Things don't always go well

In Loreto Bowbazar, part of our street children programme in Calcutta, Net4kids faced an above-average drop-out rate in late 2007. Children were being taken from the Loreto Project by their parents in order to join a Christian aid organisation. This organisation offered street people with children a place to stay outside of Calcutta, where they would be given food and shelter if they convert to the Christian faith. The fact some families chose this 'short term relief' over a long-term investment in their child's future paints a grim picture of the circumstances many street dwellers live in. If the children wish to return to Loreto Bowbazar, Net4kids will welcome them back into our programme with open arms. We have already done so for two children. (Link Loreto 4.6)

In Africa, Net4kids was faced with an incident of fraud at one of the training centres in Gambia. The fraud was possible because the management and the accountant were working together. The local management was fired once the fraud was discovered during the annual audit. The contribution from Net4kids was earmarked for the acquisition of tools and machines and for teacher salaries. Although everything was purchased as planned, the usability of the materials was lacking. A small sum was still open on the books when the fraud was discovered. We have since assured ourselves that the remains of these funds have been spent on teacher salaries, as agreed. These events could not have been foreseen or prevented, and are covered by our money-back guarantee. The donor in question was informed and indicated he did not wish to make use of the clause.

The fact to not name and shame projects and organisations in this annual report is unfortunately a conscious decision, as the safety of our project partners and project progress on-site must be taken into account. In both cases, the donors were informed of the situation as quickly as possible.