1. INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

Association details

Putokaz za Afriku Association, with its registered office at Nikole Tesle 12, 35 000 Slavonski Brod, and an office at Mezanovci 27, 21231 Klis, Registration Number: 04843487, Personal Identification Number (OIB): 30154677521 (hereinafter referred to as the “Association”).

The Association holds bank accounts with the following banks:

ERSTE & STEIERMÄRKISCHE BANK d.d. Rijeka
IBAN: HR08 24020061101102853
SWIFT: ESBCHR22

HRVATSKA POŠTANSKA BANKA d.d. Zagreb
IBAN: HR76 23900011101238242
SWIFT: HPBZHR2X

KENTBANK d.d. Zagreb
IBAN: HR83 41240031120001490
SWIFT: KENBHR22

DONOR

A Donor may be any natural person of full legal capacity and legal age or any legal entity. On behalf and for the account of a legal entity, all rights and obligations arising from the donation programme shall be assumed by the legal representative of that legal entity.

2. CHILD SPONSORSHIP

Within the donation programme entitled CHILD SPONSORSHIP (hereinafter referred to as the “Sponsorship”), the Donor shall, for a period of 12 months commencing on the date on which the Donor becomes a Sponsor, donate the amount of EUR 156.00. This amount is intended to cover the educational expenses of one child from Rwanda.

The primary education system in Africa also includes preschool education. After completing primary school, a child may continue their education at secondary school and subsequently at university.

Some of the primary schools with which the Association maintains partnerships, and which also operate preschool programmes, include Kivumu, Kondo, Cyicaro, Burerabana, Biringaga, Birembo, Munini, Gatenzi, Bwirika, Gifumba and Makera.

The Association also cooperates with boarding secondary schools and with the following higher education institutions: INSTITUT CATHOLIQUE DE KABGAYI MUHANGA and the UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA.

A person becomes a Sponsor by completing the form available on the Association’s website at: https://www.putokazzaafriku.com/postani-kum/

Following completion of the form, the Association shall provide the Sponsor with information concerning the child assigned to them and the payment details required for monthly, quarterly or annual donations, depending on the payment frequency selected by the Sponsor.

Donations shall be paid by bank transfer or online banking, using the payment details provided by the Association.

By completing the form, the interested person confirms that they have previously read and understood these General Terms and Conditions and that they agree to be bound by them.

A person becomes the Sponsor of the child whose information they have received from the Association and, through their donations, enables that child to attend school. The sponsored child shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Sponsored Child” or the “Child”.

The Sponsor may not select the Sponsored Child, the Child’s age, gender or any similar characteristic. Sponsorships are assigned by the Association in accordance with the lists received from partner schools, taking into consideration the urgency and needs of individual children.

For the purpose of establishing a Sponsorship, the Sponsor must provide the Association with the following contact details:

  • Full name;
  • Residential address;
  • Mobile telephone number;
  • Email address.

The Sponsor is required to notify the Association of any change to the above contact details.

The Sponsor may choose to pay the amount of EUR 156.00 according to one of the following payment schedules:

  • Monthly: EUR 13.00 per month;
  • Quarterly: EUR 39.00 every three months; or
  • Annually: a one-time payment of EUR 156.00.

For the Sponsorship to take effect, the person must pay the selected amount within seven working days from the date on which they receive the payment details from the Association and must send the Association proof of payment.

In the case of monthly donations, the Sponsor must pay the first monthly donation of EUR 13.00 within seven working days from the date on which the payment details are received from the Association.

In the case of quarterly donations, the Sponsor must pay the first quarterly donation of EUR 39.00 within the same period.

In the case of annual donations, the Sponsor must pay the full amount of EUR 156.00 within seven working days from the date on which the payment details are received from the Association.

If the Sponsor fails to pay the selected amount within the prescribed period, they shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Sponsorship.

Upon payment of the first donation in the manner described above, a Sponsorship Agreement shall be deemed to have been concluded between the Association and the Sponsor and shall be governed by the conditions set out herein.

These General Terms and Conditions form an integral part of the contractual relationship between the Sponsor and the Association.

The Association shall assign each Sponsor a payment reference number, which the Sponsor is required to use when making each subsequent donation.

It is important that the Sponsor always includes the assigned payment reference number when making a monthly, quarterly or annual donation. Otherwise, the Association may not be able to record the donation in a timely manner.

The Association shall not be responsible if a donation is not recorded in a timely manner due to the omission or incorrect entry of the payment reference number. However, the Association shall make every reasonable effort to identify and record such a payment.

