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Afric
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Students Meareg Giday and Medhin Woldu graduate July 2012
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AFRICAN CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL TRUST
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item
Pages
Trustees and other information
Trustees Report
Independent Examiner’s Report
Statement of financial activities and Balance Sheet
Notes to the financial statement
Photos of our children and work
Narrative overview
Summary activities, achievements and impact
Chairman’s Report
A-CET Governance Team and some useful notes
The Fundraising Promise and The Donors’ Charter
Do we need images of starving children - Ann Knight
American School, Doha - Ann Durham
Is your country flag here?
DVD Learning for life 3 (2012)
Birhan Woldu “Feed the World” and David Stables “How A-CET came to Ethiopia” Books
3
4-7
8
9
10 - 12
13 -16
17
18 -19
20
21
22
23 - 24
25
26
27
Back Cover
A-CET’s
Vision
For all children to have easier access to free
quality education.
Purpose
Working in Ethiopia in partnership with local
organizations, communities and initiatives to
improve the lives of vulnerable children through
educational support.
Mission
To support vulnerable children’s easier access to
appropriate quality education to the maximum of
their ability through the provision of scholarships
and upgrading community elementary rural
schools.
Values
That all children are born equal and should have
equal opportunities to access education.
Beliefs
Education is one of the best ways out of poverty.
Education is the key to an individual, a community
& a country’s better future. With education people can take control of their lives, be self sufficient
and have the potential to lead and help others.
Strapline
Educating Ethiopians to develop Ethiopia.
Up-to-date information with student and project reports are available on our web-site at:
www.a-cet.org
If you have any questions or need help, please contact us.
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REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
TRUSTEES AND OTHER INFORMATION
Trustees
David Graham Stables................................ Chairman
Samuel Ayalew Assefa
Dame Dr Claire Bertschinger
Bisrat Mesfin Gebremichael (Retired 31st December 2011)
Patrons
Ambassador Dr Kassa Gebrehiwot
Dr Michael J S Burden
Angela Glendenning
Independent Examiner
Kemp Taylor LLP
14 The Oval, West Walk
Leicester, LE1 7NA
England/UK
Principal bankers
The Cooperative Bank plc
PO Box 250, Delf House
Skelmersdale, WN8 6WT
England/UK
Registered Address
African Children’s Educational Trust
670 Ethel Road
Leicester, LE5 4WR
England/UK
Registered Charity Number (England & Wales) 1066869
OUR ETHIOPIAN NATIONAL PARTNER
AND EXECUTIVE AGENCY ETHIOPIAN
YOUTH EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT (EYES)
•
EYES is an Ethiopian local charity number 1432 registered with the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Justice and regularly
reporting to both the Ministry of Justice and the Regional Government’s Early Warning, Response & Food Security
team (EWRFS - a part of the Bureau of Agriculture and Urban Development - similar to the Charity Commission in
England & Wales).
•
EYES works closely with the Tigrai Regional and Hintalo and Wajirat Enderta District Bureaux of Education, the Bureau
Youth & Social Affairs and the Mekelle Municipality, following and respecting Government policies.
•
EYES works closely with the umbrella body ACSOT - “Alien Civil Societies of Tigrai”.
•
EYES is managed by Bisrat Mesfin Gebremichael with a board of five Directors of which David Stables, A-CET
Chairman and CEO, is a member. Bisrat is also an A-CET Director which ensures active cooperation at all levels.
It is not considered that these appointments in any way constitute a conflict of interests.
•
EYES submits audited accounts annually, without which annual registration may be withheld.
•
EYES has its own constitution, but its aims and objectives are similar to A-CET.
•
Whilst EYES is currently principally funded by A-CET to implement A-CET funded programmes; as a self managing
autonomous charity, it can raise its own funds to implement its own programmes.
Registered Data Controller
For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998, David Stables is the registered
Data Controller for A-CET. Limited records of donors are kept securely.
No data is ever passed to third parties.
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Always remember be kind, be fair, be true - and all these things will come back to you.
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
The Trustees submit their annual report and accounts for the year ended 30th June, 2012.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT
Governing Instrument
The Charitable Trust was constituted by deed on 20thOctober,1997, as amended 10thJune, 2004 and 28th November,
2007 and is a registered charity in England & Wales number 1066869. The charity is administered and managed by the
trustees.
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed for a term of three years by resolution of the trustees at a special meeting called upon with not less
than 21 days notice; decisions are made by a majority of votes. The trust deed stipulates that there should be at least three
trustees.
Trustee Induction & Training
New trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity laws and on the content of the trust deed together with the
decision making processes and the recent financial performance of the charity. As legislation is amended and our charity
develops, Trustees are made aware as to their legal and other responsibilities.
Organisation
The trustees administer the charity and the Trustee Chair David Stables is appointed as CEO to look after the day to day
administrative functions; there are no employees. Policies and strategies are determined by the trustees who hold formal
meetings a minimum of twice a year. The trustees do not receive any remuneration.
Risk Management
The Trustees have considered the risks to which the charity is exposed and have reviewed those risks and have established
systems and procedures to manage them. The Trustees consider the principle risk to be related to an inability to provide the
necessary continuity of funding to enable students to complete an educational course. An element in their management of
financial risk, therefore is the setting of a reserves policy and its regular review by the Trustees.
OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT
Objectives
The objects of the charity are to further the education of the inhabitants of the African continent in one or more of the
following ways:
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•
in awarding scholarships, exhibitions, bursaries or maintenance allowances tenable at any school, university or other
educational establishment approved by the trustees to persons under thirty five years of age.
•
in providing financial assistance, outfits, clothing, tools, instruments or books to such persons on leaving school,
university or other educational establishment to prepare them for or assist their entry into a trade, profession or
service.
•
in awarding those persons grants or maintenance allowances to enable them to travel, whether in Africa or elsewhere
in furtherance of their education.
•
in otherwise funding the education of such persons.
•
for the relief of the inhabitants of the African continent who are suffering hardship as a result of drought, earthquake,
flood or other natural disaster or who, by reason of their social and economic conditions, are in need of assistance.
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ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
Specific Objectives for the year
•
To maintain our level of approximately 240 fully funded scholarships from the previous year.
•
To complete the construction, basic furnishing and mains electricity installation of 20 classrooms, a 25 station
solar-powered computer training facility and two latrines at Ziban Albe, Hiwane rural community Full Elementary
government school accommodating over 1,200 students (on a single shift).
•
To complete the construction of a library including solar electricity at Gumselasa Full Elementary School (to replace
the current library now used as a Solar powered Computer Training facility).
•
To enable/facilitate an evening “extension” shift, install solar electricity in Fikre Alem Full Elementary School.
•
To carry out preparatory surveys and work to build a school at Metego in the Enderta district.
•
We continue with an ongoing programme to purchase of local study books to help equip school libraries at all our
seven constructed schools which currently have the capacity to accommodate > 5,000 students on a single shift.
Double or triple shifts considerably increase the potential capacity.
MAP OF SOUTH EAST ZONE OF THE TIGRAI REGIONAL STATE IN WHICH WE OPERATE
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ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
Strategy, Performance & Outcomes
•
All our year’s specific objectives were completed or fulfilled during the year, with over 5,370 youngsters benefiting.
A number of extra humanitarian activities were undertaken principally in our base of Mekelle city in support of
activities promoted by the Bureaux of Labour & Social Affairs.
•
Our strategy is to facilitate better and easier access to educational opportunities for those vulnerable youngsters who
may otherwise be deprived from attending full-time education, regardless of sex, religion or ability. We do this by
offering a limited number of individual scholarships and by upgrading rural community-initiative, government staffed
elementary schools. These activities heighten students’ aspirations and, through education, give them opportunities
to achieve their maximum potential to be better equipped with more life choices. In addition to financial support we
offer counselling and try to inculcate a sense of dignity, self discipline, self-reliance, selflessness, and social responsibility.
•
Invariably our students perform better academically (as assessed by their annual reports) after joining us and become
healthier. With financial security and our concern, they become more self assured. Our support can open up more
opportunities for their brighter future. As they grow, graduate and move out into the world, they are stronger and,
with more choices, have that potential to change their lives, their families, their communities and their country.
All our students graduating during the past year have found gainful employment or self-employment within six
months of their qualifying.
•
Through targeted community level support we continue to maintain our solid high reputation with positive
outcomes in those areas and sectors we operate. We continue to be both highly respected and trusted by the local
administration, ministries/bureaux, businesses and communities. The trustees are satisfied that within our resources,
our objectives are being achieved in an effective, appropriate and culturally sensitive way.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The end of the year saw a fair financial result based on a satisfactory performance by the trustees.
Total incoming resources were £372,016 (2011 £491,349) a year on decrease of 24%. Governance costs were 7% at
£24,688 (2011 £16,723) leaving a surplus of £347,328 (2011 £474,626) to meet our objectives.
During the year all our restricted income of £153,050 was expended, the balance of expenses paid of £81,290 accumulated
in prior years, leaving a balnace of £28,294.
Grants and donations made from unrestricted funds amounted to £196,250 (2011 £112,255).
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ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
Investment Powers & Investments Policy
Under the declaration of trust the trustees have the power to invest in any way they wish having due regard to the liquidity
requirements and the reserves policy. The trustees’ ethical investment policy as agreed in 2002 is that none of our
investments should alienate any donors or directly conflict with, or be incompatible on moral grounds with our objectives.
This policy is consistent with previous years. Currently we hold no investments.
Reserves
The trustees have set a continuing reserves policy to hold free reserves in unrestricted funds of £25,000. We believe that
donors support us for A-CET funds to be used on our work and not necessarily invested. The unrestricted funds balance at
30th June, 2012 was £59,784 (2011 £134,644).
Details of the accumulated funds are set out in note 11 to the financial statements.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
•
Our work is dependent on those funds we receive internationally from funding trusts, schools and private donors.
During these times of continuing financial uncertainty we work hard to maintain this support.
•
Our educational support work will continue to focus principally in the Tigray Region of Northern Ethiopia where our
implementing partners, EYES, an Ethiopian federally registered charity (1432) is based. All this work is undertaken by
EYES which is staffed by four A-CET alumni. A-CET will continue to support EYES financially to run our programmes
with all the necessary appropriate guidance and monitoring, whilst strengthening their infrastructure and future
capacity.
