Like every household, Light in Africa has to fund its daily operations, except ours has grown as big as our hearts and bigger with a corresponding list of commitments.
Here is some indication of how donations have been applied to cover the running costs of Light in Africa:
Our expenses include the childrens' homes, food, clothing and medical expenses, salaries of over 60 local staff, local transportation and our vehicle for the Outreach programs and of-course all the medicines and other medical expenses for all dependents at the LIA homes or in the Outreach programs..
Once completed, the Tudor Village buildings will replace the current homes. But before that is achieved, there are a lot of materials required for the construction of each of the planned new homes: an estimated 2500 bricks, 50 bags of cements, several trees for all the timber (e.g. roof construction, windows and doors) and all the roof tiles. That will all provide for a dry place which then needs to be furnished so that each building becomes a place that our children will call "home" and where they will be cared for during their childhood.
Gifts in Kind
As our volunteers well know from experience, there are always needs. Fortunately, at the local markets and shops, we are blessed with an already large ever expanding assortment.
But we are regularly receiving suggestions from our supporters to send packages with various kinds of donated materials. And although these could be of use, it needs to be noted that parcels will be subject to Tanzanian customs import duties & taxes while the shipping costs in comparison may also be a surprise for the sender. Also the cost of shipping can be prohibitive, money perhaps better spent
otherwise.
We encourage to limit the sending of parcels, although child sponsors are free to send small gifts for the sponsored child at special occasions.
There is one exception to gifts in kind: if they like, registered volunteers travelling to Kilimanjaro can always fill up any empty space in their suitcase or backpack with any of the following:
- Terry towels, nappies
- Nappy pins
- Plastic baby pants
- Anti septic nappy rash cream
- sterile dressings/bandage
- Paracetamol, Ibuprofen
- pencils, erasers, sharpeners
- disposable polythene aprons and latex & non-latex gloves
- rubber gloves (for the washers)
- white cotton shirts, short or long sleeves, children sizes (boys & girls)
Again, there is no obligation and is merely meant as a suggestion to volunteers, We do not encourage to send such items as parcel post.
Tax matters
Light in Africa is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in Tanzania. Whether donations are tax deductable when made by residents in countries outside of Tanzania directly to Tanzania, depends on the regime in the country of the donor. It is recommended to verify with your local authorities for further questions.
However, approved charity organizations have been established under local jurisdiction in Germany (Light in Africa, Deutschland e.V.) and the Netherlands (Stichting Light in Africa Nederland) Donations made to them through their local accounts will qualify for tax deduction for local resident taxpayers. In 2012 we hope to announce a 501 charity solution for US taxpayers
If you have any further questions about donations, then check the Contact page on how to reach us..
Note: in 2009 a group of UK donors registered a UK charity (LIA UK 1133363) with the primary aim to support the work of Light in Africa Tanzania. The charity was managed by Nations Together Ltd.
By mid 2011 the board of LIA UK decided to change course (directly managing Tanzanian programs), change name (Nations Together) and capture the charity registration and bank account of former LIA UK. Fortunately Light in Africa Tanzania has developed a strong support base of sponsors, donors and volunteers. Light in Africa Tanzania is a Tanzanian NGO and was only a beneficiary of LIA UK
The board of former LIA UK and current Nations Together is fully accountable for UK charity 1133363
and for all the resources entrusted to them.