Welcome

The Tandana Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports community initiatives in Ecuador's Otavalo Canton and Mali's Bandiagara District as well as offers intercultural volunteer experiences. Tandana comes from a Kichwa root meaning "to gather together" or "to unite" and it represents the spirit of our work. Learn more.





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Join Hands with Us

Our community initiatives support community members in Ecuador and Mali as they work toward their dreams of education, health, food security, water resources, environmental conservation, income generation, and more. Together, we are making those dreams come true.





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Travel with Intention

Our volunteer programs offer visitors the unique opportunity to be guests rather than tourists, form intercultural friendships, participate in a rich indigenous culture, and make a difference in the lives of new friends. Trips With Intention provide individuals, groups, and families with unforgettable experiences in Ecuador and Mali.




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Learn From Anywhere

Our virtual offerings allow individuals and groups who cannot travel with us to engage with our friends in Ecuador and Mali. From interactive remote cultural activities that give a glimpse into Kichwa life in Otavalo to remote speaker’s bureaus on real-life issues like the effects of climate change in Mali, and student exchanges, we offer many different ways to build global connections and awareness. Read more about our Remote Connection offerings.




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Mission & Values

We support the achievement of community goals and addressing global inequalities through caring intercultural relationships. Responsibility, respect for people and their culture, win-wins, inclusiveness, and organic evolution, are among our core values. Read more about our approach.




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Where We Work

We are committed to operating in areas we know well and working with people of longstanding and genuine relationships. At this time, our work is in highland Ecuador and Mali's dry plateau country, which not only offer amazing cultural and natural opportunities but most importantly are home to friends and communities we can collaborate with confidently. Learn more about our partner communities.





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Give With Intention

Our community partners have many initiatives that they are working on to strengthen their communities. Donors can make it possible for them to advance on one of these important projects or programs.






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Our Stories

One of the best ways to get to know us and our work, our partners and friends, volunteer opportunities, and what we can accomplish together is through the stories on External link opens in new tab or windowThe Tandana Foundation Blog. Check out our latest posts below and check back every Sunday for the newest blog post. We cover everything from our projects in Mali and Ecuador to staff and volunteers, as well as our guiding philosophy.






May
18

Words of gratitude for women’s menstrual kits

The Tandana Foundation has supported women to learn to run a menstrual kit workshop in the Bandiagara Region of Mali. The reusable sanitary kits are made using sewing machines and sold at an affordable price to local women and girls. English Español Mots de gratitude pour les kits sanitaires pour femmes La Fondation Tandana a … Continue reading "Words of gratitude for women’s menstrual kits"
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May
11

Community members share the impacts of the USAID cuts on services at the Sal Health Center

After a rollback in U.S. government foreign aid, funding for programs that delivered needed medicines and health care in rural Mali were slashed. That includes in Bandiagara and the surrounding villages where The Tandana Foundation has long-time community partnerships. English Español Des membres de la communauté partagent les conséquences des coupes budgétaires de l’USAID sur … Continue reading "Community members share the impacts of the USAID cuts on services at the Sal Health Center"
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May
4

Small NGOs need support following USAID cuts in Mali, says Tandana’s Founding Director

In an op-ed published by Context, Anna Taft, Founding Director of The Tandana Foundation, argues the upheaval caused by the U.S. funding cuts in rural Mali shows the urgency of the work of privately funded non-governmental organizations. Español Français Taft details how in Bandiagara, Mali, and the surrounding villages that are home to Tandana’s community … Continue reading "Small NGOs need support following USAID cuts in Mali, says Tandana’s Founding Director"
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Apr
27

Workshop introduces Whitman College students to the Andean worldview and Kichwa Otavalo culture

Last fall, members of The Tandana Foundation led a workshop exploring the Andean worldview and philosophy as well as the Kichwa Otavalo culture and language at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Español Français During the workshop, Andean Worldview and Global Interactions: Understanding and Strengthening Indigenous Culture in Otavalo, Ecuador, Whitman students learned firsthand about … Continue reading "Workshop introduces Whitman College students to the Andean worldview and Kichwa Otavalo culture"
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Apr
20

Extraordinary encounters in Ecuador

I’ve always been a plant person. Growing up, my best friend was a silver maple. I’d spend lazy afternoons laying under an old hackberry, making dandelion crowns and searching for shapes in the clouds above. And on laundry day, I always received a talking-to for having an assortment of acorns, hickory nut husks, and other … Continue reading "Extraordinary encounters in Ecuador"
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