The Limapela Foundation - News

Monthly Progress Report - 7 December 2008

2008-12-07T00:00:00Z

Starting at Cedric School

Trustees Matthew Raymond and Terry Webster have taken advantage of Qantas’ recent offer of two for the price of one, and will fly out to Zambia on 16 March for six weeks. During this visit they would like to finalise the purchase of the school and farm, and lay some groundwork for the start of the Cedric School Project. They will attend to legal requirements, meet with the school headmaster and staff, and get started on some of the most urgent priorities such as water reticulation, electric power and foundation slabs for chalets to live in.

This is a step of faith.

The Foundation is aware that these are not easy times economically, and we are very grateful to all who have contributed so far. We ask you to pray with us that in the remaining four months the balance of the required capital will be provided, and that when the time comes to transfer the funds the exchange rate will have improved.

Fundraising

The funds are coming in steadily. We have reached over 76% of the target for operational expenses for the first year, but only 28% of the target for capital requirements. We would need another NZ$72,000 at today’s rate of exchange just to get started in Zambia, but an additional NZ$274,000 is required to buy and establish 30 hectares of the farm. The long-term plan is to purchase the full 60 hectares of farmland that has been offered to us. Please contact us (info@limapela.org or phone +64 9 629 4884) if you would like to contribute to this. Your contribution could be a loan, a gift, or a contract to purchase shares in the project at $500 per share. Deposits can be made directly into the Limapela Foundation account. Please contact us if you would like those details. Donations from the UK may be sent care of Echoes of Service, 124 Wells Road, Bath BA2 3AH.

Why are we doing this?

We are burdened about the needs of young people in poorer communities in Africa, and taking on Cedric School will be of significant long-term benefit to this particular community. We have sufficient funds now to purchasing the school, but not enough yet to purchase the farm. Taking on the school without the farm would lead to long-term dependency on funds from abroad, and this we would prefer not to do. Please join hands with us so that we can achieve sustainability for Cedric School by the fourth year as originally planned.

Monthly Progress Report - 4 November 2008

2008-11-04T00:00:00Z

How Stable is Zambia politically?

Recent media coverage from other African countries is raising understandable concerns. But Zambia has shown remarkable political and economic stability since the country embraced democratic reform in 1991, and this year has performed extremely well in a remarkable test. On 29 June President Levy Mwanawasa suffered a serious stroke and was hospitalised in Paris. It appears that the Zambian government continued normally under the vice-president, and the country remained peaceful during the time that Mwanawasa was incapacitated, and until he died seven weeks later on 19 August. Three weeks of national mourning were then peacefully observed, followed by campaigning for a fresh presidential election held on 31 October. We feel this reflects very well on Zambia’s stability. Such a scenario would have been unimaginable in Africa several decades ago.

The Cedric School Project

The fundraising is going well, considering the current worldwide financial crisis. The New Zealand dollar remains weaker, having lost 25% of its value against the US dollar in the past few months. The effect has been to increase the total we need to raise in NZ dollars. But God is bigger than any world financial crisis, and we can ‘move mountains’ if we have faith.

We have made significant modifications to our agricultural plan, reducing the operational requirement for the first year from US$120,000 to US$66,000. Our giving community has been most generous — 33% of the capital requirement target for the first year (US$314,000) has now been achieved, and 73% of the operational requirement target (US$66,000). Funding for the capital requirement remains our most urgent need, especially as we anticipate that very soon the property will need to be paid for.

Communications with Zambia have been slow, but the vendors have given verbal agreement to our offer, and the survey of the school property has been carried out. The settlement arrangements and dates are being negotiated through the lawyer in Zambia, who will set up the new private company (to be called Limapela Community Development) as soon as the agreement has been signed.

Charity Registration

The NZ Charities Commission has now processed our application, so The Limapela Foundation is now a registered charitable entity (Registration No. CC32616) in terms of the New Zealand Charities Act 2005. Our application to the Inland Revenue Department for donee status is now being processed, and will be referred to the government to request listing under Schedule 32 of the Income Tax Act.

If the application for donee status is successful, all subsequent donations will be tax deductible, but not those received prior. In the meantime, donors might consider lending instead of giving. This would allow their loans to be converted into a donation later, if and when donee status has been granted, keeping open the possibility of a tax rebate in the future.

Monthly Progress Report - 23 October 2008

2008-10-23T00:00:00Z

The Foundation

The Limapela Foundation is now a registered charitable entity (Registration No. CC32616) in terms of the New Zealand Charities Act 2005. (For more information, visit the Charities Commission) Our application to the Inland Revenue Department for donee status is now being processed, and will be referred to the government to request listing under Schedule 32 of the Income Tax Act. If the application is successful, all subsequent donations will tax deductable, but not those received prior.

Monthly Progress Report - 10 October 2008

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The Foundation

The Foundation is now an Incorporated Charitable Trust in New Zealand. Our application for registration under the New Zealand Charities Act has now reached the Quality Review stage, which is expected to take several more months. It would seem that applications from charities whose work is for the benefit of people outside New Zealand are referred to the Quality Review stage for closer scrutiny before being decided upon. If the application is successful, all New Zealand donations received after 25 June 2008 will be tax deductable.

Fund-raising for the Cedric School Project

You can make a difference to the lives of these young people at Cedric School. Because of the generosity of many, the Foundation has already achieved 38% of the capital requirement target for the first year (US$317,000), and 48% of the operational requirement target (US$120,000). You will see that our most urgent need is now for the capital requirements.

