The Maasai women (mamas) of Lemong'o create generations-old, authentic, and unique beadwork, one of their only sources of income. The Lemong'o Project partners with the mamas to sell their beadwork throughout the United States. The sales of this beautiful jewelry supports our mission to empower the Maasai people of Lemong’o through improvement of nutrition, access to education, health support, and employment opportunities.
My 10 years of involvement with the amazingly creative and accomplished Maasai, jewelry-making 'Mamas' of Lemong’o, Kenya has enriched my life beyond measure and utterly convinced me that the artistic skills of disadvantaged women can be a meaningful, powerful source of income for their families.
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The Lemong'o Project works tirelessly to support the people of Lemong'o. Although run by a small board, they are able to accomplish BIG things!
I have been involved with the Lemong'o Project since 2011 supporting grassroots fundraising events and eventually joining the board of dedicated volunteers. In 2013, I had the privilege to visit Lemong'o and see first hand where the funds were directed and how they impacted the village. The people of Lemong'o are gracious, welcoming, strong, motivated, and resilient. The project works closely with a local committee of Lemong'o people to understand the needs and the impactful ways the project can support their efforts. It's a shared knowledge experience where we learn greatly from them just as they do from us. As a board, we work diligently to direct all funds to the collaborative projects set up with the committee. We dedicate our time and personal funds to ensure our administrative costs are kept low and so we can invest wisely in the project's mission and values. I continue to be inspired by everyone involved in this project and continue to have great hope for the future of Lemong'o.
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I've had the pleasure to visit Lemong'o and see where the funds directly support the Education and health care in the village. The project has the support of the local Maasai people and collaborates with the people to fund some of the highest needs in the village. Personally, I was transformed by my visit to Lemong'o and feel a deep connection to the people and the project.
I’ve known the founder of the Lemong’o project, Carolyn Tague, for many years. I am so impressed with her commitment to this Kenyan community and all that she has done to focus on their health, nutrition, education and employment. As an educator myself it makes me happy to see donations going to education, especially seeing the young adults continuing on to higher education. One went on to become a health care worker, thus giving back to his community. This project invests in helping the people become self-sufficient and learn skills to further meet this goal. I love getting the hand written thank you letters from the students complete with drawings! This is a very worthy project to support.
The Lemong'o project is set up to promote local ownership and build community resilience. At the start of the project, community consultations were held to determine the priorities of the community, and from this the objectives and activities of the project were developed.
Activities of the project are designed to meet both immediate needs, such as the subsidizing of teacher salaries and school feeding program to ensure that children in the community are able to receive an education and hope for a brighter future, and also to provide sources of income into the community through small livelihood projects and the selling of jewellery, baskets and other items to markets in Alaska. The project also established linkages with existing medical and rehabilitation service providers in the country to refer children and adults in need of health care services.
Donations made to the project go directly to support community development activities on the ground, which are owned and managed by the community themselves.
The Lemong'o Project was the vision of a fellow teacher in Alaska who visited Kenya and saw such a dire need for the people. She began to share her story and her dreams for this small deserving village. I have always had Africa on the "Brain" since I was a small child but mostly for financial reasons was never able to actually visit. Now nearly a senior and retired teacher, I have been involved in the Lemong'o Project for 5 years. You may ask, "What draws you to this particular nonprofit organization?" I will tell you, it begins with its founder, Carolyn Tague! I have never met another individual who was more gracious, committed, honest, organized, thoughtful and energetic to a CAUSE! She has devoted her life to helping this small Maasai village in Eastern Kenya. She started with providing medical and educational assistance through fundraising efforts in the states, mostly Alaska. She developed a Nonprofit Board in both the US and also, in Lemong'o to help create missions and financial support. I know the proceeds go directly over to the people and I know first hand how she makes sure everyone is accountable for their responsibilities. She's an unbelievable director and I have total confidence in the creditabilities of the Project.
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The Lemong'o Project is an excellent non-profit organization that provides education, medical, and nutritional (school lunches) support to a small village in eastern Kenya called Lemong'o. There are continual fundraising activities throughout the year to support this cause. Each summer the director of the project, Carolyn Tague, visits the village to help on site the ongoing needs and concerns of the Maasai people. She is also able to bring glass beads/materials for the Maasai women to make beautiful jewelry. Ms. Tague, is able to purchase the jewelry from the women at Fair Market Prices and then sell the jewelry back in the States with ALL proceeds going back into the Project. This is definitely an effort of love for all those involved. We see and hear their African voices - they need medical service, they need a chance for a real education so they can give back to their village, and they need food/water to sustain life. We are privileged in North America for the opportunity to live quality lives. It's important in life to give back to those less fortunate than ourselves. We need to come together as a Nation and take care of all people globally but we can only take one step at a time. The mission of the Lemong'o Project is hoping to achieve just that!
