Impact Report 1997–2023
cecilysfund.org
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
“After qualifying to Grade 8, my parents had no money and I did not go to school for one entire year. During this period, I felt bad seeing my friends going to school every day while I remained home despite being intelligent, and so I lost hope. The following year I was put in touch with Cecily’s Fund and they helped me go to school. I am very grateful and happy that I have now completed my education and I am now a Peer Educator. I am hopeful that God willing, I will be undertaking a training in Pharmacy and contribute to educating my siblings and give them and my parents a better life.” Gertrude
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Contents A warm welcome
5
25 years of lasting change
6
Tackling the root causes
8
Our circle of care
10
Supporting children by supporting schools
12
Our strategy
13
Linking programmes for greater impact
14
Helping strengthen schools
15
Helping children to succeed
17
Connecting programmes through Cecily’s Fund alumni
18
Reducing inequalities for the benefit of children and their families
20
Sustainability through local ownership
21
Protecting women at risk supports the children in their care
24
Safer and more secure futures for children
26
A very big thank you!
31
About Cecily’s Fund
32
4
A warm welcome Impact is about lasting change, and it is the continuing and enduring presence of Cecily’s Fund in Zambia, that has transformed the lives of thousands of children and young people so that they now have better, more hopeful, and secure futures.
During 2022 we embarked on a 2-year project to support 40 women affected by gender-based violence in Lusaka. By enabling mothers to become financially independent and understand their basic rights, the children in their care will also be more secure.
Over 25 years we have learned from our programmes, consulted local people,and adapted and refined our approach, moving away from just paying school fees to enable children to go to school, to a more rounded, holistic circle of care that supports the whole child and the communities where they live.
Thirteen schools in Kitwe, Chingola, and Luansobe benefited from our partnership and support, building capacity in governance, financial management, pupil care, and parent engagement.
Our programmes now address a wide range of inter-linked social issues such as poverty, inequality, gender discrimination, and living with a disability. Underpinning this is our belief that access to education in all its forms, and a holistic approach that supports the whole child and leaves no-one behind, can lead to better and more secure futures. This in turn will support Zambia’s future generation and help create a strong foundation for Zambia’s development. However, to help communities to become selfreliant and lessen dependency on external support, it is also important to strengthen the communities where Cecily’s Fund’s supported children live. This results in stronger, more empowered communities and long-term change that can be sustained by local people. Cecily’s Fund like many charities, is still feeling the financial impact of cuts to the international aid budget, and donors directing funds to humanitarian emergencies linked to war and climate change. In spite of this we have continued with our efforts to improve the futures of the most vulnerable children and their families.
Our ‘GROW’ savings groups continued to thrive as increasing numbers of women and men learned how to save money and become more financially secure despite living in extreme hardship. Our Peer Education programme has expanded into Lusaka and Luansobe thanks to the Mercury Phoenix Trust. This has enabled us to reach more young people to help them learn how to stay healthy and become responsible youth citizens. None of this would be possible without the loyal and enduring support of those individuals, grant making trusts and foundations, churches, schools, and associations who enable us to deliver our work on the ground. We are always grateful and sincerely thank you on behalf of the children and communities we support.
Cheryl Hooper Director
5
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
25 years of lasting change
46,800
Children have gained access to education that has helped support a route out of poverty.
980
Young people have been trained in entrepreneurship and business skills to start their own small businesses.
1700
Older out-of-school youth have more employment opportunities as a result of vocational training.
2,500
Parents & guardians are more financially secure through training in financial literacy and forming savings groups.
870
Young people have been trained to be Peer Educators and returned to schools to teach other youth about how to stay healthy, whilst acquiring important life skills that remain into adulthood.
36
Young people have been trained to be Youth Leaders in community sunshine clubs providing vital life skills, motivation, and training to youth who have left school and remain unemployed.
900
Out-of-school girls returned to school & learned entrepreneurship alongside their mothers. 6
50,000
Children have been reached through peer education and taught how to stay healthy and avoid HIV.
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Gender inequality, household poverty, and the expansion of periurban populations, are some of the systemic challenges facing young people in Zambia today.
