Charity Registration No. 1122809
Company Registration No. 05717237 (England and Wales)
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
R G Whaite, Chairman
R Brocken
D Tonge
E Tonge
L Bell
J Griffiths
Charity number
1122809
Company number
05717237
Registered office
Seltirk Station Road
Gilwern
Abergavenny
Wales
NP7 0BY
Independent examiner
Rickard Luckin Limited
1st Floor
County House
100 New London Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0RG
Bankers
NatWest Bank Plc - Lewes
11 High Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2ZX
Barclays Bank plc
Burgess Hill
Lewes Area Branches 1
Lewes
East Sussex
RH15 9BD
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 7
Independent examiner's report
9
Statement of financial activities
10
Balance sheet
11
Notes to the financial statements
12 - 19
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 1 -

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2024.

Objectives and activities

Pearl of Africa Child Care Ltd (PoACC) is a registered charity whose purpose is to improve access to education, health and welfare for children suffering through disease, war and poverty in Uganda. 

 

We work towards this purpose by supporting our beneficiaries the Molly and Paul Child Care Foundation (MPCCF, or Molly and Paul Foundation), a registered Ugandan non-governmental organisation (NGO) and charity (registered number (Uganda) S.5914/481 NGO), with whom we have a close working relationship. This relationship is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding. With origins over 40 years old, today MPCCFs team runs 4 schools, a kindergarten, 11 childrens homes, and a clinic in Masaka, Southern Uganda. They provide education, food, accommodation, and basic healthcare for approx. 1,200 children, many of whom are marginalised and living below the International Poverty Line.  

Working together, our main areas of activity are:

It is confirmed that, in carrying out the charitys activities, the Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit. 

 

We continue to rely on the generosity of volunteers across the country who give their time, money and enthusiasm to the work of the Charity. Many of our volunteers have shown extraordinary commitment and we are indebted to them all. 

 

 

PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 2 -

Safeguarding

The Trustees of Pearl of Africa Child Care (PoACC) recognise the importance of its work with children, young people and adults in need of protection and its responsibility to protect everyone entrusted to our care.

 

PoACC is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people, adult choir members, accompanying adults and vulnerable adults and ensuring their well-being and we respect the rights of children as described in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.  

 

We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect of children and young people (those under 18 years of age) and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect. Beyond the statutory categories of children and vulnerable adults, PoACC also recognises the potential vulnerability of the adult Ugandans we work with, both here in the UK and in Uganda.

PoACC has long had a designated Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Safeguarding Officer and has adopted the procedures set out in the PoACC Safeguarding Policy in accordance with statutory guidance and the ten safeguarding standards developed by Thirtyone Eight (formally known as CCPAS) – an independent Christian charity of which PoACC is a member. This policy is subject to regular review by the Officers and Board, with recent attention being particularly directed to the growing problems of exploitation through the internet and social media.

PoACC strives to ensure no child or adult will be disadvantaged should they make a disclosure or allegation of abuse and aims to empower choir members and accompanying adults to tell us if they are suffering harm, whether here in the UK or in Uganda.

During MPCCF’s fund-raising choir tours in the UK, all relevant host families are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks, and in accordance with best practice we have a policy of renewing DBS checks every 3 years.

PoACC has worked closely with MPCCF’s Board to draft and implement a Child Protection Policy for use in the Foundation and all of the units. This has included ongoing training for all members of staff within MPCCF.

We are proud to support an organisation that is one of very few NGOs in Uganda with both a Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Officer. (At the time of writing, the post of C.P.O. is temporarily vacant.) We have shared the Ugandan Child Protection Policy with other interested charities and NGOs, to help protect other vulnerable children.

Achievements and performance

In Spring 2023, PoACC trustees were delighted to host in the UK Annet Kaigwa, Managing Director of Molly and Paul Foundation. Annet visited key areas the Children’s Choir Tour would typically visit, and new areas, to share an update on the last three years in Uganda. During the visit Annet supported regional coordinators in their planning for the Choir Tour in Autumn 2023. Annet met with venues, teachers, volunteers and host families to thank them for their unwavering support during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result of this visit, we were delighted to also find new coordinators for the Midlands leg of the choir tour and confirm a tour in the Isle of Wight for the first time.