I was fortunate enough to visit Lemong'o one summer. I was amazed at how much this non- profit assists the village in various ways. Education, nutrition and medical services are supported. The village leaders take an active role in helping to facilitate all of these. The Lemong'o Project is saving lives and enhancing the quality of life for all of the villagers.
The LeMongo Project touches so many hearts near and far!!!!
So pleased to be part of an organization that cares about helping others.
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While I’m relatively new to this non-profit, I’ve seen some of the hard work that goes into helping these children. Carolyn (the founder) works constantly in this project. She does it for no other reason then helping these children. I’m so happy to have a small role in helping these children go to school and eat. We in the US take so much for granted. We can all learn a lot from what Carolyn did to help. I urge everyone to did in their pockets and donate to help these needy children go to school. Any donation is appreciated.
I have known the founder of the Lemong'o project for several years. Carolyn is an incredibly ethical person, with all of the fundraising going straight to the village, the children, and the school. She is passionate about education, and teaching self sufficiency rather than dependence. The women she works with are eager to make items for earning money, not looking for a hand out. This is truly a wonderful organization, and such a small amount of money makes an incredible difference to a large number of people.
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I have know Carolyn, the founder of this charity, for many years. Her passion is to spread the message of the Lemong'o project, and demonstrate how donations impact the village. As many studies show, starting with providing education to girls creates dynamic change in a community. Education provides opportunity, delays childbirth, and overall improves quality of life . Even a very small donation on my part provides teacher salaries & supplies, as well as meals for the children of Lemong'o. Carolyn goes to Kenya each year, living with the people, determining what needs she can provide. She is single minded in her focus of providing all she can for the very appreciative people of Lemong'o.
I am so grateful for the work of The Lemong'o Project's volunteers, Board members, donors, cheerleaders, and of course the people of Lemong'o. It is because of all of these folks that The Lemong'o Project can:
..feed hungry children
...create bright futures for future generations
...educate children who are eager to learn
...quench children's thirst for knowledge
...create opportunities for growth
...nourish brains and bodies
...bring smiles to children's faces
...help families prosper
...create healthy children
...make a positive difference in the world
...give needy children the opportunity to succeed
...BE the difference
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I am proud of what The Lemong'o Project, an all-volunteer organization, has been able to achieve in partnership with the people of Lemong'o. Because of the many generous donors, The Project is able to provide free school lunch daily to 500 students. For many of these children, this is their only nutritious meal of the day. The Project also supports village teacher salaries and holds two free medical clinics each summer. THANK YOU to the countless volunteers in the US and in Lemong'o for finding a place in their hearts for the beautiful people of Lemong'o.
BIG things happen in a small Maasai community in rural Kenya because of the deep commitment and tireless efforts of the "lemong'O Project" based in Anchorage and its co-ordinated efforts with The Manyatta Committee in Lemong'O, Kenya. With bare-bones administrative costs, financial resources derived from donations and fund-raisers, over the past 12 years, have significantly enhanced the lives in this community. It's unbelievable how far a financial contribution to the Lemong'o Project goes toward providing food, education, health and self sustaining opportunities!
Lemong'o is an excellent, well run non-profit with sincere and achievable objectives. The hands -on nature of the Board -- Carolyn goes every summer to coordinate and make sure that the program is running in accordance with the intent -- is amazing. Cannot say enough about how wonderful this non-profit is for instilling confidence in the women, educating the children and providing a path for self-sufficiency. We have been contributing for years and will continue to do so knowing our donations make a difference.
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This is an AMAZING non-profit doing wonderful work empowering the Maasai in rural Kenya. A completely volunteer organization that provides food (500 lunches daily!), medical care, and education, it is a heartfelt organization that deserves recognition and contributions! A little goes a long way, this non-profit makes the most of its donations to contribute to a better world.
