Village Aid Annual Report 2014-15 LR-4

3Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015
Village Aid
At the heart of rural communities
Mission & Vision Dear Members, Volunteers, Friends and Supporters
Contents
Village Aid – Mission and Vision 2
Chair’s Welcome 3
Welcome from Kemal Shaheen &
Kathryn Llewellyn 4-5
Changes to the UK Team 6-7
Merger with Concern Universal 8
Africa Programmes 2014-15 9-13
Village Aid’s 25th Birthday 14
Climbing for Safe Water 16-19
Village Aid and Malawi 20
Peak District EQM 22
Finance 23
Local Fundraising and Events 24-25
Acknowledgements 26
Get Involved 27
We want to live in a world where people in Africa enjoy a peaceful society,
a prosperous economy and a healthy environment.
We work with people in Africa to secure long term positive change in their lives. We achieve
this by developing strong working relationships with local community based partners, helping
them to build their own capacity and supporting the delivery of grassroots programmes
including: Education & Learning, Securing Livelihoods and Advocacy & Justice.
From rural England to rural West Africa, Village Aid believes in people working together
in partnership.
Once again, I am delighted to welcome
you to the latest edition of Village Aid’s
Annual Review. I hope that you find items
of interest in what follows. The Village Aid
Board and staff members would like to
extend our most sincere thanks to everyone
who has contributed, in however large or
small a way, to what has been another busy
and rewarding year for us all. We could not
do it without you!
There have been a number of highlights:
among them the epic climb by Kemal and
friends of Mount Cameroon in aid of safer
water; Village Aid strengthening its links
with local businesses and being awarded
the prestigious Peak District Environmental
Quality Mark; and a very successful full first
year to our Big-Lottery-funded programme
in Cameroon. You can read more about
these and other developments in the pages
that follow.
This time last year, I was writing about
progress towards our planned merger of
Village Aid with Concern Universal.
Over the past 12 months, trustees and staff
of both organisations have continued to
work hard and constructively to ensure
this happened smoothly and to plan.
I am delighted to report that, as from 1st
April 2015, the merger was successfully
completed; with Village Aid staff transferring
across to become employees of Concern
Universal. Our Governance and reporting
arrangements, internal structures and
systems have all been harmonised and in
many cases integrated.
Some residual work on this will be
completed in the coming period. However,
we are already seeing a ‘merger dividend’ in
terms of greater efficiency and the bringing
together of projects, people and skills in
the two organisations and their respective
overseas partners. Kemal will report further
on some aspects of this at September’s
AGM. He has taken on responsibility for
Concern Universal’s Ghana and Brazil
programmes, as well as continuing to lead
Village Aid’s work in Cameroon.
We have retained our independent
company status, for statutory reporting
and fundraising purposes, but the Village
Aid Board has been slimmed down to
just three members: myself, James Kellie
and Dave Phillips. I should especially like
to pay tribute to outgoing Trustees Peter
Dent, Celia Beizsley, Hannah Smith, Susan
Barlow and Peter Ayres. They like so many
others have worked tirelessly to improve
the work of Village Aid for the benefit of the
communities we work with in West Africa.
Looking ahead, Village Aid is due shortly
to celebrate our 25th Birthday. The team
has plans to celebrate this in grand style
- watch this space! But perhaps the best
anniversary present - for the people in
Africa whose lives we seek to improve -
is the knowledge that Village Aid remains
a vibrant, energetic force, sustained and
supported by now being part of the much
larger Concern Universal.
Alan Davies, Village Aid Chairman
SIERRA
LEONE
CAMEROONGHANA
GAMBIA
2 Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015
Chair’s Welcome from Alan
Group Dialogue Platform in Cameroon

