Our Sponsor Sites

Where we Work

Sponsorship FAQ's

You may choose a child from our website or you may wish to contact our office via e-mail, phone or mail. Or, you may mail your request to Chalice.

If you wish to sponsor a child in memory of a loved one or give the sponsorship as a gift, please send all details regarding the name and address of the recipient to Chalice.  They will be sent a child folder and card informing them of your gift.  The official tax receipt will be issued to you.
As long as you choose. Sponsorship works best as a long term relationship between you and your sponsored friend; therefore, we would request a minimum commitment of six months.

Children usually stay in a program until they have completed school. Sometimes, however, circumstances arise that a child may leave the program beforehand. When this happens you will be notified and, if you wish, a new child will be offered to you.

 

The sponsorship cost is $33 per month for a total of $396 annually. You may make your contributions via cheque, post dated cheques or preauthorized payments from your bank account or credit card.* automatic withdrawal is only available from Canadian bank accounts – sponsor now -

No.  Chalice is rooted in Catholic social teaching that affirms the sacredness of life, and the dignity of all people.  Therefore, all those in need are considered for sponsorship, regardless of colour, nationality or creed.
Yes, Chalice is a registered charity in Canada under the income tax act.  Our CRA registration number is 13759 1012 RR0001. Official income tax receipts are issued in February.

The care a sponsored child or aged receives depends upon the circumstances and the nature of the sponsor sites.

Some projects care for homeless children or children not able to remain at home. In these cases your sponsorship will provide a home, a chance to go to school, nourishment, clothing and medical care, including visits to doctors or dentists. 

For the children under the care of parents or a guardian, help is given to the child and family.  This may include education, nutrition, clothing and/or medical care.

Elderly are provided with shelter, nutrition and clothing; and for those with illnesses, medication and treatment.

No. Chalice respects the privacy of their supporters.  We keep all information on our supporters in a very secure system and do not release names or other information to other organizations.
To make any changes to your personal information (address, banking or credit card information) please contact Chalice.
In many cases when a child leaves the sponsorship programme, they move from the area, thus making it impossible for the sponsor site staff to keep in contact.  Due to the amount of children being sponsored or in need of sponsorship, it is not feasible to keep records on those that have left the programme.  It is also the hope that the sponsor will form a bond with a new child, giving them the same opportunity to maximize their potential.

Many of our sponsor sites are not equipped with regular internet access.

If you wish to e-mail a letter to your child, please direct it to your Sponsor Representative, who will forward it on for you.

If you wish to mail cards, letters, photos, postcards, etc., please put your Child ID and/or Sponsor ID number clearly on your correspondence and mail to the Chalice office in Springhill.  Please note that we are not able to forward anything larger than a regular card-size envelope.

There are several reasons for a child to leave the sponsorship programme.  Many families migrate in search of employment; the child's family may no longer require assistance or the child has completed his/her education and has entered the workforce.  When the child ceases to belong to the sponsorship programme, they are no longer able to receive the benefits sponsorship provides.
Chalice neither recommends or facilitates children visiting their sponsors in Canada, as children may experience a culture shock when exposed to the Canadian environment.
Each child has only one sponsor.  However, this sponsor may be a single individual or may be a group of individuals such as a choir, church, youth or prayer group.

There are many laws in our country and that of your sponsored child that govern all international procedures.  Many agencies are involved that have their own guidelines.  Finally, the child's legal guardians must be considered.

For these reasons, Chalice does not encourage sponsors to attempt to formally adopt their sponsored child.  It is our desire that the children we help become happy, productive citizens of their own country.  Our goal is that the children use their talents and training to help themselves, their families and their communities.

In some cases, the sponsorship of a sibling is not permitted under site policies.  To ascertain the policy at your sponsored child's site, please contact your Sponsor Representative.
If you become aware of any special needs for your child, aged or their family, please contact your Sponsor Representative who will contact the site on your behalf.

Each year you will receive a letter from your child, a status report and updated photo, a Christmas card and a sponsor site update.  If your sponsored friend is unable to write, a relative or field worker may write your letter.

You may send a monetary gift to your sponsored friend for special occasions.  To avoid jealousy we recommend a maximum amount of $25 Cdn., which will be used specifically for the child or aged.

Due to the fact that all Christmas contributions are pooled and distributed equally to all sponsored friends in all sites, there is no limit on Christmas donations.  Please do not send your contributions in foreign currency.

You are welcome to visit your child.  Please contact your Sponsor Representative to make the arrangements.  Together with the sponsor site, they will provide you with any information you need for a very rewarding experience.  Please remember that your child may live in conditions that you may find difficult.  Some useful information concerning what to wear, eat, drink, etc., is very helpful before visiting.

Neema, Tanzania

Time in the Neema sponsor site in Tanzania

Stories from Tanzania

Nursery Schools and Wells in Tanzania

In Tanzania, Chalice has built 3 nursery...

module by Inspiration
Neema

Tanzania Map & Flag

The Chalice sponsor site of Neema is located in Mji Mwema, in the district of Songea, which lies in Ruvuma Region of Tanzania.  This region is named after the Ruvuma River which forms most of its southern boundary with Mozambique.  The local language is Kiswahili, with English being taught in some schools. The site was given the name of Neema, which means Grace, as it was through the grace of God that the children and their familes are able to be assisted.  The  Neema sponsor site is under the care of the Sisters of Visitation Congregation of Alleppey, Tanzania, who have appointed Sr. Mary Geena as the site director. 

 

There are currently 75 children sponsored in the Neema site, one third of the children reside in Neema Visitation Orphanage, one third are close to the site at home with their parents and one-third live 76 km away from the site attending the English Medium School run by the Visitation Sisters in that area.  Though the school is quite a distance from the site offices, the expenses for this school are significantly less compared to other English schools in the district. Students attend school for ten months with short breaks in the schedule for Easter and again in September.  The schools close for the full months of June and December.

 

Sister Mary Geena and her congregation provide nutritious food, medical treatment, proper clothing and a better education for children from the remote villages of their area.  Educational expenses for students in the local medium schools are lower, so the families of the children are able receive extra benefits.  As the children advance through the education system the cost of their education increases significantly especially for those attending the local English Medium Schools.  It is through the assistance of sponsorship that the children are able to remain in their classes, but fewer funds are available to be directed towards their families. 

 

At present the site is accepting only one child per family as there are so many families living in poverty in the Songea district.   Since the establishment of the Neema site there has been a visible difference in the sponsored children.  Their health has shown remarkable improvement with obvious increases in their physical growth and attention during class.  Malnutrition, which was quite prominent in the villages, is on its way to being eradicated in the families of the sponsored. The improvement in the lives of the children has eased the burden facing the families and has given hope to the villages.

 

Sister Mary Geena and the staff of the sponsor sites work diligently to bring the gifts of knowledge and growth to their charges.  Through their efforts and the support of their friends at Chalice, the children and families of Songea share the experience of God’s love in action knowing they have been blessed with His everlasting grace.