•
Where we receive direct donor sponsorship, EYES will continue to support those 200 vulnerable youngsters with
their long-term scholarships until graduation. All our children were locally selected on the basis of need through
liaison and cooperation with the relevant bureaux of social affairs, education and youth. We recognize the high level
of administrative and associated costs of running an individual donor/sponsor scheme and our difficulties in meeting
the expectations of some of our donors. Since 2006 as policy, we are generally no longer accepting further individual
students for sponsorship.
•
To reach more children in a more effective and self-sustaining way, working through local administration and
communities at village level, we will continue to replicate our proven successful programme for the upgrading and
refurbishment of rural elementary schools. These schools are selected by EYES on receipt of a short-list from the
local Bureau of Education and approved by A-CET. Currently these schools are in the South East Zone of the Tigrai
Region, which is recognized as being an area of their greatest need. Working in this zone with its community has the
advantage of being well known to the Trust Chairman and CEO for since 1992. The final selection of a school is
made by EYES within A-CET specific criteria that the schools should be rural-based and already part-constructed by
an active local community, with committed staff producing acceptable academic results. Schools are selected within a
day’s travel of our Mekelle base and all have dry season vehicle access. On identifying a potential school, we then
solicit project funding, recognizing that this programme is dependent on our receiving specific earmarked funds.
•
With an increasing administrative and bureaucratic reporting regime being imposed on UK charities, we are very
conscious of the need to strengthen and put on a more self-sustaining footing our UK-based administration and fund
raising activities. The trustees are actively pursuing all channels to do this.
Signed by two Trustees on behalf of all the Trustees on 5th October, 2012
David G Stables
Samuel A Assefa
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE
TRUSTEES OF THE AFRICAN CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL TRUST
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 June, 2012 which are set out on pages 8 to 12
following
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not
required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is
needed. [The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified
member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (England & Wales)].
It is our responsibility to:
•
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
•
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of
the 2011 Act; and
•
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination
includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records.
It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees
concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit
and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those
matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
(1)
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
•
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
•
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the
2011 Act
have not been met; or
(2)
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be
reached.
Kemp Taylor LLP
Chartered Accountants
The Oval
14 West Walk
Leicester LE1 7NA
5th October, 2012
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AFRICAN CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
Signed by two Trustees on behalf of all the Trustees on 5th October, 2012
David G Stables
Samuel A Assefa
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NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2011
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NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2011
Page 11
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NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
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EYES Circus
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Ziban Albe New School
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Dansa School Students
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Students Graduate & EYES Football Team
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ONE PAGE SUMMARY ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS
AND IMPACT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
The need
All Africans/Ethiopians are desperate and highly motivated to be educated, but whilst education may be nominally free of
“fees”, there are so many hidden costs (clothes, shoes, food, books & pens plus loss of labour to families). Also available
schools are often too far from where they live. Our support aims to rectify these deficiencies.
Fundraising
Our fundraising spend was 1.9p for every pound raised. No money is spent on paid fund raisers. Money spent on fundraising
is in support of A-CET presentations and legacy marketing. Both David Stables’ Autobiography “How A-CET came to
Ethiopia” and Birhan Woldu’s Biography “Feed the World” are on sale either through Amazon or direct with all
profits/royalties to A-CET. We do not make unsolicited phone calls, nor do street fundraising, direct mail shots or “appeals”.
Supporters are generally only mailed once a year with our Report & Accounts or as a donation reminder.
We need private voluntary donations
Individual private voluntary donations are vital for our survival and our very life blood. We receive no government, lottery
or large funding body grants. These donations are our only source of revenue and, in the current climate of financial
uncertainty challenging, but it helps keep our relative independence.
How your money is spent - Careful use of your donations and our funds
6.6% of your donation goes on governance (management), the balance in supporting our students and projects. We do not
campaign or lobby. None of our aid is stolen, diverted or used in any corrupt way. The Chief Executive and Trustees are
unpaid. A-CET has no paid staff employed in the UK. In the UK we work out of the Chairman’s flat and, with volunteer help
this makes your donations go further. We consider we are efficient, effective and abhor waste. Your donations are used
carefully and wisely. Where we spend money we know it is justified, trying in every way to keep our costs to a minimum.
Charities work together
Our charity is small, professional and transparent - with decades of practical experience in the field. In Ethiopia we work
through our local partners EYES, staffed by four of our previously graduated students. They in their turn liaise and cooperate
fully with the relevant education, social services and youth ministerial bureaux. We work in cooperation with other charities
to decide who can best help. If we cannot help we try to direct applicants to other charities with whom we share our
knowledge and experience.
Impact/Outcomes
Your donations are making an incredible, inestimable difference with life-changing improvements to over 5,400 children and
those communities in which we work. Specific targeted and supervised giving at a community level through local agents is
effective. All our students know we care. They have a growing maturity, an increased self belief, are healthier and due to
their improved educational standards, can be assured of a better, independent and more productive life with more
opportunities.
Charities are highly regulated and adhere to a range of strict standards
We are registered with and regulated by: the Charity Commissioners and comply with all the legal requirements for charities.
HM Revenue & Customs Income Revenue Charities Office for all gift aid re-claim transactions. HM Revenue & Customs
Trust & Estate Tax Returns and the Money Services Business for all overseas fund transfers. We operate to the highest
standards of financial control & accountability and produce accounts every year which are examined according to the current
Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP).