59.4% of children live in poor households with 45.4% living in extreme poverty.
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Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Tackling the root causes
1
The Problem
Our Response
Deep-rooted poverty and inequality
Support parents by teaching them financial literacy and learning how to save, helps with financial security and improved livelihoods
‘Our daily survival was dependent on my single mother selling cassava on the street to put food on the table. We did not know what it meant to have 3 meals a day, absconding classes was the order of the day.’ Brenda
2
GROW (Grassroots Owning Wealth) helps poor women and men learn how to save, despite living in extreme hardship. With additional support in entrepreneurship, parents are able to find new ways to increase household income through the development of small businesses.
The Problem
Our Response
Orphans and vulnerable children lack guidance, self-belief, and motivation to succeed.
Involve young people to help tackle social problems that affect them
‘Cecily’s Fund has given me more than just an education, they have given me a life, Cecily’s Fund is the backbone of everything I am today. I can not imagine my life without the support I got, without it I would have been a mother of four or worse. It’s the trainings and support that I got that saved me.’ Eleness 8
Through peer education, adolescents at risk of a multitude of health and social challenges, learn how to take responsibility for their own health and be good citizens who will contribute to Zambia’s development. Using a peer-to-peer approach, teenagers learn how to change their behaviours and stay mentally and physically strong.
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
3
The Problem
Our Response
Historic under-investment in education reform
Help build the capacity of severely under-resourced schools by strengthening governance, pupil care, parent engagement and links to District Education Boards.
Schools are not adequately prepared to enable the most vulnerable children to achieve and succeed academically and socially.
Improving internal systems, providing additional extra-curricular activities through Peer Educators, strengthening policies, and training in IT helps improve the social and academic outcomes of children. By establishing best practice across these areas, there is increased likelihood of funding from the Ministry of Education.
4
The Problem
Our Response
Gender inequality
Empower women to know their basic rights and engage positively with men at risk of abusing to change behaviours
‘The culture is also to blame for domestic violence in Zambia, Women are taught to endure marriage no matter the circumstances. Traditional teachings don’t advocate pressing domestic violence cases all the way to conviction and sentencing. How would you feel as a woman if you sent a man to prison and the children were left suffering?’ Precious
By teaching women to know their basic rights and helping them to become financially independent through vocational training, they are more confident and less dependent on men. At the same time, our local partner [BISO] is working with respected community leaders and through camp-fire discussions, men are learning to respect women and change their behaviours. This has resulted in fewer incidences of abuse. 9
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Our circle of care
2
Help them to succeed at school by being motivated to complete education
3
1
Enable vulnerable children to go to school as a first step towards a route out of poverty
Prepare them for life beyond school by being responsible citizens with improved prospects
4
Strengthen communities by increasing self-reliance and lessening dependency
10
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Enrolment in primary education reached 3.3 million in 2017, up from 1.6 million in 2000. Girls are now enrolling in primary school in the same numbers as boys. But there are an estimated 800,000 schoolaged children that are out of school.
Approximately 3% of Zambian youth have no formal education, and 25% of Zambian youth have only incomplete education, meaning that in total 28% of 15–24 year olds in Zambia have not completed primary education.
11
Supporting children by supporting schools The Government of Zambia’s change in education policy in 2022 meant that the provision of free education from early childhood to secondary school finally became a reality for millions of under-privileged children. Access to free education now affords a chance to millions of children who otherwise had little or no opportunity to go to school. However, the reality is that whilst the Government supported the recruitment of 30,000 new teachers in 2022, schools continue to have few resources, insufficient teachers, and inadequate school infrastructure for the growing number of pupils. Cecily’s Fund’s approach is to build capacity in schools in 4 key areas that form the foundations for the learning and social development for the most vulnerable children to give them the best chance of success and who are now able to get an education. With the help of local partners we identified 8 schools in Zambia’s Copperbelt that required urgent help. By working closely with Head Teachers, we are supporting those schools to improve governance and accountability, improve the care and support of the most vulnerable pupils, strengthen parent engagement, and increase awareness and support of those schools with District Education Boards.
