Annual Report
Message from the Chairman
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Organisational Overview
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Program Highlights India 4 Bangladesh 8 Nepal 12 Directors Report
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Summary Financial Statements 18 Independent Auditor’s Report
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from the Chairman John Hammond
The Asian Aid Organisation has undergone an uplifting transformation this year with the appointment of a new and experienced CEO, management team and a stronger framework and structure put in place. This has not just resulted in a happy and productive team but has also seen previous staff returning to the team. This increased accountability has also had a positive impact on the work we do, the impact we make and how our supporter’s monies are spent both here in Australia and also in the countries in which we work. In an environment of decreased Federal Government funding to Aid organisations, we are deeply thankful to our donors’ and sponsors’ continued support. As Ellen White has said, ‘Every act, every deed of justice and mercy and benevolence makes heavenly music in Heaven,’ (The Review and Herald, August 16, 1881) and we are eternally grateful that you entrust us to continue with this important work on your behalf. We have completed phase one (3 years) of two slum projects in India and an ‘Empowering Women and Children’ project in Nepal. Our water project in Bangladesh is about to commence stage two which will be providing water from the school to the village. This allows the school to create financial stability and sustainability, and to build a strong relationship within the local community. Our schools, although seemingly humble by western standards, provide an irreplaceable start to the lives of thousands of students who benefit through the support and sponsorship of Asian Aid. Our supporter’s money goes a long way in providing the essential basics of education and many of our boys and girls have gone on to greatness as a result. Being a Faith Based Organisation is an important pillar in why we undertake the work we do and through the blessings of God, and with your support, we aim to continue to help those children who are most vulnerable by empowering their families and communities across Nepal, India and Bangladesh.
Annual Report 2019
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Organisational Overview Our Vision All children and their communities are empowered, protected and have full access to their rights.
Our Mission Asian Aid gives hope by fostering permanent positive change in the lives of disadvantaged children and their communities.
Our Values At Asian Aid, we: Believe in Jesus: in His love for others, in His compassion for the poor and in His example of giving. Believe in people: helping all who need it regardless of their religion, ethnicity, culture or gender, and empowering the poor. Believe in the rights of the most vulnerable, such as children and women. Believe in good stewardship: being transparent, accountable, honest and cost-effective in all our dealings. Believe in accountability and professionalism: being responsible to God, to the people we help, to our supporters, to the Australian Government and to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Believe in service: opposing poverty and social injustice, condemning all that impoverishes children and denies their potential, and committing to sharing resources with the poor.
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Year in Review We currently have four programs running with two partners across India, with education still a major focus. Our Direct Child Sponsorship program, run by HHWS, continues to support over 2000 children in 190 schools and institutions across India. This year saw 222 students graduate from 12th grade and 134 complete their tertiary studies. HHWS also implements the Child Focused School Development program in rural India, focusing on promoting education to the community. This year information sessions were conducted to raise awareness of child rights and government schemes to promote education for females. Many of the community members were not aware of the government scholarships that are available for their daughters. Sustainable livelihood opportunities were also made available for the vulnerable women of the community. These women have been given access to tailoring classes and are now on their way to pursuing a viable career. Our second Indian partner, Oasis India, has been running two projects (Empower and Protect Children in Chennai and Empowering Women and Children in Bangalore) aimed at improving child well-being through promoting school completion, 4
providing vocational training and protection from exploitation. Children who had previously dropped out of school were encouraged to return or join vocational training. These children were taught the value of education and received counselling to determine and understand the reasons for leaving school, ensuring they don’t fall behind in class or drop out again. This year, 13 students returned to school as a result of this program. Students were also encouraged to discuss the issues faced in their community and empowered to share their ideas on how to bring about change. Issues such as child labour, child marriage, impacts of drug and alcohol abuse, bonded labour, sex slavery and human trafficking were all highlighted and children chose to raise community awareness of these issues through street theatres and rallies. These projects also provided opportunity for young women and mothers to access vocational training. They were given the skills needed to start their own tailoring and jewellery making businesses and contribute to their family’s income. By learning these skills, these women can now proudly pay for their own children’s education.
