Charity no: 1153532 Annual Report and Accountsjustbeachild.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Annual...Charity no: 1153532 Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 7th February 2014

Charity no: 1153532

Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 7th February 2014

JBAC’s first playground construction in collaboration with the Dzunga

Community, Darad, Ukunda, Kenya

‘Just be a Child’; Charity no: 1153532 Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 7th February 2014

JBAC-‐Annual Accounts to 7th of February 2014 1

Content

Aims and Objectives 3

Trustees’ Report 7

Independent Examiner’s Report 10

Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet 12

Out playing and simply having fun Raising awareness of JBAC by surprising Saturday shoppers with Flash Mob

First trip to Mombasa Zoo

‘Just be a Child’; Charity no: 1153532 JBAC’s activities for the year ended 7th February 2014

JBAC-‐Annual Accounts to 7th of February 2014-‐Draft 2

Name of the Charity: Just be a Child

Registration number: 1153532

Date of registration: 24th August 2013

Bankers: Barclays Bank Plc

A/c number: 30472328

Sort code: 20-41-15

Principal address: 5 The Lindens

Stevenage

Herts

SG1 1ST

Governing instrument: Just be a Child was formed as a Private Company

Limited by Guarantee, on 7th February 2013 and is

governed by Articles of Association

Trustees: Lenka McAlinden (Chair)

Alex Lang (Treasurer)

Diane Bugeja

Yusuf Waikwa

All, but Alex Lang, held the position of a Trustee for the duration of the whole

year.

Life is sweet – at least sometimes. JBAC engaging with children on the beach.



Aim and Objectives Just be a Child (JBAC) formed after one of its founding members visited

Kenya in November 2012. The main reason for the formation of a brand new

charity was the recognition of the gap in the services, support and aid offered

by the existing NGOs and international charities. Children were educated to

various degrees, but the concept of childhood and personal development was

lacking.

The aim of JBAC thus became the

“enrichment and enhancement of childhood experiences”

The delivery vehicles such as working in partnerships with schools and local

communities were tested in the first year. At the end of the year an

assessment was made and future approaches were agreed upon.

The main objectives, as registered with the Charities Commission are:

(a) Advancing in life and helping children and young people by developing

their skills, capacities and capabilities;

(b) Advancing education; and

(c) Providing recreational and leisure time activity in the interests of social and

Aahh, this is what a sandwich is all about out!



general welfare for children and young people living in the area of benefit who

have need by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, poverty or

social and economic circumstances with a view to improving the conditions of

life of such persons.

Projects Delivered and Lessons Learnt JBAC selected Ukunda/Diani as the point of its focus. As with many heavily

touristy places, Ukunda looks a relatively rich and well-off community – for

Kenyan standards. However, this relative wealth masks the inner-village

poverty and the complexity of tribal relationships. Ukunda attracts

approximately 36 of the existing 42 tribes. While rich in cultural heritage tribal

disputes are not uncommon. Attitudes toward women, children, education,

family and marriage differ widely and children are often left to work out the

differences for themselves. Ukunda therefore offers a huge potential for some

deep impacts, but also presents difficulties associated with heterogeneous

communities.

The first year of JBAC’s operation was therefore a scoping study of the

available approaches and potential impacts. Great achievements and

important lessons were learnt:

1. Working with schools: on the surface working with schools seemed

to be the easiest option. We have selected a very small community led

school called Elect Junior with children ranging from 4 till 9 years old

and fluctuating between 9 and 16 in numbers. The classroom was

uninspiring and bare and the teacher was unqualified, overworked and

underpaid. We did:

a. Improved the classroom by plastering, painting and equipping

the classroom with posters, storage units, books and pens.

b. Organizing a 1-day trip to Mombasa Zoo with educational

support by the Zoo workers.

c. Organizing a trip to the local beach with light snacks.



Second school we have identified and entered into a partnership is Happy

Junior – a much larger school experiencing the same staff related difficulties.

