Over 90% of rural communities in Eastern and Southern Africa lack at least one pillar of essential infrastructure, depriving millions of basic needs. Tandem exists to bridge the gap.
Over 90% of rural communities in Eastern and Southern Africa lack at least one pillar of essential infrastructure, depriving millions of basic needs. Tandem exists to bridge the gap.
What We Do
Basic needs are best met in Tandem
In rural communities across Eastern Africa, Tandem funds projects that improve access to clean water, sanitation, reliable food, healthcare, and education.
Another word for what we do?
Tandem funds infrastructure.
Why Infrastructure
Progress is a group project
Basic needs form the foundation that communities require to thrive. Each is connected — existing less in a silo, more in an ecosystem. That coordination inspired our holistic approach.
Rather than funding “just” food or “just” water, Tandem works with local partners to identify gaps in rural infrastructure. From there, we bridge resources and need. Each project is locally led so communities can better sustain progress long after Tandem’s investment.
Our Projects
A non-exhaustive list of the projects we fund
- Classroom Construction & Renovation
- Toilets & Handwashing Stations
- Clean Water Projects
- Health Clinic Construction
Let's talk logistics
How Tandem works
One
Guided by local partners, Tandem identifies gaps in a rural community’s infrastructure.
Two
Tandem reviews project proposals and funds those with the highest priority and need.
Three
We track all project costs and progress on the upcoming Project Portal*, visible to all supporters.
*Beta version in development.
Where in the world?
Tandem’s active projects are currently located in Uganda and Madagascar. As funding and partnerships allow, we’ll responsibly expand our programming.
The Need
A closer look at the state of access
More than 70% of people in Eastern and Southern Africa lack access to basic sanitation, and over 47% go without access to basic drinking water. As for education, it’s estimated that school is out of reach for 47 million kids aged 6 to 17. Infrastructure is at the root of each.
Women and children bear the brunt of these missing services. Filling the gaps can ease their strain and open the door for more opportunities.
Transparency
What happens when you give?
Funded Projects
First and foremost, your generosity funds projects. And we don’t mean “projects” in a distant, vague sense — we mean projects that you can see. We’ll keep you connected through photos, stories, and films. A small percentage of donations will also fund operations – things like staff, tools, and systems that help us run an efficient and impactful organization.
Project Portal
In development
We’re developing a dashboard that will track project costs and progress in near real-time. Of course, sometimes projects won’t go as planned — a timeline might change or the project may cost more than expected. You’ll see that, too. We’re fans of transparency, and we think you can handle the truth.
Tandem Chat
Generosity is at its best when it’s in community. That’s why all donors are invited to join Tandem Chat — a supporters-only space for connection and candid updates. Think quick wins, voice notes from the team, and exclusive invites to events.
Film
The proof is in Kititi
For more than a decade, a local organization called Planting For Hope Uganda invested in the rural community of Kititi, Uganda. Their hard work was transformational, but they needed additional support for big-ticket items like a new well and toilets.
Tandem stepped up, and Kititi became our inspiration.