2374
students sponsored
EPCC - 122 EWCB - 60 DCS - 2097 CFSD - 95
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student drop-outs re-enrolled in educational classes
267
students graduated from 10th grade
222 134 students graduated from 12th grade
students graduated from Tertiary studies
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children joined a mentoring program
127
women completed tailoring courses
74
students graduated from English and computer vocational training programs
Annual Report 2019
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Impact Story Jeevanjyothi, 15
Jeevanjyothi grew up in a small village in Southern India. She never knew her father, he died when she was just a few months old. After he died, she and her mother moved in with her grandparents. When her grandfather died, all the responsibility of earning an income for the family fell on Jeevanjyothi’s mother. Her work in a juice factory gave the family a small income, but they were still lucky if they could get two meals a day. This is not uncommon for this village. Most of the members of this community are daily labourers and earn just enough to provide for their basic needs. Because of this, education is not a priority. Their children are sent to work or stay home to care for younger siblings. When Jeevanjyothi received sponsorship, her life changed. She now understands the value of education and has grown in self-confidence. She has recently completed the 10th grade and hopes that one day she will become a nurse and be able to help her mother.
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Impact Story Bharat, 13
“I remember the day my parents took my brother and me out of school to work in the field in another town for two months because they were so much in need of money. I had to work long hours in the hot sun to earn a meagre wage and it was a back breaking job. Those two months of my life were the most difficult and I never want to go back to it. After much counselling with social workers, my parents agreed to let us come back to school. I joined the new child club and am happy to see the changes in my school. We now have activities that make us think and inspire us. I am now motivated to make sure that all my friends and neighbours do not have to go through what I did, and each one will finish their education.�
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Year in Review 2018-19 was the second year of the BCSS Child Focused School Development program in Bangladesh. Run across three schools, this program aims to improve education opportunities for children, improve health and hygiene behaviour in the community and provide parents with access to income generating programs. 500 fruit trees were distributed to the communities surrounding each school for income earning plantations, 60 parents received ducklings and chicks to raise as part of the livelihood training program and 40 new bench seats made for the schools. Schools also received educational packs with whiteboards and teaching materials, while 7 teachers were trained in child-friendly teaching methods, classroom management strategies and child rights and protection.
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BCSS also continued to support 1100 students through the Direct Child Sponsorship program, seeing 41 successfully complete the 12th grade and 9 graduate from tertiary studies. Stage one of the Water for Health and Economic Development project in northern Bangladesh is almost complete (scheduled for completion October 2019), bringing clean drinking water to approximately 660 students and teachers, and 2000 litres per day to the surrounding community.
1138 students sponsored DCS - 1102 CFSD - 36
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school garden developed and agricultural training conducted in the school
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schools
40
students graduated from 12th grade
fruit trees distributed to community for income earning plantation
teachers received training
new benches were made for classrooms
41 500
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9
Students graduated from Tertiary studies
60
parents received ducklings and chicks to raise as part of the livelihood training
111
students and their parents trained in first aid Annual Report 2019
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Impact Story Bithy, 8
Bithy is eight years old and lives in a small riverside village of Southern Bangladesh. Her father is a fisherman and sells his fish at the markets, while her mother stays home to maintain the small parcel of land beside their house that they have cultivated. Her two brothers go to school and her parents wish that she would also go to school and one day become a nurse. But Bithy does not enjoy going to school. She often skips school, running and hiding when it’s time to go to class. That was until she heard about the Child Club that had started as part of the CFSD project at her school. Children in this club were taking part in planning school activities like picnics or drama programs and learning more about their rights as a child. Bithy thought this sounded fun and decided to join the group. Being part of the Child Club has now made her excited to go to school. She has become the secretary of the group and attends school regularly, even topping her class during her last exams.
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Annual Report 2019
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Year in Review This year renewed our focus on women’s health issues in Nepal. Our Women, Girls and Child Rights program, implemented by CAED, aims to ensure girls and women in rural Nepal are empowered to enjoy their reproductive rights and live healthy and dignified lives. 500 children were empowered as Child Representatives and included as part of regular discussions about issues affecting adolescents and females in their community such as child marriage, reproductive health issues and the consequences of chauupadi (menstrual isolation) practices. They were taught about their rights and the importance of attending school, even as females during menstruation. As a result of these discussions, we have seen an increase in the number of girls regularly attending school. This program also mobilised Model Couple Campaigners to visit communities and raise awareness of health and hygiene issues, particularly in relation to pregnant and postnatal mothers. These couples went door-to-door educating families about the causes of Uterine
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Prolapse and teaching prevention techniques, as well as encouraging communities to end menstrual isolation practices. COSAN and 3AN have continued to support children through our Direct Child Sponsorship program in Nepal, with over 500 children across three schools receiving education assistance. Forget Me Not have been exploring opportunities with COSAN and undertaking training within their current school and home, so that if a child wanted to be reunited with their families we could ensure that their families were supported through this integration. At this stage, eight children have been identified and are at various stages of reintegration.
