What is Tenteleni?

Tenteleni is an entirely volunteer-run charity that supports UK university students travelling to placements in sub-Saharan Africa to engage in cultural exchange and skill sharing in a variety of formal and non-formal settings, including schools, communities and children's homes. We aim to form and maintain long and lasting relationships with people and organisations within the placements and the countries we operate in, to ensure a sustainable positive impact.

How was Tenteleni started?

Tenteleni began in 1998 when our founder, Sarah Waymouth (nee Copas), visited Tenteleni Primary School in the township of KaNyamzane (where our Lekazi Project currently runs), within Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Once back in the UK, Sarah researched the possibility of setting up an organisation that would allow British students to engage with schools like Tenteleni. The following year, Sarah returned to South Africa with five friends.
In 2000, the project was expanded to five schools with twenty three volunteers, and Tenteleni became a registered charity in England and Wales. Tenteleni continued to grow, and expanded into four other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with projects in Kenya, Swaziland, Zanzibar and Malawi as well as new projects within South Africa. Since then, the charity has continued to grow, with a dedicated board of trustees and a committee that have helped expand the project bases in these five countries. Every year we send approximately 100 volunteers and Project Coordinators to our projects.

Where and when does Tenteleni operate projects?

We run nine projects in five countries; Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zanzibar. These projects operate within various educational and care settings, schools, children's homes, and centres for young people. Our  volunteers are on placements for 8-13 weeks, depending on the project,  during the UK university summer break.

How is Tenteleni run?

Tenteleni is run by a team of 35 very dedicated volunteers who make up our committee. Most committee members have volunteered on one of our projects. They had such a great time that they wanted to get involved in the charity's work once they returned! The board of trustees oversee the charity's operations and make decisions about the charity's direction. The managerial committee assist in the day-to-day running of the charity. 

How is Tenteleni funded?

The basic running costs of Tenteleni, including items such as committee expenses, are met through fundraising and donations, with all volunteers also donating their time, energy and hard work. Volunteers fundraise for their project costs (flight, accommodation, insurance, training) individually and within their university groups, thinking of innovative ways to raise money.