Following Annet’s visit a choir tour for Autumn 2023 was confirmed. To ensure the tour was financially viable, trustees of PoACC and MPCCF decided the number of choir members travelling would reduce from 20 to 12. From September 2023 – November 2023 we were delighted to host a 10-week tour starting in Morpeth, Northumberland and ending in Truro, Cornwall. The choir performed in over 60 venues delighting crowds and supporters who had missed seeing them over the three-year break period. The tour was a huge success with sold-out concerts, sold-out crafts and many new supporters committing to support via a regular standing order.

 

The trustees are grateful to the volunteer regional coordinators and the hundreds of volunteers across the country who made the tour possible. 

PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 3 -

Although the tour was a success, during this reporting period PoACC has continued to send reduced transfers to MPCCF. This measure was taken reluctantly in 2020 in consultation with MPCCF following the cancellation of the tour because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although we continue to monitor available funds and cash flow, these measures allowed PoACC to continue with bi-monthly payments to MPCCF throughout 2023-2024. Although funding from PoACC has scaled back by 1/3, PoACC continue to be the main funders of MPCCF contributing towards 80% of their annual income.

This continued funding was made possible by the regular receipts from our base of loyal supporters who have committed to donate by way of standing orders; they “kept the show on the road” and we are immensely grateful to them all. We also continue to monitor cash flow and will increase transfers back to previous levels as soon as we are in a position to do so.

In 2023 we continued to fund the audit of MPCCF accounts by reputable auditors in Uganda with expertise in the field of NGOs. Alongside other volunteer organisations, charities and individuals, we continue to provide professional support and advice to MPCCF, especially in the fields of, management and accounting, and safeguarding.

Through our close working relationship, we are confident that MPCCF deliver the financial accountability and transparency to a level that eludes similar organizations in many countries, and supported by a volunteer in the UK we continue to monitor the Foundation’s accounts on a monthly basis to check they appropriately apply the funds entrusted to them, working through any queries raised by the auditors or ourselves.

In July 2023 we were delighted that a Trustee was able to visit the MPCCF in Uganda. During the visit, the Trustee met with Directors from the Molly and Paul Child Care Foundation to discuss the challenges they were facing. The main challenges included:

Following the recommendation in April 2022, that MPCCF cease operations at the Farm School, this has remained closed. With fewer students returning post-pandemic, the unit cost per head far exceeded that of other schools. O-Level opportunities continue to be incorporated into classes into Nazarene High School and during the Trustee’s visit, it was observed that a small number of volunteers from within the MPCCF school community continue to use facilities at the Farm School to support feeding initiatives within the homes but that the school remained closed as a teaching facility.

 

The Kamuzinda Clinic has continued to offer invaluable services to the Molly and Paul Foundation school children and staff. In addition, it is the only clinic offering services to the local population within a 7-mile radius (8 villages) and its licence has been renewed as a ‘level 3’ clinic overseen by a Clinical Officer, who visits weekly.

Abubakar, the senior lab technician who runs the Clinic, continues to complete training (funded by a UK volunteer) to become a Clinical Officer, thereby reducing the need to employ a visiting C.O.

 

The Clinic continues to health-screen all MPCCF school children. Treatment at the Clinic has remained free to all MPCCF staff and students. Local community members who use the clinic contribute a little towards their treatment costs but also live in extreme poverty, making it difficult for the Clinic to recoup costs.

PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 4 -

Most admissions are of those with malaria during the two rainy seasons. Staff have had to resort to using both first and second lines of treatment compared to only using first line treatment in the past. The provision of mosquito nets to the MPCCF homes always fluctuates and one of this Charity’s main priorities is to improve the provision of protection against malaria.

 

30% of the Clinic’s budget goes on drugs, yet supply of drugs is precarious because of funding pressures and significant increases in costs. When adequate funding has ensured a good supply of drugs, the Clinic has been busy, diagnosing and treating malaria and other conditions, offering in-patient treatment and referrals when necessary to Masaka Hospital. Approximately two-thirds of the Clinic’s costs are met by contributions from the UK; PoACC is seeking to reduce the shortfall.

