The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Zamcog is an educational non-profit charity based in Kabwe supporting the vulnerable children of Makululu compound. Zamcog is committed to empowering the most at risk children and working with local community partners to break down barriers and increase access to learning across three areas:
1. Primary and Secondary Schooling
2. Holistic Welfare
3. Tertiary Education
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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).
Goal 1: Improve and Expand Educational Outcomes
- Increase exam success rate
- Improve tenure and access for girls in school
- Expand the number of support students in schools
Goal 2: Increase School leaver Opportunity
- Assist students in developing career streams
- Improve arrangements for skills training
- Expand the transition programme
- Offer a scholarship programme for sponsored students
Goal 3: Develop Community Well-being
- Develop local partnerships
- Develop a sustainable living program
- Community school engagements
ZAMCOG's objectives are set in accordance with our charitable objects. Each year the trustees evaluate our objectives and activities to ensure that they reflect our charitable object. In setting the charity's objectives and planning its activities the trustees have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard for the Charity Commission's general guidance for the public benefit.
Zamcog's vision is rooted in the belief that every child deserves the right to an education. As a charity, we work with other like-minded charities and initiatives to help students access education and remain in school, one child at a time.
Our mission is to empower students to reach their full potential and enable them to build more sustainable futures. We provide access to education, housing and welfare support to the most vulnerable children and young people in Makululu, Kabwe, Zambia.
Partnerships
During the period under review, Zamcog Zambia received a routine inspection from government officials responsible for monitoring registered non-profit organisations. The inspection was completed successfully with all compliance requirements being met, including board meeting minutes, audit reports, annual programme reports and board registers.
As part of our commitment to partnership working, Zamcog engaged with a number of organisations including SAFAIDS, Restless Development, JSI and Plan International. These engagements were focused on collaboration, strengthening stakeholder relationships and exploring future funding opportunities.
The organisation continued to work closely with the Zambia Police Victim Support Unit, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Social Welfare. Particular attention was given to monitoring and supporting children who had previously been reintegrated into their communities following the closure of the residential homes. Joint home assessments and follow-up visits were undertaken to ensure children continued to thrive in their family environments.
The Government Constituency Development Fund (CDF) scholarship programme was also accessed during the year, with one Zamcog student successfully securing a scholarship. Relationships with government departments continue to strengthen and further engagement is planned during 2026 to increase access to scholarship opportunities for our students.
Further Education
Zamcog has been supporting students in further education since inception through the generous support of the Uggls Family. Every year, Zamcog scholarships cover tuition fees, academic supplies, laptops, accommodation, transport, personal costs and starter packs for new students.
During 2025, Zamcog supported 31 students undertaking studies in a wide range of disciplines including purchasing and supply, environmental health, fashion and design, business development studies, physiotherapy, animal science, computer science, clinical medicine, secretarial studies, teaching, pharmacy, business administration, human resources, engineering, nursing, biomedicine, medicine, laboratory technology, agriculture and information and communication technology.
A further eight students were enrolled into tertiary education programmes during the year and commenced studies at various institutions across Zambia.
During the same period, Zamcog hosted a career guidance and counselling workshop for ten students who will enter tertiary education in 2026. The workshop was facilitated by the Supervising Social Welfare Officer with support from administrative staff. Students explored career options, discussed their chosen fields of study and gained a greater understanding of the expectations and challenges associated with further education. The workshop also provided an opportunity for Zamcog staff to guide students through their future educational pathways and reinforce the importance of commitment and responsibility throughout their studies.
The trustees are delighted to report that a number of students successfully graduated during 2025, including:
Rabson Lukonsolo – Diploma in Computer Science
Jessy Namonje – Degree in Special Education
Golden Chola – Diploma in Clinical Medicine
Gift Nanganga – Bachelor of Biology
Christine Kapindo – Diploma in Hospitality
Several graduates have already secured employment opportunities, demonstrating the long-term impact of Zamcog's investment in further education.
Education
The education department comprises both the primary and secondary sections and supported a total of 334 students during the year.
Students received books, pens, shoes, bags and school uniforms according to need. Zamcog remains committed to ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent children from accessing education.
During the year, students sat national examinations across Grades 7, 9 and 12. A total of 38 Grade 12 students sat their examinations, while 32 Grade 9 students sat internal examinations and 10 students sat external Grade 9 examinations. In addition, 29 Grade 7 students completed their examinations.
The organisation was pleased to welcome representatives from St Columba's College during their annual visit. The visitors spent time at Mulumbo Community School where children shared poetry and cultural performances. Former Zamcog beneficiaries were also invited to join the celebrations, providing an opportunity for current and former students to connect and share experiences.
As part of Zamcog's commitment to safeguarding and girls' education, a Girls' Workshop was held at Mulumbo Community School on 8 May 2025. The workshop was attended by 19 girls and focused on child protection, early pregnancy prevention and safeguarding issues. The session was facilitated by Inspector Orina Hamanyama, Head of the Child Protection Unit, Central Division Headquarters. The workshop provided valuable information on reporting abuse, personal safety and protecting young girls from exploitation and early marriage.
