolment of more children and fee payment.
local village businesses were boosted by the purchasing of furniture etc. from the independent craftsmen rather than the big city wholesalers.
ladies received income and security by becoming house parents
villagers received income support as we buy supplies from the market etc.
the overall moral of the villages are being boosted by the programmes we run as we are raising children/young people to be better members of their own society and training them how to give back.
many people who have donated, contributed to the work have been so encouraged by the fact that together we can make a difference, it gives everyone a sense of significance and purpose.
Networking with other ministries and charities has promoted togetherness and unity.

Looking forward

We do now realise that our compound is full at Goshen Shalom so we decided to extend the lease on the house we rented for the December trip to take in more children that we have identified this year.
It is essential that we update our policies in Kenya e.g. child safety, visitation policy etc.
We would like to examine and perhaps expand our intake policy and redefine the categories of support we are able and willing to offer.
A major priority next year will be further training for the workers in Kenya concerning trauma and counselling.
To create support structure which provides relief and self-care tools to the team to protect their mental health and over all well-being.
To promote the work more to gather more support and partners.
To re-examine our UK vision and what how we move ahead.
A plan of preparation needs to be put together for myself and Patricia to move permanently to Kenya in 2024.
Aim to have more group and one to one sessions with the children.
We need to buy land and build so we are not spending money on rent for more than one year.

These are the members who served this year and also agreed to serve in 2023.

Committee member	Position(if applicable)
Joyce Kerr	Chairperson
Ruth Gage	Vice Chairperson
Patricia Wright	Treasurer
AmyAnderson	Secretary
Margaret Johnston

Financial Accounts Jan 2022-December 2022

Goshen Ministries receipts include payments via:

Cash Deposit

Card Payments via SumUp card machines

Cheques

PayPal

Monies received through the above methods are deposited directly into Goshen’s Business Bank Account with Santander.

Goshen Ministries outgoing payments are made by:

Direct Debit

Cheques

PayPal

Western Union

Monies sent through the above methods come from Goshen’s Business Bank Account with Santander.

Goshen Ministries hold no other Banking Accounts.

Accounting Policies

Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 permits a charity to prepare a receipts and payments account and a statement of assets and liabilities where gross income in the financial year does not exceed £250,000, therefore receipts and payments accounts has been prepared and presented for the year ended December 31st 2022.

Bank Interest is included in the Operating Cost category.

Western Union processing costs when amounts are sent to Kenya are included in Kenya Project category.

All income is recorded when received. All Expenditure is recorded when paid.

Cheques not cleared at bank at 31st December 2022

At 31st December 2022 there were no cheques or Direct Debit payments issued by the Charity which had not cleared at the bank.

Stock

At January 1[st] 2022 Goshen Ministries held a stock of miscellaneous items including books, clothes, and electronic devices in three Charity Shops.

As of December 31st 2022 Goshen Ministries held a stock of miscellaneous items including books, clothes, and electronic devices in two separate Charity Shops.

Independent examiner’s report to the charity

trustees of Goshen Ministries, NI.

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31[st ] December 2022, which are set out on pages 7 – 8 of the Annual Report.

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Commission under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act.

My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.

My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:

That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act
That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records
That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.

Name: Naomi M Todd

Relevant professional qualification or body: SEN Teaching Asst. (EA, Northern Ireland) Address: 38 Grove Road, Kells, Ballymena, BT42 3LR

Date: 29[th] Sept 2023