By Ajong Mbapndah L*
In a heartfelt and deeply reflective conversation with Pan African Visions, Teri Atallah, Co-Founder and CEO of The Blessing Projects, took us on a journey through nearly a decade of faith-driven impact work across the African continent. What began with a simple conversation in a remote Maasai village has evolved into a multi-country, multi-sector mission, focused on restoring dignity, hope, and opportunity to underserved communities. Teri Atallah shares not only the origins of the movement but also the hard-earned lessons, challenges, and the bold vision driving their next chapter.
Could we get an introduction to The Blessing Projects and how it was conceived?
It all started in 2016, in a quiet Maasai village near Magadi, Kenya. We were sitting with the village chief, Joel, when my husband asked him a simple question: “If you could wish for anything for your village, what would it be?” His response was just as simple—a church that could double as a school for the twelve children in the community. That moment stayed with us. Using a mix of personal funds and a GoFundMe campaign, we built what he asked for. Desks were donated, and the community rallied. What we thought was a one-time effort became something much bigger. That small act of listening and responding sparked the creation of The Blessing Projects.
May we know the scope of your operations in Africa and how long they have been running?
Since that first project in 2016, The Blessing Projects has expanded far beyond Kenya. We’ve operated in countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, Rwanda, Uganda, Niger, Nigeria, Zambia, Namibia, and Egypt—and even beyond Africa, especially in the Middle East. Our focus areas are broad but grounded: agriculture, education for orphans, vocational training, healthcare, and holistic community development. Each project is shaped by local context, but our approach stays the same—listening first, partnering second, and acting with integrity always.
What criteria do you use in selecting the African countries where you operate, and are there plans to expand?
Our decision to work in a particular country depends on two things: genuine community need and the presence of trusted, accountable partners on the ground. Before we launch anything, we do site visits—unless it’s an active conflict zone—because seeing the situation firsthand matters. Relationships are everything to us. If we can’t trust the partnership, we won’t proceed. And yes, we plan to expand. The needs are overwhelming, but scaling responsibly requires resources and a strong network of reliable local leadership.
How has the experience been for The Blessing Projects in Africa? What has worked, and what challenges have you faced?
Agriculture has been one of our strongest success stories. When communities can grow their food, everything changes—there’s less dependency, more dignity, and a real sense of empowerment. We’ve also seen great outcomes in our education programs, especially when graduates return home to teach the next generation. But there have been challenges, too. Sometimes there’s a misconception that Western support means endless funding. Managing those expectations, keeping focus on sustainability, and reinforcing shared accountability have been critical—and ongoing.
What is the sales pitch you typically make to potential partners or donors?
We often go back to where it all began. That small school in Joel’s village? It started with just 12 kids. Today, it serves over 260 students from surrounding communities. We’ve trained local teachers, started an agricultural program to feed the children, built a small medical clinic, and created a hub for the entire village. The initial investment was around $100,000. Now, it operates on roughly $10,000 a year—nearly self-sustaining. That’s what we offer: smart, scalable investment in human dignity. Last year alone, our initiatives directly impacted over 88,000 people. It’s all in our Impact Report, which we make publicly available online.
With projects across several continents, how do you ensure coordination and adherence to The Blessing Projects’ standards?
We maintain close oversight. Our team holds weekly virtual meetings with project managers, where we go over progress, budgets, and strategic goals. We ask for regular updates, both data and storytelling, and we use that to prepare quarterly impact reports for our donors. Clear expectations, consistent communication, and mutual accountability—that’s what keeps us aligned and effective across all regions.
Has the freeze in U.S.-funded aid programs affected The Blessing Projects?
Not in the slightest. We’re entirely privately funded. No government dollars, which gives us the freedom to be nimble and focused. It also means we answer directly to the people who believe in us—the individuals and foundations who’ve chosen to invest in transformation rather than charity.
From your years of interaction in Africa, what are some of the most fascinating things you have observed?
My husband Rudy, who co-founded The Blessing Projects and now serves as Deputy Senior Director of Counterterrorism for Africa and the Middle East, often reflects on the sheer resourcefulness of the African people. After more than three decades working across the continent, he still marvels at how communities manage to thrive despite intense adversity. That resilience, that ingenuity—it’s something we deeply admire and strive to honor in our work. It’s not about saving people. It’s about walking with them as partners in their transformation.
Any final thoughts on the future direction of The Blessing Projects in Africa?
We’re just getting started. Our campaign, “Providing Hope & Building Futures,” aims to raise $3.5 million over the next three years. With that, we’ll expand our reach, educate more children, grow more food, and build more futures. The goal is bold but clear: impact 1 million lives in the next phase of our journey. We work in places most people avoid—regions riddled with instability, conflict, corruption, and despair. But even there, we see hope. We meet people who’ve survived the unimaginable and still dream. Our role is to help those dreams become reality. And we welcome anyone ready to be part of something truly transformative.
*Culled from August edition of PAV Magazine