12
Our strategy Cecily’s Fund approach is to build capacity in schools, improving the foundationsn for the learning and social development for the most vulnerable children who are now able to get an education, to give them the best chance of success. By partnering with schools, it is possible to better understand where there are gaps, where improvements could be made, and how we could help strengthen the overall outlook and future of the schools. This should help to achieve better educational and social outcomes of vulnerable children in their care, and provide a firm foundation for their future.
INTERVENTIONS ACTIVITIES
OUTCOMES
Support in improving policies in safeguarding, financial management, whistle blowing, diversity.
• Children are better protected • School administration is more transparent and accountable • Greater alignment with Ministry of Education standards
Strengthen parent engagement.
16 GROW savings groups formed. 500 Parents taught how to save and learn financial literacy.
• 500 parents & carers have improved livelihoods. • Increased support and engagement with schools • Parents are better equipped to support their children
Improve pupil care and support for better educational and social outcomes.
16 youth trained to be Peer Educators to help children learn how to stay healthy. Extracurricular Sunshine Clubs established in schools to support children’s emotional and physical development.
• 7,400 children reached through peer education and are better motivated & more resilient.
Strengthen links and support from District Education Boards.
The formation of a steering group has been established between Cecily’s Fund, CHEP (our implementing partner) and District Education Boards in Kitwe and Chingola.
• District Education Boards are more aware of the specific support needs of schools and provide additional support.
Build capacity in Governance.
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Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Linking programmes for greater impact How A GROW Savings Group led to the formation of Sunrise Community School, which became part of Cecily’s Fund’s Education Support Programme
The Story of Sunrise Community School Sunrise Community School started in a former cow shed rented from a local farmer in Ipusukilu Ward Kitwe. At that time, the founder, Gift Chama, was a member of a Cecily‘s Fund ‘GROW‘ Group. Gift asked the GROW group for support and also took out a loan from the group to start her school. She has dedicated her life to helping the most vulnerable children access education, beginning with volunteer teachers and few resources. Through perseverance and support from GROW, the school is flourishing and children are succeeding academically and socially. During a monitoring visit carried out by Cecily‘s Fund, the school was identified in urgent need of support and was invited to apply to be a Cecily‘s Fund partner school. Through a process, and working with our local implementing partner, we have reviewed and strengthened internal policies and financial systems, provided training in financial management, created savings groups and taught tailoring to parents to improve their financial situation. The school has also received educational resources, and now has Peer education as part of the curriculum to support the well-being of vulnerable children. Through increased engagement with parents, the community has fund-raised to build a brick building, there are now 6 teachers, 189 pupils, and an active and committed PTA. The school has blackboards, stationery, and a water pump. The once anonymous school, is now known to the District Education Board and engaging with the Ministry of Education.
14
Our Beginnings ‘In 2015 I joined a GROW group where I learnt many things, after seeing how the children were living in my community moving up and down picking garbage in order for them to find something to eat, it came to my mind that I should open the community school to keep these children busy. In January 2016 the GROW group I was in here in Ipusukilo, bought books and chalk for the school. At that time, the school had 59 pupils and 2 volunteer teachers.’ Gift Chama Head Teacher
“Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy, and sustainable human development.” — Kofi Annan
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Helping strengthen schools Cecily’s Fund’s education support strategy is focussing on 6 community schools and 2 government schools in Kitwe district. Whilst government schools were better equipped and already receiving grants from the Ministry of Education, we wanted to focus support on the care and support of orphans and vulnerable children in their care. We also wanted to develop links between community schools and government schools so that government schools could provide support, mentorship and resources to help poorly resourced community schools as part of our capacity building strategy. Capacity building began with a school capacity assessment carried out with individual school head teachers to assess a school‘s performance and capacity in governance, pupil care and support, parent and community engagement, and links with District Education Boards. This provided an opportunity to identify gaps, understand strengths and weaknesses in different areas, and develop ways that Cecily‘s Fund could help strengthen those areas to create models of good practice in education support whilst aligning with the Government of Zambia‘s education strategy.