Each subsequent monthly donation shall become due on the tenth day of each month. Quarterly donations shall become due every third month, also on the tenth day of the relevant month.

By paying a monthly, quarterly or annual donation, the Sponsor contributes towards the following basic educational expenses of the Sponsored Child:

  • One daily meal provided to the Sponsored Child at school;
  • School supplies, including notebooks and pencils;
  • Equipment for school kitchens, including firewood, so that meals for the Sponsored Children can be prepared;
  • One school uniform every two years.

The relevant donations shall be delivered by the Association to the school attended by the Sponsored Child, after which the school shall provide the relevant items or benefits to the Sponsored Child.

The Association shall purchase a school uniform for the Sponsored Child during the first month following the commencement of the Sponsorship.

After the school uniform has been provided to the Sponsored Child, the Association cannot influence whether the Child’s family subsequently sells the school uniform or allows another child in the family to use it.

In the event of an increase in the cost of primary education due to inflation and/or an increase in the prices charged by local suppliers or service providers, the Association shall make every reasonable effort to cover the Sponsored Child’s primary educational expenses using the agreed donation amount.

The Sponsorship shall last for a minimum period of 12 months and may continue until the Child completes their education, including primary school, secondary school and university education.

After the expiry of one year, namely 12 months, the Sponsor may terminate the Sponsorship.

Unless the Sponsorship Agreement is terminated by either the Association or the Sponsor, it shall automatically continue for the following year. In such a case, the Association and the Sponsor shall be deemed to have concluded a new fixed-term agreement under the same conditions for as long as the Sponsored Child continues their education.

If the Sponsor is no longer able to continue the Sponsorship, they must notify the Association as soon as possible, in the manner prescribed by these General Terms and Conditions, so that the Child does not lose access to a daily school meal, school supplies and a school uniform.

In such circumstances, the Association shall be entitled to terminate the Sponsorship Agreement.

If the Sponsor fails to make a monthly, quarterly or annual donation when due, the Association shall also be entitled to terminate the Sponsorship Agreement.

After completing primary education, which lasts for nine years, children take a national examination. Children who achieve good results may enrol in a boarding secondary school, where they receive three meals per day.

In such circumstances, the Association shall inform the Sponsor of the cost of that form of education, after which the Sponsor shall have the right to decide whether to continue or terminate the Sponsorship.

If the Child does not qualify for education at a boarding secondary school, the Child may continue their education at Makera, Burerabana or Kondo day secondary school.

The Sponsorship of a Child attending Makera, Burerabana or Kondo secondary school shall continue under the same conditions applicable to primary school Sponsorships.

During the Sponsorship, the Association may inform the Sponsor of exceptional or additional financial needs of the Sponsored Child. The Sponsor may decide whether or not to make an additional payment.

During the Sponsorship, the Sponsored Child may change schools due to relocation, a decision made by the Child’s parents or other similar reasons. Such a change shall result in the termination of the Sponsorship Agreement, of which the Association shall notify the Sponsor in the manner prescribed by these General Terms and Conditions.

The Association shall inform the Sponsor of any other issues relating to the Sponsored Child, where such issues exist, including withdrawal from education, repeating a school year, illness or similar circumstances.

Following notification of the interruption of the Child’s education or a change of school, the Association shall refund the Sponsor for donations paid in respect of the months during which the Sponsored Child did not attend the relevant school.

The refund shall be made directly to the Sponsor’s bank account. The Sponsor must provide the Association with the relevant bank account details within eight days from receipt of the notification concerning the interruption of education or change of school.

The Association shall refund the relevant donations within eight days from receipt of the Sponsor’s bank account details.

If the Sponsor fails to provide the bank account details within the aforementioned period of eight days, the Association shall refund the donations within eight days from any subsequent receipt of the required bank account details.

If the Sponsored Child repeats a school year, this shall not affect the Sponsorship.

If the Association does not notify the Sponsor of any problems, this means that the Sponsored Child is regularly attending school and that no relevant issues have arisen.

Subject to obtaining the consent of the Sponsored Child’s parent or legal guardian, the Association shall provide the Sponsor with one photograph of the Sponsored Child per year by email to the agreed email address.

The Association provides photographs of Sponsored Children to Sponsors once per year.

If the Sponsor does not receive a photograph of their Sponsored Child within one year from the conclusion of the initial Sponsorship Agreement or within one year from receipt of the most recent photograph, the Sponsor must notify the Association by email or through the contact form available on the Association’s official website.

