Simply Captivating: Our 2024 Impact Report

As we step into the second half of 2025, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress made in the year that was. In this special message, Captivating International CEO Andrew Colquhoun shares his reflections on the past year, the challenges we’ve faced, the milestones we’ve reached, and the exciting path ahead.

From empowering women with income-generating opportunities, to helping thousands of children stay in school, to expanding life-changing programs across Nepal, the Philippines, and China. None of this would have been possible without you.

Below is Andrew’s full message. We invite you to read and be reminded of the impact your support continues to make, every single day.

 

 

 

Dear Valued Supporters, Partners, and Friends,

It is with immense pride and gratitude that I present our Annual Impact Report for the past calendar year – January to December 2024. This report brings together the total impact of the work of Captivating International across China, Nepal and the Philippines and includes a combined report on our financial results. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be the CEO of this wonderful charity, working daily with a team of some of the most dedicated and passionate people I know, whether employees or partners. As you read this report, I hope you agree with me that Captivating has not only made significant strides forward this past year, but that the results and impact you see stands as a testament to the collective power of compassion, dedication, and unwavering support from you – our amazing supporters, prayer warriors, and donors. 

Living Our Mission

Throughout the past year, our team has worked tirelessly to uphold and advance our mission to break the generational chains of poverty and transform lives. Simply put, our efforts are focused on three core areas: empowering women, educating children, and elevating communities. Over 100 people working either for Captivating or 100% focused on implementing Captivating-funded projects in the field through our wonderful partners, work hard to find the most desperate of needs in the areas where they work. The stories of those we come across are sobering, heartbreaking, and desperate. Yet the possibilities for significant change are tangible and within reach by us choosing to step into the gap with them. We have done that over 12,000 times this past year. Every initiative, every program, and every interaction has been guided by our commitment to progress these children, young women and moms from points of desperation to positions of genuine choice and opportunity. 

 

 

Highlights of Our Impact

Thanks to your incredible generosity and the tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers, we have achieved remarkable outcomes. Some key highlights include:

• 12,029 lives directly impacted in 2024 – On average, every hour, someone in desperate need from across Nepal, China, or the Philippines has a member of our team look them in the eye and say, “Your current problem stops with me.” This is not one-time food or aid. It’s an intervention with the potential to change their lives forever: a scholarship to stabilize school; seed funding to start a small business; vocational training to get that job; someone stepping in to prevent them from being trafficked; the rehabilitation and restoration of women who have suffered extreme violence, rape, or exploitation.
• 47,351 people attended Captivating-funded education and awareness programs – Close to 1,000 people every week from high-risk locations—students, mothers, police officers, and community leaders—were educated about the real and present dangers of human trafficking and the online sexual exploitation of children in their region.
• Captivating Village Programs expanded – Our new model for bringing sustainable change to remote Nepali communities has now rolled out to 23 village locations.
• Manila Slum Program expansion – Our pilot program received glowing endorsement from community officials, resulting in expansion into neighboring slum communities. Our project areas, once filled with street children who should have been in school, now sit empty during the day—a testament to how these programs are changing the future slum story.

These achievements are not just numbers; they represent countless lives touched, communities strengthened, and hope restored.

 

 

Navigating Challenges

The past year was not without its challenges. Floods ravaged both the Philippines and Nepal at different times of the year. Our local teams were able to respond with limited emergency budgets, directly helping 159 families with food and rebuilding supplies. Globally, we also faced challenges like most charities with the changing economic climate. However, I am incredibly proud of how our team adapted and innovated, demonstrating resilience and commitment to continue serving those who depend on us. Your flexibility and understanding during these times were invaluable.

Financial Stewardship

We remain committed to responsible financial stewardship. All countries where Captivating is registered as a charity (Hong Kong, Australia, the USA) met our reporting and auditing requirements. Captivating International – USA was also endorsed at the highest levels by independent charity assessment agencies, GUIDESTAR USA and Charity Navigator. Also, thanks to several of our dedicated financial and project partners who help fund our administration expenses, less than 12% of general donor funds were needed to support our administration, compliance, marketing, and fundraising expenses globally. 

 

 

Looking Ahead:

Because we prepare this report after the 2024 audited financials are finalized, we now find ourselves already halfway through 2025. We’re pleased to report an extremely busy, but also smooth, first six months of the year. Although these numbers are still preliminary, the first half of 2025 has seen over 2,000 women empowered through microfinance and skills training, over 3,000 children continue to be stabilized in school, more than 1,000 women and children rescued, intercepted, or safeguarded from trafficking and exploitation, and over 11,000 people reached through Captivating-funded education and awareness programs.

As we look to the remaining six months of 2025, we are filled with optimism and determination. Our strategic priorities for the coming year include the following—provided funding and financial partners can be secured:

• Expanding our Manila Slum Program to a new community: This will bring 200 girls off the streets and back to school, help their moms sustainably increase family incomes, and build a more resilient community that prioritizes education and child safety.
• Launching new and expanded Captivating Village Programs in remote and struggling communities of Nepal through our program partners, 3 Angels Nepal and Captivating Nepal.
• Securing new financial partners for our work in China to ensure we can continue reaching our annual goal of stabilizing 1,000 lives, focusing on senior high school girls in remote regions, and struggling moms and their children.

We’re excited about the possibilities ahead and confident that, with your continued partnership, we can achieve even greater things.

None of our work would be possible without the incredible support of our donors, volunteers, staff, board members, and partners. Your belief in our mission fuels our efforts and empowers us to make a tangible difference. Thank you for being an indispensable part of our journey.

Together, we are building a brighter future.