Homes
Following the closure of the residential homes programme during 2024 due to funding constraints, 2025 focused on supporting the successful reintegration of children into their communities.
Working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and other government stakeholders, Zamcog continued monitoring and supporting former residents through home visits and welfare assessments. Follow-up activities were undertaken to ensure children remained safe, enrolled in education and supported within their family environments.
The trustees are encouraged by the positive outcomes achieved through the reintegration process and remain committed to supporting vulnerable children through community-based interventions.
Saturday school
The Saturday School Programme continued to operate successfully throughout 2025 with strong attendance from children within the Makululu community.
Building on the success of the programme, a further 15 children were enrolled into Mulumbo Community School during the year, bringing the total number of children who have transitioned from Saturday School into formal education to 30.
The programme continues to provide an important pathway into education for children who may otherwise have limited access to learning opportunities and remains a key component of Zamcog's community outreach work.
Funding and Future Sustainability
The trustees recognise that fundraising remains one of the greatest challenges facing the charity. The economic climate in both the UK and internationally continues to place pressure on charitable giving, grant funding and corporate sponsorship.
A particular challenge during the year has been the need to secure replacement funding for the charity's principal long-term sponsor. While the charity continues to receive generous support from individual donors and partners, replacing a major funding stream remains difficult in the current environment.
Trustees have therefore focused significant effort on identifying new grant opportunities, strengthening partnerships with organisations in Zambia and internationally, and developing a broader and more sustainable funding base. Securing long-term funding remains a key strategic priority for 2026 and beyond.
Despite these challenges, the trustees remain confident that Zamcog's programmes continue to deliver significant impact for vulnerable children and young people and are grateful for the continued support of all donors, sponsors, volunteers and partners.
In the financial year to 31 December 2025, the charity received income of £178,532 (2024: £74,873) being £63,616 for Unrestricted Funds and £114,916 for Restricted Funds (£26,554 and £48,319 respectively in 2024) and total expenditure was £138,132 (2024: £141,841). For the year ended 31 December 2025 the charity had received net income on Unrestricted Funds of £4,111, which increased the carried forward sum to £44,031 (2024: £39,920).
In 2025, a total of £137,582 (2024: £141,241) was disbursed in support of Zamcog Zambia comprising £58,955 of Unrestricted Funds and £78,627 of Restricted Funds.
We thank all our donors for their kindness and generosity.
Restricted Funds are £41,745 at 31 December 2025 (2024: £5,456) and will be utilised for the restricted purposes for which they were given.
Reserve policy
The trustees' policy in regard to reserves is to hold specific reserves to meet obligations imposed by donors and general reserves equivalent to six months' operational expenses to support the current services.
We will continue our care home service for students shelter and support; whilst also providing support to students in transition houses (from secondary to tertiary)
Our fundraising team continues to make applications for costs of an early learning centre, an in-house training centre and for operational costs.
This charitable company is controlled by its articles of association and constitutes a private limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
New trustees are appointed by the company's members assembled in the Annual General Meeting. Co-opted trustees may also be appointed by serving trustees for a term of office ending at the next A.G.M.
Information is cascaded to a full trusteeship body in its regular meetings by the Company Secretary.
Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The trustees have in place a risk register, which is reviewed at most Board of Trustees' meetings. The principal risks relate to the need always to maintain effective financial management of the charity's assets and resources for its charitable purposes. To this end, the charity ensures at least one, appropriately qualified trustee, who fulfils on a voluntary basis the role of Treasurer.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Company number
07184854 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity number
1136086
Bankers
HSBC
31 Cheque St
St Albans,
Hertfordshire
AL1 3YN
Registered office
20 Jasmine Way
Locking Castle
Weston-Super-Mare
Somerset
BS24 7JW
Company Secretary
Ms T Farquhar-Beck
Independent Examiner
Grunberg & Co Limited
Chartered Accountants
5 Technology Park
Colindeep Lane
Colindale
London
NW9 6BX
The trustees (who are also the directors of Zamcog for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees 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 gave a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Each of the Trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.
The Trustee's report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Zamcog ('the Company')
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Zamcog for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the ’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
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:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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 financial statements 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.
Alexander Krase FCA
Independent examiner
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Grunberg & Co Limited
Chartered Accountants
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
Zamcog is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Wayside, Orchard Way, Berry Hill, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 7AQ.
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 are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the 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.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purpose and use of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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 are recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
Governance costs includes payments to the independent examiner of £4,037 (2024: £3,726) for independent
examination fees.
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits during the year, nor for the year ended 31 December 2025 (2024: £nil).
There were no employees in the entity during the year under review, nor for the prior year.
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
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.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
During the year, the charity received unrestricted donations totalling £55,000 (2024: £4,250) and restricted donations of £114,916 (2024: £43,586)
There are no other related party transactions (2024: nil).
The company is limited by guarantee, every member promises that if the Charity is dissolved while he or she remains a member, or within twelve months afterwards to contribute up to £1 towards the cost of dissolution of the liabilities incurred by the Charity.