SUPPORT CAMBODIA
UK Charity 1160483
These Minutes have been agreed by the Trustees as an accurate report of the AGM held on 10th April 2025. They will be approved at the next AGM in April 2026.
MINUTES of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held on THURSDAY 10th APRIL 2025
Present: Katie Maidment [Chair], David Pattrick [Treasurer], Carol Shippey Secretary], Maria Brown [Trustee]
Pauline Andrews, Susannah Barrie, Shirley Crombie, Cathy Dickson, Rosemary Downing, Chris Falla, Cameron Falla, Fran Ludden, Clare Glenn, Tony Glenn, Roger Hayes, Frances Mack, Sarah Mawe, George Straughan, Chris Straughan, David Shippey, Carol & Bernard Webb,
BUSINESS SUPPORTERS: Peggy Little’s Products
Apologies: Peter & Wendy Adamson, Ian Andrews, Roma Brooder, Ian Boast, John Bolger, Pauline & Keith Copperwheat, Celia Cooper, Moira Chimombo, Alice Fox, Martin Grabiner, Avril Harcourt, Libby Henshaw, Debbie Hill, Colin & Gaby Jenkinson, Judith James, Jill Kemp, Steve James, Anne Jackson, Sue Mumford, Janet Mcilwee, Jan Northway, Eileen O’Leary, Sue Perrot, Delia Rawlinson, Janet Smith, Susie Thomson, June & David Thorn, Lawrence Smith, and from Cambodia: Brother Gustavo, Nhor Chamrom, Fr Totet, Fr Carlos, Fr Glenn, Sister Norma, Tuan Nyguen. BUSINESS SUPPORTERS: AMT Web Design, Enigmedia Marketing, Ace of Spades Gardens, Bottle & Jar Company, Semperart Glass, The Cutting Room. Woodgate Nursery.
1. INTRODUCTION & WELCOME: Katie Maidment, [Chair of Trustees] welcomed everyone.
2. MINUTES OF THE 2024 MEETING & MATTERS ARISING
Minutes of the 2024 Meeting were approved – proposed by Bernard Webb and seconded by Rosemary Downing
Matters Arising: Most of this was covered during the meeting.
3. REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2024/5:
A brief resume of basic information about the charity and our contacts in Cambodia was presented.
We serve remote rural areas in Pailin Province, villages within 90 minutes of Battambang and the Taom area outside Siem Reap. In practice this means Pailin, Battambang, Siem Reap, Sisophon.
- We provide funding for locations receiving little or no other NGO help and essential needs for the poorest communities. “small money – big difference”.
- It was emphasised that the charity is based on ‘personal contact’ both with our Supporters and with our contacts in Cambodia. These are currently: Father Carlos Alfaro [Battambang], Sister Norma & Brother Gustavo [both Pailin], Betty Millena & Father Yacob Chilka [both Siem Reap], Dr Nhor Chamrom & Father Glenn [Battambang & Sisophon]. Ms Theara Kao is our financial contact in Battambang. Personal messages from Sister Norma, Fr Glenn and Brother Gustavo were read out.
- The selection process for project funding was explained. Interaction/feedback [photos, news, messages] from our contacts/beneficiaries is an important part of the ‘two-way’ process.
1. EVENTS & FUNDRAISING 2024/5
A slide illustrating the following events was shown: Stalls at Aylsham, Aldborough and Mannington. Garden Gate salesin Cawston & Wickmere,Talks at various locations.
A big reduction was noted in the number of events held. It was pointed out we now don’t have the volunteers able/willing to run them and this has reduced both the revenue and the publicity the charity receives from ‘live’ events. A reference to this will appear later under Digital Review.
GRATEFUL THANKS were expressed to regular supporters Peter & Wendy Adamson, Pauline & Ian Andrews, Shirley Crombie & family, Ralph Chinery, Andrew & Val Clarke, Rosemary Downing,
continued next page>>>
Cathie Dickson, Maggie & David Edwards, Fran Ludden, Chris Falla, Martin Grabiner, Steve James, Sheelagh Langbridge, Janet & Terry Mcilwee, Sue & Jamie Mumford, Chris & George Straughan, Lawrence Smith, the Thorn family, Bernard & Carol Webb and Kate Wilde [Go Digital].
