SCOTLAND LANGUAGE ACTION TOWARD EDUCATION (SLATE S.L.A.T.ECharity)
Scottish Charity number SCO37862
Annual Report
For the Year ended November 2025
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SCOTLAND LANGUAGE ACTION TOWARD EDUCATION (SLATE
S.L.A.T.ECharity)
Scottish Charity number SCO37862
CURRENT TRUSTEES
Mr. Michael Kerins, Founder Chairman Mr Ian Ferguson, Head of Fundraising. Co-founder Mr Roderick Graham, Accountant, co-founder Mrs. Marion Kerins, Member, co-founder Mr. Terry Nelson, Member, co-founder Mrs. Christine Nelson, Member, co-founder Mr. Brian Grassie, Fundraiser Mr. Stephen Rice, Fundraiser and IT
CURRENT MEMBERS
Mr. Donald Nelson, Fundraiser Mr. Quentin Reynolds, Fundraiser
PARTNERS IN RUSSIA
Mrs Galina Evgenyevna Grigoryeva PSHPU Mrs Elena Alexeevna Aristova PNRPU Mr Nicholas Naumov Mr Alexander Kurochkin, Project Director 139 Mr. Sergei Budko, Project Manager 139. Mr. Stanislav Sklyarov, Project Director Love’s Bridge
PARTNERS IN KAZAKHSTAN
Aidana Zhumabay, Head of the "Translation Studies" "Applied Linguistics" Maqsut Narikbayev University, Astana Kazakhstan
Roza Zhussupova,
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Ass Professor L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana Kazakhstan
PARTNERS IN UZBEKISTAN
Utkir Yuldoshev - associate professor
Head of the Department of Pedagogy and Educational Management Kokand State Pedagogical Institute, Ko’Kand Uzbekistan
PARTNERS IN TURKEY
Kasim Şahin – Turkish Tourist Police
PARTNERS IN MOROCCO
Staff Position Vacant University of Marrakesh Morocco
CONTACT ADDRESS
S.L.A.T.ECharity 210 Cumbernauld Road, Chryston, Glasgow, G69 9NB.
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GOVERNING DOCUMENT
The Association is a charitable Trust, and the purposes and administration arrangements are set out in our constitution.
CHARITABLE PURPOSES
There are six purposes to S.L.A.T.ECharity.
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Michael recognised that although the young Russian students had wonderful English there was a complete and overwhelming absence of adequate sexual health information and formal structured sexual health was absent. On investigating Michael discovered that whilst the birds and bees were talked about, it was abstract and seen as not relevant. World Health Authorities figures were 10 live births for every 23 pregnancies – they were aborting more than they were keeping. Abortion is seen as a form of birth control. There was no understanding of the role of condoms in the reduction of diseases such as HIV and AIDs – nor was there any correlation between the use of condoms as a barrier to more traditional STDs such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, and warts.
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Advancement of social and linguistic education in English language to native Russian speakers. Now expanded to include other countries and nationalities, including but not exclusive to Uzbekistan, Turkey and Morocco. This involved a web based international translation competition where guest writers are invited to donate written texts that are then translated into contemporary Russian by Russian language students based in Russia. They must complete four texts, two are compulsory and two are free choice. The compulsory texts are to ensure a broad measure of uniformity within a wide topic range.
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The provision of material and education resources to street children. They are given lectures and discussions on safe sexual practice in English, and these are simultaneously translated into Russian. Money is also provided for the children to vote on one or two recreational activities, which gives them a degree of group social responsibility. Condoms are routinely provided throughout the year by post. Books and other materials are also posted out.
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Material support in the form of cash to School 139 is the area school for blind and partially sighted children situated in the city of Perm, Permskya Oblast, Russia. The staff and children also benefit from artistic input from
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visiting writers and storytellers where simultaneous translation is again used. Resulting artwork has been displayed both in Russia and Scotland where a multinational exhibition was held. (Currently Suspended due to SANCTIONS)
5. BIRTHDAY CARDS FOR ALL
Michael identified that many children do not get any birthday cards so he set out that from now on all cards sent to weetom shall now be from weetom and the school and other children involved.