Another highlight during 2023 was the ongoing support from partner school Richard Lander (Truro). Pupils and staff at Richard Lander have continued to support the Molly and Paul schools in Uganda, particularly with Nazarene Vocational High School. Fundraising at Richard Lander School continues to support an agriculture project (for building timber and firewood), the day-to-day running of Nazarene Vocational High School and specific projects. During the visit in July 2023, students focused on improving living and learning conditions for Ugandan students, repairing and maintaining buildings and sanitation, and providing learning resources.

Pearl of Africa Child Care would like to thank the trustee and all the volunteers who visited MPCCF at their own expense in 2023-2024, and staff within the Molly and Paul Foundation for their time, commitment, openness, and hospitality during the trustee visit.

Financial review

Of outside sources or bodies, PoACC continues to make the biggest contribution towards MPCCF operations.

As has been previously reported, the cost of MPCCF’s operations exceeds the funds available to it and so, with advisory input from us and others, MPCCF continues to review the scale and nature of its operations. MPCCF are currently undertaking a strategic review of the Foundation with a report expected in late 2024. While MPCCF aspires to be self-sustainable and continues to move towards this objective, developing schemes that generate more income locally, the pandemic and subsequent economic conditions and climate crisis faced by communities in sub-Saharan Africa continue to provide a very challenging operating environment.

 

Thanks to the success of the 2023 Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir Tour, our incoming resources for this financial year tripled to £171,806, compared with £55,240 the previous year (when because of the pandemic no fund-raising tour had been possible).

 

Planning for the Autumn 2024 Pearl of Africa Choir Tour began in earnest in January 2024, with many venues and host families requesting and volunteering to be involved again following performances and visits from the choir in 2023.

 

Unfortunately in September 2024 we learnt that the UK Home Office had denied visas for the teachers due to accompany the choir, and as a result all the children also had visas declined. The refusal came as a complete shock to everyone involved: MPCCF has been applying for choir tour visas for 15 years, always successfully. This news has been devastating for PoACC, MPCCF and the UK volunteers and children who have spent the last 12 months preparing for this tour. Despite appeals to various agencies, it looked impossible to reverse this decision in time for the tour to begin and, in consultation with MPCCF, we made the difficult decision to cancel the tour and recoup as much money as possible. We recognise that dependency on fundraising tours needs to be reduced by attracting funding from a greater variety of sources, and we continue to seek new initiatives that will support us in this endeavour.

The net funds raised are allocated in proportion to the MPCCF’s budget for the relevant calendar year and we make transfers by instalments, normally on a bi-monthly basis.

PoACC governance costs and expenses are kept to a minimum. Apart from the cost of running the tour (when a tour is possible), insurance, and bank charges for the transfers to Uganda, all our income is transferred to benefit the children we support. Some funding we send is restricted for particular purposes, such as specific projects for food or building work as per donor requests.

PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 5 -

Reserves

As at the year end the Charity held reserves (being free reserves) of £88,818 (2023 - £41,164).  

 

The Charity’s finances are, perhaps, atypical in that, as noted elsewhere in this report,  (i) there are no fixed overheads (payroll, rent, etc.), and (ii) as well as regular monthly income from a body of loyal donors, there is normally a significant boost to income once a year in the shape of the choir tour.  

Accordingly, because there are no fixed overheads to provide for, there is no attempt to keep reserves at a fixed level of, for instance, 12 months of expenditure (in order to provide for continuity in case of a sudden drop of income), but rather the Charity’s funds are managed so as to spread outgoing cashflow (i.e. funds transferred to Uganda) evenly across the year, working (in normal years) from one peak to the next, that is from one annual choir tour to the next.  And if no choir tour is possible, for example, because of the pandemic, then our financial support to our beneficiaries has to be reduced correspondingly. 

