The Lemong'o Project

The Lemong’o Project began with my lifelong draw to Africa and my dream of helping the children there. In the summer of 2005, I visited for the first time to volunteer with a service group. Each year thereafter, I returned to volunteer, and in 2007, my journey led me to the village of Lemong’o in rural Kenya. It is there that a powerful story about the spirit of giving began to unfold.

The giving began with the Maasai people of Lemong’o and their gifts to me, one of the first white people to ever visit their village. They warmly welcomed me into their homes, and their generosity and genuine friendship overwhelmed me. I was treated like a member of their families. Soon, I knew that a piece of my heart would reside there.

Ravaged by years of drought and the weight of grinding poverty, the village’s needs were profound. I committed to helping my African family, visiting for 4-6 weeks each summer to assist in whatever ways I could.

In 2009, I asked village leaders, together with community members, to prioritize their needs. Through this process, they identified improving nutrition, education, health, and employment as their most important goals. Together with Emma, my fellow volunteer, we pooled our resources and funded some village projects in these areas.

I have returned each summer since and continued our work with the people of Lemong'o. My heart is filled with hope as I see the positive changes in the village.

~~~
Carolyn Tague, Founder of
The Lemong'o Project