Tembo is the Swahili word for elephant. These majestic animals live in groups, look after one another and are often led by a female. As an acronym we use it for Teaching-Empowering-Mentoring and Building Opportunity

The work of TEMBO has existed since 2003. The Society was registered as a non-profit in British Columbia in 2009 and and was recognised for charitable status in 2010 by the Canada Revenue Agency .

Tax receipts are issued for Canadian donations. At the moment we can only process cheques or money orders but hope to have electronic donation available soon.

TEMBO's Registered Charity number is 81954 1665 RR0001

Close to 95 cents of every dollar is spent overseas. Of the overall budget TEMBO spends about 4% on administration and about 2% on fundraising.

TEMBO touches several hundred people every year. We provide the following:

Literacy:

• Providing reading materials such as donated North American books, and locally published materials in national language
• Running 'Read for the Top' literacy programs in schools
• Training teachers in strategies for Language Arts, Math and other subject areas. Teachers from North America who provide these seminars are volunteers.
• Running Adult literacy sessions and providing basic Bookkeeping skills
• Providing computers and learning games with training to schools and communities

World Bank proclaims that literacy at the primary school level is the most cost-efficient investment in the fight against poverty. It leads to better health and nutrition, later marriages and lower birth rates. For each year a child attends school, his or her potential income as an adult rises by 10 to 20%. Eventually the next generation has a much better chance of surviving and making an even better life.

Job skills:

• Providing job training for needy young people in areas such as carpentry, tailoring, driving, brick making etc.

Business activities:

• To assist in putting food on the table by providing instruction in improved farming methods, rabbit keeping, poultry raising, fish farming.

Water:

• Digging simple wells and protecting springs to provide clean water to communities

Virtues:

• Provide training based on positive discipline and restorative justice to eliminate the use of the cane in schools and to enable community groups to work together in peace and harmony

TEMBO works only in the Western Province of Kenya

No. TEMBO sends one or more agents to select projects and monitor activity. A Kenyan Advisory Committee is composed of Kenyan volunteers who present projects, assist with prioritizing and with any legal requirements to be met (such as access to land for wells). They are better placed to evaluate current needs, and have contacts with their own governmental institutions. Only TEMBO agents handle funds and distribute grants.

TEMBO agents are required to submit reports, receipts and financial accounting at least once every six months. TEMBO must submit acceptable financial documents to Canadian Revenue Authority (CRA) every year.

TEMBO has established good relationships and a high level of trust. The Kenyan Advisory Committee is willing to support agents in their work.

TEMBO runs entirely on donations from individuals or from organizations such as Rotary International. TEMBO Board members actively seek businesses, organizations and individuals willing to donate. TEMBO seeks funds from a variety of service clubs, foundations, professional groups and corporations.