4 Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015 5Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015
Welcome from...
Kemal Shaheen & Kathryn Llewellyn
Kathryn, CEO of Concern Universal and I would like to wish all of Village Aid’s
supporters a very warm welcome to the 2014/15 Annual Review.
As you read on we are sure that you will agree
with us that it has been an exciting, eventful
and historic year for Village Aid. By way of an
aside - it has also been an exciting and eventful
year for us both personally – it is wonderful to be
able to report that we both became parents for
the first time. This brought joy to our respective
families as well as a mutual understanding of just
how challenging it can be to balance family life
with the ever more demanding role of running a
development charity in a rapidly changing world!
So the twin themes of growth and change have
featured prominently for us both personally and
professionally and also thread through much
of what has made the last year so exciting and
historic for Village Aid.
In this report you will read more about Village
Aid turning 25 in 2015. We are immensely proud
that for a quarter of a century we have worked
hand in hand with our partners, supporters
and volunteers - helping to transform many
thousands of vulnerable lives in poor rural
communities in Africa. You will also hear that
2015 was the year that Village Aid successfully
completed a planned merger with Concern
Universal. This has enabled us to pool resources
and combine efforts towards a shared
commitment to a world where justice, dignity
and respect prevail for all. Again, it is something
we are both very proud of, because it has
meant that Village Aid’s funds can go further
and deeper than ever before - targeting the
communities where help is most needed.
We are delighted to report that villages in West
Africa are already benefiting as a result. Thanks
to our merger with Concern Universal we have
been able to use Village Aid funds to support
a women-led social enterprise producing Shea
butter in Ghana (which Kemal visited in June
2015) as well as poor rural communities in
Guinea that were hit hard by the recent Ebola
epidemic. We have also been able to extend
new funding and capacity building opportunities
to Village Aid’s longstanding partners. For
example, in Ghana - Youth and Women
Empowerment (YOWE) are now able to benefit
from the skills and experience in the Concern
Universal country office in Accra (which Kemal
is managing). MBOSCUDA (Village Aid’s partner
in Cameroon) is in a stronger position now that
Concern Universal has taken over management
of the Big Lottery project aimed at reducing
conflict between crop farmers and cattle herders
in the North West.
Both Kathryn and I hope that as you read further
you are inspired by what Village Aid has been
able to achieve over the last year. We also hope
that you feel as excited as we do about what
the next few years hold for us as a united and
stronger organisation.
With warmest of wishes
Kemal met with Richard and Emmanuel
(from Village Aid’s partner YOWE) alongside Juliette
and Confidence (from Concern Universal, Ghana) -
one of the many positive outcomes of the merger
between Village Aid and Concern Universal.
Accra, June 2015
Kemal at the
summit of
Mount
Cameroon
Kathryn Llewellyn

6 7Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015 Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015
Our UK Fundraiser, Heather Arnold, is on
maternity leave. We’re delighted for Heather
and wish her many congratulations. Heather
raised over £50,000 for Village Aid since starting
with us in 2013, generating vital funds to enable
us to deliver our projects in West Africa. Heather
will be returning to continue her fantastic
fundraising work in early 2016.
In June, we were delighted to welcome Poppy
Gilbert to the Village Aid team. Poppy is Village
Aid’s Regional Fundraiser, coming from a
background in community and event fundraising
with a variety of charities
including Marie Curie and
Practical Action. Poppy will
be developing Village Aid’s
relationships with the local
communities, businesses
and groups across the
Peak District and East
Midlands.
Joseph Toindepi, our Africa Programmes officer,
sadly moved on from Village Aid in October
2014. Joseph played an instrumental role in our
work in Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Ghana.
He skillfully guided our Cameroonian partner
MBOSCUDA, helping them to become a more
independent and sustainable organisation.
Joseph remains in the field of development work
and has taken up a position with World Vision
in Milton Keynes. We would like to say a huge
thanks to Joseph for all of his hard work and
dedication.
The Village Aid Board meeting on 20th January
was a bitter-sweet moment as it marked the last
ever meeting of the full Board of Trustees.
Alan Davies, James Kellie and Dave Phillips now
form the new Village Aid Board, which reports to
Concern Universal’s Board of Trustees
We would like to thank all of our trustees for
their amazing work over the years. They have
gone above and beyond the call of duty to
support Village Aid’s governance, office, staff
and of course, our projects in West Africa.
Changes to the UK Team
Poppy Gilbert
Alan Davies
Hannah Smith
James Kellie
Peter Dent Celia Beizsley Dave Phillips
Joseph and
Kemal at the
Bakewell
Carnival
Heather trying
not to think
about ants
lurking in the
Cameroonian
undergrowth
Joseph with the Soroptimists
Women’s Group in Baba II,
Cameroon, March 2014
Village Aid Board Members
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and stories from our
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Send an email to
jess@villageaid.org
or visit our website:
www.villageaid.org

