Page 70 - Aidlink Annual Report 2020

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the financial year ended 31 December 2020 Continued
22. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
Covid-19 continues to impact Aidlink’s operations, including our ability to raise funds. General fundraising has been limited and most of the immersion programmes scheduled for 2020 were cancelled.
In response to these funding challenges, the Board agreed to release the company’s designated reserve fund of €150,000. Reserves as of 31 December 2020 amount to €228,000 and in line with Aidlink reserves policy.
Despite these challenges, we continued to engage with our supporters who have remained committed and supportive. They continue to provide guidance and much needed financial resources. Virtual and online fundraising
has resulted in a 30% increase in unrestricted income so far in 2021 compared to the same period last year. This increase includes a one- off donation of €20,000 received in January 2021.
The restriction on international travel means that all monitoring and evaluation of our partners and projects continues through electronic means.
All schools in Kenya reopened in January 2021 to a revised school calendar designed to maximise learning time. Reenrolment rates at circa 90% in comparison to the national average of 75%. This is due in part to the programme adjustments and the deep engagement with communities
by local partners throughout
the period of school closures. Further core programme activities that include school water and sanitation facilities have ensured that schools met all re-opening Covid-19 criteria. An additional care package targeting pregnant and teen mothers has been included
in 2021 project plans to facilitate the safe return to school of these young girls.
In Uganda school reopening was delayed due to national elections and local insecurity further stalled reenrolment in Karamoja. With schools now fully open, children are slowly returning. The Karamoja Community Development water and education projects were relaunched in May 2021 and include:
• Drilling of 3 boreholes for improved access to safer cleaner water, and
• Construction of semi- permanent classroom blocks at 2 community primary schools.
Aidlink is dependent of the goodwill and financial support of its donors, in particular Irish Aid. During early 2021, we applied to Irish Aid for their support in respect of our ‘Every Girl in School’ project that will be run through our main Kenyan partner, the Girl Child Network.
During May 2021, we were notified by Irish Aid that we had been successful in this application to the Civil Society Fund. An amount
of €380,000 per annum has been approved for the three years ending June 2024. This is a 23% increase on their previous funding level, and we believe is testament to Aidlink’s vision, partnership model, our track record of delivering real long-lasting change and our standards of governance. The directors are grateful for
the continued support of the Irish taxpayers and of Irish Aid.
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