(Currently Suspended due to SANCTIONS) However other schools in nonsanctioned countries have been identified as beneficiaries in Uzbekistan, Turkey and Morocco. These works are now well underway.
6 Zoom Activities and online opportunities – Ex Covid – which we continue post Covid and as these do NOT contravene sanctions these are well attended and well received. THERE HAS BEEN AN EXPANSION OF THESE WITH Michael Kerins as guest lecturer for the Translation Club – next sessions booked for Wednesday 10/12/2025 and Michael is scheduled to present online to Freshmen at PSHPU, anticipated Jan 2026 These are NO COST activities.
ACTIVITIES
Artwork from School 139 converted raised awareness – (Currently Suspended due to SANCTIONS)
KILTWALK completed with funds and awareness raised. 2026 KILTWALK booked
Small Scottish gifts, trinkets, books, condoms etc posted to Elena Aristova, Eugene Zvyagintsev, Stanislav Sklyarov, Alexander Kurochkin, Daniil Popov, Lev Kazakov and others.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Successful recognition by OSCR of the aims and purposes of S.L.A.T.ECharity and acceptance of our year-end returns.
There has been a marked decline in the number of girls seeking and requiring abortions due to the continued successful implementation of a short program “Why Girls should get boys to wear condoms”.
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There has been a paradigm shift in the attitude to sexual health education where this is no longer seen as naughty, rude or vulgar by the Russian educators and some university teachers and indeed all agree that this program can proceed. S.L.A.T.ECharity’s work has been marked by the Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Tatyana Germanovna Loginova, as being the most worthwhile link, her students can have with the outside world.
Moreover, Dean Loginova remains extremely enthusiastic that we continue all aspects of our work, most importantly our core messages on sexual health for her young students.
Elena Alexeevna Aristova teacher of English at Perm National Research Polytechnic University supports our work and is grateful for S.L.A.T.ECharity’s provision of new fiction written in contemporary English. Elena Alexeevna Aristova has also stated that KerinsNaumov gives her technical student their only academic outlet to new prose and fiction written in English.
S.L.A.T.ECharity has continued and grown the suggestion for the compulsory text to be a health promotion message and this idea continues from the original suggestion which came from overall prize winner Daniil Popov, 2008 winner. Daniil Popov has agreed to continue to host a welcome to Perm dinner when we are next allowed to visit.
The number of students entering S.L.A.T.ECharity’s unique KerinsNaumov International Translation Competition is no longer limited as the number of judges remains at 8.
Perm National Research Polytechnic University have greatly increased their number of students included in the translation competitions. Including students studying in different faculties.
Administrative work continues to be carried out by Galina Evgenyevna Grigoryeva PSHPU and Elena Alexeevna Aristova PNRPU and they are assisted by up to eight student judges.
The creative writing programme in English has been expanded. Many students and former students participated in the 2024 Scottish International Storytelling Festival – See
http://beyondwords2019.slatecharity.com/russia/ http://beyondwords2019.slatecharity.com/russia/sergei-budko/ http://beyondwords2019.slatecharity.com/russia/elena-aristova/
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and forty-seven (47) different entries via Stanislav Sklyarov in three languages Russian, English and German
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- http://beyondwords2019.slatecharity.com/russia/stanislav sklyarov perm/
KERINAUMOV INTERNATIONAL TRANSLATION COMPETITION
Now renamed KN INTERNATIONAL TRANSLATION COMPETITION Prizegiving was held virtually via Zoom.
The awards presentation was made simultaneously by Michael Kerins in Glasgow, elsewhere in Scotland, England and teams across Russia, including Moscow, The USA and France
NO Cash prizes were awarded (Currently Suspended due to SANCTIONS)
Due to “Special Military Operation” involving Ukraine, and subsequent restrictions on travel it was impossible for S.L.A.T.ECharity to visit Russia Love’s Bridge in person. A much larger programme of online events was set up utilising Scottish storytellers and these proved very successful.
Live online Zoom events were introduced via The Even Better Crack Club – Storytelling for All scheduled meetings. These gave the opportunity to connect Scottish children with their Russian counterparts.