I am delighted to
report that the merger
of Village Aid and Concern
Universal is now complete.
Our respective systems,
governance, finances, staff and
programmes are fully integrated.
We will retain the Village Aid
name and Bakewell office, so we
can continue to take forward the many
initiatives here in the Peak District,
neighbouring cities and wider local area.
Alan Davies, Village Aid Chair
Merger with Concern Universal
1st April 2015 marked the completion of Village Aid’s
merger with Concern Universal and staff, trustees and
volunteers are delighted with the progress.
Relationships between staff at
the two now united charities have
gone from strength to strength and
they are working together as an
integrated team. This is facilitated by
daily phonecalls and Skype meetings
as well as visits between the Hereford
and Bakewell offices. The merger
has presented many opportunities
including the development of in-country
partnerships, expertise and knowledge
sharing, new fundraising possibilities and
increased sustainability for Village Aid’s work
in the UK and West Africa.
Africa Programmes
Village Aid and Concern Universal staff at their
joint Christmas party in Hereford
Wine tasting
Sierra Leone
The Ebola Epidemic
As many of you will know, over 11,000 people
have been killed by the Ebola epidemic in
West Africa. Of the four countries Village Aid
works in, Sierra Leone is the only one with
confirmed Ebola cases. However, this has
been one of the hardest hit areas and a state
of public emergency was declared by its
government.
We work in Mile 91, a major trading town in
Tonkolili District in the Northern Province, 91
miles from the capital, Freetown.
Village Aid supports the Masallay Academy,
providing war-affected orphaned children with
food, accommodation and healthcare. Mama
Sallay and her team also run a primary school,
providing free education, and support older
children to attend secondary school.
Although there have been confirmed cases
of Ebola in Mile 91, Mama Sallay and her
team have worked hard to continue providing
essential support for the children.
Mile 91’s Royana Restaurant –
Making Development Sustainable
To develop their long-term sustainability and
independence, Masallay Academy established
the Royana Restaurant. Their aim is to set
up a successful business which will provide
funding for the Masallay Academy, reducing
their reliance on external support.
The money will also be used to
provide vocational training to older
children in order to enhance their
employability.
Due to the Ebola epidemic, there
have been some delays in getting the
restaurant up and running. The team
has made great progress, however:
the restaurant building is now complete
and staff and volunteers have been
recruited.
The team is determined to become the
largest-serving restaurant in the Mile 91
community and will build local skills in
business management by providing a range
Mama Sallay
and her daughter
(middle and
right)
The outside of Royana Restaurant with the newly
recruited Restaurant Manager, Mr Habib Turay

Ghana
Beekeeping for Rural Livelihoods
In Ghana, prolonged dry seasons, irregular
rainfall patterns and poor soil fertility are
resulting in disastrous crop yields for many rural
dwellers. The need for livelihood diversification
has become crucial as communities are unable
to survive on agriculture alone. Beekeeping
activities provide an essential income source in
many rural West African communities.
For the past four years, YOWE (Youth and
Women Empowerment), a local Ghanaian
community group and a partner of Village Aid,
has been facilitating beekeeping in Eastern
Ghana. Chelmorton Church in the Peak District
has been a main funder of these activities, which
were an important component of YOWE’s four
year project ‘Securing rural livelihoods and
strengthening human rights in Eastern Ghana’.
Over the past 12 months, fifty women and
young people have been trained in beekeeping,
honey harvesting and bee hive management.
Sixty bee hives have been installed in four
communities. A beekeeping resource centre
has been partly constructed and will be used
to process honey, train farmers and for
marketing and documentation.
Patriarchal land tenure systems can
severely restrict women’s access to
land. Despite this challenge, women
are becoming increasingly involved in
beekeeping and around 60 gallons of
honey has been produced in the past twelve
months, generating thousands of pounds from
the sale of bee products.
The systems for marketing honey and wax are
becoming increasingly sustainable. Initially, bee
products were transported to YOWE’s office
of voluntary and paid jobs. With vast experience
of restaurant and hotel management in Sierra
Leone, Mr Habib Turay was appointed as
Restaurant Manager earlier this year.
Mr. Turay will report to a board of trustees, who
are responsible for the higher level decision-
making regarding the restaurant. The team has
made fantastic progress, particularly in the face
of the extremely challenging context, and will
soon be serving delicious food to Mile 91!
and sold by staff members and the proceeds
were then sent back to the community. With
YOWE’s help, however, beekeepers have been
able to identify existing markets and now sell
their products directly. They also investigate
market prices, thus enabling them to sell more
competitively. As a result, communities are
becoming more independent and self-sustaining.
As old bee hives become weak or are
destroyed by bush fire, communities have
built 32 new hives. These have been installed
at more suitable locations to avoid fire and
minimise negative impacts on farming and
other economic activities.
Staff and Board of Trustees,
Royana Restaurant
Young men hard at work constructing the hives
Women carrying the finished hives
A newly trained
beekeeper with
her well-earned
honey produce
YOWE has two main aims: to enhance the positive impact of beekeeping on the lives of existing
beekeepers and to engage more people in beekeeping. With further funding, YOWE hopes to
provide refresher training to existing beekeepers to improve the effectiveness of their practices
as well as train additional women and young people. The construction of the Beekeeping
Resource Centre also needs to be completed.
Essential protective
bee suits
What’s next?

