News from the Trustees: The Rufiji Leprosy Trust’s Annual Report to the Charity Commission.
Each year the Rufiji Leprosy Trust submits financial and narrative reports to the Charity Commission in the UK. In case you have not had a chance to look up this information on RLT’s 2018 performance, we would like to share with you a few highlights showing how your donations make a difference to the lives of people living with the long term physical and social consequences of leprosy.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Summary of the objectives of the charity as set out in its governing document
RLT aims ‘to pay or use the capital and income of the Trust Fund as and when received to or for such charitable purpose or purposes (including without prejudice to the generality of this clause the purpose of the prevention treatment and cure of leprosy in Tanzania or elsewhere in the world) or to or for any other charitable institution or institutions or other charitable object or objectives anywhere in the world as the Trustees shall in their absolute discretion think fit to support maintain or establish.’
Summary of the main activities in relation to these objectives
In planning the Charity’s activities, the Trustees have kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
The Trust operates exclusively with KLCCDA/FRRTL and its main activities involve the provision of funding for human resources, services and facilities to the people of Kindwitwi, and, in particular, those affected by leprosy. RLT gives no funds to any other organisation. Whilst it has been very encouraging to see KLCCDA/FRRTL access streams of funding other than that from RLT, RLT still remains the principal donor to KLCCDA/FRRTL. The Trustees have confirmed their commitment and responsibilities as the main donor.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Meetings of the Trustees of RLT
Over the course of the year, the Trustees had five formal meetings, three via teleconferencing and two face-to-face. In addition, the Co-chairs held three teleconferences with the Chair of KLCCDA/FRRTL to discuss funding decisions.
Activities in Kindwitwi
The Ward
The Trustees continue to provide funding for full care support for a number of the most vulnerable who have no other means of caring for themselves.
- Leprosy Work
The Trust supports both the dispensary staff, who provide care for the most disabled villagers as well as meeting general health needs of the wider village community, and the shoemaker, who ensures that all those in the village and surrounding areas affected by leprosy have appropriate bespoke or ready-made footwear.
Funds are provided to the District TB and Leprosy Coordinator for two days a month additional support and supervision for health staff around Rufiji District.
- Education
The Trust continues to support the running costs of the village kindergarten and four students were supported with their Secondary School costs.
Through the partnership between RLT and the ‘Foundation for Rapid Response to TB and Leprosy’, your donations will continue to be used to support the most vulnerable in Kindwitwi, i.e. those in need of full or partial care; to support the outreach work of the shoe maker Salum Kipoloya; to support Rogers Nnally in his role as TB and Leprosy Co-ordinator; to administer the Kindergarten and to award educational grants to students from families affected by leprosy, or those whose families are unable to finance their education.
The Trustees are happy to answer any questions you may have about our partnership organisation’s change of status and can be contacted via rufijilt@gmail.com