Community schools received training in financial management, IT training and financial reporting. Head Teachers were provided with laptops, and schools now have robust financial systems and bank accounts. Policies in safeguarding, fraud, whistle-blowing and disability have been strengthened, and parents are engaged and better equipped to support schools through GROW savings groups. Government schools are providing specific support for orphans and vulnerable pupils through feeding programmes, and they are also sharing resources and support with community schools.
On a scale of 0 to 100 where 0 is no capacity, community schools started at a perceived point of 11% capacity in governance. This has improved to 49% with stronger policies and financial procedures in place.
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Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Zambia is a country of young people, with the majority of the population under the age of 18 (53.4%)
16
41.9% of children experience at least 3 forms of deprivation or more, lacking access to adequate nutrition, education, health, water, sanitation and secure housing.
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Helping children to succeed Enabling a vulnerable child to go to school is only the start of a child’s journey. If they are not motivated and encouraged, and if there is no-one to turn to for advice and support as they enter their teenage years, they are more likely to drop out, and not complete education. Our peer education programme has been operating for over 20 years and is now a tried and tested model that supports at-risk adolescent boys and girls into adulthood. It teaches them life skills that continue into adulthood and supports the development of youth citizens who give back to their communities and create positive role models for younger children to aspire to. Historically, the peer health education programme focused on Kitwe district in Zambia’s Copperbelt. Through additional funding from the Mercury Phoenix Trust, we have expanded the programme to reach 5000 more young people in densely populated Lusaka and the very remote rural area of Luansobe. Through peer education, the different challenges facing youth in urban and rural communities are discussed, and young people are supported by their peers to take responsibility for their own health and well-being. This results in lower incidences of HIV, reduction in teenage pregnancy, increased motivation to succeed, and greater confidence and resilience in youth.
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Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Connecting programmes through Cecily’s Fund Alumni The future of Zambia‘s economic and social development lies with its youth population. Cecily‘s Fund has helped to develop positive youth citizens for more than 20 years using a youth-led approach. Each year, talented young school leavers are given the opportunity to be trained as Peer Educators who teach other youth about how to stay healthy and provide guidance and support on a range of adolescent matters.
Aston’s Story Aston is 18 years old and despite the many challenges he faced as a child growing up with multiple hardships, he managed to complete school. His dedication and talent did not go unnoticed and he was given the opportunity to be trained to be a Cecily‘s Fund Peer Educator. The training provided him with essential life skills, confidence, self-belief, and the motivation to succeed. Now Aston shares his skills, experience, and knowledge, with children at Sunrise School where through him, vulnerable children have learned the importance of good health and making the right decisions. He is now volunteering as an additional teacher to help the school. Aston joined Sunrise Parent‘s GROW group and learned how to save money. He was trained in tailoring so that he could find a way to earn additional income to support his dream to study nursing.
18
‘I want to enrol in a nursing school, it’s my passion because I love to serve people, this is why I joined the savings group, for me to pursue my career. The incentive realized from the PHE [Peer Health Education] sessions will be used to save for my nursing enrolment.’
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Zambia ranks among the countries with the highest levels of poverty and inequality globally. The incidence of poverty worsened with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 61% of Zambia’s 19.6 million people earn less than the international poverty line of $2.15 per day (compared to 41% across Sub-Saharan Africa) 2015.
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Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Reducing inequalities for the benefit of children and their families GROW – Grassroots Owning Wealth savings and lending groups Stronger communities is a necessary step towards empowering vulnerable people to learn how to be self-sufficient so that they do not need to turn to outside support to help them address their challenges. We do this through the formation of savings and lending groups led by women who then do not have to turn to unscrupulous money lenders for support. The GROW Group initiative is a self-selected group of 15–30 members who pool their money through weekly savings in a group loan fund, from which members can borrow. Each loan is paid back in weekly instalments with a flat interest rate set by the group themselves, causing the loan fund to grow. The saving and borrowing activities take place during a predetermined length of time. At the end of each cycle, the funds with accumulated interest, are shared out to members. Members also contribute to a ‘Social Fund’ to support anyone who needs additional support in the event of unforeseen emergencies such as funerals or health matters. The training helps members to understand how to save and invest money despite living in extreme hardship. This enables women to be able to operate their own income generating activities and improve their livelihoods. But GROW group meetings go beyond helping to reduce poverty. They are also a vital support network for women to share information and advice, create strong friendships, and learn from each other.