We are an Organizational Member of the Institute of Fundraising and adhere to their Codes of Practice. We are registered
with and adhere to the Fund Raising Standards Board regulations and guidelines. We are a member of the National Council
of Voluntary Organisations.
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It doesn’t matter what people think about you. It’s what you think about yourself that really counts
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FULL SUMMARY ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS
AND IMPACT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
All A-CET’s activities in Ethiopia are implemented by the local Ethiopian charity EYES (Ethiopian Youth Educational Support),
led and staffed principally by ex-A-CET students trained by ourselves. EYES is a federally registered residential charity 1432
fully complying with new local legislation. EYES is responsible and reports to the local Ministry of Justice and the Early Warning
Response & Food Security Commission (EWRFS).
Students
A-CET maintained a level of approximately 239 students on full direct monthly long-term scholarships. The currency level
of scholarships were increased to keep pace with inflation which was covered by both increased sponsorship levels and the
enhanced value of the pound to the local currency. After investigation and in-depth discussions sadly a small number of
students dropped out early for a number of personal reasons. This is normal. After very careful local screening by EYES, they
were replaced by a few new students, all special cases, some with physical disabilities. All graduating students found gainful
employment or self-employment within six months of graduating.
Sammy A Assefa is completing his final year of PhD research at the Sanger Institute Cambridge, UK. He is fully funded by the
Wellcome Trust and doing malarial genome research towards eradicating malaria, one of the highest causes of death in Africa
and Asia. He is due to complete his PhD work by December 2012. Sammy actively supports in the publicity and
administration of A-CET in the UK and overseas.
The increasing overall tuition and associated costs together with the bureaucracy and near impossibility of obtaining UKBA
visas will preclude our continuing this programme in future.
Projects
All Bureau of Education (Government) schools are identified to our Ethiopian implementing partner charity EYES (Ethiopian
Youth Education Support), but the final selection is jointly made by A-CET/EYES. Need is assessed and assured by the Bureau
of Education local office, as is their subsequent provision of full teaching staff. A-CET/EYES selection factors are dependent
on a number of factors, principally a committed community who have already started and constructed some sort of school
and demonstrably want a full school, vehicle accessibility, good teaching staff and if appropriate committed students with good
attendance and results. Selection depends on lengthy local assessment and community meetings, no promises are made until
minimally 90% of the construction costs are assured from A-CET’s major funders. Funding of local made furniture and
equipping of libraries have rocketed and are now an estimated average per standard school of £12,000 and are funded from
fund raising initiatives. There is no corruption in the region where we work. All funds are personally authorised and handled
by our EYES Chief Executive and no unauthorized payments are made.
All schools we construct are staffed by the Bureau of Education and maintained by the community.
Ziban Albe, Hiwane - our biggest school to date
After nine months construction work by the community led by our Engineer and Contractor - in April 2012 we opened our
biggest school to date at Ziban Albe (Hilltop) in Hiwane. This ceremony was performed by Mr Gobezai, the Tigray Regional
Head of Education who praised our commitment and effort. This has been our biggest project to date including over 20
classrooms in five blocks, two dry latrine blocks and a dedicated 25 station solar-powered computer block with office. With
locally manufactured furniture and mains electricity installed this project cost over £ 250,000. Major trust funding was from
the Band Aid Trust, the Aall Foundation and the Herrod Trust (Switzerland). Please see DVD at end of report.
Project #8 Gumselasa School library to replace that used as a computer training facility was completed and opened during
the year. This was funded by the American School in Doha.
We installed solar powered lighting and radio points in our last (sixth) school at Fikre Alem, Aderak. This cost approximately
£6,000. Running costs for a solar installations are noticeably less, provided the system and panels are well maintained. All
seven schools we have built for the government now have electric power enabling them, if the communities so want, to run
evening extension classes for those students unable to attend day classes, such as shepherds.
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Tough times never last. Tough people do. - Robert Schuler
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FULL SUMMARY ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS
AND IMPACT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
Future projects
#10 Metego Full Elementary School in the Enderta District north of Mekelle (8 grades 400 student capacity).The need is to
re-locate and re-build this school safely further away from a recently widened trunk road; a number of speeding lorries have
accidentally driven into the old school. This project will be for two by four classroom blocks, an Administration Office with
Store & Library plus one dry latrine blocks and is now estimated at £120,000, excluding basic locally made furniture at an
additional £12,000. The new site has been chosen & surveyed. Work will start as soon as we obtain VAT clearance.
School #3 Dansa, Dejen needs another four classroom block to cope with increased demand for school places and it is
hoped that the earlier funders from Coornhert Gymnasium (NL) will be supporting this.
EYES Training & Administrative Centre in Mekelle. For eight years EYES has rented a small house in central Mekelle and now
we are also renting a compound on another site. During all this time we have grown considerably and have great need of
a larger place we can call our own. Negotiations are ongoing with the relevant authorities to allow us to take a 99-year lease
so we can build our own centre.
Through A-CET support, well over 5,000 youngsters (51% girls, 49% boys) are receiving closer
easier access to better quality education from elementary to university levels with financial
security, better food, clothing, shelter and health with EYES continuing care and pastoral support.
