AKIN – A year in review

2011 saw a few changes to AKIN.  Mostly good, but one or two not so good.  However, in the end despite a difficult year from a fund raising perspective (thanks to the credit crunch) we were thankfully able to continue to achieve our primary objective – to support the many underprivileged children who make up the ‘AKIN family’.

Significant amongst the changes that occurred in 2011 were:

• Nalanie Chellaram ceased to be a trustee, having decided to pursue her own charitable ambitions with ‘SIS’ – the community-oriented charity she established in Spain.   We wish her every success in this new venture;
• Julio Alcantara – one of the founding trustees of AKIN - was awarded the MBE by Her Majesty the Queen of England for services to the local community AND, not only that but he was also appointed Mayor of Gibraltar!  We heartily congratulate Julio on these much deserved recognitions of his devotion to serving others;
• Thanks to new team member, Jimmy Bruzon, AKIN’s profile amongst the local community has increased significantly, but this is secondary to the incredible sterling work Jimmy has been doing to raise funds for the desperate children of Sierra Leone.  Because of Jimmy’s dedication and hard work several run down schools in Freetown have been refurbished to a high standard thereby ensuring the continuity of lessons to several hundred impoverished children.  Jimmy has proved beyond a shadow of doubt how much can be achieved if you put your mind to it;
• Just before Christmas 2011 we were finally able to purchase land in Telwatta, Sri Lanka, upon which we will build our own school to be designated “The AKIN School of English”.  We have been running such a school in the area for several years, however, it was accommodated in a rented building which the owner recently decided to sell.  Fortunately we had sufficient in our “Project Sri Lanka Fund” to purchase an alternative site.  Team members Sandy Leavy and Ruth Holsgrove travelled to Sri Lanka just prior to the New Year to oversee the commencement of this exciting project.  And then the serious work will begin – we not only need to raise sufficient funding to complete the construction of the proposed two-storey structure but we also need to ensure coverage of all future running costs.  Watch this space!
• We have added 6 more children to the AKIN family, all of them underprivileged children living in Daldale, Nepal.  This is particularly gratifying because in 2010 we had to abandon our aspirations to build a school and orphanage in Nepal due to the uncertainty surrounding that country’s political situation;
• The local tax authorities have approved AKIN for Gift Aid purposes, which means that those generous sponsors who donate a significant amount to AKIN on an annual basis can now receive tax credits against their donations. In addition, AKIN can receive the equivalent to their basic rate of tax as an extra donation from the tax office.  A circular will shortly be issued to sponsors outlining the system and its benefits;
• On the downside, following a visit to India early in 2011 we were forced to abandon our project in Andhra Pradesh.  Discretion prevents us from elaborating as to the reasons why but needless to say, as India was one of AKIN’s first projects, it was an extremely difficult decision to have to make.  Circumstances were beyond our control and made it impossible for us to continue.  But lessons are for learning, and we have come away from India much more experienced and more determined than ever to ensure the future of those kids we are endeavouring to help;
• Also on the downside, the credit crunch is hitting many charities and unfortunately AKIN has not been immune.  But we are undeterred and pledge to fight on in the battle against poverty as best we can.  When you meet a poor, starving child in a third world country it’s impossible to break the promise you made to make things better;
• Finally, we have had to postpone our ambitions to undertake a school refurbishment project in Kenya.  However, hopefully we will be able to see some progress on this front during 2012.

Despite all the above changes AKIN is extremely proud of its track record and its accomplishments to date. 

We now have almost 100 children receiving direct sponsorship either from AKIN itself or from members of the public.  Some of these children have now finished their full time education and either have or are moving on to employment.  Thanks to our supporters we have managed to provide a future to these children they would not otherwise have had.  In sponsoring their education to the point whereby they are able to gain employment we have also been able to make a positive contribution to their communities and to their future families.

Several schools have been refurbished – literally saved from ruin – thereby ensuring that several hundred impoverished children can continue their education.

We are continuing to support the 50 children ostracised by society because they live at Iduguta Leprosy Camp near the town of Nzega in Tanzania.

Thanks to one particularly generous sponsor we have been able to ensure the future of the Ipilili kindergarten, also situated on the outskirts of Nzega.  Approximately 50 to 60 children attend this facility and visiting it was one of the highlights of our last trip to Tanzania.

AKIN is only as good as the people who support it.  We can only provide aid according to our income – the more we receive then naturally the more we can do.  We hope that those many sponsors who have historically placed their trust in us will continue to support our efforts in 2012, and that we will – despite the credit crunch – be able to attract new sponsors and donors so that our much needed work can go on.  The kids in the AKIN family are depending on it for their survival and for their futures.  Please help us to help them.

Thank you.