Africa Programmes
Cameroon
Our five-year Big Lottery-funded project in
Cameroon, ‘In Search of Common Ground’,
has had a huge impact on the lives of many
crop farmers and cattle herders. We’ll now
share two stories which capture the essence
of this programme which is helping farming
communities to become more cohesive,
peaceful and prosperous.
Alliance farming
Alliance farming is a fantastic way for cattle
herders and crop farmers to work together
for mutual benefit. Village Aid and our partner
organisation in Cameroon, MBOSCUDA,
have been facilitating these partnerships,
which involve rotating land use between crop
farming and cattle grazing. This grants the
cattle access to nutritious food, enhancing their
milk production and improving their health.
Meanwhile, the cow manure fertilises the land,
thus improving the farmer’s crop yields.
In the past 3 months,
22 alliance farming pairs
have been formed, giving a
total of 62 pairs. One such
pair involves Alice Akam, a
resident of Acha Village in
North West Cameroon.
Alice has 5 children and relies
on farming to support her
family. She cultivates a variety
of crops including maize, beans
and plantain. Alice is a member
of the dialogue platform of Acha.
These are organised spaces
which allow farmers and herders to
discuss and resolve issues peacefully,
before they escalate into conflict. Alice tells
us that before the dialogue platforms, conflicts
were rampant, killing cattle and destroying
crops.
Before the Platforms, conflicts would be dealt
with by the Divisional Officer. Corruption played
a big part in resolving the disputes and the
wealthiest farmer or herder would most often
win. Alice said that this made matters even
worse, fuelling tensions and instilling insecurity in
the whole community. Dialogue Platforms create
win-win scenarios for both farmers and herders,
repairing the broken relationships within Akum
Village and leading to the formation of more
alliance farming partnerships.
Alice’s livelihood used to be under constant
threat, forever unsure whether her harvest would
be successful. Now Alice has many herder
friends who help her out by providing manure,
in return giving them crops to feed their cattle.
Social ties between farmers and herders have
also been strengthened. Alice tells us that the
two communities show concern for one another
at events such as burials. At a recent herder
burial in Baba II Village, crop farmers donated
food items to the bereaved family. Farmers
and herders are also collaborating on larger
community projects including construction of
water catchment protection sites, bridges and
fences to prevent cows from damaging crops.
Making Development Inclusive
Also part of the same 5 year project, Village
Aid and MBOSCUDA are conducting in-depth
research into the people living in farming and
herding communities. We want to find out about
people who are often marginalised, and how
we can ensure they are not left behind in our
collective efforts for peace and prosperity.
The voices of people living with physical and
mental disabilities often go unheard in North West
Cameroon. MBOSCUDA are therefore identifying
the number of disabled people living in the
communities we work in, how their disability affects
them and what we can do to help. MBOSCUDA’s
study revealed that there are many people living
with a range of physical and mental health
problems in the 14 communities we are working in.
Five year old Tawah Godlove was born with no
legs. Tawah’s father used to be a tailor but now
suffers from physical disabilities and is unable
to speak. The sudden onset of his illness made
things very difficult for the family. Tawah’s father
carries him to the local primary school every day,
but his disability means that he needs to rest
when he gets home.
Tawah’s mother is a subsistence farmer and has
sole responsibility for supporting her husband
and five children. This can be a real struggle for
her. She says that Tawah is very bright at school
but fears that his disability will prevent him from
securing a good job. Tawah’s mother hopes that
one day he will be fitted with artificial legs.
In Ahsong district, ten year old Nafisatu Yaya is
disabled from the waist down. She was a healthy
baby but a childhood illness resulted in lasting
leg paralysis. Her disability has led to very low
self-esteem and Nafisatu struggles with shyness
at school.
Now that MBOSCUDA and Village Aid are aware
of the needs of people who may have been
marginalised, we can begin to consider how they
can be included in the development process.
Alice Akam and
her alliance
farming partner,
a local herder
Tawah Godlove
Nafisatu Yaya (left)
Check out our article in The World Weekly...
The 2nd April edition of fantastic online news publication The World Weekly
featured an article all about the causes of violent conflict in West Africa, how
Village Aid is striving to resolve them and the impacts on regional security.
You can view this online via the following link: http://www.
theworldweekly.com/reader/i/path-peace-between-west-africas-
warring-farmers-and-herders/3538