The Foundation is also seeking committed sponsors for all 260 students at NZ$12 (US$10) per student per month, and sponsors for the 8 teachers at $400 (US$320) per teacher per month. This sponsorship will ensure that the school running costs are covered while the farm is being established.

Cheques should be made out to The Limapela Foundation, or you may use the Pledge Form. Feel free to contact us if you are interested in assisting in any other way, or if you require further information. The full project proposal can be viewed or downloaded here.

Agreement to Purchase

Our lawyer in Zambia is now arranging a meeting with Cedric and Mike Whittemore, the owners of the school and the land, to secure their written agreement to sell for a total of US$171,000. Once signed, a 10% deposit will be paid into a trust account in Zambia, and the balance will be required some time in 2009. This is a step of faith, and we encourage you to assist us in meeting this significant target.

The lawyer has been instructed to set up a new private company in Zambia to be called Limapela Community Development. This company will own the property and will be the legal entity responsible for the running of the project. The company directors will be Mpundu Mutala (Lusaka), Rev Patrick Chanda (Kitwe), Terry Webster and Matthew Raymond. The project will begin as soon as the property has been paid for and immigration permits granted.

Priorities for The First Stage of the Project

Modest chalets for the Raymonds and the Websters will be built, using local materials, on a plot to be surveyed close to the school.
Water and electrical supplies will be established and the farm land will be prepared for cropping.
School books will be purchased and the teachers salaries and conditions will be reviewed.

Monthly Progress Report - 3 September 2008

2008-09-03T00:00:00Z

The Foundation

The Foundation is now an Incorporated Charitable Trust in New Zealand, and application has been made to the New Zealand Charities Commission for tax-exemption on donations. Because of recent changes to the New Zealand legislation, the Charities Commission has been inundated with applications from both new and existing charities, and we understand it will be some months before our application is considered. However, if we are approved for issuing tax receipts, the approval will be backdated to the time the application was lodged, ensuring that those who have made donations since 25 June will receive tax rebates.

Fund-raising for the Cedric School Project

It has been encouraging to hear from new donors and to see opportunities for promotion appearing almost daily. We have now reached 27% of the target for Capital and Development (US$317,000) for the first year, and 47% of the target for Operational Costs (US$120,000).

The New Zealand dollar has dropped in value against the US dollar in recent months, and because all our projections have been pegged to the US dollar, we will be somewhat disadvantaged unless the kiwi dollar gains ground again.

Our most urgent need is for the capital funding necessary to buy the school and the farm land.

In addition, the Foundation is seeking committed sponsors for all 260 students at NZ$12 (US$10) per student per month, and sponsors for the 8 teachers at $400 (US$320) per teacher per month. This sponsorship will ensure that the school running costs are covered while the farm is being established.

Agreement to Purchase

Formal purchase offers for both the Cedric School and adjoining farm land have now been drawn up, representing a total of US$175,000. Once signed, a 10% deposit will be paid into a trust account in Zambia, and the balance will be required early in 2009. This is a step of faith, and we encourage you to assist us in meeting this significant target.

The property will be owned by Limapela Community Development, which will be established in Zambia as a private limited liability company.

The Foundation anticipates that Terry Webster and Matthew Raymond will need to go to Zambia early in the new year to attend to the business formalities, purchase arrangements and immigration applications. Their wives Alison and Carolyn will join them soon after.

Contributing to the Foundation

Please support this project. Cheques should be made out to The Limapela Foundation, or you may use the Pledge Form. Feel free to contact us if you are interested in assisting in any other way, or if you require further information.

Monthly Progress Report - 25 July 2008

2008-07-25T00:00:00Z

The Foundation

The Limapela Foundation has now been incorporated in New Zealand as a Charitable Trust. At present the trustees are Matthew Raymond (teacher), Terry Webster (consultant) and Ben O'Connor (teacher), all of Auckland. Application is being made to the New Zealand Charities Commission for tax-exemption on donations. There have been recent changes to the legislation in this regard, resulting in a high number of applications from different organizations around the country, so the application is a lengthy process.

The Cedric School Project

The Foundation anticipates that Matthew and Alison Raymond and Terry and Carolyn Webster will be able to move out to Zambia early in 2009 to start the project. Prior to that the purchase and legal land transfer will need to be arranged with the Whittemore family, who are the current owners, and this may necessitate a preliminary visit by Matthew and Terry. A private company will need to be set up in Zambia and immigration permits applied for.

Fund-raising

Fund-raising for the Cedric School Project is gathering momentum. Many thanks to all who are contributing to this ambitious venture in one way or another. We are encouraged to report that we have now reached 22% of the target for Capital and Development (NZ$495,000) for the first year, and 42% of the targeted Operational Costs (NZ$160,000).

The Foundation is seeking committed sponsors for all 260 students at NZ$12 (US$10) per student per month, and sponsors for the 8 teachers at $400 (US$320) per teacher per month. This will ensure that the school running costs are covered while the farm is being established.

The Limapela Farm

Establishing the new Limapela Farm will be the most important priority. 60 hectares will be available for cultivation, and the sooner the crops are planted, the sooner the course towards self-sufficiency for Cedric School will be set. The company will ensure that the school will continue to run smoothly under its current headmaster and staff during the time of transition.

Contributing to the Foundation

We can assure you that your contribution will make a real difference to the education and well being of the children at Cedric School. Please use the Pledge Form if you wish to contribute financially, either with donations or on-going sponsorship. Do feel free to contact us if you are interested in assisting in any other way, or if you require further information.