WORLD VILLAGES FOR CHILDREN
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that total income for the year was £2,231,776 against expenditure of £2,087,720, resulting in a net surplus of £144,056. The trustees report that free reserves at year-end were £10,154, which is significantly below the stated policy target of six months' core expenditure (approximately £350,000), although post-year-end legacy realizations have increased free reserves. The auditor confirmed that the financial statements give a true and fair view and that the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate.
What the accounts disclose
“The board note that the free reserve total at 31 December 2024 is significantly below the level stated by the policy”
“Nicola Lawson, who became a trustee in July 2016, received remuneration of £47,567 (2023: £48,500) and pension of £1,240 (2023: £1,268) during the year, in her capacity as an employee of the charity.”
“The charity made grants totalling £1,375,000 to The Sisters of Mary in the year (2023: £1,500,000), which while not a strict affiliate is closely aligned to the ideals of the charity.” — page 53
“Two trustees of the charity, Sister D.L Cho and Elena Grengia Belarmino also sit on the boards of four other humanitarian entities that all share similar visions and purposes as World Villages for Children; these entities are in France, Netherlands, Belgium and the U.S.A.” — page 53
“The charity made grants totalling £1,375,000 to The Sisters of Mary in the year (2023: £1,500,000), which while not a strict affiliate is closely aligned to the ideals of the charity.” — page 53
“Two trustees of the charity, Sister D.L Cho and Elena Grengia Belarmino also sit on the boards of four other humanitarian entities that all share similar visions and purposes as World Villages for Children; these entities are in France, Netherlands, Belgium and the U.S.A.” — page 53
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 03267479
What the charity says about itself (2024)
“Thanks to your support we were able to make ends meet at our schools and accepted 6,243 new children during the year.”
“21,089 were safe in our care mid-year and 3,947 passed their final exams and graduated ready for work.”
“We helped to provide 63,267 meals a day so all the children at the schools had the balanced nutrition needed to thrive.”
“2,084 children graduated from school in May 2024 and all of them secured employment.”
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Sister Elena Belarmino — Chair
- Sister Maria Cho — Chair
- John Graham — Trustee
- Nicola Lawson — Trustee
- Sister Margarita Campos Abeja — Trustee
- Clare Bamberger — Trustee
- Father Fretch Ballesteros — Trustee
Funders the charity credits
- The Big Give
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (04/11/2025)
Trustees
- Clare Jessica Bamberger
- Duk Lim Cho
- Elena Grengia Belarmino
- Father Fretch Ballesteros SDV
- JOHN MARTIN GRAHAM
- Nicola Lawson
- Sister Margarita Campos Abeja
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £2.2m | £2.1m |
| 31/12/2023 | £2.4m | £2.2m |
| 31/12/2022 | £2.2m | £2.5m |
| 31/12/2021 | £2.7m | £2.7m |
| 31/12/2020 | £3.0m | £2.9m |
Common questions
Is WORLD VILLAGES FOR CHILDREN financially healthy?
The accounts state that total income for the year was £2,231,776 against expenditure of £2,087,720, resulting in a net surplus of £144,056. The trustees report that free reserves at year-end were £10,154, which is significantly below the stated policy target of six months' core expenditure (approximately £350,000), although post-year-end legacy realizations have increased free reserves. The auditor confirmed that the financial statements give a true and fair view and that the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Kreston Reeves, LLP.
Who funds WORLD VILLAGES FOR CHILDREN?
Funders whose own accounts filings name WORLD VILLAGES FOR CHILDREN as a grant recipient include THE CARMELA & RONNIE PIGNATELLI FOUNDATION, THE TULA TRUST LIMITED, FOREST HILL CHARITABLE TRUST, Evelyn Partners Charitable Trust, THE GRAIL SOCIETY (WAXWELL) UK.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE CARMELA & RONNIE PIGNATELLI FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £3k |
| THE TULA TRUST LIMITED | FY2024 | £2k |
| THE TULA TRUST LIMITED | FY2023 | £2k |
| FOREST HILL CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £1k |
| Evelyn Partners Charitable Trust | FY2024 | £0 |
| THE GRAIL SOCIETY (WAXWELL) UK | FY2024 | — |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE COLES-MEDLOCK FOUNDATION | 2 | £73k |
| FROM BABIES WITH LOVE FOUNDATION | 1 | — |
| THE APAX FOUNDATION | 1 | £443k |
| HUMAN RELIEF FOUNDATION | 1 | £238k |
| THE MARK ANTHONY TRUST | 1 | £175k |
| THE ALLEN OVERY SHEARMAN STERLING FOUNDATION | 1 | £146k |
| EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | 1 | £90k |
| ALLAN AND NESTA FERGUSON CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT | 1 | £60k |