20
‘Before we formed the GROW groups, we used to get money on credit (kaloba) to sustain our daily needs but now, we just get loans from the group and pay back with a minimal interest unlike kaloba.* We even have collective businesses as a group which we use to help vulnerable children in the community with school needs.’ *Kaloba is informal and community based credit facility with exorbitant interest rates. Usually it’s between 50% and 75% of the initial amount and usually interest increases as one delays in payment. This form of credit facility enslaved many community members to the extent that household properties are seized.
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Sustainability through local ownership Theresa’s Story Each week, Theresa joins her GROW group in Chingola to learn about basic money management and to save money for her basic needs. The meeting starts with a prayer and, one by one, members put their savings for the week in a metallic box and record the name, amount and date. Later, some women will take out loans from this pool. One woman – a farmer and widow with four children – plans to use her loan to purchase a bicycle that will be used to transport her produce to the market, saving her a half-day’s walk with heavy loads. Another woman has borrowed to send her daughter to school. The women share their plans for the loans with the group for support and accountability. Theresa was born and raised in Chingola. As a single mother she fed and educated five of her own children and, over the years, over 20 orphans. With the capital from her GROW group, she will soon be able to buy seeds and tools for farming, and begin several small businesses, like a hair salon. Her husband was an alcoholic, physically abusive and unreliable and the burden of looking after the family fell to her. Theresa’s story is a common narrative for women in poor communities across Zambia. Today, the most vulnerable in Zambia are still women and children. But while in some ways it appears little has changed, there have also been great improvements. Through the development of GROW groups Cecily’s Fund has helped hundreds of women to be financially independent and become empowered by understanding their basic rights,as well as something less tangible – hope.
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Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Cecily’s Fund’s GROW Group development helps to reduce inequality and enable some of the poorest women and men to improve their livelihoods. The combination of learning how to save small amounts of money, with training in financial literacy, and income generation activities, provides a strong foundation from which individuals and communities can build upon. Often groups work together on joint business ventures, they develop strong friendships, share learning, and work together to find solutions to their own challenges. GROW groups often become a pillar of support in local communities, and help sustain Cecily’s Fund’s programmes.
£32,493 Saved in total across all GROW Groups during 2022.
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GROW Savings Groups Established.
£1,624 Average amount saved per group.
‘They [Cecily’s Fund local partner] brought us tools to use, books to record money; we learned how to write and how to save. Thereafter we started saving. We started with 20 kwacha and after 3 months we record and give out loans. From some loans we are paying for some family expenses and paying for new businesses for parents to start. Our loans have grown. Since our loans have run to this extent, our friends are able to be supported. Before there was no food, nothing to eat, it was very difficult to go back to school the next day. Now our children are able to have support and find food at home. Parents have been empowered.’
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Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
More than one third (36%) of Zambian women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. One in five women and girls (20%) suffer sexual abuse before age 18, and 39% are married before age 18.*
*(Zambia Statistics Agency, 2019; Republic of Zambia, 2018; Bessa & Malasha, 2020).
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Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Protecting women at risk supports the children in their care Reducing genderbased violence for women at risk in Lusaka Reports of gender-based violence are on the rise in Zambia, but prosecutions are down. A key reason, prosecutors and women’s rights advocates say, is that many Zambian women withdraw their cases. They say the trend emboldens men to abuse women with impunity. Some women acknowledge they decline to press charges to protect their family’s financial future. There are different forms of abuse of women including physical, economic, sexual and emotional abuse, including those that result in death. Sadly, many deaths are not fully investigated as suspicious, as they are not reported as resulting from abuse. Research has shown that carefully designed studies to collect data anonymously, often reveal twice the official rates of abuse recorded by police organizations. In many instances, it is suggested that the victim or her parents and/or guardians are encouraged to withdraw a case. A woman often feels she is left with no option but to discontinue the case after having reported it. Against this background, Cecily’s Fund developed a 2-year project to support 40 women affected by abuse to become financially independent, learn their basic rights, and have safer and more secure futures for themselves and their children.
