Year 3 signed off, 2008 here we come!

Well, I cannot believe it is almost a year since the last post! Year 3 of the charity ended 30th September 2007 and the accounts were signed off within a couple of months (again by Jean) and submitted to the Charities Commission.

The Annual General Meeting was held as a Trustees meeting and we are having an 'Ethiopian Christmas Party' on January 5th 2008 to celebrate both Ethiopian Christmas and Year 3 of the Charity.....

Year 3 included four water projects (wells at Arada, Damu and Cheffe, spring capping at Abademie), equipping of two health posts (Arb Gebaye and Iluaga) and books and furniture for four schools (Addis Alem High, Arb Gebaye, Efa Beri and Ejere schools).

Year 4 will see a spring capping at Kusiye, upgrading of the well at Efa Beri and mains water to the high school. We will also be equipping another two clinics, building a library at the High School and books and furniture to two more junior schools.

More details as always will be on the website at www.for-ethiopia.com

Accounts through with flying colours

The accounts have now been 'Independently Examined' by Jean Douglas. Having expected a large number of negative comments, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that she didn't find any errors and that with a few minor tweaks, my accounting system was more than adequate!

We are now in the process of preparing the accounts in the 'Accruals' format so that we can comply with SORP 2005.

Next step, Annual Report and an AGM.......... http://www.for-ethiopia.com will have the report once published.

Another late update.

A lot has happened since the last post.

For Ethiopia Association in Addis Ababa have reported their end of year and are waiting for the auditors to finish. At the same time they are submitting next year's (06/07) proposal which will include work from the donations of Bristol Grammar School, St Joseph's RC Primary School, Bradgate Surgery, John Humphrys' Kitchen Table Charitable Trust (excuse the punctuation John!) among others. Projects will include two more springs, two new wells, furniture, books and equipment for various schools and clinics in the Addis Alem region.

In Bristol, we have been preparing the accounts for an audit ready for the next AGM (date to be announced).

John has been over to Ethiopia (on a sort of working holiday) and got to see the finished springs as well as the new locations.

Our friend Sean held a preview of his new cafe called Kuvuka which opens on Saturday the 13th December. The cafe will promote issues in Africa and will sell fairtrade coffee. Pop down to see it on Stokes Croft near the centre of Bristol.

Tigist has been involved in campaigning with Oxfam against the unfair deals Starbucks give to the Ethiopian farmers and has got herself on various sites.

Lots more happening, but I will write more when we have a date announced for the AGM...