 

Ordinarily then our reserves would be kept at a level that allows us both to spread our budgeted funding over the financial year and, monitoring our beneficiaries’ needs, to meet occasional emergencies should they arise. The loss of income caused by the pandemic represents a prolonged emergency and, accordingly, we have been forced to draw on those reserves. Our budgets are discussed in advance with MPCCF and they are aware of our current financial situation.

In summary, therefore, PoACC does not generally incur liabilities (such as rent or salaries) and uses, directly or indirectly, virtually all its funds for its beneficiaries in Uganda. The level of unrestricted (designated) reserves is kept to a minimum consistent with a fairly even distribution throughout the year.

Risk management

The Trustees have regularly reviewed the risks to which the charity is exposed and focusing on the Charity Commission’s Risk Assessment Cycle, have implemented a risk management strategy that comprises:

 

Certain risks are inevitable because of the nature of the activities we engage in and their location in Uganda. We actively manage these risks.

Some risks relate to the size and structure of the beneficiary organisation and its need to become more self-sufficient. To help manage the available resources, and to mitigate such risks, the Boards of both PoACC and MPCCF have agreed in principle to appoint a Chief Operating Officer to MPCCF to strengthen its management and help oversee development. As and when the funds become available for this role we will move forward, in the interim we will continue working along the current Managing Director, Annet Kaigwa.

 

We have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MPCCF. This governs our working relationship, and provides for accounting, reporting, and other essential matters. The MoU codified and built on the ‘TAP’ principles that have applied since the start of the relationship: that is, the principles of Transparency, Accountability, and Participation (i.e. active participation by all parts of MPCCF, not just senior management). Pursuant to the MoU, the Charity's relationship with MPCCF is itself subject to regular review.

With the ease on travel restrictions Trustees will aim to visit the Ugandan Foundation we support at least every 2 years for the purpose of assessing and monitoring their activities; between these visits, Trustees of PoACC are in frequent contact with MPCCF by email or phone (including media such as WhatsApp) to obtain additional information and explanation as required, supplementing the regular reports.

PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 6 -
Plans for future periods

The Charity intends to continue to assist MPCCF, both financially and in non-financial ways, and support it towards its goal of self-sufficiency.  In the nearer term, the aim is to alleviate the additional problems caused by the Covid pandemic, whose consequences are still being felt acutely in Uganda.  Accordingly early in 2024, Trustees reviewed the fund-raising tour of autumn 2023 and began planning for the choir tour of autumn 2024, and also continued to explore alternative sources of funding.  The sudden loss of the 2024 tour has already been described in the section ‘Financial Review’, and since then efforts have been focused on maintaining relationships with schools and other supporters and finding new sources of funding.

Structure, governance and management

Charitable Status

Pearl of Africa Child Care Limited has charitable status: registered charity (England & Wales) number 1122809.

 

PoACC is controlled by its Memorandum & Articles of Association and constitutes a limited company (registration (England and Wales) number 05717237), limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. Details of the Trustees (who, for the purposes of company law are the directors of the company) during the year and up to the date this report was signed are set out below. 

 

All Directors of the Company are also Trustees of the Charity. The Directors who held office during the year and up to the date of this report were: 

R G Whaite, Chairman
R Brocken
D Tonge
E Tonge
L Bell
S Mulcahy
(Resigned 10 March 2023)
J Griffiths

The criteria are as follows:

1. Membership of PoACC.

2. Commitment to the aims and the objectives of PoACC.

3. A specific set of skills and experience needed by the Charity and complementary to that of the other trustees.

4. The ability and preparedness to give time regularly to the running of the Charity.

The minimum number of Trustees is three with a maximum of nine. Each year one-third of Trustees (or the nearest number to one-third) are required to retire and may stand for re-election. Potential new trustees are identified by the board for the particular skills, knowledge or experience they can bring to enhance its skill set. The induction of new Trustees normally involves: attendance at one or more meetings as an observer prior to co-option, provision of recent minutes, financial reports and other relevant materials, and close liaison with other Trustees. 

