Tumaini in Canada
Tumaini in Canada since 2010
Tumaini was introduced to Canada in 2010 at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island, when Dr. Susan Wilson visited to share the charity’s mission, needs, and hopes for the future. Since then, she has stayed closely connected with Tumaini Fund Canada through visits, emails, and calls, most recently meeting local supporters and crafters on March 19, 2025.
Support for Tumaini’s urgent work grew, and with the pro-bono assistance of the Vancouver law firm of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, the charity was incorporated in 2012 and became a registered Canadian charity in 2013. Blakes Vancouver Services continues to file our minutes and look after other legal matters for which we are very thankful.
Donations raised in Canada are regularly sent to Kagera. All funds are spent by Tumaini Orphan Support Organisation (TOSO) distributing funds to support orphans and vulnerable families on the advice of Dr. Wilson who is in daily contact with Kagera staff.
Tumaini Crafters and Friends
Tumaini Crafters and Friends are dedicated Canadian volunteers who create blankets and Personal Care Kits for Tumaini orphans and families.
Many meet on the third Wednesday of most months at St. Mary’s Church hall in Nanoose Bay, while others contribute from home across Vancouver Island, BC, and Alberta.
Dr. Susan Wilson regularly shares updates with the group during her visits to Canada, keeping volunteers connected to the impact their work is making in Kagera.
Child Sponsorship gives an orphan a new life
For approximately $100 per year (or $2 per week) Tumaini provides shelter, food, clothing, school books and supplies.
We welcome new sponsors to share in this ongoing commitment to support our Tumaini orphans.
Tumaini-supported hard working students are very appreciative of the opportunity to further their education and work their way from poverty.
RR Smith Memorial Foundation
In June 2018, this charitable arm of BC Retired Teachers Association, generously donated $1,000 to buy Daftari notebooks for Secondary School students in Kayanga and Ngara districts, a wonderful gift enabling 67 students to register for school. In 2019, Tumaini’s grant application was approved with another generous donation of $1,250 to fund college tuition for 10 students for the first year of a two-year course in the career of their choice. In 2020 a donation for their second year of college was gratefully received. In 2021 a wonderful gift of $2,000 was received for other students to go to college. In 2022 the Foundation granted $2,500 for A Level students and in 2023 a grant of $3,000 was gratefully received for sewing machines for the tailoring schools. In 2024 the Foundation donated $2,500 which was used to purchase Daftari notebooks for 167 students and in 2025 the Foundation’s grant of $2,500 was put toward normal college fees for 25 students to learn a trade such as electrical, plumbing, construction, etc. which almost guarantees the successful students of getting a job. On behalf of all the students whose lives have been improved by these grants, the board members of Tumaini Fund Canada express their heartfelt thanks.
Rotary
After presentations and appeals to local Rotary clubs, Tumaini Fund Canada was delighted to receive generous donations:
- In November 2024 a cheque for $1,000 from Parksville Rotary for sewing machines
- In October 2018 a cheque for $1,000 from Nanaimo Oceanside Rotary to assist with building a fresh water well in Kagera.
- In November 2018 a cheque for $1,000 from Lantzville Rotary to purchase fabric for school uniforms being sewn in Tailoring Workshops in Kagera.
Getting involved
See our brochure 2025 TFC brochure
We are a small charity and very much appreciate any help that you can offer. Some suggestions:
Sponsor a child or family.
Donate for secondary school costs, Daftari notebooks, a house, bicycle, solar lamp, goat or a well.
General Donations will be used where most urgently needed.
Donate your deposit-fee recyclables.
Volunteer to sew or knit at home, help at events.
Please pray for the children of Kagera and the work of the Tumaini Orphan Support Organisation (TOSO).
Share Ideas: We are grateful for your inspiration and enthusiasm and welcome you to join the team.
TRANSPORTING DONATED GOODS FROM CANADA TO KAGERA
In 2014, Tumaini Fund Canada was delighted to receive a donated 40-foot shipping container and transport costs from ICROSS Canada. Packed with urgently needed supplies from Compassionate Resource Warehouse, the container travelled by sea to Dar es Salaam and then by truck to Muleba.
The container was welcomed with joy by the Tumaini staff and local hospitals, schools and communities who shared in the wonderful donations that were unloaded, including medical equipment, school supplies, clothing, tools, and toys—which were shared among local hospitals, schools, and communities, before the container was repurposed as permanent storage for Tumaini.
Transport in personal luggage
Personal Care Kits, urgently needed by Tumaini school girls, have been carried by kind volunteers travelling from Canada to the UK and Guernsey; then onward by visitors to Kagera or included in the next Guernsey container to Kagera. Recently we have started mailing boxes via Canada Post to Dr. Susan.
Pallets
Shipping donated supplies is costly and complex, but dedicated volunteers keep it moving. Over the years, pallets of essential items have travelled from Nanoose Bay by rail, sea, and truck to reach Kagera. More recently, shipments are sent via Guernsey containers, creating a safer route for vulnerable items like Personal Care Kits, blankets, and sweaters.
Seeing photos of the smiling children who receive these gifts makes every effort worthwhile. Donations to help cover shipping costs are always greatly appreciated.