I have donated to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation(DVNF), one of the non-profits supported/recommended by ICA. When I discovered that the DVNF sends donors thank-you merchandise manufactured in China, I ceased donating. I believe no one should support DVFN nor ICA until DVNF stops this practice or until ICA stops supporting them. Surely, DVNF can locate and use American manufacturers who employ veterans with disabilities to produce these products and ICA can then support the DVFN without any ethical/moral conflicts. This is not in the interest of veterans with disabilities.
Good afternon,
I, Tatiana Stemasova, Born in 1982 the citizen of Ukraine would like to address to you with a sincere plea to help our family and save the future of this country – our future child. Our family resides in Donetsk city which has become the centre of a big war between Ukraine and Russia. Our beautiful city was captured by Russian militants.
It all started in 2014 and our family had no choice but to stay in Donetsk under such big oppression. There was no place to go. There was no one to ask for help. We had to hide in bomb shelters. Getting to work had become a real trial for all of us because of not only to be killed by bomb but to be shot by Russians who were acting like masters. Rascals were everywhere. Those who left their homes lost everything. Their property was given to those who were loyal to Russians.
During last 4 years the situation has been getting worse. In every act, in every law the new government issues there is a complete violation of the human rights:
-it is strictly forbidden to speak about Ukraine, even to pronounce this word and any kind of hint which might be connected to our country. Ukrainian flag will be burnt if found;
- the legal aspect of life is completely ruined. People are issued some kind of documents which have no legal rights outside Donetsk;
-transport blockade. People cannot get anywhere. No trains, no airplanes. There is a walking corridor to the Ukrainian border and it takes 7 hours to walk through it one way only;
-there are no banks which would be connected with Ukraine;
-there is no mobile connection starting January 11, 2018. People can only use Internet connection hoping that it will not be cut off;
- all forms of education (nursery, elementary, secondary and higher) are taught according to the new law and excluding everything Ukrainian; those who speak Ukrainian and forced to keep silence or speak only Russian;
The most terrifying thing is that due to the war conflict in Donbass region lots of doctors have left and there is no financing for Medical sector;
I am pregnant and it means there are no chances for me to give birth to a healthy and happy child on the territory of Donetsk. The deliveries are expected on January 2018.
So, I am kindly asking you to help me to find a Charity organization which would sponsor my deliveries the USA. We’ve got some money for staying in America before the deliveries and after. But there is no money for the flight tickets and the medical expenses.
My husband and I have got valid American visas and we are not planning to become illegal immigrants. We simply want to give a chance to our baby to be born in a free country with free choice who he or she would like to become in the future. I strongly believe that any American citizen is a citizen of the world. This idea had come to my mind when I was in the USA in 2012 - a free country with free people who can speak their thoughts and are not afraid to be imprisoned for self-expressing.
America is the only country which supports rights, freedom and democracy in our country. This is one more reason I am addressing to you and your country. It is a country where the right for freedom is highly respected, where people of different nationalities and beliefs can live together. I believe in God and I was so happy to know that laws in America are based on Bible “All people have the same origin and they are all equal in front of God.
I dream about living in a free country and I strongly believe that dreams come true.
I do appreciate your patience reading my letter and hope hearing from you soon.
If it is not in your power to help us, could you please advise us what to do?
Sincerely, Tatiana and Andrey
ICA allows me to separate my financial planning from my charitable giving. I put money in my account when it's convenient, and they distribute it according to my instructions whenever I request that a donation be sent. Essentially, they give me (with my relatively limited resources) the same kind of capabilities that a large foundation has.
They are professional and helpful. The only downsides I've experienced:
-it now takes up to two weeks for a donation to be processed and sent (it used to be within a few days).
-there's no mechanism for electronic transfer from my bank account to the ICA personal foundation.
-the donation processing web interface is a little dated, and not as efficient as it could be.
In terms of the value and quality of service they provide, this is a five-star operation. It's just those minor points that kept me from giving it the full five.
Review from Guidestar
BACK GROUND
Care Community Education Centre is a non profit organization established in 2008 by Ajaga Innocent as a vision bearer supporting orphaned and war victim children in Odropi Village, Charanga parish, Yumbe Town Council Yumbe District Northern Uganda.
The sub-region of Northern Uganda where the project is located has suffered a series of political instability since 1977 during Amin Dada’s regime. From 1987 up to 2007 came the kony bush war, which caused a lot of destruction of property and lose of Human life, and the major economic activities. Thus created poor condition of living for the people and dozens of orphaned and war victim children.
Having looked at the plight of the expanding Number of orphans and war victims, my family and I stated extending a helping hand to 36 orphans in form of 1 meal a day. After 2 years from the little income from our gardens I was able to donate a few scholastic materials to some orphans and war victims going to near by primary schools.
Within one (1) year I was over whelmed by the increasing number of orphans that requires more support.
It’s against such a back ground that I began looking for financial support from international donor agencies to enable these children get education, medication, material help and thus become better citizen in the future.
Review from Guidestar