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‘I don’t think they [the police] will manage to find the perpetrator, so I just withdrew the case. They said, if you want, you can discuss the matter with his relatives to pay you for what he did.’
40
Women affected by abuse learned about their basic rights & became financially independent.
120%
Increase in reported crimes by women as a result of greater awareness and support.
A Victim Support Officer is now established by the Police
120
Men took part in Insaka Campfire discussions.
Cecily’s Fund’s gender-based violence project was developed in response to the growing incidences of abuse against women living in Chazanga compound Lusaka, and confirmation from our local implementing partner that increasing numbers of women had confided in them for support. The 2-year project focused on empowering 40 oppressed women at risk, with the aim of enhancing their emotional and financial well-being, increasing self-esteem, and promoting a deeper understanding of basic rights and gender equity. There was a need to cultivate respect among men for women at risk of abuse in the community, and to reduce all forms of abuse and exploitation against women and girls by ensuring positive male engagement. The intervention tackled exploitation on two levels,. Empowering women with training in financial literacy, and tailoring skills, and an understanding of their basic rights, but also engaging with men during campfire discussions to understand their challenges and attitudes towards women. As a result 4 social tailoring businesses have been established by women alongside 2 GROW community savings and loan groups. By working with community leaders, men trusted the process and shared their thoughts on why abusive situations occurred. This enabled men to be heard, and also find strategies and solutions to help change their behaviours. Deep-rooted cultural practices were also addressed so that men’s attitudes and expectations about their personal rights because they had paid ‘lobolo’ [bride price] were discussed. The combination of empowering women and positive male engagement, has led to a reduction in incidences of abuse, greater awareness of the rights of women, and increased financial independence among women. This has resulted in stronger, more cohesive communities and more secure futures for women and the children in their care. Campfire discussions with men, have resulted in on-going meetings and men also requesting that additional campfire discussions can include women.
40
Men have been recruited to be male champions against gender-based violence in the community. 25
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
Safer and more secure futures for children The 40 women selected to be supported by this intervention were victims of gender abuse or at risk of gender-based violence and known to Cecily’s Fund’s local implementing partner [BISO]. The women had no financial independence and little understanding of their basic rights. Over a period of 2 years, the women were trained in tailoring and business development, and worked as a group to make clothes that are sold in the local markets. They also learned about their basic rights and were given the confidence and strategies to report incidences and protect the children in their care. Word of mouth, quickly spread in the local community and growing numbers of women began to come forward and report incidences of abuse to the local police. With greater financial independence, women and children are no longer living in fear and are able to look forward to the future. Gradually, behaviour is changing and men are showing signs of understanding the need to respect women and their role in the family and community. Children benefit from more stable family units and are better able to learn and develop. The local police station has also seen the change that is happening, and has recruited a Victim Support Officer. Where cultural norms and gender inequality is so deeply rooted in Zambian communities, the project has gone a long way to reduce inequality for women. The lessons learned by both women and men, will be passed on to children and establish the beginning of enduring change. Sustaining behaviour change is key to success. The tailoring group is now registered as a group cooperative business. They are now able to access government grants to help continue the future of the group. 26
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
13
Schools supported.
7,400 Children supported in School in 2022.
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Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
8
Youth led community Sunshine Clubs continue to operate after they were first formed in 2015.
8,183 Direct beneficiaries in 2022.
120
Male champions recruited to advocate against gender-based violence.
64
Parents supported in social entrepreneurship & tailoring skills to produce low-cost reusable menstrual hygiene pads, face masks and clothes.
Cecily’s Fund’s holistic approach tackles the big picture to achieve the best possible outcomes for the most vulnerable children in Zambia. Getting an education and enabling a child to go to school is just one step towards a route out of poverty and to a better future. We work to help children succeed and reach their potential by helping to reduce poverty, improve gender equity, and empower young people to be healthy and responsible citizens who can give back to Zambia’s economy and social development. However, none of this would happen without the support and dedication of our long-standing local partners, BISO, CHEP and Care Providers’ Foundation, we thank you sincerely for your consistent support.