The Trustees are guided in their responsibilities by the Companys Memorandum of Association and the Charity Commissions publication Good Governance A code for the Voluntary and Community Sector. The Trustees embrace the Codes six key principles which describe how an effective board provides good governance and leadership: 

PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 7 -

None of the Trustees or volunteers supporting PoACC, received remuneration for their work. The Charity has mechanisms in place to allow for claiming reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, though frequently our Trustees and supporters forgo such claims. 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies’ regime under the Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above.

R G Whaite, Chairman
Trustee
28 November 2024
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 8 -

The trustees, who are also the directors of Pearl Of Africa Child Care Limited for the purpose 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 year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

 

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

 

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 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.

PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
- 9 -

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Pearl Of Africa Child Care Limited (the charity) for the year ended 28 February 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes.

 

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

 

An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the financial statements. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair’ view and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner’s statement.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

3

the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4

the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

J Mansfield FCA
Rickard Luckin Limited
1st Floor
County House
100 New London Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0RG
Dated: 29 November 2024
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 10 -
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
funds
funds
general
designated
general
designated
2024
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
47,232
55,062
31,955
134,249
45,190
-
10,050
55,240
Charitable activities
4
4,167
33,207
-
37,374
-
-
-
-
Investments
5
183
-
-
183
-
-
-
-
Total income
51,582
88,269
31,955
171,806
45,190
-
10,050
55,240
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
-
15,670
11,937
27,607
-
839
-
839
Charitable activities
7
8,328
75,220
12,997
96,545
5,112
60,497
10,370
75,979
Total expenditure
8,328
90,890
24,934
124,152
5,112
61,336
10,370
76,818
Net income/(expenditure)
43,254
(2,621)
7,021
47,654
40,078
(61,336)
(320)
(21,578)
Transfers between funds
(1,466)
2,621
(1,155)
-
(9,307)
9,228
79
-
Net movement in funds
41,788
-
5,866
47,654
30,771
(52,108)
(241)
(21,578)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 March 2023
30,809
-
10,355
41,164
38
52,108
10,596
62,742
Fund balances at 28 February 2024
72,597
-
16,221
88,818
30,809
-
10,355
41,164
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
28 FEBRUARY 2024
28 February 2024
- 11 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Current assets
Debtors
12
18,588
10,703
Cash at bank and in hand
76,599
34,841
95,187
45,544
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
13
(6,369)
(4,380)
Net current assets
88,818
41,164
Net assets excluding pension liability
88,818
41,164
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
15
16,221
10,355
Unrestricted funds
72,597
30,809
88,818
41,164

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 28 February 2024.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 28 November 2024
L Bell
Trustee
Company registration number 05717237 (England and Wales)
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 12 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

Pearl Of Africa Child Care Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Seltirk Station Road, Gilwern, Abergavenny, NP7 0BY, Wales.

 

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

 

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4
Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Income from fundraising activities represents income raised from appeals and are recognised on receipt.

1.5
Expenditure

Liabilities and all expenses are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis.

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.

PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 13 -

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

1.6
Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other payables, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 14 -
3
Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
funds
general
designated
general
2024
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Donations and gifts
37,335
55,062
29,699
122,096
41,335
6,160
47,495
Other Grants
-
-
1,305
1,305
-
-
-

Gift Aid Tax Reclaimed

5,956
-
-
5,956
3,855
-
3,855

Appeals and Donations

3,941
-
951
4,892
-
3,890
3,890
47,232
55,062
31,955
134,249
45,190
10,050
55,240
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 15 -
4
Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Total
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
general
designated
general
designated
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
Choir

Choir Appeal

4,167
-
4,167
-
-
-

Sale of crafts

-
33,207
33,207
-
-
-
4,167
33,207
37,374
-
-
-
5
Income from investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Interest receivable
183
-
6
Expenditure on raising funds
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
designated
designated
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£

Raising Funds

 

Choir tour travel

15,647
11,937
27,584
-
-
-
Safeguarding
-
-
-
129
-
129
Other fundraising costs
23
-
23
710
-
710
15,670
11,937
27,607
839
-
839
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 16 -
7
Charitable activities