1016 students sponsored CFD - 498
DCS (3AN) - 174 DCS (COSAN) - 344
82%
of girls in grade 7 have attended school for at least three quarters of the school year - increased by 3% since last year
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students graduated from 12th grade
53%
of men visited by Model Couples are demonstrating reduced domestic labour for their pregnant or post-delivery wives
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Impact Story Dhan, 16
When you see Dhan, 16, all you notice is a quiet, calm girl, who loves hanging out with her friends like any other teenager. Begin talking to her and you can see the courage in her eyes. When she joined the child club in her village started by our partner CAED three years ago, she began going to school regularly. “Each year as a change agent has seen some growth in me,” she says. “I learnt about menstrual hygiene, cleanliness, uterine prolapse, and so much more.” The year started like any other, when Dhan returned to school after the holidays, did homework, and played with other girls nearby. But a few days later she noticed that one of the girls in her class had not returned to school. Everyone in the school came to know that the girl was going to get married – she is 15 and the groom is 16. Dhan and other change agents in the school had a discussion with their teachers and decided that they had to do something about this. They visited the families and tried to stop them from going ahead with the wedding. “We went to the boy’s house first. His family questioned us saying ‘who said child marriage is illegal?’. Even the neighbours were saying that 16 is the legal age for marriage and by the time girls reach 20 they are too old. But we opposed them and said there are consequences of child marriage and many problems arise, such as poor health and uterine prolapse. They won’t be able to finish their studies too. Still the elders argued saying they will let her do her homework at home, but we know the reality. She will spend all her time doing household chores.” After much persuasion they agreed and sent the girl back to her own house, and she is back at school too. They will get legally married after they are both 20, if they still wish.
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Annual Report 2019
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Board of Directors The following people have each been a Responsible Person/Director of the Asian Aid Board this year:
John Hammond - Chairman Dip Teaching, BA (Hons), PhD John has worked for many years as a teacher, a principal and an administrator in the Adventist education system. John and his wife Sue have been supporters of Asian Aid for many years. Date Appointed: 27 October 2011
Colin Raymond - Deputy Chairman B.Sc, MBA Colin has worked as a consultant to financial institutions and government. His business expertise includes business development, sales and relationship management, strategy and product planning. He is strategic, analytic and results oriented. He has had extensive experience in the field of International Development over the past two decades in both private and public sectors. He is currently Lead Financial Sector Specialist with the World Bank Group. Date Appointed: 9 September 2018
Alan Bates Dip Volunteer Management Alan comes with 40 years’ experience in leading, training and managing volunteers. For 21 years Alan was Volunteer Services Manager at Wesley Mission Sydney. In retirement, he now resides on the mid-north coast. He continues his 50 year association with the SDA Church Pathfinder movement, previously as District Director, 35 years in the Sydney area and now for the North NSW Conference. For nine years Alan served on the ADRA Advisory, Greater Sydney area and brings that knowledge to regional NSW. Alan graduated in the first class for the Diploma of Volunteer Management Practices, conducted by the School of Volunteer Management. He has presented papers at State, National and International Volunteer Conferences. Alan has served in the past as a board member of the state volunteer peak body ‘The Centre for Volunteering’ for 11 years. Date Appointed: 19 August 2012
Kaye Zyderveld B.Com
David has held a variety of positions in software development and management at Sanitarium, Hewlett-Packard, Avondale College of Higher Education and Andrews University. He is currently employed full-time as IT Internal Solutions Manager at Sanitarium. He is a passionate supporter of Asian Aid, through the child sponsorship programs and various special projects.
Kaye Zyderverld is the Chief Financial Officer (treasurer) of Seventh-day Adventist Schools and Conference in South Australia. She has a Bachelor of Commerce and has worked in the financial analysis and reporting field in the for-profit and non-profit sectors, including TAFESA, as a Senior Business Analyst. Prior appointments include lay member of church and school boards for SA Conference, Australian Union Conference and South Pacific Division. She supports the Asian Aid team through providing her forensic accounting expertise.