Back in June, Kemal spent two weeks in Ghana witnessing
Concern Universal’s projects in action.
Production of Shea Butter
in Northern Ghana
Shea nuts are picked from
the trees before the rainy
season begins
1
4
2
5
3
6
The outer skin is removed and
the nuts are dried in the sun.
A simple machine is used to
grind them into powder and
the powder is then roasted.
The roasted powder is then
beaten with water.
The fat is then boiled to
separate the Shea butter.
Shea butter ready to be
shipped out to domestic
companies.
Village Aid’s 25th Birthday
For a quarter of
a century, people
in Bakewell and
beyond have
helped us to
transform the lives
of hundreds of
thousands of people
in West Africa’s poorest
rural communities.
We have worked with partner
organisations to help communities
successfully enhance education,
become more sustainable, improve
their livelihoods and achieve peace.
Although we have improved the lives of
many in Ghana, The Gambia, Cameroon
and Sierra Leone, poverty remains a massive
problem for many more people. Sadly, Sub-
Saharan Africa is the world’s least likely region
to achieve the Millennium Development Goals,
international targets set by the United Nations,
to be achieved by 2015.
People may ask why. Village Aid believes that
African voices need to be the ones driving
change – only then can this change truly
combat poverty and meet local needs. For 25
years Village Aid has been committed to the
principle that African people should set their
own development agendas. We work with local
partner organisations that are at the heart of
the communities they support, helping them
to become independent and sustainable and
achieve the change they envisage.
As Village Aid turns 25, you are invited to
join us in our pledge to ensure that the most
marginalised people can drive the change that
they want to see in their own communities.
To celebrate the beginning of our birthday year,
International Programmes Manager Kemal
Shaheen made a special venture to the heights
of Cameroon, which you can read all about on
page 16.
To mark the end of our 25th year, we want to
bring all of our supporters together to reflect on
Village Aid’s achievements to date, and ponder
how we will continue to make a difference to
people in West Africa. We are looking for a
team of local people to help us organise a 25th
birthday evening celebration to be held in March
2016. If you would like to get involved, please
contact Jess at jess@villageaid.org or call our
office on 01629 814434.
2015-16 is an exciting year for Village Aid
as we celebrate our 25th birthday.
Kemal travelled miles along Ghana’s dusty rural
roads to witness the way that Concern Universal
is working with smallholder farmers to enhance
livelihoods through a variety of schemes.
Northern Ghana Shea (NGS) is a social
enterprise which provides an opportunity for
Ghanaian women to improve their livelihoods.
NGS identified opportunities with communities
who were trapped in a cycle of poverty with
limited access to basic resources. By investing
in facilities, equipment and training, Concern
Universal is empowering over 600 rural women
in the region.
The Shea butter is used for soap, softening skin
and keeping warm in the dry season. The butter
is purchased by a range of domestic companies
and Concern Universal are currently investigating
international markets as there has been an
increased global demand for Shea butter as a
cosmetic product.

Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015 Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 201516 17Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015
Climbing for Safe Water
Increasingly scarce resources have led to
conflict between crop farmers and cattle
herders in North West Cameroon. Village Aid is
working with partner organisation MBOSCUDA
to reduce conflict and enhance access to vital
water supplies in the region as part of their
5-year ‘In Search of Common Ground’ project.
This initiative will improve dialogue between
communities, encourage more sustainable use
of natural resources and provide access to
clean, safe drinking water.
With the latter aim in mind, Village Aid’s Kemal
Shaheen and four of his friends, Tom, Stuart,
Nicolas & David, successfully hiked 13,225 feet
to the summit of Mount Cameroon!
On 21st February 2015, they took thousands
of steps, battled lightning and hail on the
mountain’s summit and encountered soldier
ants in the jungle. Mount Cameroon is an active
volcano and the highest point in Western and
Central Africa.
Sponsorship raised by the team will provide
essential clean water to poor rural communities.
Water catchment protection sites will be
implemented to defend precious water sources
from pollutants. Key areas will be fenced off to
prevent cattle contaminating the water, water
storage tanks will be constructed and safe
drinking water will be directly piped to villages.
We’re now going to take you on a guided tour
of the team’s experiences during the trek... on
page 18 work your way from the bottom of the
mountain on the left-hand side, all the way to the
top and back down again.
Congratulations to the team and huge thanks
to all who sponsored. It’s not too late to donate!
If you would like to sponsor the team and help
provide clean, safe water to rural Cameroon,
visit our website: www.villageaid.org
Climbing for Safe Water team:
Nic, David, Stuart, Tom & Kemal
Stuart at the summit
Kemal admiring
the view of
Mount Cameroon from
above the clouds