Special thanks to our jam makers [Pauline Copperwheat, Maria Brown, Carol Shippey] and to Pauline for also dressing the charity’s bears. Apologies for any unintentional omissions.
Treasurer David Pattrick expressed special thanks to those who contribute regularly by Standing Order and via Easyfundraising. He encouraged anyone able to do so to sign up for Easyfundraising as it’s ‘free money’ ie: doesn’t cost the donor anything and benefits the charity directly.
2: SUMMARY OF PROJECTS 2024/5
Copies of the ‘Summary of Projects since March 2024’ were distributed and illustrated with slides:
The Water Fund was closed in 2023 but we completed two water-related projects in 2024/5:
Water Filtration Plant [Marist Center of Hope, Pailin] following a contribution by the charity to Stage 1 of this project, problems with the taste of the water has caused a delay to the implementation of Stage 2, now scheduled for late 2025.
Borewell at Sneung, near Battambang: This badly needed water supply was drilled in 2024, courtesy of a private donor from Swaffham for which we are most grateful. The community at Sneung is growing rapidly under Fr Carlos with over 100 young people coming weekly for activities. There is an issue with the taste of the water and a filter may have to be added to solve the problem. This has not yet been funded. [Note: since the meeting, the charity has agreed to fund the filter at a cost of $900]
Bob Maidment Education Fund:
- Vocational Training: Our first student, Phearoum, graduated in Electrical Engineering in August 2024 and is now working in Sisophon. Currently we are supporting 6 students
[four 2nd years and two 1st years] in electrical engineering. Grateful thanks was expressed to Steve James for his help in obtaining a large grant from the Marist Fathers – this will help to support the initiative for next year. - Family Support [Pailin]: Rice, toiletries, food ingredients, school supplies for families of 10 selected students in Grades 6 – 12 enabling them to stay in school.
- Rohal Primary: dental health, classroom equipment, sports field/kit
Nutrition Fund:
- Support Cambodia continue to fund year-round Formula Milk programmes in Pailin [Sister Norma] and Siem Reap [Betty Millena]. This year we also provided formula for HIV positive mums at Pet Yiey Chee Health Centre, Battambang.
General Fund:
- This year Support Cambodia have funded 12 Wheelchairs for People of Disability. This has been done via the Jesuit Service Cambodia [Sisophon branch] who have provided wonderfully detailed feedback on the distribution of the funding.
- Support Cambodia continue to sell the unique, handwoven and crafted kromas [scarves] made by the Women Weavers at Ta Hen near Battambang, 20% of each sale going directly back to the women who are all the single breadwinners in their families. A new, bespoke design was created with the workshop during the Trustee Visit in January.
- Betty’s Dressmaking Group [Peak Snaeng Chas, Siem Reap]: is going from strength to strength. Support Cambodia are continuing to fund materials and the sewing teacher’s wages. We now sell two of the group’s products – again, with 20% of each sale going back directly to the women – handmade bags in various designs and a new design of headscarf, particularly suitable for those who, for whatever reason, need to protect their scalp. Big C Cancer Support Centre, Norwich City will be stocking a small number of these headscarves from May 1st and we will have them on sale at our events, proceeds to Support Cambodia but with the option to also make a small donation to Big C. continued next page>>>
- The Boat Project: Kindergarten on the Tonle Sap Lake.
An arrangement has been made with Ely Catholic Parish to share the funding of the boat driver’s wages, each party paying 6 months each.
GW asked how much the wages are per year. “ £1000”.
3: FINANCIAL REPORT 2024/5
The Financial Report for the year ending 31st March 2025 was presented by David Pattrick.
This had previously been inspected and accepted by the Trustees. Katie thanked David for his hard work on the accounts throughout the year.
IN SUMMARY:
Total income for the year: £24,088.56 Total expenditure (on aid): £23,976 Bank balance as at 31st March 2025: £17,097.80 with a further $1,436.34 in our ‘account’ at the Battambang Prefecture.
The full accounts are available on the website [under NEWS].
4: TRUSTEE VISIT 2025
Trustees Katie Maidment and Maria Brown visited Cambodia in January 2025.
A short illustrated report on their visit featured :
Rohal Primary School ……Pet Yiey Chee Health Centre and Mutitaa Textile Factory [both Battambang]…Sneung Village….Prek Toal Floating School [inspection of repairs funded last year]
AND….
