The Latest from the Tali Fund
winter 2026
israel’s ambassador visits TAGS!
The season has gotten off to an exciting begininng. So far, the highlights have been two visits to TAGS by Israeli delegations. The first one was from the Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya, the Hon. Gideon Behar, the Deputy Ambassador, Ariel Arviv, and other diplomatic officials. The second included representatives from Israel’s Social Workers Union, the Association for Social Work Advancement, and the Histadrut General Labor Federation. Expertise on gender-based violence (GBV), human trafficking, and other challenges common to the countries was shared during a convocation.
Hon Gideon Behar, Ambassador of Israel to Kenya and East Africa, greets the girls at TAGS. This is NOT diplomat speak. (1:01)
All of it was coordinated with Israel’s MAHSHAV program, which was established as that country’s foreign aid project in the 1950s by David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir. But this was not really a “foreign aid project.” Rather it was a partnership initiative between Israeli and Kenyan Social Work organizations convened to address shared concerns among their respective society’s most vulnerable citizens.
Kenyans and Israelis, social workers and beneficiaries, engaging at TAGS. January, 2026
Out of all the Shelters in the country, the fact that the Embassy chose TAGS is a tremendous tribute to Edith Murogo, her staff, and TAGS' program. It is likewise a recognition of the bridges the Tali Fund has built with the Kenyan Jewish community. We are reminded that Israel is the second country to grace TAGS with an Ambassadorial visit—the first one being the United States in 2024 (scroll down when you get there). We can’t wait to see who is next! Kindly understand that none of this would have been possible without YOUR support. Thank you!
Singing Le’hitraot — (Until next time”.)
Those TAGS girls have spirit! And they’re pretty good at Hebrew, too! (0:23)
Erin takes the girls camping—again!
For the fourth consecutive year, Erin Morrison leads the TAGS girls
on an expedition of awareness and self-discovery
Erin's nature-wilderness camp programs help the girls develop self-reliance and new skills, and facilitates the expansion of their personal horizons. They are extracurricular activities in keeping with our philosophy of doing everything for the girls of TAGS that we would want to do for our own children.
Erin Morrison, Founder, ”End of the Earth Camping”
Heading into the Oolulua Nature Reserve. What will we find? What will we encounter? What will we have to overcome? (Remember, this is Africa!) Love the can-do spirit!
Moments of learning and reflection, Erin engaging the girls in conversation. Every word was a seed of encouragement, reminding the girls that growth begins from within.
thank you erin, for sharing you time and talents, and for coming all the way from the florida keys (!) to illuminate these lives. you are a precious to each of us!
a TAGS impact story—the essence of our work
latest in a series:
BEATRICE WANJIKU MACHARIA
most of TAGS’ work is not for the “highlight reel.”
Here’s a first-person look behind the curtain.
My name is Beatrice Wanjiku Macharia, a 22-year-old from Njabini, Nyandarua County, and the eldest of five siblings. I grew up in a humble home and attended Kimathi Primary School, With great hope, I joined a secondary school to pursue my dreams.
However, when I reached Form Two (tenth grade), my life took a painful turn. My stepfather refused to pay my school fees, and my mother, who had no job at the time, could not support me. One fateful evening, my mother took my younger sibling to the hospital, leaving us at home with my stepfather. That night, he brought juice for us. After serving it, I started feeling dizzy, and the next morning, woke up confused and violated. I kept silent, not knowing what to do or who to tell.
Despite the pain, I tried to continue with school. My principal noticed I was struggling with fees and reached out for help. Through her efforts, a children's officer named Ann intervened and arranged for me to be taken to the hospital, where I learned I was pregnant. I was devastated. My dreams seemed shattered, and I felt my world crumble.
In 2019, Ann brought me to TAGS, and that was the beginning of my healing journey. When I arrived, I was lost, hopeless, and afraid, but the team at TAGS welcomed me with warmth and love. Through counseling, guidance, and care, I began to find peace again. TAGS provided me with all my basic needs, and later, I was transferred to Kiota to safely give birth.
After delivery, TAGS supported me to return to school. They paid my school fees, provided pocket money and personal shopping, and ensured I had everything I needed. With their continued support, I completed my high school education in 2022, achieving a C (Plain).
In 2023, I joined Kabete National Polytechnic, where I am pursuing a Diploma as a Hospitality Operations Technician. I am set to complete my studies in December 2025, with my next attachment scheduled between January and April 2026.
My dream is to become self-employed, live an independent and dignified life, and use my experience to empower other girls, to help them understand their rights, believe in themselves, and never give up no matter what challenges they face.
I often say that black represents the dark and painful moments I went through, but white symbolizes the peace, hope, and light that TAGS brought into my life.
To Mum Edith and the entire TAGS team, thank you for accepting me, believing in me, and giving me the chance to rebuild the future I once thought was lost. The biggest lesson I’ve learned at TAGS is that girls should support each other, because sisterhood brings healing. Through my TAGS sisters, I found courage, love, and strength to start again.
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Thank you for sharing your story, Beatrice. We are in awe of your resilience and courage--and we are honored to support you on your journey and those of your sisters.
