[Sdpg] TEKIO Mission Empowering a whole new generation of youth Mexico City

[Wesley Roe and Marjorie Lakin Erickson]

TEKIO Mission http://www.tekio.net/en/index.html

The TEKIO mission is to empower a whole new generation of youth social 
entrepreneurs with the tools and sustainable practices to transform 
themselves, their communities and their environment toward a world that 
seeks balance with nature and well being for all.

TEKIO Vision


TEKIO has had a singular vision since its inception - to empower youth 
toward sustainable livelihoods in social and environmental restoration. In 
the Nahuatl language of central Mexico, the word "tequio" means " My work 
offering to the community". TEKIO has fostered an interactive global 
community, where youth and adults come together to build a better world. 
Whether the youth are developing in a rural or an urban setting, TEKIO 
offers skills and mentoring to support their actions towards restoration 
through open, replicable and sustainable practices.

Created in 1985 by Ashoka fellow Helen Samuels, TEKIO has been evolving a 
powerful network of committed youth and adults who, working in concert with 
similar projects around the world, have successfully launched more than 600 
youth-run incubator projects for the social, cultural and economic welfare 
of the communities in which they operate. Under the careful stewardship of 
Helen Samuels and TEKIO collaborators, hundreds of active social 
entrepreneurs have emerged worldwide. These courageous and committed 
individuals have transformed their communities through practical projects, 
such as clean water systems, dry toilets, ecologically sound construction 
techniques, renewable energy systems, waste management, cultural and 
artistic exchanges, personal development, entrepreneurial skills and 
community building activities.



2005 Projects
Post-tsunami Restoration Training



Following one of the largest earthquakes in 40 years and the largest 
disaster recovery in human history, the effects of the tsunami tragedy in 
Southeast Asia have been utterly devastating for millions of people whom 
have been left homeless and destitute. This very special TEKIOtron project 
is a youth-based (and youth-inspired) do-it-yourself training program that 
will empower those affected by the tsunami with low tech tools and skills 
to aid in their long term needs for ongoing well-being and community 
rebuilding.

TEKIO youth networks specialize in do-it yourself environmental restoration 
and community organizing. This hands-on intensive TEKIOtron training will 
be carried out by Tierra Viva from Mexico 
(http://www.laneta.org/tierraviva). The combined team will teach local 
young people in two of the most seriously affected areas inexpensive and 
low tech ways to handle basic needs such as to boil water, cook food, 
create gardens and turn garbage into temporary shelter or useful objects.

TEKIO youth restoration trainers will bring real-world experience and 
community building skills to teach local young people how to continue with 
sustainable practices long after the disaster relief organizations have 
gone home. This project will also provide various practical kits to leave 
at the sites (such as water purification, waste management, gardening, low 
tech solar heating etc.)

This TEKIOtron project will provide training in the following areas:
Community action organizing skills (for adults and youth)
Immediate low tech solar water purification techniques
Low tech solar cooking skills
Small family garden skills
Safe and healthy waste management and constructive reuse of solid waste.
Permaculture approach to starting over
Youth's role and opportunities in long term restoration
Introduction to youth-run service projects
Link youth to a global youth-mentor network of social entrepreneurs
Career opportunities within the "Restoration Era"

TEKIO will collaborate with already established local environmental 
projects in Chennai (Madras), India, and Colombo, Sri Lanka. The TEKIO team 
will travel to these sites with a multinational group of young trainers 
(10) and adult experts (4) by March, 2005. Through collaboration with 
strategic allies and local Ashoka fellows in these countries, as well as 
global youth networks, TEKIO will conduct a week long intensive "train the 
trainer" program which can be replicated by local youth on the ground. All 
training costs will be offered free of charge to any interested local youth 
and relief volunteers. Ongoing mentoring and exchange will be offered with 
a direct link to a worldwide social entrepreneur network.

Worldwide Programs

Three fundamental facts underlie the entire history of TEKIO since 1985:
Information is Power
In order to access the power, an individual must have hope, dignity and respect
With the proper environment and the proper tools, the possibilities are 
endless.

  TEKIO programs provide a modular and duplicable approach to youth social 
entrepreneurial training. They include:
Green Room - Traveling showcase of youth social entrepreneur best practices
TEKIOtron - Service-based social and environmental training
Digital Unite - Connecting youth to sustainability via Internet
TEKIOnet - Worldwide alliances of youth social entrepreneurs
TEKIOcamp - Environmental and cultural exchange camps for youth

What You Can Do
YOUTH!!!               Join our youth network...
Come on board. Sign up in INFO Bank
Start your own restoration project. Surf INFO Bank for ideas
Spread the word about our Internet portal: www.tekio.net
Support youth-run enterprises worldwide.
Become a Resource or Mentor. Sign up inINFO Bank
Add sustainability information to the INFO Bank
Share resources
Donate directly to our projects, there is much to be done!