This shall allow the Association to carry out the necessary checks and, where appropriate, provide the Sponsor with the photograph if it has not previously been delivered.

The Sponsor is not authorised to publicly share or forward the Sponsored Child’s personal data, including the Child’s photograph, full name or other personal information.

As children constitute a particularly protected category, they are entitled to an enhanced level of protection in relation to their privacy, reputation, honour, dignity and personal data.

The Association shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that the Sponsor receives information concerning the Sponsored Child as soon as possible and that such information is accurate and complete.

In certain circumstances, the Association depends exclusively on information provided by schools and is unable to influence the manner or speed in which that information is provided.

The Association shall correct any incomplete or inaccurate information as soon as it becomes aware of the relevant issue.

School reports shall be sent to Sponsors only in respect of Sponsored Children attending boarding secondary schools and only where the Association is able to obtain such reports.

Once every 12 months, the Sponsor may send a letter to the Sponsored Child, which the Association shall deliver to the Child.

The Association advises the Sponsor not to disclose excessive personal information in the letter, as such information could be misused if the letter is read by someone other than the Sponsored Child. The Association cannot influence who may access the letter after it has been delivered.

The Association cannot guarantee that the Sponsored Child will respond to the letter. If the Sponsored Child provides a response, the Association shall forward it to the Sponsor.

The Sponsor may request information concerning the specific benefits, items or support provided to the Sponsored Child under the Sponsorship during the preceding one-year period.

In the event of cancellation or termination of the Sponsorship Agreement by either the Sponsor or the Association, the Sponsor shall not be entitled to a refund of donations paid in respect of the Sponsored Child, except in the exceptional circumstances expressly prescribed by these General Terms and Conditions.

Structure of the use of Sponsorship funds

Sponsorship funds shall be used for the following categories of expenses. The allocation between the categories is not fixed and may vary depending on the current needs of an individual Sponsored Child and the Association’s programme and project activities:

(i) Direct programme beneficiary expenses

These are expenses that directly benefit the Sponsored Child or the school attended by the Sponsored Child, including:

  • One daily meal;
  • School supplies and notebooks;
  • A school uniform;
  • School kitchen equipment and firewood; and
  • For Sponsored Children enrolled in secondary school or university programmes, other educational expenses as required.

(ii) Operational programme implementation expenses

These are expenses necessary for the organisation, coordination and implementation of the Sponsorship programme which are not directly attributable to an individual beneficiary, including:

  • Salaries and remuneration of Association employees involved in implementing the programme;
  • Communication costs relating to Sponsors and partner schools;
  • Administrative and accounting expenses;
  • Banking fees;
  • Transportation and fieldwork expenses; and
  • Other justified organisational expenses.

The Association undertakes to use all funds for their designated purposes, economically and in accordance with the principles of sound financial management, as prescribed by the Croatian Associations Act and the Act on Financial Operations and Accounting of Non-Profit Organisations.

b) Designated donations

Designated donations are additional voluntary donations that Sponsors may make for their Sponsored Children through the Association.

Designated donations are collected shortly before the Association’s volunteers travel to Africa. The Association shall notify Sponsors of the relevant collection in a timely manner and in the manner prescribed by these General Terms and Conditions.

Designated donations are used to purchase necessities such as beans, rice, soap, footwear and mattresses, or to purchase a goat.

The quantity and type of supplies depend on the Sponsor’s wishes and financial means. Sponsors may select the type and quantity of supplies from a list provided by the Association.

The Sponsor must send the Association proof of payment of the designated donation, specifying the Child to whom the donation relates and the items from the list that the Sponsor wishes to purchase.

The proof of payment and relevant information must be sent to the Association’s email address so that accurate records of all payments and supplies may be prepared.

Goats provide the only source of meat that children may consume over an extended period, ranging from several months to half a year.

A Sponsor’s designated donation shall be delivered to the family of the Sponsored Child. The school attended by the Sponsored Child shall assist the Association in distributing designated donations.

Using the collected designated donations, the Association shall organise the purchase of goats and other supplies in Africa.

When purchasing and delivering goats and other supplies, the Association depends on local sellers and transport providers. Delays or other delivery-related difficulties may therefore arise.

The Association shall complete delivery within a feasible period, depending on the circumstances prevailing in Africa.

The Association shall be released from liability for the partial or complete non-performance of an obligation arising from a paid designated donation where such non-performance is caused by circumstances beyond the Association’s control.