Other events - Presentation & Socials
During the year a number of socials were hosted by EYES in Mekelle with music and entertainment by the EYES Circus and
food buffets served. All events were held in our rented premises and attended by senior students and leading local dignitaries.
These events serve as social bonding and morale boosting events. Events include awards to high achieving students for
academic or sporting prowess, recognition of local supporters, government partners and particularly for visiting donors,
schools and students.
Other events - Community “motivational” events
By building schools, we are supporting initiatives started by the local community with our financial support and technical
advice - but it is they who are involved in and doing the labouring and construction work. We pay government rates of pay
(usually about £1.50 a day). By our injecting this cash into the community for their labour, often for the very first time, it has
the lasting potential to uplift entire villages.
During the year events were held at Ziban Albe school site with EYES Circus fronting the entertainment with much
traditional/cultural dancing. The community generally provide any food and local drinks. In these extremely poor marginalised
farming communities who are often only managing on the very edge of existence with no services, electricity, TV or any form
of entertainment, these are memorable much talked about events. They are of immense value and serve to mobilize and
bond the entire community to work with us in a true partnership.
This is a proven most effective form of development, not top down imposed projects. It is certainly not the fastest way of
working as these communities are principally farmers and we must work within their capacity based on their farming
demands. Additionally we must also obtain the tacit support and respect of the powerful local priests as there are many
religious constraints and Saints days.
Page 19
How much better to get wisdom than gold. - Proverbs 16:16
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
Chairman’s Report
The year started with our again being short-listed for the Haymarket Group Third Sector
MagazineAwards for Excellence in the “Small Charity, Big Impact” category. Last year (2010/11)
we won and this year (2011/12) we achieved “Highly Commended”.
This has been a busy yet generally positive year when we have continued to achieve much. Of particular note is the higher
grades being achieved by many of our scholarship students. Yet it has certainly not been without it’s hardships and frustrations
and after now fifty years working in Africa it certainly is still a great challenge with so much more to do and with levels of
pervasive poverty still unmet.
Whilst Ethiopia has experienced incredible positive and continual economic growth over the last decade it has come at the
price of high inflation. For our students, the most vulnerable orphans or abandoned who are often cared for by their
Grandmothers and Aunties, this inflation has hit hard - particularly in food, transport and rent. Our 239 sponsored scholarship
students continued to be supported and it was gratifying that again those who graduated during the year managed to get
gainful paid employment. Scholarship rates were again increased as far as possible in April 2012 to try to keep pace with
rampant inflation, so that basic scholarships (excluding rent allowances and/or private college fees) were now over £13 a
month.
However hard we attempt to make our students strong and not dependent on us, inevitably a level of dependency creeps
in, for some students more than others. Some related stories are still traumatic and insoluble. Yet perhaps my most important
role is to listen, and show we care.
This year saw the first full year of our reformed voluntary student group, the “EYES Circus & Band”. The group now has
over forty members, all in full-time education and gave a number of well attended free public performances not only in
support of our school openings but also in support of the Regional Government to celebrate and dedicate anniversaries and
competitions. The Circus now has dedicated rehearsal facilities with showers and all amenities. With hours of rehearsal the
students aim for perfection and their level of performance attained is near professional. The members, boys and girls aged
from 12 to 24 years, become extremely fit physically and all gain a high level of self-confidence and understanding of teamwork. Whilst we may train our students in other trades and professions, we continue to lose a number of members to
overseas circuses, some better paid and less exploitative than others. The Circus also performed to delighted audiences at
World Heritage Centre Theatre in Lalibela, to celebrate the “Ashenda” (Women’s) Week of Festivities.
The EYES Circus performed for the notable Swedish Director Bosse Lindquist whilst filming for the BBC documentary “Why
Poverty?” series due to be screened on all BBC World channels in November 2012. This part is called “How to do Good”
and includes Sir Bob Geldof, Bono et al. As with so many of these events into which we put so much time, effort and
expense, we hear that whilst a quote from our famine survivor student Birhan Woldu is included, our other input ended up
on the cutting room floor!
This year saw the launch of an EYES Football Team (EFT) which played in the Mekelle City under 15's summer league. Of
24 teams entered EYES came fourth, a not inconsiderable achievement for which they received a commendation. What was
particularly gratifying to us was that the team was started entirely on the initiative of one of our young Grade 10 students 393 Haftom D Desta, who went on to become their successful coach. Only later did EYES support the team with balls and
a Team GB “strip”.
I would not be totally honest if I failed to mention some of the challenges delaying our work. These continue to be
dealing with federal customs in the capital on collection of VAT/Import duties and in the Region our dealing with ever
changing civil service personalties. In the UK we find dealing with the UK Border Agency for UK visitor visas very difficult.
David G Stables 5th October, 2012, Leicester
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A good plan done today is better than a perfect plan done later - US General George Patton
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THE A-CET GOVERNANCE TEAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2012
David G Stables, Founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
David has worked overseas most of his life, principally in Africa. Initially he was a Military Engineer, a Factory
Manager, a BESO/VSO Small Business Advisor and latterly a delegate with the International Federation of Red
Cross & Red Crescent Societies. David is retired & runs the Trust from his UK flat.
