IRFF UK January News 2024: With your support, IRFF UK has seen another successful year of growth

www,irff-uk,org

Happy New Year from IRFF UK With your support, IRFF UK has seen another successful year of growth.

In particular, the Tricycle shop and two substantial corporate donors have helped

cover food costs for children and staff at Destiny Junior School.

In 2023 we started three new period poverty projects, updated our website, and

welcomed new people to strengthen our team.

Since the home of the ‘Hope For Children’ (HFC) was destroyed by lava, many of the 60

children were put into foster homes. In partnership with WCA, IRFF UK has financed

the upkeep and schooling of these children despite the difficulty in monitoring the

scattered children.

With the offer from a local charity to take over their complete care if they could all be

under one roof; IRFF UK and several other donors financed the build of a nine-room

house for the children to live together. In January 2024 a further $300 was donated to

cover painting costs.

A huge well done to the Hope For Children team for accomplishing this feat!

Ghana and Gambia

In 2023, WAIT Ghana’s Cohort 2 of four girls trained in pastry/cake decoration, bread

making, and sewing/dress-making.

Meanwhile, Cohort 2 of the Girls Empowerment and Skills Training Project

(GESTP), Gambia saw nine new young women graduate in June after learning the skill

of dyeing as well as commercial and business skills.

The emphasis now is to train both cohorts to be fit to start their own businesses by

training them in business start-up and management and equipping them with what

they need to do this.

South Africa

One of the most satisfying projects IRFF UK supports is the SHINE literacy programme

in Port Elizabeth, held on the premises of Walmer Primary School. The pupil’s Xhosa

learning is replaced in Grade 4 by an English curriculum in all subjects, yet 81% of

Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning. So these 72 children are learning how to

read for meaning to overcome this massive obstacle and gain the joy of learning.

In addition, IRFF UK made a major investment in new ‘Clear Vu’ fencing for the SHINE

centre, providing an attractive, robust and safe enclosure for the children’s outdoor

Slovo Study Group

IRFF UK supports these eight young students in Port Elizabeth who would otherwise

be at the mercy of a very poor secondary education system. They study online

following the national curriculum from a teaching institute in Capetown.

IRFF UK funds the cost of data due to endless power cuts, as well as cellphone repairs,

medicines, groceries, transport, tutors and outings.

These eight students are so bright and full of potential!

The Walmer Angels

The Walmer Angels have been helping the locals of Walmer, Port Elizabeth for some

time. On 8th November 2023, IRFF UK discovered that a soup kitchen feeding 500

people did not have enough funds to continue running. We did not want the children

and elderly to go hungry so we decided to support them by sending £200 per month.

As such, since the beginning of 2023, the overall number of people being helped by

IRFF UK has risen from 900 to 2,100!

Girl-Child/WAIT project: Destiny & Busabala Schools

As part of the period poverty projects initiated in 2023, Destiny School headteacher

Jesca and her aids have invested in Girl-Child/WAIT work. 30 girls at Destiny School

and 150 at Busabala School have received disposable sanitary pads and extensive

training about menstrual health. This has supported their self-confidence, self-esteem,

self-respect, safety, and education (as many had to miss school during menstruation).

This education also prevents many from falling prey to casual relationships and

teenage pregnancy.

“This is a very impactful programme, most of the beneficiaries are the poor of the poorest

local children in poor communities and very needy lake shore children. The schools,

children and parents are very grateful for the love and support. You have given them hope.”

Jesca, Destiny School Headteacher

This valuable work can continue thanks to your ongoing support.

2023 Projects supported by IRFF UK in:

DR Congo, Gambia, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, and Senegal.

2024 looks equally promising!

If you would like to support any of our projects by offering one-off or regular

donations please click here.

We are always eager to have support from volunteers from anywhere in the world,

please see our website, www,irff-uk,org for more details.

The IRFF UK Team from 2023

Edward Hartley - Chair of Working Board, Trustee, General Manager,

Accountant/Treasurer, and Country Coordinator for DR Congo, Ghana and Uganda.

Tessa Thonett - Trustee, Director and Manager of the Tricycle Shop in Alton, and

Country Coordinator for South Africa.

Margret Orr - Trustee (since 02/09/2020), IRFF UK’s representative in the USA, and

Country Coordinator for the Gambia.

Charles Cachia - Trustee and carer of Destiny School donors.

Terry Sweeney - Analyst, Business Advisor and Fundraiser.

Toby Suda - Website Designer and Manager

New Additions

Natania Kobayashi - Newsletter and Leaflet content writer, Tricycle Shop Gift Aid

claims preparation, Slack Coordinator, and social media marketing support (with Faith)

Faith Guzman - Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook marketing (in the Philippines)

Nathaniel German - Search Engine Optimisation and Website improvement

Coordinator.

In all aspects of running IRFF UK, there are around 78 potential jobs and activities, 50 of

which are currently covered by the nine people above.

28 potential jobs and activities remain open, please get in touch if you would like to be

part of our dedicated and inspired team!

2024 OUTLOOK

• HFC in Congo’s support will be taken over by another charity so our support

may no longer be needed at this point

• Developing our fundraising capabilities online and through social media

• Continuing to support the projects in the four other countries, with the

potential of adding another project

• Work towards an increase in income by 20-30% to meet all demands

MAIN FUNDERS

The Tricycle Shop - a subsidiary of IRFF UK, makes major contributions to our general

funds along with Gift Aid.

Along with the Tricycle Shop, Impact Foods International, a UK Charity, Terry Sweeney,

and several smaller regular donors primarily support Destiny Junior School.

A big thank you for enabling us to continue to support hundreds of Africans every

Consider donating to IRFF UK today by clicking below

To find out more about other projects we support Click here

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