REPORT year ending March 2011
Mission
The mission of the Trust has been to make grants from the remaining endowment funds and to relieve poverty in Utange, Kenya through the operation of an orphanage in Utange and a feeding programme for AIDS orphans.
Activities
During the year, the activities carried out for the public benefit by the charity can be summarised in the following areas:
Grants to relieve poverty, to support Christian mission and evangelism, and for vocational training.
Humanitarian relief for some of the AIDS orphans in Utange, Kenya
Orphans project
During the year ending March 2011, the orphanage in Utange, Kenya, known as Casuarina House, the Sure Foundation Home for Orphans, has continued to be home to some 20 children who have been orphaned as a result of AIDS. The home has a strong Christian ethos and all the children attend the local school and church. The work with orphans in Utange has been extended to include a feeding programme for some 600 children.
During the year, we were able to secure the use of a further building on nearby land owned by the local Baptist church in Utange. This building was partially completed by another UK organisation but they were unable to finish the construction and bring it into use. As a result of a most generous donation to The Sure Foundation, an agreement with the UK organisation, and the cooperation of the Utange Baptist Church, we were able to take over the use of the building and complete the fitting out of the property. This has now become a base for the Feeding programme, “FEED500”, which has been established to help feed some 600 orphans in Utange. The building is also equipped as a base for visitors who volunteer to help with the orphans project.
Including Gift Aid, over £35,000 was raised in the year for the orphans project. Whilst this was less than raised in the previous year, the amount was still substantially in excess of the running costs of the project. All funds for the orphans project are channelled through “The Sure Foundation Home for Orphans Project”, a charity established in Kenya which includes local trustees.
Funds are transferred on a regular basis to a bank account in Utange which is specific to the orphans project and from which payments are made for staff salaries, feeding and clothing costs, and other outgoings of the orphanage. Building costs have been met by transfers as the work has progressed.
A small project management team of volunteers in the UK is led by Mrs Debbie Scott and meet regularly to plan and implement a fundraising strategy. The orphanage and feeding programme is staffed by locals in Utange and the on-going needs of the children are regularly monitored. Running costs are carefully monitored to ensure the best use of the funds provided by the charity.
During the year, visits were made to assess the continued welfare of the children. There were also opportunities for volunteers from the UK to assist with maintenance tasks etc. None of the funds received for the orphans project were used to fund the inspection visits, all monies received are allocated direct to the project.
Fundraising activities have focussed on a wide variety of events and the success or otherwise is carefully analysed to ensure the best use of resources. Efforts have been made, and will continue to be made, to secure a regular income stream towards funding the running costs of the orphans project.
A regular newsletter is issued to the charity’s supporters and we are enormously grateful to all those who have given both financially and of their time.
More details of the orphanage can be found on our web site, www.thesurefoundation.org.uk.
Other projects
A number of grants were also made during the year to individuals seeking to promote the Christian faith in the UK and overseas. A few grants were made for the relief of poverty and for vocational training.
Reserves Policy
We seek to maintain funds at least equivalent to 3 months running costs of the orphanage within the restricted fund together with an administration fund of £500 in the charity’s general funds.
Grant Making Policy
The charity commenced operation with a substantial endowment fund and subsequently received a second large gift. These endowed funds are almost exhausted and no further grants are being awarded in support of vocational training. Some small grants may be made in support of Christian mission.
Donations may be made to The Sure Foundation and tax can be recovered where Gift Aid arrangements apply.
Future Plans
We intend to continue with our work among the orphans and other poor in Utange where the link with the local Baptist church is important for understanding the local needs. Our commitment remains to fulfil all the main objects of the charity.
Annual Accounts 2011
Report Year Ended March 2010
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