We did:

a. Improved 3 classrooms by painting and decorating.

b. Organized a trip to a local Baboon Sanctuary.

c. Organized a trip to the beach.

We have learnt:

a. Working with schools proved extremely difficult due to the

mindset of the teacher. Along the way the focus shifts from

children’s needs to teacher’s needs.

b. The impact is relatively short-lived and minimal as there is no

follow up or deepening of the knowledge gained.

2. Working with communities: relatively early on we have realized that

our impact cannot be sustained in the long-term because it would rely

on a continuous support, which at that time we were unable to offer.

Secondly, our reach seemed very limited and selective. We have

therefore looked for an alternative ‘audience’ for our support.

The solution presented itself in the form of a community with well-

established leadership structure. The community was an existing

Community Based Organisation with regular meetings attended by

active members. The Dzunga Youth CBO also had the rights to use a

large piece of land, which would enable us to construct a playground.

Despite the initial reluctance by the community – as fears of theft of

metal was a real possibility – the community embraced the project. This

is what we did:

a. Commissioned the construction of metal slide, set of three

swings and a sew saw. As a result of this the workers were

commissioned by the County council to build 25 playgrounds

and thus created 12 job opportunities.



b. Invited the community to come and decide where to install the

equipment and paint. The volunteers turned up in huge numbers

(approximately 150) and the planned 4 days installation took 3.5

hours instead.

c. Celebrated the achievement by a pilau cooked by community

members. At the dinner the community was presented with the

ownership of the playground and task with the responsibility of

looking after it.

And this is what we’ve learnt:

a. Working with established CBO while not without its pitfalls has

the potential of reaching far larger number of children.

b. Involving the community in decision-making is very difficult for

them at first as this is the first time they were ever asked to help

‘muzungu’ or a white person to make a decision or to give

directions. However, entrusting the community with responsibility

and decision-making has great impact on the adults and

ultimately on the children. Their sense of responsibility is huge

and the ownership of something so expensive and beneficial to

their community is of an extreme importance and pride.

c. Our small act of trust led to strengthening of the community in a

way we could not have predicted. They self-organised

community clean up days, cooking for a neighbour days and

other collaborative activities.

Following our projects and subsequent lesson the JBAC’s Trustees decided

that the community-led approach is preferable to that of engaging with

schools. That said, we remain actively involved with the two schools.

‘Just be a Child’; Charity no: 1153532 Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 7th February 2014

JBAC-‐Annual Accounts to 7th of February 2014 7

1) Achievements and Performance:

A busy Year for all involved with Just Be A Child as fundraising has been

necessary to enable the Trustees to embark on a planned course of action,

which has resulted in a number of partnerships in the UK and Kenya. Projects

included playground construction and various trips and educational visits.

In the UK –Youth Competitions, a Flash Mob dance routine, storage and

collection of items to be sent to Ukunda, provision of transport.

In Kenya – the manufacture, delivery, assembly, installation and painting of

playground equipment, development of sports areas, all of which has brought

the Community together, instigated a sense of pride and ownership together

with a keen wish to manage and maintain the facilities provided.

2) Financial Review:

A policy of slow and sustained growth has been adopted by the Trustees with

a forward plan of development agreed over the coming years as we become

more established, gain more contacts, and achieve increased fundraising

income.

Who knew monkeys are not as bad as they might seem?

‘Just be a Child’; Charity no: 1153532 Treasurer’s report for the year ended 7th February 2014


Grant applications continue to be made, personal contacts are approached

and media campaigns all contributed to the financial successes this year.

3) Collaborations and Partnerships:

In the UK – links have been forged with other Charities who have similar

interests to ours – Red Rubber Ball Company, Rotary Clubs, Dance troupes

and Lion’s Clubs.

The Kenya High Commission in London is assisting with contacts and

providing letters of Introduction to Authorities in Kenya, the National Police Aid

Convoys, Veale Associates, The Wine Society, schools, and others.

In Kenya – the Rotary Clubs of Mombasa and Diani, Friends of Kianjai, the

Mustard Seed Project, Dzunga CBO, Malindi Educational Development

Foundation, Friends for Life and local Community leaders in Ukunda.