Kompong Kleang, near Siem Reap [focus for fundraising this summer]. This is a very poor area. Fr Yacob who has responsibility here, has no regular funding available and seems to live very much ‘hand to mouth’. It’s all free at the point of service [ie: parents don’t pay unless they can afford a few riels, some rice or coconuts.] Parents are very keen to send their children here because the discipline and teaching are good and the results give their children a head start at the local state school. Susannah Barrie asked: ‘How many children will benefit ??’ Answer: ‘Well over 100 a week, between the kindergarten, extra classes and the Saturday activity group”.
And two centres where the news was not so positive:
- Sewing Centre [Pailin]: has had big problems with changes of staff, lack of communication over a number of months and a drop-off in the number of women wishing to learn sewing. When we visited it was looking rather sad and unloved. The new Sister-in-charge in Pailin has now taken it over and the hostel students are now starting to take sewing classes on a regular basis. We hope for better news soon.
- Soun Ampoou Primary, Pailin: again, a complete lack of communication over a number of months meant that the state of the school facilities [borewell, handwash, paintwork, classrooms] refurbished by Support Cambodia in 2023 had again become very poor. This was only discovered by us on making a visit to the site. Local vandals had [3 times] broken the electrical connection between the borewell and the school so once again, there was no water supply. Immediate plans were made to mend the connection and restore water. [ NOTE: Since the meeting, this has been done]
The breakdown in communication both with us and within the local community is also now being addressed. We wait for a full progress report.
For a full account and pictures of the Trustee Visit, please go to the NEWS section of our website.
5. PROJECTS 2025/6
Education Fund:
- 5/6 students funding [December]
- Pailin: 10 family support students
- Rohal Primary: Dental Health programme [260+ students]
- Prek Toal School: boatman’s wages [6 months]
- Kompong Kleang; 2 teacher salaries [6 months] funded by a private donor
PLUS THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS WITH HELP FROM SWAFFHAM ROTARY CLUB: - Mutitaa Textile factory, Battambang: Training for a worker
- Pet Yiey Chee Health Centre, Battambang: English classes for 2 nurses
Nutrition Fund:
- Formula Milk for 45 babies [Pailin & Siem Reap]
- Kompong Kleang & Tampoung: Rice Soup [6 months] supported by a private donor
General Fund:
- Betty’s Dressmaking Group, Siem Reap: materials & teacher wages
- Rohal Primary School; Playground repairs
- Ta Hen: ongoing support for the Women Weavers
- Sneung: classroom furniture [with help from Aylsham Rotary Club]
- Sisophon: 12 wheelchairs for JSC [donated by 3 private donors]
- Prek Toal Floating School: Boat Driver’s wages [6 months]
6: EVENTS 2025/6
Saturday May 3rd: Table Top Sale [Aylsham] Contact Fran Ludden
Saturday May 31st: Craft Sale [Upton, near Acle] Contact Maria Brown
Saturday June 7th : Table Top Sale [Crafts] [Aylsham] Date change: now on Saturday August 9th
Sunday August 31st : Mannington Charity Day: Contact Katie Maidment
For details please go to: www.supportcambodia.org.uk/diary
TALKS: As at 10th April 2025: we have no talks booked for 2025 or 2026.
Talks are the very best way of raising awareness of Support Cambodia…and they bring in money!
ANYONE WHO CAN HELP WITH GETTING TALK BOOKINGS IS ASKED TO CONTACT KATIE.
7.DIGITAL REVIEW
On page 1 a reduction in events and the resulting down turn in both revenue and awareness was mentioned so we’ve had to do something else to compensate.
A year ago we were put in touch with to a NCC initiative called Go Digital – thanks to Kate Wilde for taking us through this. We were introduced to Andy Thompson [AMT Web Design, based in Cromer] and Sonia Warder [Enigmedia Marketing of Norwich].
Over the last year, Andy has upgraded our website and Sonia has taken over our Facebook page, created the Support Cambodia WhatsApp group and the production and sending out of Mango.
All these in liaison with us and based on information we supply.
They’ve both done a wonderful job, both are also Sponsors of the charity and both improvements have helped enormously in raising awareness of what we do and how we do it. Those of you who followed the Trustee Visit on FB, WA or the website will have seen what an impact having digital expertise can make. A message from Sonia” please SHARE, SHARE, SHARE social media posts – that’s how it works!” In 2024 we had a grant to pay for this upgrade… but in 2025/6 we will have to pay for these services ourselves. Which leads to……..