They met on several occasions to exchange their thoughts on a wide range of topics, including Pets, Dreams, Hobbies, Travel and Ambitions. Quentin Reynolds and Brian Grassie both shared excellent PowerPoint presentations.
The children also entertained each other with songs, music and poetry. Several Scottish / UK children made videos, the text of which was translated into Russian and overlayed on the videos. Sergei Budko did an excellent job.
Michael Kerins with a varied team of contributors Marion Kerins, Anne Pitcher, Quentin Reynolds, Brian Grassie, Scotland,
Christiane McKenna (NY USA ) Rebecca Lane (Penn USA) Rona Barbour (Manchester), also interpreters gave volunteer lessons to the English departments for the Interpreters Club at Perm National Research Polytechnic University. This was coordinated via Elena Alexeevna Aristova teacher of English at Perm National Research Polytechnic University.
There were NO in person library visits. - (Currently Suspended due to SANCTIONS)
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Dostoyevsky Library Moscow – have re-stated an interest on a visit as soon as travel restrictions allow. (Currently Suspended due to SANCTIONS)
Included in the list of interesting professionals who donated text to the KerinsNaumov International Translation Competition were Journalists – Social Commentators, Students and Folklorists.
We now have agreement form OSCR that we can widen the pool of beneficiaries to include other countries – and indeed students from Uzbekistan, Morocco and Turkey have been or will all be invited to participate in the both the Kerins Naumov International Translation Competition and also Birthday Cards for All Project.
KerinsNaumov International Translation Competition now re-branded as KNITC – Knowledge Now International Translation Competition
BIRTHDAY CARDS FOR ALL – PROJECT
Some years ago, during his visit to Love’s Bridge it transpired that it was a particular child’s birthday and Michael was shocked to discover that the boy had never had a birthday card. Thus, Michael resolved to set up the BIRTHDAY CARDS FOR ALL. This will be expanded to include schools in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Morocco
Due to the current restrictions and NO Russian schools have participated in this past year – However other schools will participate and over 300 birthday cards have been provided for schools in Uzbekistan.
These can be posted out and or delivered in person as they do not contravene Sanctions.
It is envisaged that the project will continue in 2025 / 2026 and beyond as the situation eases. And the pool of beneficiaries widens to include other countries – such as Uzbekistan, Turkey and Morocco.
It has been a really worthwhile exercise.
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FURTHER ACTIVITIES
A larger pool of schools, universities and colleges will participate in events online and in person.
A selection of feedback from volunteers
Anatolii Gorovenko
My name is Anatolii Gorovenko, I am currently working as a marketing manager for an IT-company in Perm, Russia. In September 2018 I volunteered to work with Michael Kerins during his annual visit to Russia as a part of S.L.A.T.ECharity program.
At that time, I was a student at PSHPU, studying English and Pedagogics. Being a volunteer for S.L.A.T.ECharity has given me an opportunity to experience two of the most important things a student of the faculty of foreign languages can get. Being able to practice with a native English speaker is a blessing on its own, but this is taken to a whole new level when I am also given the power to make Russia a more welcoming place for people who need it the most.
For example, as a volunteer I visited Love’s Bridge, an organization in Perm that supports children from problematic families and is focused on giving proper education and care to every child in need. Being there, translating for Michael and interacting with the staff and children has helped me understand the importance of social work and changed my perspective on education. I also firmly believe that for the people at Love’s Bridge every Michael’s visit is a heart-warming event that gives them a new hope (along with some clothes!).
There also were visits to Perm School for Blind and Visually Impaired Children along with several regular schools, which is a real-life changer for some of the kids there. To this day I have not figured out the exact way Michael’s magic works, but his words seem to resonate with every listener and empower them to grow and achieve things in life. This is especially meaningful to the children who are in tough life situations.
While working with Michael I also made my very first trip to Moscow and Kolomna, where I performed as Michael’s interpreter at several storytelling events, promoting S.L.A.T.ECharity. It helps immensely, as these events get a lot of visitors, who also contribute to the charity by either buying books, donating clothes or even spreading the word.