Uganda

Uganda

2024
2023
£
£

Kamuzinda

-
10,370

MPCCF

87,592
60,497
87,592
70,867
Share of support costs (see note 8)
4,213
732
Share of governance costs (see note 8)
4,740
4,380
96,545
75,979
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - general
8,328
5,112
Unrestricted funds - designated
75,220
60,497
Restricted funds
12,997
10,370
96,545
75,979
For the year ended 28 February 2023
Unrestricted funds - general
5,112
Unrestricted funds - designated
60,497
Restricted funds
10,370
75,979
8
Support costs
2024
2023
£
£
Basis of allocation
Bank Charges
Support
1,426
697
Subscriptions and Membership Fees
Support
35
35
Safeguarding Costs
Support
625
-
Insurance
Support
744
-
IT Costs
Support
883
-
Sundry
Support
500
-
Governance costs
Governance
4,740
4,380
8,953
5,112
Analysed between:
Charitable activities
8,953
5,112

Governance cost includes payments of £4,740 (2023 - £4,380) for independent examiner fees.

PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 17 -
9
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024
2023
Number
Number
Total
-
0
-
0
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

 

10
Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

 

No trustees' expenses occurred during the year.

11
Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

12
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Other debtors
17,576
9,991
Prepayments and accrued income
1,012
712
18,588
10,703
13
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Accruals and deferred income
6,369
4,380
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
- 18 -
14
Unrestricted funds - designated

These are unrestricted funds which are material to the charity's activities.

At 1 March 2023
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
At 28 February 2024
£
£
£
£
£
MPCCF Fund
-
88,269
(90,890)
2,621
-
Previous year:
At 1 March 2022
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
At 28 February 2023
£
£
£
£
£
MPCCF Fund
52,108
-
(61,336)
9,228
-

The MPCCF Fund has been designated for the support of the Molly and Paul Childcare Foundation.

15
Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 March 2023
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
At 28 February 2024
£
£
£
£
£
Kamuzinda Clinic
2,508
3,857
(6,014)
-
351
Kamuzinda Feeding
-
6,160
(6,982)
822
-
Afripads
3,750
-
-
-
3,750
Kibuye feeding
1,977
-
-
(1,977)
-
BackSch
2,120
-
-
-
2,120
KazumCow
-
10,000
-
-
10,000
Choir Tour
-
11,938
(11,938)
-
-
10,355
31,955
(24,934)
(1,155)
16,221
Previous year:
At 1 March 2022
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
At 28 February 2023
£
£
£
£
£
Kamuzinda Clinic
111
6,160
(3,763)
-
2,508
Kamuzinda Feeding
2,638
3,890
(6,607)
79
-
Afripads
3,750
-
-
-
3,750
Kibuye feeding
1,977
-
-
-
1,977
BackSch
2,120
-
-
-
2,120
10,596
10,050
(10,370)
79
10,355
PEARL OF AFRICA CHILD CARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024
15
Restricted funds
(Continued)
- 19 -

 

Kamuzinda Clinic: The funds are restricted to be spent on projects to improve access to basic healthcare for children and familities in Kamuzinda

 

Kamuzinda Feeding: The funds are restricted to be spent on projects to support improving the nutrition of children in schools in Kamuzinda

 

Afripads: The funds are restricted to be spent on projects to improve health, nutrition and care

 

Kibuye Feeding: The funds are restricted to be spent on projects nutrition of children in schools in Kibuye.

 

BackSch: The funds are restricted to be spent on projects to ensure greater access to education for children at risk of not attending school.

 

KazumCow: The funds are restricted to be spent on cows for production of milk to supplement the children’s diet and for breeding purposes.

 

Choir Tour: The funds are restricted to be spent on vehicle repairs and flights.

 

 

16
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
At 28 February 2024:
Current assets/(liabilities)
72,597
16,221
88,818
72,597
16,221
88,818
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
At 28 February 2023:
Current assets/(liabilities)
30,809
10,355
41,164
30,809
10,355
41,164

 

17
Related party transactions

The total donations received from trustees during the year was £15,982 (2023 - £4,020).

 

During the year the Charity received donations totalling £1,764 (2023 - £nil) from a Charity of which D Tongue is also a trustee.

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