Climbing for Safe Water
Our backpacks were filled with warm
clothes, food, first aid kit, and the
most essential item - water.
It all adds up!
Eventually we emerged
from the clouds and
entered the Savannah,
barren rocky outcrops
with a few scattered trees.
I had to keep reminding
myself that this is an active
volcano.
At 2,850m we set up
camp. Within half an
hour, darkness ensued.
Above the clouds and
pollution, there was an
amazing view of the
night sky – some of the
biggest stars I have ever
seen. The mountain
was surrounded by
thunderstorms and we
were treated to a distant
show of lightning that
momentarily illuminated
the sky.
By 3,775m altitude, we
were almost there.
My breathing became
heavier and my pace
slowed. It was getting
colder. We battled
through treacherous
volcanic ash flows,
clambered over miles of
old lava flows and were
pelted with hailstones.
We reached camp in darkness, using
head torches to navigate narrow paths.
A porter did not arrive and we were
concerned, for him and the tent he was
carrying. Tom slept in a shelter and
borrowed what he could to keep warm.
By Day 3 we were feeling the pain – with
blisters, sore feet and legs. The lava rock
jutted up to our waist and we had to take
it slow to avoid injury.
Then we entered the jungle. Wildlife could
be heard among the dense humidity. We
all got bitten by large ants and laughed as
we attempted to shake them off.
By 4pm we reached Bokwango village.
At that moment, a local delivery truck
arrived with beer. A perfect end to a truly
memorable and challenging experience!
We started down a long,
steep slope of fine ash,
passing craters from a
previous eruption.
If you dared climb to the
crater ridge, there was a
distinctive smell of sulphur
seeping out of the cracks.
Wet, exhausted and sore, we supported each other
throughout and arrived at the summit with smiles on
our faces. We were greeted by a small sign confirming
our location and
altitude.
The elation
is difficult to
describe. It was
hailing hard and
we had just a
few minutes to
take our snaps.We began climbing
through a never-ending
staircase of jungle
forest. Last week, the
mountain hosted the
annual Race of Hope
where athletes run all
the way to the top. This
year’s record-breaking
time was under 4 and a
half hours. It was going
to take us a day and
a half.
By 1,860m above
sea level, it was hot,
humid and sticky
under the forest canopy.
I couldn’t drink enough liquid to
replace what I was losing in sweat.

Concern Universal delivers a wide range of
programmes in these two countries including
water & sanitation, livelihoods and maternal
health. Alan said:
“Visiting Malawi and Mozambique in October
with Matthew Lake (Concern Universal’s Chief
Operations Officer) was a fascinating insight into
the way Concern Universal operates. Like Village
Aid, they work with local partner organisations
and community groups and their projects are
driven by local expressions of need.”
Village Aid volunteer David Drew also
recently gained an insight into Concern
Universal Malawi. While visiting his
daughter, who is conducting her PhD
research, David visited CU programmes
and staff. In Blantyre, Dave met with
CU’s head of research, deputy country
director and project manager to discuss
a new project in Dedza, an area of central
Malawi bordering Mozambique. Dave has
a background in social research and was
interested to find out more about research for
CU’s new ‘ENGAGED’ project, while offering his
insight into the challenges of project research
and evaluation.
Malawi ranks 174 out of 187 countries on the
Human Development Index (HDI), making it
one of the poorest countries in the world. HDI
is a measure of various factors including life
expectancy, education, and income. Village Aid
will be expanding its connections with Malawi
in the coming months, so keep a look out for
upcoming Malawi news!
YOWE, Village Aid &
Concern Universal’s
partner in Ghana, has helped
many people to develop small
businesses through savings
and microcredit schemes, such
as this bakery business.
Concern
Universal funded
new latrines to
support sanitation
at a school near
Lilongwe
Last year our Chair of Trustees, Alan Davies, went to Malawi and
Mozambique to see Concern Universal’s projects in action.
Village Aid & Malawi
David Drew
outside
the Dedza
Concern
Universal
office
Alan with
Helena,
Mozambique
Country
Director

Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015 Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 201522 23
Peak District EQM...
a local global partnership
This is an award presented by the Peak District
National Park Authority to organisations which
support the local economy, protect the local
and global environment, invest in people and
communities and celebrate the Peak District
National Park.
In June, our Regional
Fundraiser Poppy
attended the Peak
District Environmental
Quality Mark (EQM)
Awards Evening at
Thornbridge Hall.
We’ll now tell you
a bit about our
partnerships with
local businesses which have been established as
a result of our mutual connection with the EQM.
The fantastic staff and customers of Cafe Village
Green in Eyam have been raising money to
support our Cameroon Water Appeal. Customers
drinking free water have been donating so that
people in rural Cameroon can also enjoy the
benefits of safe water. This great little café also
collected money for Village Aid during their stall
of tasty treats at the recent Eroica Festival in the
Peak District.
Back in August 2014, Bakewell Soap
Company’s Antony Allen sold us some of his
amazing, hand-made products at cost price.
The body butter, lip balms and soaps have gone
down a storm with our friends, volunteers and
supporters and we have made just over £100
so far. Profits are being used to support our
clean water project in Cameroon. Let us know if
you would like to purchase any of our remaining
stock!
Bakewell Soap has now launched a special
new line using bee products. Made with goat’s
milk, honey and beeswax, the soap and lip balm
are popular with those suffering from dry skin
conditions such as eczema & psoriasis. The
products are entirely natural, free from parabens
and artificial ingredients.
10% of the profits will help Village Aid to
support beekeeping activities in rural Ghana.
Beekeeping activities provide an essential and
sustainable income source for many women and
young people. You can visit the Bakewell Soap
Company in Granby Arcade, Bakewell.
Dove Valley Centre has been donating £1 to
Village Aid for each booking they receive. Every
booking counts and they just sent us a cheque
for £60!
We’re delighted to announce that Village
Aid has been awarded the Peak District
Environmental Quality Mark!
Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015
Poppy accepting Village
Aid’s EQM award
Heather with Café Village Green’s Sara
Finance
Please note that we are unable to share the financial information for 2014/15 as this is awaiting formal
auditing. The information shown above is for a 15 month period from 01/01/2013 - 31/03/2014.
We will have more up-to date financial information to share at our AGM in September.
Total Expenditure
£274,038
Where Village Aid
money came from
in 2013/14
Total Income
£317,933
How Village Aid
spent its money
in 2013/14
Generating
Funds
£28,953
Governance &
Support
£44,439
Charitable
Activities
£200,646
0
£20,000
£40,000
£60,000
£80,000
£100,000
£120,000
£140,000
£160,000
£141,384
£85,934
£88,050
£1,568
Voluntary
Income
Grants
ReceivableLegacy
Income
Investment
Income
Charitable
Events
£997

Local Fundraising & Events
University Students Support Village Aid
A group of enthusiastic students at the University
of Sheffield have established a Village Aid
Student Society. Village Aid has strong links
with Sheffield University through the Sheffield
Institute for International Development. We are
now looking to expand these links to connect
with other groups and individuals with whom
we share mutual interests and goals. The group
will help us do just that, as well as engage in
fundraising activities. The Society’s President
is second year Geography student Laura Cox.
Laura says,
“I was inspired to set up a Village Aid Society
after hearing about the amazing work they do.
The Committee is a small group of people from
a variety of degree backgrounds, who all have
a passion for development. We will run small
fundraising events and a larger performance-based
event, right in the heart of the student community.
We hope to continue to raise awareness for the
good work that Village Aid does.”
Since October, we have received some great
support from local and not-so-local churches.
Bakewell’s Ashford Church donated a very
generous £600 to support our work with
Massallay Academy in Sierra Leone. We received
£200 from All Saints Church, also in Bakewell,
and Beccles Quakers in Suffolk sent over £130
to support our work. Eckington Church in nearby
Sheffield has raised a fantastic £700. This will
be used to expand and improve our beekeeping
project in rural Ghana.
Longstanding volunteer David
Drew delivered a presentation
about Village Aid to The Lunch
Club at the Catholic Church in
Sheffield’s Banner Cross.
Dave discussed his experiences
of meeting some of the
inspirational people who form the
heart of our partner organisations
in Sierra Leone and Cameroon.
Dave focused particularly on Mama
Sallay’s wonderful work at Mile 91
Orphanage in Sierra Leone and the
complexities of and solutions to the
farmer-herder conflict in Cameroon.
The Lunch Club donated a total of £105.
The money will be used to support orphaned
children with food, clothing, healthcare and
education at the Mile 91 Orphanage and
Masallay Academy in Sierra Leone.
The wonderful staff at Earsham Street Cafe in
Bungay, Suffolk, raised over £550 for Village Aid.
This money is being used to train disadvantaged
rural women and young people in the art of
beekeeping.
Local businesses Bakewell Book and Gift Shop
and Bakewell Stationers have been raising
money for Village Aid with their sparkly new
collection tins. Between them, they have raised
over £50. We have been visiting these fabulous
shops to say thanks and deliver their Village Aid
fundraising certificates.
Bakewell Stationers and Bookshop are now
proudly displaying their Village Aid fundraising
certificates.
David Drew with Moma Sallay and the
Masallay Academy team
Sheffield University Village Aid Society
David and Kemal with the MBOSCUDA
team in Cameroon
Dave
experiencing
the joys of
Cameroonian
horse riding
The Society have already
got stuck into fundraising.
Here you can see they have
been busy baking and selling
cakes to hungry students.
Their first bake sale raised
just under £100. All proceeds
will be used to support
our Beekeeping for Rural
Livelihoods work in Ghana.