Date Appointed: 28 August 2016
Date Appointed: 21 August 2011
David Heise B.Sc, Masters in Engineering Science and Computing, PhD in Leadership
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Norman Carlsen B.Sc (Hons) M.Ec, Grad Dip Comp Stud, PhD Norm has worked in the Australia Public Service and private industry prior to taking up a position at Avondale College of Higher Education, where he lectured for approximately 20 years in Mathematics, Computing, Economics and Finance. Although retired, his background in commerce and academia provides useful input to the Board. Date Appointed: 7 August 2018
David Swain B.Legal Studies, Masters of Laws, Diploma of Criminology David has been a lawyer for over 35 years, both in private and public practice. Previous positions included a senior lawyer, corporate manager, investigator and policy advisor for a number of NSW Government agencies for over 30 years in the Attorney General’s Department, Health Care Complaints Commission and Department of Premier and Cabinet. He has also been a Justice of the Peace, Coroner, Court Registrar, Chamber Magistrate, University Law Lecturer and a legal member of the health registration board. He currently runs his own business as a legal consultant. Date Appointed: 7 August 2018
Justin Boyd B.Engineering (Software), Grad Dip. Ministry and Theology Justin has previously worked as Technical Manager for Compassion Australia. He is currently both a Pastor and management consultant. His experience in the not-for-profit sector is a valuable addition to the Asian Aid Board. He provides insights around how technology can intersect with the humanity of development and highlights best practice in the not-for-profit sector. Date Appointed: 7 August 2018
Resigned or Retired Board Members Stephen Baxter
Date Appointed: 18 July 2004 Date Retired: 9 September 2018
Stephen Wong
Date Appointed: 18 August 2013 Date Resigned: 30 July 2018
Ken Long
Date Appointed: 27 August 2017 Date Resigned: 29 July 2018
Sara Bolst
Date Appointed: 27 August 2017 Date Resigned: 1 August 2018
Peter Truscott
Date Appointed: 7 March 2017, Date Resigned : 22 March 2019
Meetings of Responsible Persons During the year, thirteen meetings of Responsible Persons (including Committees of Responsible Persons) were held. Attendance by each Responsible Person during the year was as follows: Name
Eligible to Attend
Meetings Attended
John Hammond Colin Raymond David Heise Alan Bates Kaye Zyderveld Peter Truscott Norman Carlsen David Swain Justin Boyd
Kerryn Patrick - Company Secretary Cert IV in Business Management Kerryn has been an employee of Asian Aid Organisation since 1988. Her current role is Relationship Manager. Date Appointed: 7 September 1996
Stephen Baxter Stephen Wong Ken Long Sara Bolst Annual Report 2019
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INCOME STATEMENT - ACFID format for the year ended 31 March 2019 REVENUE Donations and Gifts -Monetary Bequests and Other Income Grants Investment Income TOTAL REVENUE
2019 2018 $ $ 3,363,873 3,700,301 105,519 337,171 0 0 46,814 19,755 3,516,206 4,057,227
EXPENDITURE International Aid and Development Programs Expenditure International Programs Funds to International Programs Program support costs Community Education Fundraising Costs Public Government, multilateral and private Accountability and Administration Non-Monetary Expenditure TOTAL EXPENDITURE
2,860,801 539,720 19,865
2,517,726 487,876 37,348
130,869 0 419,275 0 3,970,530
183,020 0 426,836 0 3,652,806
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)
(454,324) 404,421
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(454,324)
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404,421
BALANCE SHEET - ACFID format as at 31 March 2019 ASSETS
Current Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents Trade and Other Receivables Other Financial Assets Other Assets Total Current Assets
Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment Intangible Assets Total Non-Current Assets TOTAL ASSETS
2019 2018 $ $ 409,132 824,822 14,198 8,360 1,294,940 1,270,170 5,242 11,335 1,723,512 2,114,687
327,938 48,875 376,813 2,100,325
342,968 97,010 439,978 2,554,665
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities Trade and Other Payables Borrowings Provisions Total Current Liabilities
29,680 4,603 93,390 127,673
50,710 4,680 68,023 123,413
Non-Current Liabilities Provisions Total Non-Current Liabilities TOTAL LIABILITIES
6,152 6,152 133,825
10,428 10,428 133,841
NET ASSETS
1,966,500
2,420,824
0 1,966,500 1,966,500
3,100,000 (679,176) 2,420,824
EQUITY Reserves Retained Earnings TOTAL EQUITY
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY for the year ended 31 March 2019
Reserves Earnings Retained Total $ $ $ BALANCE AT 1 APRIL 2018 3,100,000 (679,176) 2,420,824 Adjustments of changes in equity due to adoption of new accounting standards 0 Items of other comphrensive income 0 Excess of revenue over expenses - surplus/(deficit) (454,324) (454,324) Other amounts transferred (to)/from reserves (3,100,000) 3,100,000 0 BALANCE AT 31 MARCH 2019 0 1,966,500 1,966,500 Annual Report 2019
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Notes to the Summary Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2019 Note 1 – Accounting Policies The summary financial statements have been prepared from the audited financial statements of Asian Aid Organisation Limited for the year ended 31 March 2019. A copy of the full financial statements and auditor’s report will be sent to any member, free of charge, upon request. The financial statements, specific disclosures and the other information included in the summary financial statements are derived from, and are consistent with, the full financial statements of Asian Aid Organisation Limited and have been formatted to comply with the financial reporting requirements of the ACFID Code of Conduct. The
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summary financial statements cannot be expected to provide as detailed an understanding of the financial performance and financial position of Asian Aid Organisation Limited as the full financial statements. The summary financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements set out in the ACFID Code of Conduct. For further information on the Code please refer to the ACFID website at www.acfid.asn.au. The presentation currency used in the financial statements is Australian dollars.