Sammy Ayalew Assefa - Trustee
Sammy, 30 year old A-CET alumnus, was our first UK post graduate student. He is now on a Wellcome Trust
Scholarship doing PhD research in to malaria at the Sanger Institute in Cambridge. With his background and quiet
maturity, he is ideally placed to support A-CET and brings a unique perspective to our board. Sammy visits
Ethiopia often in addition to travelling extensively elsewhere overseas.
Dame Dr Claire Bertschinger - Trustee
Ex-Red Cross Nurse Claire may be remembered for featuring in Michael Buerk’s BBC documentary on the 1984
Ethiopian famine which galvanised Sir Bob Geldof to launch Band and Live Aid. Claire has written the book
“Moving Mountains” about her life of which a proportion of the royalties come to ACET. Claire acts as an
Ambassador for A-CET, giving many talks and presentations in the UK, Europe and Qatar. She is the holder of
many Honorary Doctorates and was made a Dame in 2010. Her experience, enthusiasm and continual active
commitment to A-CET and Ethiopia are invaluable.
Bisrat Mesfin Gebremichael - Director
Bisrat, an A-CET alumnus, epitomizes all that A-CET aims to achieve. A 1984/85 famine survivor, he has been
working with David since 1992. Now Manager and Chairman of our Ethiopian partners, EYES, we are fortunate
he has joined our Board as Director where he can make a invaluable contribution. Bisrat has an extraordinary high
level of commitment and is totally dedicated to his work. Bisrat also has a tourist franchise and is studying for a
degree in Business Management.
USEFUL NOTES
Sorry but we are unable to accept any donated goods. Experience proves we can not handle donated books, used clothing,
computers or equipment of any sort. Ethiopia is land locked. Carriage is prohibitively expensive and customs clearance is
never straightforward.
Donor visits: Small groups of committed donors are welcome to visit their students or projects on a self-financing basis.
We can arrange all comprehensive in-country support but in the first instance we strongly recommend that you contact
David by phone or e-mail. Ethiopia is a very safe and friendly country.
We are not a grant making charity and are unable to give any grants to Africans (whether UK-based or not), gap year or any
other students or projects. We constantly struggle to fund our own work, so please don’t ask. We regret that any applications
can no longer be acknowledged.
Overseas volunteers. All our overseas work is done by local personnel. From experience we realize we don’t have the
necessary infrastructure to support or fully utilize the skills of expatriate volunteers, however willing. We recommend you
visit our web-site which gives many links to professional overseas volunteering organizations. If you have specific relevant
qualifications we suggest you contact a charity working in that sector.
UK-based volunteers. We welcome and would encourage fund raisers who can run marathons or host events and who
are prepared and able to work independently. We regret we have little infrastructure or staff to support them.
UK vacancies. We regret we do not have any employment opportunities; all our UK-based staff are unpaid volunteers.
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Great things are not done on impulse - but by a series of small things brought together - VanGogh
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THE FUNDRAISING PROMISE & DONORS CHARTER
The Fundraising Promise is a promise made by members of the FRSB scheme to the public, committing them to the
highest standards of practice, and ensuring that all the activities are open, fair, honest and legal. By being a member of
this scheme, A-CET are agreeing to adhere to the Fundraising promise when raising funds
•
We are committed to high standards
• We do all we can to ensure that fundraisers, volunteers and fundraising people
working with us to raise funds comply with the Codes and with this promise
• We comply with the law including those that apply to data protection,
health and safety and the environment
•
We are honest and open
• We tell the truth and do not exaggerate
• We do what we say we are going to do
• We answer all reasonable questions about our fundraising activities and costs.
Please contact us, visit our web-site or see our Annual Report if you require further details.
•
We are clear
• We are clear about who we are, what we do and how your gift is used
• Where we have a promotional agreement with a commercial company, we make clear how much of the
purchase price we receive
• We give a clear explanation of how you can make a gift and amend a regular commitment
•
We are respectful
• We respect the rights, dignities and privacy of our supporters and beneficiaries
• We will not put undue pressure on you to make a gift and if you do not want to give or wish to cease giving,
we will respect your decision
• If you tell us that you don’t want us to contact you in a particular way we will not do so
•
We are fair and reasonable
• We take care not to use any images or words that cause unjustifiable distress or offence
• We take care not to cause unreasonable nuisance or disruption
•
We are accountable
• If you are unhappy with anything we’ve done whilst fundraising, you can contact us to make a complaint
• We have a complaints procedure, a copy of which is available on request. If we cannot resolve your complaint,
we accept the authority of the FRSB to make a final adjudication.
The Donors’ Charter of the Institute of Fundraising, of which A-CET is an Organizational Member
When you consider making a gift to A-CET, we undertake that:
All our communications will be honest, truthful and will comply with the law.
Your right to privacy will be respected and you will not be subjected to any form of pressure.
Your gift will be applied to the purpose for which it was originally requested.
Your gift will be used in a way that preserves the dignity of the beneficiary.
Your gift will be handled responsibly and to the greatest advantage of the beneficiary.
A-CET will consider how to meet your wishes as a donor and will be transparent in all dealings with you.
A-CET will respect your needs for confidentiality and will comply with the law relating to fundraising and the use of
personal data.
A-CET will strive to achieve the highest professional standards at all times.
Any concerns you may have relating to these points will be handled swiftly and effectively by A-CET.