I am a friend of Carolyn Tague, a founder of the Lemongo Project to improve nutrition, education , health & education for this Maasai village in Kenya. She visits yearly, bringing friends to volunteer with this project and gaining a better understanding of the village’s needs as well as building trust. She returns to Anchorage bringing the beautiful arts & crafts products to market in Alaska. She works hard to raise funds to keep this project going and deserves so much support, encouragement and exposure of this worthy project.
The Lemong'o Project is a wonderful cause, providing education, nourishment and employment for the people of Lemong'o in Kenya. Monies go toward school lunches, funding teachers and education costs. The village is active in their own growth-this is not a hand out, this is a way to create positive change for the future. It is well organized, well run and open about expenses and uses of money. A worthwhile cause to consider supporting.
I have watched this cause grow from its beginning and have supported it from its early days. It is a credible non-profit that supports a village in Kenya, Africa through grass root efforts that have now become a non-profit foundation with a well rounded board of directors. The fact that it started with the passion of one, single woman who was determined to help this village by supporting its educational efforts following a solo visit several summers ago. Because of her efforts, Carolyn Tague has developed a thriving, meaningful and reputable charity that helps many children and families who are fortunate to have the additional support to improve the quality of their lives. It is wonderful to watch something so positive evolve further over the past several years.
I have been a proud donor and enthusiastic supporter of the Lemong’o Project since its inception. It has been evident that the work this project does for the village of Lemong’o has made a difference in the lives of the people who live there. Because of this project the children of Lemong’o have an opportunity for an education which they would not have had without the project’s support. An added bonus is jobs for local Teachers (the fund contributes to their salaries) and nutritious meals for the children! In addition to teaching jobs, the Lemong’o Project offers business opportunities for local women who would otherwise be dependent. Finally, the support for the community’s healthcare needs has been lifesaving. Because the Lemong’o Project is a small nonprofit run in conjunction with the local community members in Lemong’o I know my donations are used for the intended purpose and make a significant difference in the lives of the people of Lemong’o every day. This kind of personal care and attention for the people of the village would not be possible with a large nonprofit organization. Knowing the difference this project makes to the people of Lemong’o inspires me to keep on giving.
So proud to be a part of this amazing non profit. The work they do for the people of Lemongo is so important and done with such care. Thank you!!
I was introduced to this organization by a colleague and now our school and my son have raised money for their cause. Her personal stories and connections have moved a community to raise not only money but awareness and love. Love Lemongo and all it stands for.
I was introduced to this amazing group by a coworker is great invested in the Lemongo Project. Hearing her stories and seeing pictures of her many trips to the villiage and school has been inspiring and I know that so much good is coming from this group.
We work at an international school and have been able to get our students involved with raising money for the Lemongo project. Children are taking interest and pride in know they can easily contribute to the educational welfare of kids their age.
I love this non-profit! I have watched it grow over the past seven years and have seen volunteers work tirelessly to provide education, medical assistance and entrepreneural opportunities to the Maasai people in rural Kenya. The handmade jewelry that the Maasai women make is not only beautiful and very sturdy but it also reflects the love they have for their environment and their craft. The cost of the jewelry is mere peanuts compared to all of the good the Project provides through education, schooling and free lunch for the students, school supplies, medical assistance and employment. They teach the women of the community a tremendous amount of other skills too. I am so grateful to be a part of this organization with such courageous volunteers doing what they can to make this world a better place for others.
What I like most about Lemongo Project is that in addition to the great work that it does, they spend very little on overhead. No expensive offices, contracted fund raisers, etc.
I am a proud supporter of the Lemongo Project Inc. What amazing things this nonprofit is doing! I especially like how they are helping the children of the village have better meals and more educational resources.
Have been involved with this non-profit from the beginning. Compassionate, life changing programs for the Villagers of Lemong'o while having great respect for the people and their culture. This non-profit gives the Villagers the education and assistance that will empower them to take control of their own lives. Begun with a dream, sustained with compassion and heart.
This nonprofit is small, but mighty. Through small fundraising events The Lemong'o Project has been serving lunches to over 500 students and paying teachers salaries. The Project is committed to supporting the Lemong'o community is working hard to expand and move toward sustainability!
Changing lives is a special gift of the Lemongo Project. The dedication and passion behind this project has been affirming to watch over the years.
I learned from my daughter who lives in Anchorage, Alaska about the Lemongo Project which supports a Maasai tribal village in a remote area of Kenya. She visited the village a few years ago and has financially supported them ever since, as have I. if interested, here's their website: https://thelemongoproject.org/
