Questions and Answers
Where is Igoma?
Igoma is a town on the outskirts of the City of Mwanza, located on the shores of Lake Victoria in northern Tanzania. Please refer to the map above.
How do I write to my I CARE child?
I CARE children are eager to hear from sponsors and to learn about their families. Letters can be mailed to the following address in Igoma. I CARE staff will deliver your letter and translate as necessary. Postage for a letter is approximately $1.50 and will generally arrive in 2-3 weeks.
I CARE
c/o Merceline Magwamu
P.O Box 8071, Mwanza-Igoma
Tanzania, East Africa
It is also possible to send email messages/letters to your child. Please send any messages to the Program Director at [email protected] and they will be passed along to our local staff.
Can I send my child a Christmas or Birthday gift?
If you would like to send something special for your I CARE child's Birthday or Christmas, we would be happy to make arrangements for an item to be purchased locally. To do so, please send us a cheque which clearly indicates on the memo line how the funds should be used (e.g., Christmas gift, Birthday gift, purchase of bicycle etc). We will then include the funds as part of an upcoming wire transfer with specific instructions on how it should be used. I CARE staff will then arrange for the item to be purchased or will provide the funds to the child and their family to select a present for themselves. We do not recommend mailing gifts due to the costs involved and for fear that it may get damaged during transit.
How often will I receive updates from my I CARE child?
At I CARE, one of our main goals is to make sponsors feel part of their I CARE child's lives. We therefore ensure that updates are shared with sponsors throughout the year. Updated child information cards are sent out annually along with a written letter from each child. If sponsors would like additional updates throughout the year, please contact us.
How does I CARE support the community of Igoma?
I CARE supports the community by purchasing all supplies and materials locally. Furthermore, the program also provides jobs for local residents. I CARE currently has a dedicated staff of seven individuals based in Igoma. Lead by Tanzania Program Director, Moses Hosea, and Family Services Director, Marcelina Jacob, I CARE staff visit the sponsor children and their families several times a month, manage the financial transactions, coordinate with local merchants for the purchase of supplies, ensure letters and updates to sponsors are prepared throughout the year and managing special projects as necessary. Our success as a program is due in large part to these individuals who are committed to helping needy children in their community.
Can I visit my I CARE child?
I CARE sponsors have taken part in several trips from Canada to Igoma over the years. In the event that future trips are planned, we will be sure to let sponsors know.
What percentage of sponsorship funds are used for administration?
I CARE directs 100% of all sponsorship funds directly to the Igoma community. All of us associated with the program here in Canada are volunteers. Furthermore, any administrative costs generated here in Canada are covered through other means.
Is my sponsorship tax deductable?
Yes. I CARE is part of the Stouffville Igoma Partnership, a registered Canadian charity. Tax receipts are issued by the Stouffville Igoma Partnership.
Who can I speak with if I have questions about my I CARE child or the program in general?
Any and all questions can be directed to Marcus Gordon, I CARE's Program Director. Click on the "Contact Us" tab above for ways to get in touch with him.
Igoma is a town on the outskirts of the City of Mwanza, located on the shores of Lake Victoria in northern Tanzania. Please refer to the map above.
How do I write to my I CARE child?
I CARE children are eager to hear from sponsors and to learn about their families. Letters can be mailed to the following address in Igoma. I CARE staff will deliver your letter and translate as necessary. Postage for a letter is approximately $1.50 and will generally arrive in 2-3 weeks.
I CARE
c/o Merceline Magwamu
P.O Box 8071, Mwanza-Igoma
Tanzania, East Africa
It is also possible to send email messages/letters to your child. Please send any messages to the Program Director at [email protected] and they will be passed along to our local staff.
Can I send my child a Christmas or Birthday gift?
If you would like to send something special for your I CARE child's Birthday or Christmas, we would be happy to make arrangements for an item to be purchased locally. To do so, please send us a cheque which clearly indicates on the memo line how the funds should be used (e.g., Christmas gift, Birthday gift, purchase of bicycle etc). We will then include the funds as part of an upcoming wire transfer with specific instructions on how it should be used. I CARE staff will then arrange for the item to be purchased or will provide the funds to the child and their family to select a present for themselves. We do not recommend mailing gifts due to the costs involved and for fear that it may get damaged during transit.
How often will I receive updates from my I CARE child?
At I CARE, one of our main goals is to make sponsors feel part of their I CARE child's lives. We therefore ensure that updates are shared with sponsors throughout the year. Updated child information cards are sent out annually along with a written letter from each child. If sponsors would like additional updates throughout the year, please contact us.
How does I CARE support the community of Igoma?
I CARE supports the community by purchasing all supplies and materials locally. Furthermore, the program also provides jobs for local residents. I CARE currently has a dedicated staff of seven individuals based in Igoma. Lead by Tanzania Program Director, Moses Hosea, and Family Services Director, Marcelina Jacob, I CARE staff visit the sponsor children and their families several times a month, manage the financial transactions, coordinate with local merchants for the purchase of supplies, ensure letters and updates to sponsors are prepared throughout the year and managing special projects as necessary. Our success as a program is due in large part to these individuals who are committed to helping needy children in their community.
Can I visit my I CARE child?
I CARE sponsors have taken part in several trips from Canada to Igoma over the years. In the event that future trips are planned, we will be sure to let sponsors know.
What percentage of sponsorship funds are used for administration?
I CARE directs 100% of all sponsorship funds directly to the Igoma community. All of us associated with the program here in Canada are volunteers. Furthermore, any administrative costs generated here in Canada are covered through other means.
Is my sponsorship tax deductable?
Yes. I CARE is part of the Stouffville Igoma Partnership, a registered Canadian charity. Tax receipts are issued by the Stouffville Igoma Partnership.
Who can I speak with if I have questions about my I CARE child or the program in general?
Any and all questions can be directed to Marcus Gordon, I CARE's Program Director. Click on the "Contact Us" tab above for ways to get in touch with him.