Michael is a unique and bright person, and he is an example to follow for many people. Charity is all about sharing what you have and giving what you can, charity is caring about those who are often left unnoticed by the society. Michael and S.L.A.T.ECharity make this world a much better place by spreading love, giving hope and providing clothes and other forms of support. But there is one
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more thing that S.L.A.T.ECharity does, it is changing the minds of people and teaching them why charity matters
Anatolii Gorovenko Red Diploma PSHPU Perm Russia
Roman Konstantinovich Chalov
Hello, my name is Roman, and I’ve already participated in SLATE Love’s Bridge event a few times as a listener and as an interpreter. What do I feel about it? Well, first of all, it’s breathtaking. I’m very glad that there are such people like Michael who organize these meetings. It’s very useful practice of my English knowledge, but it’s not only about the languages. Thing is that I became a part of the society, a part of the people who also came. I’ve been feeling warm, cosines; I feel like I belong there. At the event of SLATE I always meet interesting people and talk to them in a foreign language, thus I become to understand a different culture and different people. I also like Michael Kerins’ stories for they reflect our lives and bring a lot of experience. And the last thing I want to mention is Zoom. I find it convenient to use this program, but of course no one is protected from voice lags and poor connection, so sometimes it was hard to listen to the speaker or to interpret.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed being a part of the international “family” and I also liked listening about lives and hobbies of different people. All this develops not only your language skills, but also your character and your personality.
Roman Konstantinovich Chalov
Yaroslav Mikryukov
My name is Yaroslav Mikryukov (Ярослав Микрюков) I am second year course student at Perm National Research Polytechnic University – My field of studies include Linguistics and Translation and I hope to work as an interpreter in the future.
S.L.A.T.ECharity is a Scottish based charity set up by Michael Kerins and offers us students some good opportunities and projects. During real times we met in person at visits to my university. During Covid times we met online and once I chaired the Interpreters Club. It was very good indeed.
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“In my opinion, S.L.A.T.ECharity projects are important primarily for students. While participating in such activities, I noticed some advantages - I really improved my communication and understanding skills (listening). I took part several times in the Interpreter's Club and other projects
where S.L.A.T.ECharity’s founder and CEO Michael Kerins was present. It is always interesting for me. I have met new acquaintances and creative people there.”
Yaroslav Mikryukov
Vladimir Fofanov
To whom it may concern,
My name is Vladimir Fofanov. I am a translator of Russian and English living in Perm, Russia. I have been a volunteer for S.L.A.T.ECharity for almost a decade translating correspondence, interpreting during live performances and on social occasions, purchasing tickets, organising meetings, transfers, and performing other various tasks.
Throughout my years as a S.L.A.T.ECharity volunteer I gained invaluable experience as translator and interpreter, communicator and organiser. Through S.L.A.T.ECharity I learnt about the unfortunate circumstances in which children from underprivileged families live in Perm - an issue that I had never encountered before. That changed my attitude towards charities and gave me an insight into how indispensable their work is for so many people in need. Working for S.L.A.T.ECharity I met a great number of kind and interesting people both from home and abroad. This expanded my world view and played a big role in my professional and personal development.
I am grateful to S.L.A.T.ECharity for giving me the opportunity and experience, and indeed helping those people who need it the most - children from poor families in Love’s Bridge, blind children of School 139, and last but not least, students in so many educational institutions in my hometown of Perm. Sincerely yours,
Vladimir Fofanov Graduate PSHPU
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Alexander Kurochkin
My Experience with S.L.A.T.ECharity by Alexander Kurochkin
My name is Alexander Konstantinovich Kurochkin, and I come from Krasnokamsk, a small town in the Perm Region, Russia. I first met Michael Kerins, the founder of S.L.A.T.ECharity , after the Dean Tatyana Germanovna Loginova at PSHPU recommended me as a volunteer. I worked first for Brian Grassie, that was about six years ago.
During one of these trips to Russia I became a regular volunteer and interpreter for the organisation. These actual trips have been of regular nature till the recent situation with COVID-19 when I helped organise (via Zoom) several other virtual programmes .