If you have any complaints in the first instance please e-mail [email protected] or write to A-CET at the address shown.
Page 22
Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm - Winston Churchill
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ARTICLE BY ANN KNIGHT WRITTEN FOR A GUARDIAN COMPETITION
What makes us give or why does it take images of starving children to make us give
The BBC urgently needed images of starving children. Time was of the essence and money was no object when it came to
securing the footage.
And the reason for this indecent haste? ITN were due to run a hard hitting piece about famine in Africa and the BBC were
hell bent on scooping their main evening news rival.
A fax landed on the desk of Oxfam’s Head of Communications. It read: “Need urgent advice on where I can leap in and out
quickly with harrowing pictures of drought victims etc.”
Oxfam advised the journalist who sent the fax to head for northern Ethiopia. The year was 1984. The journalist was Michael
Buerk.
His report from Korem sparked one of the biggest humanitarian responses the world had ever seen. Famine in Africa became
the story of the decade.
This was good news for the UK’s leading aid agencies which had spent many months leading up to Buerk’s now legendary
footage pleading with all the mainstream media to devote some attention to the unfolding tragedy. Irritated news editors told
them no-one was interested in Ethiopia’s problems.
Those same agencies say not much has changed in the intervening years. Looming food crises are ignored by the media.
Disaster strikes. An appeal is launched. Images of starving children are used to tug at the heart strings of donors and millions
of pounds pour in.
Charity fundraisers know there’s no faster way to generate a deluge of donations than to use a picture of an emaciated child.
Last year’s Horn of Africa appeal raised £75 million and the 1985 Live Aid concerts ultimately raised more than £100 million.
But while the disaster porn industry thrives on distended bellies many research studies conclude emergency aid is far from
cost effective compared with money spent on prevention. In its 2009 "World Disasters Report", the International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies concluded every dollar spent on preventing a disaster saves $4 spent on
emergency aid.
In her controversial book Dead Aid, Zambian born economist Dambisa Moyo argues that decades of emergency aid to Africa
have been an “unmitigated political, economic and humanitarian disaster”.
She believes international aid has created an often fatal dependency culture in many African nations capable of getting to grips
with their own problems.
Birhan Woldu is a director of the Ethiopian charity EYES (Ethiopian Youth Educational Support) which provides community
schools for thousands of vulnerable young Ethiopians. She became a global symbol of the 1980s famine after images of her
as a three-year-old child on the brink of death were beamed around the world during Live Aid. At the Live 8 concert 20
years later she captured the hearts of a new generation when she took to the stage with Madonna.
Speaking from her home in Tigray, where she now works as a World Food Programme nurse, Birhan said: “If those images
bring in money which I can use to help the uneducated mothers and malnourished children I work with, then I don’t mind.”
But David Stables, who runs the UK charity which funds EYES, disagrees and believes pictures of dying children are
exploitative and degrading. “Those images are anathema to me and we will never use them,” he says.
Dame Claire Bertschinger was a Red Cross nurse in Ethiopia in 1984, making impossible decisions about which starving
children were worth trying to save. Her story reduced Michael Buerk to tears and inspired Sir Bob Geldof to form Band Aid.
She is appalled at the way the media continue to use the 1984 images of Birhan. When she gave an interview to a leading
celebrity gossip magazine for a 2009 Christmas appeal to raise money for EYES, she secured a promise that no demeaning
imagery would be used.
“Despite our agreement the magazine used a double page picture of an emaciated child,’’ she said. “I can’t tell you how angry
I was.”
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Success is finding your life’s work in what you enjoy doing
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ARTICLE BY ANN KNIGHT WRITTEN FOR A GUARDIAN COMPETITION CONTINUED
Christian Aid’s campaigns editor Andrew Hogg, a former news editor of both the Sunday Times and Observer, fears the
British media will never relinquish their hunger for starving child imagery.
“It’s something we have to deal with. And it’s clear such images do have an impact,” he says. “Nothing pushes all the buttons
quite like the image of a child in extremis.”
Christian Aid is campaigning for an overhaul of the murky global accounting system which enables unscrupulous
multinationals to avoid paying an estimated $160 billion a year in tax to some of the world’s poorest countries. That’s more
than they receive in aid.
It’s a good story and an important one. But for the red top tabloids it’s not a quick and easy tearjerker on a par with the “give
a fiver today to save a starving child” story.
Aid experts agree famine in the 21 century is entirely preventable. All it takes is political will to tackle the issues which lead
to famine – issues which include unfair trade policies, climate change, a lack of investment in agriculture and the use of vast
tracts of land for biofuels instead of essential food.
But world leaders are notoriously slow to act without the spur of public opinion which in turn is hugely influenced by the
popular media – a fact demonstrated by the reaction to Michael Buerk’s report.
Britain’s news editors were proved spectacularly wrong in early 1984 when they said people weren’t interested in hearing
about starving Africans.
Aid agency research suggests they’re still getting it wrong by assuming people don’t want to hear how famine can be
eliminated.
A 2007 survey by Care International UK showed three quarters of the British public want the media to highlight food crises
earlier and two thirds want to donate while there’s still time to prevent a disaster.
If the popular media could be persuaded to focus on the bigger picture highlighting the causes of hunger, there might just
come a day when images of starving children end up where they belong: in one of the darkest corners of 21st century
history.
