Tererai Trent International, also known as Tinogona Foundation, was founded by Dr. Tererai Trent in 2011, shortly after receiving the gift of US $1.5M from Oprah Winfrey along with the title as her “all-time favorite guest” at the end of her syndicated show.
Oprah first learned about Dr. Trent’s life story in the book Half the Sky, by Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn (2010). Oprah was so very inspired by Tererai’s story of being born in rural Africa and pursuing her dreams for an education, that she specifically sought her out and sent her camera crew to Zimbabwe to learn more. The cash gift that Oprah awarded was offered specifically to help rebuild Matau primary school, in Tererai’s home village.
By partnering with many stakeholders, including Save the Children, the construction of Matau Primary School was completed at the beginning of 2014, with multiple classrooms serving thousands of students. Notably, girls are now sitting in classrooms in greater numbers due to the influence of Dr. Trent’s story of not giving up on her dreams for an education.
The community engagement activity in Matau brought to the forefront many important social and economic issues – lack of employment, lack of healthcare, malnutrition, poor sanitation and culturally entrenched gender disparities – and if not considered, these challenges would continue to threaten any progress we make towards the improvement of schools and the communities.
Given the challenges and opportunities to improve our work, the Board decided to rebrand the Tinogona Foundation under Tererai Trent International (TTI). TTI is an umbrella organization, which encompasses a Foundation complemented by a social entrepreneurship business model. This ensures sustainable revenues for an improved education system, while raising regional employment and bolstering local economies in the communities we serve.
TTI Foundation works to provide universal access to quality education in rural communities, and an education system that does not rely solely on external funding.
TTI Business
TTI businesses will generate income to fulfill the TTI mandate of creating profit for charity. The business units such as TTI Agriculture and TTI Capital, have already been registered and incorporated in Zimbabwe.
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TTI Foundation
TTI Foundation provides universal access to quality education to all children, and develop an education system that does not rely solely on external funding.
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OUR GOALS
Tererai Trent International Foundation Goals
- Improving Education Quality
- Gender Parity in Education
- Innovation & Technology
- Health & Nutrition
- Tinogona Global Curriculum
Tererai Trent International Business Goals
6. Establishing a Strong Self-Sustainable Organization
7. Development Investments
