Background of Teule Kenya
 

Teule Kenya is a Christian non-profit , non-governmental organization started on the streets of Nairobi in 1994 through one man, John T. High (Jon Juu).  After finishing ministry work in Sudan, John began working full time with street children in Nairobi, many of whom he had formed relationships with during his weeks off in Nairobi in 1993.  These children went to the streets to escape from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, while others had been neglected and abandoned.  John was later joined by dedicated Kenyans who helped serve the children on a volunteer basis.  As funds were sourced, structured programs grew. Eventually, a permanent home was established when land was leased and eventually purchased in southern Kenya, on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the town of Loitokitok.

 

Teule (meaning chosen in Kiswahili) Kenya is home to children orphaned as a result of deaths from cancers, HIV and AIDs; and girl and boy survivors of sexual violence, neglect and abandonment.  They also address other forms of vulnerabilites resulting from cultural practices affecting girls from the Maasai Community and other parts of Kenya such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early pregnancies and child marriages.  Currently, Teule Kenya is home to 70 children plus others in boarding schools for secondary education. 

 

How 1World 1Tribe came to know Teule Kenya

 

In Teule's words:  "It truly is a great pleasure to watch as a group of strangers become some of our best friends! On an ordinary summer day in 2014, a group of volunteers accidentally ended up at our home in Teule Kenya. They were making rounds in rural Kenya offering dental care to those most in need when they saw our home and decided to stop by and see what we do. After chatting for a bit, they promised to come back the following summer.
 

They kept their word. In July of this year, the group of dentists and volunteers from 1World 1Tribe, led by Dr. Maureen Valley, Dr. Richard Schmotter, and the public health officer of Loitoktok, Mr. Saigulu arrived at our home. The next few weeks would bring with them unexpected adventures, genuine and innocent smiles, and lifelong relationships . The members of 1Word 1Tribe would be touched and transformed in ways they could never have anticipated. 
 

Immediately after arriving at our home, 1World 1Tribe  went straight to work converting one of our classrooms into a fully functioning dental clinic with stations for triage, sterilization and instruments, and four dental chairs (aka school benches). They screened and administered dental treatment to the kids, staff and teachers, and the surrounding community. By the end of their visit, approximately 100 individuals were screened and about 70 of them required dental treatment including extractions, restorations, and root canals.
 

Offering dental treatment and bringing donations was just the tip of the iceberg for this team.  These dentists and volunteers gave themselves fully to love on our kids for the entirety of their time with us.  They would be seen swinging on our old swings, singing and dancing with our kids during devotions, holding our little babies when they were tired, and just truly caring for each one of our kids.

By the end of their time with us, the team truly felt the love of Christ through our kids. Alba testified to this in her email to us when asked about her experience. She wrote, ‘ The team felt the love of God through the children and staff at Teule.  That is all Teule ever promises to its kids and everyone we come in contact with. We hope by coming to us that you never leave the same way you came. We hope you experience the love of Christ in new and profound ways.

1World 1Tribe is a group of passionate world changers. We have been thoroughly impressed by their commitment to our kids."

 

1World 1Tribe has also worked with Teule Kenya in the following ways: 

*Started planning renovation of Teule's guest house. It's a big project and we're still in the initial planning stages.  Their guest house houses most of their volunteers and it’s been in need of some revamp.
*Funded Teule's honey bee hive project which includes three Kenyan Top Bar Hives and all equipment. 
*Sponsored three children and began planning a sponsorship drive in October for other children in need of help at the home. 
*Held a fundraising drive during the holiday season last year which raised enough money to purchase school shoes for all the children. 

*Donated gently used clothing (200+ pounds!) for all the children.
*Collaborated with Pizza My Heart for t-shirt donations for all the children.
*Held personal hygiene lessons for the young ladies and provided them with reusable/washable cloth sanitary pads.

*Provided soft warm hoodie blankets for all the children thanks to the donations from Products Plus, Inc.
*Donated two pairs of school socks for each child to go with their new school shoes thanks to the Black Student Union at Immaculate Conception Academy in San Francisco

 

1World1Tribe is returning to Teule in January, 2016, and they plan on continuing to provide ongoing dental care, as well as help with other projects.