Comment from A-CET
We would never use images of starving fly-blown children with distended stomachs. Neither do we show explicit images of
the over 50 disabled or better referred to as “less able” children we sponsor. We consider it demeans their dignity. We have
been criticised for showing our students to be “too smart” or even, yes “smiling too much”. The fact is that generally
Ethiopian children love being photographed and are generally a very happy joyous and smiling people. They will borrow
their friends clothes to look their smartest. They are not looking for handouts and we should respect their dignity. Let us
return their smiles with our care, love and compassion.
Comment from Yohannes - an A-CET graduated student (085)
The smile on my face does not always mean that my life is perfect. It means that I appreciate what I have and what God has
blessed me with.
E-mail from 23 year old graduated student 253 A bel Girmay BS c (Electrical Engineering).
Orphaned Abel, originally from Adihana/Adigudom, south of Mekelle, has been sponsored over many years
by A-CET/EYES from Secondary School to his graduation from Mekelle University in July 2012 writes:
“I am happy to write this to my A-CET family on getting a job as Electrical & Computer Engineer with Messebo
building company in Romanet, Mekelle. I now have a job which makes me to be a man. That comes from your
great efforts. A-CET/EYES, your mission and vision is the right strategy to benefit the students as well as the
country. Without your help I would have been like a boat without a compass. Thank you”.
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Educating youth is like engraving a stone - African proverb
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ARTICLE FROM ANN DURHAM AMERICAN SCHOOL IN DOHA (ASD), QATAR
We are very happy that you can allocate those funds we have raised wherever they are needed the most! We are thrilled
to continue our support!
In 2007, students from ASD met representatives from the African Children's Educational Trust (A-CET) during the Global
Issues Conference in Luxembourg. Our students were moved by this small Ethiopian charity whose goal is "Educating
Africans to develop Africa." At the end of the conference, the ASD students dedicated their action plan to supporting A-CET
by raising enough money to have a school built in a rural village in Ethiopia.
Over the next two years, ASD came together across all divisions to support ACET. Representatives from A-CET visited ASD
on two occasions, as keynote speakers during International Week and the Global Issues Conference hosted at ASD. They
shared stories of the impact A-CET had on their lives and the opportunity A-CET gave them to leave the streets and receive
an education. Through fundraisers in all divisions, ASD raised more than $50,000 for A-CET to build a new school in
Gumselasa, Ethiopia, which opened in April of 2009.
Although the school was finished, students at ASD did not believe their job was done. They continued to raise funds to
improve the school, whether through the addition of latrines, office space, a library, and books, or by sponsoring students.
In 2011, students and teachers from ASD visited Gumselasa for the first time to see the impact of their commitment to
A-CET. The trip gave the students a new perspective on the work that A-CET does and they returned to ASD with a
renewed commitment to support education in Ethiopia as ambassadors of A-CET.
Over the past school year, ASD has continued its partnership with A-CET through fundraisers in all divisions. The following
events have raised more than 71,000 Qatari Ryals (US$19,465) for A-CET this year:
•
4th and 5th grade Walk-a-Thon
•
Explore Ethiopia Night
•
Middle School Dodgeball tournament
•
High School Dodge-ball tournament
•
Elementary School used book sale
•
Middle School & High School used book sale
•
ASD's Got Talent - Middle School Student Council
•
3rd grade toy sale
Many of the fundraisers were not just about raising money, but also about raising awareness about education in Ethiopia.
Many of the fundraisers also provided opportunities for students to work with other divisions and continue the school-wide
support of A-CET.
We continue to believe in every child’s right to free elementary education.
Since the 1934 International Conference on Education to the Millennium
Development Goals, every child’s right to free primary education has been
universally endorsed. Education is the best chance of defeating poverty, better
parenting, better health, better nutrition and giving a greater opportunity for
economic growth. From the UN to the World Bank it is documented that free
universal primary education is a measure of human progress. Academics agree
that minimally six years education is needed for every child to enable them to
contribute effectively to a county’s development.
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If you can’t explain it simply, then you don’t understand it enough - Albert Einstein
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THE FLAGS OF THIRTY COUNTRIES THAT SUPPORT A-CET
Is your flag here?
Your flag here?
Why not consider supporting the valuable work of A-CET
- and put your country on their map?
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If we still love ourselves even after making many mistakes; how can we hate others for a single mistake?
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AFRICAN CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL TRUST
The continual economic dependence of Africa on the developed
world should be an international disgrace.
Africans do not want to be dependent on our charity, nor need they be.
Africa has all the resources it needs to help itself, not least human resources,
with highly intelligent and hard working people.
The foundation for all development needs to be education and this is our
mission at A-CET - to educate Ethiopians to enable them to develop Ethiopia.
Designed and Printed by:
6 Coal Cart Road, Interchange, Birstall, Leicester LE4 3BY T: 0116 267 6269 W: www.flexpress.co.uk
Page 27
When you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.
2012 A-CET Brochure:Layout 1 06/11/2012 12:49 Page 1
Prepared and Published by The African Children’s Education Trust (A-CET)
PO Box 8390, Leicester LE5 4YD, England/UK
A-CET© Articles and Images may be freely re-printed with acknowledgement