The Bouncing Ball Trust joins bid to save small international development charity sector

The Bristol-based charity, The Bouncing Ball Trust, has today announced that it will join thousands of other small international development charities across the UK in their call for Government support. This comes following the announcement that, due to lack of financial support, nearly half (45%) of the UK’s small charities working with the world’s poorest people are expected to close.

Surveys from the Small International Development Charities Network show that 89% of these charities are on the frontline responding to COVID-19. The crisis has had a disproportionate effect on the sector, which is seeing a 27% increase in demand and a 33% loss in income.

Small international development charities support millions of people across the globe and employ tens of thousands of people in the UK. The Bouncing Ball Trust, whose fundraising opportunities has been cancelled this year leading to a massive drop in its income, which will have an impact in Kenya.

Since its formation in 2014 The Bouncing Ball Trust has supported educational projects in Kenya. We are currently fundraising to build a primary school in the Kangawa district of Ngong town in Kenya.

COVID-19 is a global crisis, which requires a global response. In recent months, The Bouncing Ball Trust been focussed on strengthening the organisation to meet the challenges ahead. This includes appointments of new Trustees, new student volunteers working with us and working with a pro bono management consultancy. The Bouncing Ball Trust is also working collaboratively through the Small Charities Coalition to apply for job placement for 16 to 24 years old on Universal Credit through the Kickstart Scheme.

Chris Orman, Founder and Trustee of The Bouncing Ball Trust, said:

“The Small But Mighty campaign is highlighting the tremendous work undertaken by small international development charities like The Bouncing Ball Trust overseas. The current COVID-19 pandemic has prevented us from fundraising for the new primary school. This has denied the children of Kangawa the opportunity to go to school once the Kenyan Government has announced it is safe for children to resume education (from January 2021 for primary school children).”

A collapse of the small international development sector would mean a collapse in their impact overseas, in the UK and in Bristol. The Small But Mighty campaign is calling on the UK Government to commit to a £50 million package of support over two years, funded from the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) budget. It will ensure the survival of these charities, including The Bouncing Ball Trust.