ABOUT GLOBAL

TENDO LA UPENDO

FROM ONE ACT OF LOVE TO A GLOBAL MISSION

Global Tendo La Upendo was born from one powerful belief: every life deserves love, dignity, and hope.

In 2004, our founder, Tanya Johnson, began serving the overlooked and underserved—visiting prisons, encouraging the incarcerated, and ministering to the homeless. A few years later, her heart was stirred to serve internationally, and she answered that call by traveling to Uganda, Africa. There, she quickly realized that the simple gift of education could change the entire trajectory of a life.

In 2007, Tanya sponsored a student named Hope, covering her school and boarding fees, and offering mentorship and the love of Christ. Today, Hope is a nurse in her village—living proof that one act of love can multiply for generations.

Since then, Global TLU has grown into a movement committed to transformation, both globally and locally:

Internationally, we:

Sponsor students in Uganda to pursue education and brighter futures
Provide clean water through well projects
Distribute solar lights as safe, sustainable alternatives to open-flame lighting
Host gospel-centered prison outreach events to encourage and uplift incarcerated individuals
Share God’s Word through the distribution of Bibles and outreach materials
Equip families through Hope & Health Gardening, empowering them to grow nutritious food and improve long-term health
Offer Financial Stewardship Training to help individuals break the cycle of debt and develop healthy money habits

Here in the United States, we’re just as committed to impact:

Offering after-school enrichment programs that nurture confidence and purpose
Empowering adult learners through our ESL (English as a Second Language) program
Supporting emotional growth in youth with a character-building app
Honoring academic excellence through our Yvette Mathis Memorial Scholarship
Reconnecting families and restoring hope through local prison outreach events

Each of these efforts is part of our greater mission—to elevate lives and ignite hope through Acts of Love.

At Global TLU, we believe that when love leads the way, transformation follows. Whether you're passionate about education, missions, or local outreach—there’s a place for you on this journey.

Join us. Serve with us. Be a part of something greater.

LOCAL

NATIONAL

GLOBAL

MISSION

To transform lives through love by equipping individuals and communities—locally and globally—with the education, resources, and support they need to thrive with dignity and purpose.

VISION

A world where everyone has access to light, learning, and opportunity—igniting hope, healing, and lasting transformation.

FROM ONE ACT OF LOVE TO A GLOBAL MISSION

At Global TLU, our mission to uplift and empower communities is deeply aligned with a global vision for change. We proudly support 9 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a bold initiative to end poverty, fight inequality, and combat climate change by 2030. These shared goals reflect our belief in justice, dignity, and opportunity for all. By working together, across borders and backgrounds, we move closer to building a world that is more equitable, sustainable, and filled with hope.

With every act of love, we take one step closer to that future.

GLOBAL GOALS