The TEATEM Initiative

TEATEM is a movement to improve life in Tanzania. I like it because it is small, because it is deeply personal, and because it attacks, as directly as it possibly can, the problem of poverty in Tanzania. TEATEM is new and just beginning to make a difference. They need our support.

The purpose of TEATEM is to provide education for those children who cannot afford it. In Tanzania, public education is not free and those children who are orphaned or otherwise too poor to afford the tuition are doomed to self-perpetuating poverty.

TEATEM works with small businesses in Tanzania to help them prosper. This is done by working directly with the businesses to help them in the use of technology and other modern business practices. TEATEM also promotes the development of new markets for these businesses. As the businesses prosper they provide a base of financial support to fund the education of the children. The goal, then, is to not only support needy children, but to build prosperity within the community.

In July, 2009, I traveled to Moshi, Tanzania to meet with some small businesses. I selected three to assist and spend part of each work week trying to do this as best I can. It is altogether a worthwhile endeavor and one which I hope I am able to continue. Please visit the "Services" section of this website for information on those businesses.