4) Reserves Policy:

The Trustees have agreed on sustained growth in terms of projects’ impact

and scale for the Charity. They further agreed that majority of the money is

raised in order to be spent on projects as soon as possible. There is minimal

amount of money in the reserve.

5) Volunteers:

I would like to thank all our Volunteers without whose help and inspiration our

projects would be next to impossible to implement.

In the UK – volunteer numbers are increasing, and the search for further

individuals and organisations that are able to offer specific skills, continues.

In Kenya – volunteering has slowly grown in importance and we are pleased

to be one of the first charities relying heavily on local assistance and

registered volunteers. We have approximately 25 individuals we can call upon

to provide help, advice and support.



6) Structure, Governance and Management: In the UK – The Charity has two Founders, Treasurer/Accountant, and a

Secretary. Together with the three Trustees, the Kenyan Diaspora network

acts as a major supporter. Meetings are held regularly where progress is

monitored and plans adjusted accordingly, and Skype conferencing is utilised

- together with other means of electronic communication.

Both Website and Social Media are regularly updated and provide an

information source – supplemented with Press Releases and features in

magazines.

In Kenya – local volunteers in Ukunda manage affairs in accordance with our

Charity guidelines and include teachers and Community leaders.

Visits to Kenya are made, and such opportunities are essential to schedule,

guide and oversee forthcoming works and activities, whilst reviewing progress

with initiatives undertaken.

7) Conclusion:

I am satisfied that the Charity has operated within its remit and the guidelines

of the Charity Commission.

Alex Lang,

Treasurer.

23rd May 2015.

This report on the accounts of Just be a Child for the period ended 7th

February 2014, which are set out on page 12, is in respect of an examination

carried out under Section 114 of the Charities Act 2011.

‘Just be a Child’; Charity no: 1153532 Independent Examiner’s report for the year ended 7th February 2014


Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. In

consideration of the Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 a full audit of

JBAC’s accounts and an independent examination is not needed at this time.

Nevertheless, for clarity, transparency and the need to be accurate I have

carried out an independent examination of the accounts.

It is my responsibility to:

• Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011;

• To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by

the Charities Act 2011 - section 145 (5) (b); and

• To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of the Independent Examiner’s Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions

given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the

accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts

presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual

items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from Trustees

concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the

evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is

After all day’s work, tasty pilau is in order.



given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report

is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiner’s Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention,

(i) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect,

the requirements:

• To keep accounting records in accordance with the Section 130 of the

Charities Act; and

• To prepare accounts, which accord with the accounting records and

comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have

been met; or

(ii) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a

proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Name: Arthur G Boon

Address: 35 Franklins Road STEVENAGE Hertforshire SG1 3BN

Date: 15th September 2015



Statement of financial activities For the year ended 7th February 2014

Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Total 2014 Incoming Resources £ £ £ £ Start up donation 5000 5000 Individual donations 5468 5468 Sale 623 623

Total Incoming Resources 11091 0 0 11091

Resources Expended Administrative costs 1 234 234 Travel cost 1 2866 2866 UK projects’ cost 2552 2552 Kenyan projects’ cost 4295 0 0 4295

Total Expended Resources 9946 9946

Net incoming/outgoing resources 1144 0 0 1144 Transfers between funds 0 0 0 0 Net movement in funds 1144 1144 Fund balances brought forward 0 0 0 0 Fund balances carried forward £ 1144 0 0 1144

Note 1: All management and administrative costs borne by the Trustees have been returned to the charity in the form of voluntary receipts, which generate a reclaim of tax under the Gift Aid Scheme

Balance Sheet

For the year ended 7th February 2014

Total 2014 £

Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 1144 Total Net assets £ 1144

Fund balances carried forward Unrestricted funds 1144 Total funds 1144

Documents

Charity no: 1153532 Annual Report and Accountsjustbeachild.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Annual...Charity no: 1153532 Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 7th February 2014