Auditor’s Report Independent Auditor's Report To the Members of Asian Aid Organisation Limited Opinion The summary financial statements which comprise the Balance Sheet – ACFID Format as at 31 March 2019, the Income Statement - ACFID Format and the Statement of Changes in Equity for the year then ended and related notes, are derived from the audited financial report of Asian Aid Organisation Limited (the “Company”) for the year ended 31 March 2019. In our opinion, the accompanying summary financial statements are consistent, in all material respects, with the audited financial report, on the basis described in Note 1. The summary financial statements have been formatted to comply with the financial reporting requirements of the ACFID Code of Conduct. Summary Financial Statements The summary financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by Australian Accounting Standards - Reduced Disclosure Requirements. Reading the summary financial statements and the auditor's report thereon, therefore, is not a substitute for reading the audited financial report and the auditor's report thereon. The Audited Financial Report and Our Report Thereon We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on the audited financial report in our report dated 4 July 2019. Directors’ Responsibility for the Summary Financial Statements The Directors are responsible for the preparation of the summary financial statements on the basis described in Note 1. Auditor's Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on whether the summary financial statements are consistent, in all material respects, with the audited financial report and comply with the financial reporting requirements of the ACFID Code of Conduct, based on our procedures, which were conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standard ASA 810: Engagements to Report on Summary Financial Statements.
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Independent Auditor's Report (Continued) To the Members of Asian Aid Organisation Limited Other Information The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2019, but does not include the summary financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the summary financial statements does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the summary financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. NorthCorp Accountants
Robert Magnussen Partner Chartered Accountant Registered Company Auditor 10 - 12 Short Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Dated: 4 July 2019
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Auditor's Independence Declaration Under Subdivision 60-40(1) of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 To the Directors of Asian Aid Organisation Limited
I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, during the year ended 31 March 2019, there have been no contraventions of: (i)
the auditor independence requirements of Australian professional ethical pronouncements, and
(ii)
any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.
NorthCorp Accountants
Robert Magnussen Partner Dated: 4 July 2019
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Thank You
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Thank you for choosing to support Asian Aid. Your generosity, compassion and enthusiasm empowers us to help give hope to disadvantaged children, their families and communities. On behalf of the Asian Aid team, thank you.
Corporate Information To request a copy of the full audited financial report for the year ending 31 March 2019, please write to the Company Secretary: Kerryn Patrick, PO Box 333, Wauchope, NSW, 2446, Australia or email kerryn.patrick@asianaid.org.au. Asian Aid Organisation values supporter feedback and has a formal process for addressing feedback and complaints. The
‘Contact Us’ page on www.asianaid.org.au provides an easy way for the public and friends of Asian Aid to provide comments and/or suggestions, or to lodge a complaint. Supporters can also provide feedback over the phone – call (+61) 02 6586 4250 – or by writing to us at PO Box 333, Wauchope, NSW, 2446, Australia. In each case, feedback is directed to the relevant staff or concerned department for resolution. To lodge a complaint against Asian Aid Organisation, or to request a copy of Asian Aid’s Complaints Policy, contact Kerryn Patrick (Relationship Manager) at kerryn.patrick@asianaid.org.au or on (+61) 02 6586 4250
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ABN 98 00 286 419 PO Box 333 Wauchope NSW 2446 Australia W: www.asianaid.org.au P: (+61) 02 6586 4250 Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the content in the reports. Photographs represent the work of Asian Aid. Š 2019 Asian Aid Organisation all rights reserved.
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