A Letter to Our Supporters

Dear Supporter,

We are writing to you today with important news regarding the future of Univida.

After much prayer and discussion, the trustees of Univida have made the difficult decision to close the charity.  We know that this will come as a shock to many of you, but we want to be clear about our reasons and, importantly, the actions we now need you to take.

As we navigate this season, we find comfort in the truth of Psalm 106:1: “God is good; His love endures forever”.

Gratitude

We want to express our deepest gratitude for your faithful relationship, love and financial partnership over the years. Without your prayers, encouragement, and heart for the poor, we could have achieved nothing. Your investment of time, effort, prayer and finance has helped share God’s love with children and staff in Brazil.  We sincerely hope that you have experienced joy and blessing as you have accompanied the growth and successes of young lives in Fortaleza.

Celebrating 15 Years of Partnership

Since registering as a charity in 2010, we have raised over £1 million to bring life, hope, and opportunity to children in the slums of Brazil. Together, we can celebrate a legacy of tangible impact:

• Educational Success: Maintained the delivery of over 20 hours of education per week for more than 250 children annually. 
• Essential Care:  Provided daily clean water and nutritional meals to the children and contributed to the daily running costs to provide this education. 
• Infrastructure Improvements: Funded a new kitchen, new dorms, solar panels, water pumps, a new vehicle, and essential maintenance.
• Spiritual Growth: Seen many children develop a personal relationship with Jesus and are now walking a path of hope and purpose.
• Connection: Facilitated 24 mission trips for over 100 volunteers and shared the mission through 100 newsletters and many talks to schools and churches.

Reasons for Closure

After careful consideration, the Trustees have decided that Univida will close in the coming months due to several key factors:

1. Regulatory Environment: We are facing increasing regulatory oversight, particularly regarding UK charities working with partners overseas.
2. Governance Challenges: Ongoing governance challenges mean that the trustees have decided that the charity is no longer able to operate effectively.
3. Operational Constraints: Further growth would now require employing staff in the UK, raising costs and demanding more energy than the Trustees can provide.
4. Resolution: Despite considering many alternatives, we have not been able to find a viable solution to resolve these challenges within our current structure.

Actions for Donors

• Cancel Standing Orders: Please contact your bank or use internet banking to cancel any regular donations or Standing Orders to Univida.  This is very important to our ability to move forward in closing the charity.
• Staying in Touch with the University of Life: Univida has worked through “Children of Brazil for Christ” (CBC), the Brazilian Association, which operates The University of Life.  CBC’s work continues. To stay connected with Marcondes for ministry updates or sponsorship news, you can email him directly at marcondes@criancasdobrasil.org.  Please be aware that, as a Brazilian organisation, CBC is not regulated by the UK Charity Commission, and any donations given to CBC would not qualify for Gift Aid.
• Further Questions:  Please contact us at office@univida.org with any queries.

What happens next

• Formal Dissolution: We are beginning the formal process of closing the charity.
• Disbursement of Funds: All remaining funds, after closing costs, will be distributed according to charity regulations and Univida’s governing documents.
• Further Communication: We will notify all donors of the final closure date and provide further details on the winding-down process in due course.

Appreciation and Prayer

We are deeply grateful for your partnership in serving those most in need. Please continue to pray for Marcondes and Ruth as they lead the mission in Brazil, and for the children whose lives have been transformed by your compassion.

The Trustees of Univida