Acknowledgements Get Involved
Village Aid Board of Trustees
Alan Davies - Chair
James Kellie
Peter Dent
Dave Phillips
Celia Beizsley
Hannah Smith
Peter Ayres
Susan Barlow
Notable Donors/Supporters
St John the Baptist Church, Chelmorton
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Ashford in the Water
All Saints Church, Breadsall
Bakewell Methodist Church
Eckington Parish Church
Beccles Quaker Meeting
Sierra Leone Association
Over Haddon Well Dressing
Youlgreave-Bangbutt Village Link
Chris Shepley
Liz Shepley
Sheffield Institute for International Development
Economics Society, University of Sheffield
Village Aid Student Society, University of Sheffield
St Patrick’s Primary School, Sheffield
Faith Johnson of the Peak District Environmental
Quality Mark CIC
The Bakewell Soap Company
Cafe Village Green, Eyam
Dove Valley Centre
Hoe Grange Holidays
Whitelady Farm, Cotgrave
Bakewell Stationers & Bakewell Bookshop
The Big Lottery Fund
Evan Cornish Foundation
David Drew
Veronica Wigley
Nancy Ball (legacy)
Village Aid also received a number of
donations from several individuals who wish
to remain anonymous.
Have a few seconds?
• Sign up for our bi-monthly
e-newsletter via our website
Our free e-newsletter brings you Village
Aid news, highlights and photos from our
work in the Peak District and West Africa.
• Follow us on social media
‘Like’ us on Facebook (www.facebook.
com/villageaid) and follow us on Twitter
(www.twitter.com/villageaid).
Have a few minutes?
• Donate to support our work in West Africa
Help our Climbing for Safe Water team
to raise even more money to provide
clean, safe water to rural communities
in Cameroon, help us support orphaned
children in Sierra Leone or enable us
to train more young people in the art of
beekeeping in Ghana. You can donate via
our website or send a cheque.
Have a few hours?
• Volunteer with us
If you have experience in teaching and
are passionate about inspiring young
minds to engage in international issues,
join our brand new Village Aid Schools
Programme. We will be delivering exciting
workshops to primary school children
from September 2015.
We are also looking for local volunteers to
join our 25th birthday committee and help
us organise a special Village Aid evening
for early 2016.
• Fundraise for Village Aid
Inspired by some of the fantastic
fundraising highlighted on page 20 and
want to host your own fundraising event?
We can provide you with Village Aid
t-shirts, materials from West Africa, display
board and leaflets. There are plenty of
ways to fundraise including sponsored
challenge events, stalls or coffee mornings.
Are you a business owner keen to support
a local charity with a global outlook?
Then Village Aid is the charity for you!
There are many ways you can support our
work, as highlighted in our EQM section
on page 18 Please contact Poppy on
Poppy.Gilbert@villageaid.org
or call our office on 01629 814434.
What can you do to support our work and get more involved?
Special thanks to...
All of Village Aid’s wonderful volunteers and supporters, you are too numerous to
mention individually but without you and your considerable efforts and generosity
Village Aid would not be able to undertake the life changing work that it does.
Jackie Jayawardena
ran 10K in St Albans,
raising £400 for
Village Aid

Village Aid • Annual Review 2014 / 2015
Village Aid
Suite 1, Fearnehough House
Riverside Business Park
Buxton Road, Bakewell
Derbyshire DE45 1GS
Tel: 01629 814434
Email: info@villageaid.org
Website: www.villageaid.org
Company Number - 3446625 • Registered Charity Number - 1067322
Annual General Meeting
Come along to our Annual General Meeting at Bakewell
Town Hall on 8th September 2015, 4pm-6pm.
You’ll hear all about what Village Aid has been up to over the past 12 months and our exciting plans
for the year ahead. This year’s AGM will also feature guest speaker and Village Aid volunteer David
Winder. David has had a long and exciting career in International Development, living in multiple
countries across South America and Asia working for organisations such as Oxfam and Water Aid.
Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome!
twitter.com/VillageAid
Facebook.com/VillageAid
Printed on recycled paper

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