About Taltallee Relief and Development Foundation (TRDF)
Our Mission
Empowering Girls
Our Mission
The vision of TRDF is to create a resilient and thriving Oromia where every community, no matter how remote or marginalized, possesses the agency, resources, and sustainable systems to overcome poverty and crisis, and to shape its own prosperous future. We aspire to short-term relief that seamlessly bridges to long-term development, ensuring that emergency aid in times of drought, conflict, or disease outbreaks not only saves lives but also lays the groundwork for a durable solution.
Our History
Empowering Girls
Our Mission
Founded in 2017, TRDF has been serving our communities for over 8 years. Our organization was established to address the growing need for assistance for those facing economic and social challenges. TRDF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2017 and legally registered as a charitable organization in the states of Illinois and Minnesota in July 2017.
Empowering Girls
Empowering Girls
Center of Excellence
Our foundation is dedicated to increasing access to education, especially for young girls, and providing humanitarian relief services to communities affected by poverty in Borana, Oromia, Ethiopia. We advocate for improved enrollment of girls in middle and high schools, as well as in pastoralist communities and other disadvantaged areas.
Center of Excellence
Promote Universal Education
Center of Excellence
We establish centers of excellence where children of remote pastoral communities and children of the poorest of the poor are sheltered and have access to basic human services
Relief Work
Promote Universal Education
Promote Universal Education
We provide development assistance to individuals in affected communities to help them be self-sufficient
Promote Universal Education
Promote Universal Education
Promote Universal Education
We advocate for the expansion of quality and universal education to communities in hard-to-reach areas and marginalized communities
Hello
Join TRDF in spreading kindness
We are a charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of those in need. Join us in making a difference today!
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Aesop
TRDF in Action
Welcome to TRDF
The TRDF is established to provide humanitarian relief services to communities in Borana, Oromia, Ethiopia, affected by poverty. Currently, the organization’s main project is based in the Taltallee district of the Borana Zone of Oromia National State, Ethiopia.
The foundation has a plan to establish a similar center of excellence and open project offices in other districts within the Borana Zone and in other zones of Oromia.
TRDF also plans to partner with other Ethiopian diaspora communities in the US and in East Africa to provide humanitarian relief assistance to the most vulnerable people.
Where is Taltallee or Teertalee?
Taltallee (also spelled Teltele), also known as Teertalee, is an administrative district (aanaa) within the expansive Borana Zone of Oromia, in southern Ethiopia. This area is known for its remote and rugged landscapes. Taltallee is situated on the western flank of the Borana Zone, bordering the Konso and Southern Omo zones. Located in the southwest corner of the Borana Zone, Teltele borders the Konso and Southern Omo zones on the north and west, respectively. The Sagan River, which separates Taltallee from the Konso Zone, is the only all-season river in the area.
The district is mainly arid, lowland terrain that primarily supports pastoralism as the main livelihood. Taltallee is historically significant as the western flank of the Borana country. Additionally, because of its proximity to the Konso Zone, a significant population of Konso people lives within the district, with whom the Borana enjoy friendly social and economic relations. Like much of the Borana Zone, Taltallee faces considerable challenges due to cyclical droughts, making water management and pastoral resilience critical issues for its residents.
Located in the southwest corner of the Borana Zone, Teltele borders the Konso and Southern Omo zones on the north and west, respectively. The Sagan River, which separates Taltallee from the Konso Zone, is the only all-season river in the area.
Where is the Borana Zone?
The Borana Zone is situated in southern Ethiopia's Oromia Region and is a vast, culturally distinct lowland area that borders Kenya. It is traditionally home to the Borana Oromo people, known for their pastoral lifestyle centered around managing their iconic cattle herds and adhering to a unique indigenous democratic governance system called the Gadaa, a rich cultural tradition central to community life. The landscape consists of semi-arid plains, acacia trees, and seasonal rivers, though it frequently faces drought. Key features of the Borana Zone include the sacred Gumii Gaayoo, a historic assembly site, and the striking Eel Sooddaa and Dilloo crater lakes, known for their valuable black salt. This zone exemplifies resilience, where a rich cultural heritage exists alongside the harsh realities of the environment. An essential geographical characteristic is the tulas (wells), which serve as crucial water sources that have supported livestock and human populations for generations.
Get Involved
Join us in making a difference in our community. Volunteer your time, donate to our cause, or attend one of our events. Together, we can create a better future.
