Community
Collaboration
Change
The need for our services was amplified during Covid-19, we empower marginalised people and the wider community through the provision of inspiring events, outreach engagements, digital skills programmes and regular get togethers for social inclusion.
We actively work to bridge inequalities and enhance diversity. Our work also sees us working together with different organisations to leverage collective strengths, resources, and perspectives to create lasting impact. Through our day to day work, we aim to dismantle barriers, empower marginalised communities, and foster a society that embraces diversity and equal opportunities for all.
We are an inclusive organisation, which means our services are open to everyone in the North East of England. We also support a small percentage of others from outside the region.
With our outreach programmes, we hope to educate, connect, engage and build a community spirit.
People supported since inception
Blogs published
Years active
Social media followers
Safeguarding Policy Statement
In our work we meet many adults who are potentially at risk for a variety of reasons. We aim to create a safe environment in which no adult will experience harm or exploitation during their contact with us.
Our Team & Leadership
Our team brings a wealth of experience from their chosen fields – full of personality minus the ego. We are the wearer of many hats dedicated to amplifying the voices of marginalised communities, and yours.
Salha Kaitesi
Founder, Artistic Director & Exec-Editor
I am a social entrepreneur, gender equality, empowerment champion and a self-taught blogger with multiple skills that I’ve acquired over the past 13 years. Fuelled by my passion for empowering and promoting African girls and women, their voices, equality and diversity, I consider myself a ‘forever student,’ eager to both build on my academic foundations in Sociology and Politics, while staying in tune with the latest digital and in person strategies that will amplify the voices of African women, my local community and those of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities.
When I am not all things Teakisi, you’ll catch me watching Thor: Ragnarok over and over again. Or is it Infinity War and End Game?
Rehma Muguyeneza
Director
I am a member of the Ishami Foundation which works towards bringing awareness of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis, in regards to my own personal experience with the Rwandan Genocide. I believe in amplifying the stories of the voiceless, taking pride and power in them. Over the years, I have developed strong skills in childcare while working as a teaching assistant. I am also passionate about bringing people together to collaborate in ways in which they can work towards a better community.
I am a proud mother of two children.
Sarah Umutoni
Director
I’m a child care worker with a 10 year old son. My earlier work experiences were in the tourism sector before caring for children and young people. My day-to-day work sees me getting involved in different selection of activities that stimulate the minds of young children.
I am a very organised person who enjoys going for walks, going out with friends, listening to music, swimming and watching action movies.
Hafsa Khatun
Operations Manager
I join Teakisi as the Operations Manager and look forward to amplifying as many diverse voices here in the North East and Cumbria. I have all my adult life been involved in many community projects, one of which which lead me to discover Teakisi! I also work as an advisor for mental health welfare – a job I have been doing many years. Its a job that gives me great pleasure and satisfaction helping clients who require that extra help.
When I’m not doing the above roles, I’m usually down the coast with my family, watching football, trying out new cuisines, immersing myself in history, visiting museums and getting in walks where I can with friends.
Beaton Mabaso
Social Media Content Creator for Heritage & Flair and Creative Residency Lead
I am a digital storyteller with over a decade of experience and self-taught skills in digital content creation. I am an Award-winning blogger who writes about the beauty and chaos of the place I call home, Zimbabwe, a teapot-shaped country in southern Africa. My journey in storytelling traces back to my roots, listening to fables and folktales from my grandfather, which shaped my love for words and stories.
When I am not immortalising my thoughts on the blog Becoming The Muse, I am trying to help build and shape a community of African content creators boldly reclaiming their narrative. I am affectionately known as an Uncle of Bloggers in the Blogging Community where I serve as the Creative Director for Afrobloggers – an organisation that connects, promotes and educates bloggers of African descent.
Umusalama Garukurebe
saėėda Project Lead
I am a dedicated youth with a degree from the University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK) in Rwanda. My passion for women’s empowerment has driven me to work tirelessly to create opportunities for young women in my community. In a world, where traditional gender roles can often limit opportunities for women, I have been an advocate for breaking these barriers and fostering an environment of equality and growth. As the project lead for Teakisi’s saėėda initiative, I am eager to bring my experience and passion to a wider audience. I am committed to advancing women’s empowerment and look forward to contributing to one of the ongoing mission of Teakisi, supporting women in achieving their fullest potential.
Dr Daniel Jefferson
MBBS, MRCGP, MMedEd, SFHEA. Associate, Former Chair & Director
I’m GP Lecturer at Newcastle University and have worked as a doctor with NEAS during the COVID-19 crisis. My interest lie in Mental Health (as a generalist) with training in CBT. Having studied health inequalities since 1995, I feel particularly strongly about how unjust they are and how they limit people so unfairly.
I am a proud dad to two daughters, a step-son and partner of Salha Kaitesi – we live between Newcastle and Northumberland. I enjoy boxing, reading and lots of vinyl (also, I’m a part time DJ!)
Dr Claire Ogah
Associate
I’m a self-taught digital artist, bespoke jewellery designer and PhD holder, women’s rights advocate and anti food poverty evangelist. I channel my passion into promoting gender equality and raising awareness about issues like gender-based violence. My interests span across social marketing, with a focus on celebrating and preserving black culture and identity. I have supported the work Teakisi does for quite sometime now as i believe in this cause.
Catherine Del Tito
Volunteer
I’ve been fortunate to have played many roles in my life that gave me the resources to be able to give back to the world. I have been a corporate project manager and a freelance artist. I have held my families together; my birth family and my family with my grown daughter. I value connection and am happy to work with Teakisi who feel the same.
Monika Kobus
Volunteer
I decided to volunteer with Teakisi because what the organisation stands for is important for our local, changing communities. Society needs to be more open to learn abut each other and spaces like Tales Without Borders is perfect for this need. Having a reading space that meets the needs of the community is not just good for me as I am a bookworm, but for everyone else who wants to read and explore all kinds of books.
Reading can be a great connector between people and also helps in the teaching of new languages and cultures.
Maya Xian
Volunteer
Volunteering with Teakisi, I am dedicated to ensuring that minoritised communities are able to share moments and have spaces where they feel able to express emotions in all their colours.
Graduating from SOAS University of London and the University of Leicester, I have gained a deep and specialised understanding of history and politics, continuously striving to decolonise my world view. My academic career has fueled my passion for networking and collaboration, driving my commitment to empower and focus on inclusion within minoritised communities.
As a freelancer in marketing, I leverage my skills to uplift and support our communities, advocating for visibility, representation and amplification of experiences and stories that foster inclusive spaces.
Louise Wilkinson-Best
Volunteer
I am originally from North Warwickshire in the Midlands but have lived in Northumberland and the North East for the past 20 years after spending some time living and working in the Scottish Highlands and North Yorkshire. I live with my wife Diane and our pet dog Bella and cat Bobby.
I recently qualified as a TEFL teacher and currently working towards an Advanced TEFL qualification. In my spare time I love walking with my dog, coffees out with my wife and creative hobbies including photography and quilling. I’m excited to be working with Teakisi at Tales Without Borders and I’m looking forward to the weeks and months ahead!
Awards
Acknowlegement
Teakisi is a social enterprise – this means we are a business that exists primarily to fulfil a social purpose. We are not a charity, although from time to time we may obtain funding from grants, investments or a combination of both. On that note, we would like to express our gratitude for the funding/investment provided by the following organisations which greatly backed our initiatives and enabled us to make a meaningful impact.