Our Story
The power of community.
Our Story
The power of community.
Everything in kenya happens under the acacia.
Or atleast that is what founder, Jess Teutonico, realized after years of spending time in the remote off-the-grid areas of Kenya. No matter how little infrastructure or resources, so many remote communities in Kenya revolve around life under an acacia tree. School classes, elder meetings, social gatherings - just about everything in the heart of nomadic areas center under the shelter and shade of this infamous tree. Life under the branches here holds power and wisdom and opportunity.
A chance drive from Kichwa airstrip to Kilgoris one day back in 2007, Jess met Joseph Koyie, a Maasai from Loita. A fast friendship developed over their shared values in the power of community development and together they dreamed up Under the Acacia, an initiative in Joseph’s home village that has brought education, healthcare, water, sanitation and sustainability to over 150,000 inhabitant. Run by the community, for the community.
Team
Team
Jess Teutonico
Founder
Jess has been traveling across Kenya since 2006, learning about the culture and history and enthralled by its beauty and wisdom. Her work has taken her to countless vibrant communities, but it is in Loita that she knew there was something truly unique. Under the Acacia was founded to help further the local impact on the ground as well as the strengthen the global awareness. She is also the Executive Director of We Are Family Foundation, one of the leading youth organizations founded by legendary producer and multi-Grammy winner, Nile Rodgers. She has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Refinery 29 and was named “Do-Gooder of the Year” by Paper Magazine. She has spoken at prestigious conferences including the United Nations, The World Economic Forum, Harvard, and Yale among others. In her past life, she was a Director of Special Events at Vogue Magazine and consulted for TED Conferences. She divides her time between New York City and Kenya.
Joseph Koyie
Country Director
Joseph is building his home of Loita into a sustainable and thriving community. His story is a true testament of a real leader and unstoppable determination. He met Jess in 2007 and together they have been creatively rewriting new futures for remote comunities. Joseph is one of the top guides in the Maasai Mara with Sanctuary Olonana. Clients travel all over the world to experience Kenya through his guiding, knowledge and charisma.
Model
We invest in infrastructure and build
a local economy from the ground up.
Our communities are on their way to 100% self-sustainability.
Model
We invest in infrastructure and build
a local economy from the ground up.
Our communities are on their way to 100% self-sustainability.
We've come a long way since we broke ground in loita in january 2010.
Once the investment is complete, Loita and Esoit communities will bring in over $100K USD per year after all salaries, supplies and overhead are paid out - unheard of for such communities. Loita and Esoit will not only be fully sustainable, but they will have the ability to make new investments and further their community growth. Not just for themselves. For generations upon generations to come.
Global fashion brand Hanley Mellon’s visit to Loita with Under the Acacia
gives new meaning to the importance of bead work
Loita, Kenya
Loita, Kenya
Loita is..
An area of Masai land in Kenya near the Masai Mara and next to the indigenous Naimina Enkikio Forest. It is located about 235kms Southwest of Nairobi and about 15kms North of the border of Tanzania.
The Maasai people are semi-nomadic tribe inhabiting Southern Kenya (population 900,000) and Northern Tanzania (population 800,000). While one of the smallest of Kenya’s 42 tribes, they are one of the most iconic tribes known for their beadwork, distinctive attire, and rich culture.
How 70,000 bottle caps
changed an entire community