As I’ve been volunteering for S.L.A.T.ECharity , I’ve got accustomed with its projects, ongoing as well as already finished. Most of the projects are concerned with promoting a proper use and teaching methods of English in the educational establishments in such Russian cities as Moscow, Perm, Barda, Krasnovishersk and my own hometown of Krasnokamsk. Michael Kerins, and indeed all the other visitors, have a robust plan drawn up to ensure maximum face to face visits to schools, libraries and universities in these cities. I have personally heard him, and others tell stories to the students in all of these cities.
S.L.A.T.ECharity established a translation competition called KerinsNaumov at the beginning of the 2000s in partnership with Perm State HumanitarianPedagogical University and its student Nicholas Naumov. Every year contributors from all over the world provide texts for the competition, and students from Perm State Humanitarian Pedagogical University and Perm National Research Polytechnic University are challenged to translate them and, as a result, polish their English skills. Due to the recent situation with COVID-19, S.L.A.T.E’s visit to Perm in 2020 was cancelled, and the competition was held online in Zoom. Nevertheless, the participation was even bigger that year.
An equal emphasis is put on supporting Perm’s local orphanage, Love’s Bridge, which is a long-standing friend of S.L.A.T.ECharity represented by Svetlana Mikhailovna Kozlova as well as its numerous teachers. S.L.A.T.E’s support exists in the form of annual visits to the establishment that include telling stories to the students by Michael Kerins and other visiting participants. S.L.A.T.ECharity also distributes money to support the orphanage and spreading sexual health awareness through giving away booklets and condoms. In 2020, due to the aforementioned COVID-19 situation, another approach was taken to support Love’s Bridge, namely holding monthly Zoom meetings on different topics. These online meetings were visited by children from Love’s Bridge and their oversees counterparts from Scottish schools. The topics included having pets,
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hobbies and experience in learning English. As the senior volunteer I oversaw the administration of this excellent series of work.
Another long-standing friend of S.L.A.T.ECharity is School for Visually Impaired Children also located in Perm. The link to the school and its art class was established through one of the interpreters volunteering for S.L.A.T.ECharity and the partnership has been going for over ten years. The projects with the school included exchanging works of art between Russian and Scottish pupils. Some of these works were presented in one of Edinburgh important galleries , as well as sent to S.L.A.T.ECharity’s supporters in the UK, Europe and America as a gratitude for their help. Annual visits to the school include talking to children, telling stories to them and distributing money donations.
To conclude this little essay, I would like to underline my personal experience with S.L.A.T.ECharity Being a student at the Faculty of Foreign Languages in Perm State Humanitarian-Pedagogical University in 2015, I could never imagine that such an organisation exists. S.L.A.T.ECharity provided help for so many people I personally know that would be grateful to it forever. It helped me to understand this wide world better and more consciously, and I would never forget this priceless help.
Alexander Konstantinovich Kurochkin
Red Diploma Graduate PSHPU
BIRTHDAY CARDS FOR ALL – PROJECT
Fundraiser – Art Project – International Friendship.
The money raised will be given to S.L.A.T.ECharity to be used to support the Birthday Cards for All - Project.
Card Makeup.
Cards should be addressed
To:
The recipient should be left blank.
The card should also mention some INTERESTING details of the school, Scotland and/or the card maker’s life, studies or hobbies.
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The birthday card should be one sheet of A4 card and should display the FIRST name of the sender {NO CHILD should be identifiable) and, of course, from weetom , whose name should be written in his preferred style, in red, round one third smaller font size and as one word.
On the back each card should have Scottish Storytelling Festival Logo, School Badge/Logo, Big Pants Ltd Logo and S.L.A.T.ECharity logo.
It is hoped a display will be made in either the local library and/or a local point of interest such as a supermarket or health centre so that our children and their relatives may see their work before they are dispatched abroad.
All bundles of cards will be acknowledged by post in the form of a thank you card from the beneficiaries – where ever they may be situated.
Samples will be discussed when we meet the new class teachers.
Michael Kerins, S.L.A.T.ECharity
TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
The trustees did not receive any remuneration or expenses during the year.
RESERVES
As a result of the deficit of £2,638 for the year ended, the Trust held a reserve of £2,914 of unrestricted funds at the year-end .
The Trust’s has now lifted the suspension on all its range of sources of income throughout the year.