Such circumstances may include criminal acts, failure by third parties to fulfil their contractual obligations, fires, earthquakes, floods, strikes, wars or military operations.

In such circumstances, the Sponsor shall not be entitled to a refund of the designated donation.

In the event of cancellation or termination of the Sponsorship Agreement by either the Sponsor or the Association, the Sponsor shall not be entitled to a refund of the amount paid as a designated donation.

Bank account for designated donations

ERSTE & STEIERMÄRKISCHE BANK d.d. Rijeka
IBAN: HR58 24020061500120280
SWIFT: ESBCHR22

c) General donations

General donations are intended to support children who do not have a Sponsor, urgent medical interventions for any child, or a specifically designated project, such as a safe house or other similar needs.

General donations shall be paid into one of the Association’s IBAN accounts, with the payment description: “general donation”.

The Association shall be released from liability for the partial or complete non-performance of an obligation arising from a paid general donation where such non-performance is caused by circumstances beyond the Association’s control.

Such circumstances may include criminal acts, failure by third parties to fulfil their contractual obligations, fires, earthquakes, floods, strikes, wars or military operations.

In such circumstances, the Donor shall not be entitled to a refund of the general donation.

4. FINAL PROVISIONS

Funds donated within the framework of the Association’s donation programmes shall be used exclusively for the achievement of the Association’s statutory objectives and for the implementation of programmes supporting children who are beneficiaries of those programmes.

Funds shall be allocated to direct programme beneficiary expenses, including food, school supplies and equipment, clothing and accommodation, as well as to necessary operational programme implementation expenses.

Operational expenses include salaries and remuneration of employees involved in programme coordination, communication with Sponsors and beneficiaries, administration, record-keeping and project organisation, as well as other justified expenses without which programme implementation would not be possible.

The proportion of operational expenses depends on the Association’s current needs and project activities and therefore cannot be predetermined or expressed as a fixed percentage.

The Association shall publish an annual financial report showing the total amount of funds collected and the structure of expenditure by category.

The Association shall direct the maximum possible amount of its resources towards children who depend on the support provided by the Association, Sponsors and Donors.

Due to occasionally limited resources or other difficulties encountered when collecting information from schools, delays in providing certain information or the provision of inaccurate information may occur.

In such circumstances, the Association asks its Donors and Sponsors for patience and understanding.

All notices relating to the Sponsorship Agreement must be exchanged between the Association and the Sponsor by registered mail or email.

The Sponsor may also send notices to the Association through the contact form available on the Association’s official website.

The Association shall publish its annual financial reports.

If a Donor or Sponsor considers that any of their rights in relation to the Association have been infringed, they must submit a written complaint to the Association without delay.

Complaints and claims relating to donations may be submitted to the Association:

  • By email to: info@putokazzaafriku.com; or
  • By post to: Nikole Tesle 12, 35 000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia.

The Association shall respond to the complaint using the same method by which the complaint was submitted and shall provide the Donor or Sponsor with a final response addressing all objections and the merits of the complaint within 15 days from the date on which the complaint was received.

Exceptionally, where the Association is unable to provide a response within 15 days for reasons beyond its control, it must provide the Donor or Sponsor with an interim response within that period.

The interim response shall state the reasons for the delay and the deadline by which the Donor or Sponsor will receive a final response. The deadline for the final response may not exceed 35 days.

As the Data Controller, and in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the applicable laws of the Republic of Croatia, including the Act on the Implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation, Official Gazette No. 42/18, the Association has aligned its operations with the applicable requirements in order to provide all Donors and Sponsors with an appropriate level of personal data protection.

The Association undertakes to protect the personal data of Donors and Sponsors by collecting only the information necessary for the fulfilment of obligations relating to donations and Sponsorships.

The Association and the Sponsor undertake to keep confidential, both during the term of the Sponsorship Agreement and following its expiry, cancellation or termination, all information contained in the Agreement and all information obtained or made available in connection with the Sponsorship Agreement.

Any matters not regulated by these General Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the Croatian Civil Obligations Act and other applicable laws and regulations of the Republic of Croatia.

The Association reserves the right to amend or supplement these General Terms and Conditions at any time.

Any amendments shall enter into force on the date of their publication on the Association’s website.

Continued access to the Association’s website or continued use of any part of its content shall be deemed to constitute acceptance of the amended or supplemented General Terms and Conditions.

These General Terms and Conditions shall enter into force and apply to all donation programmes as of 19 June 2024.