8. SPONSORSHIP/ADMINISTRATION
A number of points were made concerning Administration costs and how this is paid for:
- The Support Cambodia principle of “no costs taken from charitable donations ” was reiterated and emphasised as one of the key selling points of the charity: one big reason why people give so generously.
- A slide was shown illustrating the costs incurred [this is available to view on the website] including bank charges, public liability, website and newsletters/printing etc.
- It was pointed out we are all unpaid volunteers and that no Supporter or Trustee ever claim expenses.
- Our current Sponsors: Ace of Spades Gardens, the Bottle & Jar Company, Peggy Little’s Products, Semperart Glass, AMT Web Services, Enigmedia Marketing, Eclipse Hair Studio, Lavenders Blue, The Cutting Room, Woodgate Nursery were thanked for their invaluable support.
- Estimated Admin income for this financial year is £1,150
The actual administration costs are around £1,542 leaving a shortfall of around £400. - As a charity serving the poor, it is only right we keep our administration costs as low as possible. But even the essentials cost money.
- It was emphasised that Support for Administration is just as valuable as donating to a project…. because it keeps the charity going: without Admin Support, there would be no charity.
- Contributions specifically for Administration [including Standing Orders] from individuals
as well as businesses will be warmly welcomed by the Trustees, - Collecting tins: currently we have 11 tins in various locations [ https://supportcambodia.org.uk/the-supporters/]
The money from these goes to Projects, not to Administration. - As a small economy, please note: ‘Mango’ will now only be published 4 times a year [Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter] with no Updates. Essential information in between issues will be sent by direct email only.
9. SUCCESSION PLANNING & TRUSTEE RENEWALS
Asked recently about future plans for the charity, the Trustees have begun to discuss this.
Conclusions:
- the chance of someone stepping forward to run this charity in the future is extremely remote.
Therefore, when Katie is no longer able or willing to run the charity, it will have to close. This is not anticipated to be any time soon….but it is only prudent to make a plan. So the Trustees are proposing we continue the policy adopted in 2021 which is:
1. to ‘shrink’ the charity in terms of areas covered in Cambodia
2. to concentrate on legacy projects eg: Vocational Training as opposed to infrastructure
3. to begin to reduce the range of projects covered to just one fund – the Bob Maidment Education Fund which would only fund education-related projects. We do realise this will significantly reduce the annual income in line with projects we support.
4. make maximum use of digital technology and social media to facilitate communication and outreach both with Cambodia and with our Supporters.
5. implementing all this would probably enable Katie to run the charity with minimal assistance for as long as she is able/willing.
If adopted, these proposals would take effect gradually over three years ie: by April 2028.
Trustee Renewals
Trustees hold office for a varying number of years according to our governing document.
Renewals should be done at an AGM [April]. But in 2020, with the death of Bob Maidment and the pandemic, dates got missed. So from 2025, renewals will be done at the AGM.
David Pattrick [Treasurer] was unanimously re-elected [proposed by Roger Hayes, seconded by Fran Ludden] for ONE year and Katie Maidment [Chair] was unanimously re-elected for THREE years [proposed by Chris Falla and seconded by Bernard Webb]. Maria Brown is due for re-election in 2027.
Carol Shippey announced at the meeting that for personal and work reasons, she is stepping down as a Trustee with immediate effect. As one of the only two remaining founder members of Support Cambodia, Carol was thanked for her 10 years of great service to the charity in so many ways, not least her phenomenal ability to raise funds! We are delighted to note she will continue to do this! Carol was presented with a Cambodian carving and a very small, red giraffe [the giraffe is one of the many symbols associated with the Prefecture of Battambang where our charity does its work].
AOB: Bernard Webb asked for the ingredients of Rice Soup – “rice, vegetables, water, a little meat if available, flavourings”.
7. THANKS:……were expressed to a range of people, principally the Trustees and those who helped organise the AGM evening, and to all those who made the effort to attend in person.
Susannah Barrie made a digitally illustrated record of the meeting which is available on our Facebook page. Thank you Susannah.
The Meeting concluded at 8.15pm.