NO COMEDY Storytelling OR other events WERE HELD IN favour of S.L.A.T.ECharity. Future events will occur in 2026
Previous Fundraisers:
Michael Kerins Stephen Rice completed The KILTWALK and raised funds and awareness for S.L.A.T.ECharity – these will continue
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FUTURE PLANS
The 2026 KNITC ( Knowledge Now International Translation Competition) is well underway. We had a first-time contribution from Jackie Carothers Edinburgh and a semi-regular contribution from Anne C Nickel of Texas USA. It is hoped that we will receive regular contributors from Andy Mitchell, Environmental Scientist, Donald Smith, Director of the Scottish Storytelling Festival, Jean Callender, Alan Crozier and not forgetting Rebecca Jan Lane who has contributed to every competition since it began.
After the Special Military Operation in The Ukraine is over,
Michael Kerins hopes to repeat comedy fundraisers at The Fire Station Dunfermline, KSC Moodiesburn, Big Owens Airdrie, Bute Concert Party Rothesay and others as yet to be agreed. Performers will include Joshua Bryant, Rhona McKenzie - Lang, Ian Ferguson, Roddy Graham, Anne Pitcher, Brian Grassie, Donald Nelson, Quentin Reynolds and Michael Kerins.
We continue to seek new voices and expression for our students Stephen Rice will once again submit another text on personal data safety and how to avoid scammers.
2025 did not see any 25[th] visits by Michael, due to unprecedented health problems of his wife and close family, this was blipped only by the Corona 19 and the Special Military Operation (The Ukraine) crisis.
The Iris Award
We have had two KN International Translation Competition special prizes known as The Iris Award. It is in recognition of the death of Molly Iris Lane Coker. Molly (aged 13) was the eldest child of Rebecca Lane; Rebecca has submitted a text for translation every year since the contest started.
A painting of an Iris has been commissioned via watercolourist Anne Pitcher and an award will be made each year based on the new writing of Molly’s mother Rebecca Lane of Pennsylvania USA.
Nicholas Naumov has NOT pledged ANY money in prizes to be shared among winners of The KerinsNaumov International Translation Prize. Currently Suspended due to SANCTIONS
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We ARE CONTINUING the complete upgrade and maintenance of acclaimed website, www.slatecharity.com
This will be under a new platform – WIX.COM Stephen Rice is committed to this upgrade and maintenance. Proposals for this and a migration away from WIX will take place as and when successful new data merits the upgrade
Fundraising events
Michael Kerins has re-opened plans to visit Rotary, Primary Schools and other agencies to raise money and awareness for the S.L.A.T.ECharity and source other partners to join the future trips?
It is hope that a KILTWALK this coming season will input extra funds for the new expanded plans of S.L.A.T.EChairty to include Uzbekistan, Turkey and Morocco.
Dr Veronica McBurnie, Stirlingshire, Donna Bowyer Storyteller, Dr Kate Pickering and others as yet to be identified Currently under review for reintroduction of fundraising and partnership with Uzbekistan, Turkey and Morocco.
APPROVED BY THE TRUSTEES AND SIGNED ON THEIR BEHALF
Michael Kerins, Chairman 5th December 2025
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1) Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31st March 2025
| Receipts Donations Fundraising - Kiltwalk Bank interest received Other receipts Total Receipts Payments Postage Stationery Travel Props Award prints Picture framing IT consumables Bank fees Gifts Other Fundraising fees - kitwalk Total Payments Profit/Deficit for the year |
2025 1,028 69 1,097 169 2,483 60 240 19 733 30 3,734 2,638 - |
2024 165 - - - 165 846 - - 41 - - 95 3 - 13 - 997 832 - |
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2) Statement of Balances at 31st March 202 5
| Bank and cash in hand Abbey Business Abbey Reserve Cash movements by Mr Kerins Balance BF Profit/Deficit for the year Closing Balance Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf Michael Kerins, Chairperson 28-Dec-25 |
2025 196 4,462 1,743 - 2,914 5,552 2,638 - 2,914 |
2024 372 6,891 1,711 - 5,552 6,384 832 - 5,552 |
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