Taita Environmental Initiative
Our mission
Our aim is to create sustainable livelihoods, support economic independence, and promote environmental conservation, helping communities to thrive and build a better future.
What we do
TEI stands for the Tiata Environmental Initiative and has developed into a large community support organisation in Wundanyi. With more than 50 members, we aim to help them start and maintain their own businesses by providing funding and essential equipment. Our goal is to help vulnerable groups build profitable, sustainable businesses whilst promoting eco-friendly practices to protect the environment.
Education Exchange supports TEI by paying the annual salary of three workers: the coordinator, secretary and night watchman. Through TEI we are able to stay closely connected to the needs of the community, regularly assessing challenges and working together to find the best solutions. Group meetings and discussions with members, allow us to pinpoint and help address the most pressing issues—whether it's supporting farmers after a poor harvest, helping small businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19, or introducing new projects that create sustainable opportunities. By remaining flexible and responsive, TEI ensures that our support is always relevant, impactful, and tailored to the evolving needs of the people we serve.
Take a closer look
Take a closer look at some of the ongoing projects that are supported by TEI, featuring some of our members showcasing the small businesses they have created with our support.
Meet the Team
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Scaver
FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN
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Fidlora
CHAIRWOMAN
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Josephine
VICE CHAIR
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Irine
COORDINATOR AND TREASURER
Briquette Making
In December 2019 Education Exchange was given a grant which enabled us to buy an eco-friendly briquette making machine which enable briquettes to be made out of plant waste materials to be sold for profit.
Briquettes are a popular fuel source used in small cooking stoves, known as Jikos, which are widely used in rural Kenya. Thanks to this briquette-making machine, members of TEI now have a sustainable source of income by producing, packaging, and selling eco-friendly charcoal briquettes. Made from plant waste materials, these briquettes offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional charcoal, reducing the reliance on illegally felled trees.
Meet Scaver
Scaver is one of our longest standing members of our Education Exchange team in Kenya. His connections in the community also played an important part in expanding our projects and reach across Wundanyi.
Welding Team
Education Exchange has also funded three different welding machines as another source of income for the TEI members. They have access to these machines which they use to create many things such as doors, tables and jikos. They also use them for repair and maintenance of items used in the local community such as drain covers.
