Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mango Tree Goa

Is Mango Tree Goa a registered charity?

Yes, Mango Tree Goa is a charity registered in England and Wales. Our Charity Registration number is 1148049.

Where is Mango Tree Goa based?

Mango Tree Goa is a UK based charity.

Why is the Charity based in the UK?

There are a number of reasons that the Charity is based in the UK. Firstly, although we are very proud to have supporters from all around, the world the majority are from the UK. Secondly, charities registered in the UK are subject to a high degree of regulation which means donors can have more confidence about the way in which the Charity operates. Last, but not least, because we are UK based we are registered with HMRC to receive Gift Aid on donations made by UK tax payers. This means we get an extra 25% on top of all donations made by a UK tax payer who makes a Gift Aid Declaration, which is a very efficient way of raising extra funds for our work, at no cost to anyone.

Do you have an office and paid staff in the UK?

No. The charity is administered on a voluntary basis by the trustees. We are also very fortunate that our website is developed and maintained on a voluntary basis and our accounts are prepared and examined free of charge. In this way we are able to keep our costs to a minimum to ensure that more of donors’ money is available to fund projects on the ground in India.

Who does Mango Tree Goa help?

Mango Tree Goa helps disadvantaged children and young people in the state of Goa, India. We currently help children and young people between the ages of 3 and 23.

We support children of families who have migrated to Goa from all over India and from Nepal too. They migrate in the hope of a better life but many families live in slums or other poor accommodation. Families are economically poor and poorly educated. They tend to be engaged in casual day labour meaning they only get paid on the days when they can get work. Children may be required to work from a young age to supplement the family income. It is difficult for children to access and remain in school without outside intervention and support.

Children living in slums are often described as slum children. The fact that they live in a slum does not define who the children are and we purposely don’t describe them as such.

Do you promote any particular religion?

No. We support children regardless of religion, caste, creed or gender and will only work with individuals and organisations that do the same.

Where do the children you help live?

The children we help live with their families. Most have at least one living parent. Some are orphans but are usually living with a member of their extended family.

Do the children you help live in Goa all year?

All of the children we help remain in Goa throughout the year and most remain in full time education. Families from out of state do often go back to their villages for major festivals and some school holidays, but most return to carry on working and to allow the children to return to school. Occasionally, however, families return to their villages for extended periods and some never come back to Goa.

Doesn’t the Government already provide a free education to all children in India?

It is a fact that as a result of the Right to Education Act every child has the right to attend school between the ages of 6 and 14 and that child labour is banned. In practical terms, however, as a result of the difficult economic and social conditions prevailing in India both of these are difficult to enforce. The lack of a birth certificate would mean a child cannot go to school without intervention. Something as simple as the lack of the right school uniform or stationery to take part in class makes it difficult for a child to succeed. There are other major stumbling blocks, however. Parents are generally poorly educated and unable to support their children in school or regard regular attendance as unimportant. Children don't speak the languages which they are taught in and they lack the social skills needed to cope with expectations at school. If they are hungry they will struggle to concentrate. There may be a common misconception that children from certain backgrounds are disruptive in class when all they really need is a helping hand to help them bridge the huge gap between home and school.

How do you help?

We help in a number of different ways. Fundamentally we believe that children have the right to a healthy educated childhood, to be safe from abuse, to attend school, to be treated with respect and to be heard. They have the right to behave like children and the right to play. Above all we believe that education is a child’s main route out of poverty.

Mango Tree supports five main projects - all of which are focussed on education. Our main partner is The Mango Tree Trust which runs our Mango House, Mango Tree House, Bags4School and Back2School projects. We also make a contribution to a project in the Chimbel area of Goa which is run by the Grace Educational Trust. You can read all about our projects here

How many children does Mango Tree Goa help?

Through our Mango House and Mango Tree House projects we support around 260 children every day.

Do you have any long term plans?

In 2019 we purchased an old Portugese villa on a substantial plot. We plan to start building a two storey extension at the premises later in the year. This will provide a permanent base from which we can support children in future. You can read more about our plans here.

How can I learn more?

You can read all about our projects on our website at http://www.mangotreegoa.org/OurProjects.htm. You can subscribe there to our newsletter which we email out quarterly. If you are a facebook user we also have our own facebook page which you can find at www.facebook.com/mangotreegoacharity. We aim to update our page weekly with our news and information. To receive this in your newsfeed simply visit our facebook page and hit the Like button.

How can I help?

Almost all our funds come from individual donors and fundraising so we really do need your help. There are many ways you can do this. You can donate money or gifts in kind. You can fundraise or you can simply spread the word about the Charity at home or abroad. We’ll appreciate whatever you choose to do to help us. If you would like to read more about how to help, please visit our How to Help page or contact us at info@mangotreegoa.org.