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Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
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Financial summary The charity continued to benefit from a strong financial situation throughout 2022 with year-end reserves totalling £160,175 (2021 year-end reserves £126,063). Remittances to our Zambian partners in the year totalled £175,775 (2021 – £128,868) bringing the total of remittances made to our Zambian partners since the constitution of the charity in 1998 to £6,662,258. Both the income and expenditure categories for 2022 and the assets and liabilities of the balance sheet at December 31, 2022 were in line with budgets set at the beginning of the year by the Board of Trustees.
Donations & legacies £225,000
£225,953
INCOME
EXPENDITURE
£200,000
£175,000
£150,000
£300,000
£125,000
£250,000
£100,000
£200,000
Charitable Activities
£272,304
Grants from Trusts & Foundations
£75,000
£73,457
Other donations
£150,000
64,515 £50,000
£100,000
Raising Funds & Governance
£78,467 £25,000
Gift Aid
£24,558
30
£50,000
Cecily’s Fund Impact Report 1997–2023
A very BIG thank you! Private Grant-making Trusts and Foundations
Schools
Accentus
Southborough High School
Andrew House Trust
The Dragon School
Ann & Christopher Fielden Charitable Trust
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
Bartlett Foundation Bartlett Taylor Charitable Trust
Staff
Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust
Cheryl Hooper, Director
Cauda Trust
Bob Gooderick, Finance Manager
Coles-Medlock Foundation
Steven Barlow, Programmes Manager
DLM Charitable Trust
Anne Cooper, Senior Fundraiser
Doris Field Charitable Trust
Lwiza Mulenga, Supporter Relations Officer
Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust
Monda Konayuma, Zambia Administrator & Coordinator
Fulmer Charitable Trust Mageni Trust
Trustees
Marsh Christian Trust
Steph Harland, Chair
Mercury Phoenix Trust
Andrew Tacon, Treasurer
Pat Newman Memorial Fund
Basil Eastwood, Chair of International Advisory Panel
Peter Stebbings Memorial Charity
Philippa Tolmay
Souter Charitable Trust
Veronica Oakeshott
Sterry Family Foundation
Tom Childs
Stockwell Charitable Trust
Isobelle Jaques
WGFJM Charitable Trust
Churches St Pauls Church, Nottingham Portishead CoE Briercliffe Road Church, Burnley Community Groups Witney Inter-Church Singers St James Church, Stonesfield
Many of our Supporters and Grant making Trusts have been with us throughout our 25 year journey. Your support, loyalty, and trust in us to make a difference is invaluable. Thank you to all those grant-makers, individuals, groups, schools and associations who have supported us over the years.
Partner Organizations CHEP (Copperbelt Helath Education Project) BISO (Bwafwano Integrated Services Organisation) Care Providers Foundation
Affiliate Organisations Swiss Friends of Cecily’s Fund American Friends of Cecily’s Fund
Celebrating 25 Years 3
About Cecily’s Fund
Cecily’s Fund has invested over £6 million in life changing interventions that have helped the most vulnerable children in Zambia to improve their life chances through access to education, economic empowerment, and psycho-social support. Cecily’s Fund helps children and the communities where they live to thrive and become self-reliant. At the heart of our approach is to adapt and be responsive to local need by listening, empowering, and working in partnership to develop sustainable solutions to on-going local challenges. If you would like to get in touch, we are at: PO Box 811, Banbury, OX16 6TQ Tel: +44 (0)1755 291 424 www.cecilysfund.org This Cecily’s Fund Impact Report is available online as a PDF at www.cecilysfund.org
Cecily’s Fund was formed in memory of Cecily Eastwood who died in Zambia during her gap year in 1997. Our smiley logo is how she signed her letters home. Since its formation Cecily’s Fund has helped over 50,000 disadvantaged children to have a brighter future. Charity registration: 1071660 Report written by Cheryl Hooper. Designed by meadencreative.com Names and photos have been changed to protect the identity of beneficiaries. With thanks to Unicef Zambia, The World Bank, and Zambia Statistics Agency for data and background research sources.
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