Teachers Retirement System (TRS) retiree Carolyn Tague was a special educator for 32 years, 24 of which were with the Anchorage School District. During her childhood, Carolyn watched an after-school special about a teacher working with children who experienced emotional and behavioral challenges. Inspired and touched by this, Carolyn decided to pursue a career in the area of special education. After graduating from Pennsylvania State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in special education, she began teaching in the Philadelphia area. In 1991, after teaching in Philadelphia for five years, and in Nevada for one, she decided to move her career to Anchorage, Alaska.

During her life, inspired and taught by her mother’s example, she developed a strong desire to help those in need. Motivated by this passion, she traveled to rural Africa in 2005. She has continued to volunteer in that capacity almost every summer since. In 2007 Carolyn visited Maasai village of Lemong’o in rural Kenya and immediately felt at home. This was where she was meant to be.

During her visit two years later, she noticed an emptiness in the school there. She soon discovered that due to devastating drought, the children were either too weak to attend school or were searching for resources like fertile land for their cattle. It was then that she saw an immediate need for a sustainable solution. With the guidance of the village leaders, she and her fellow volunteer Emma, identified these educational, nutritional and health necessities. Supplied with this information, they founded a free lunch program. This was the only program of its kind in the region at the time. After fundraising, it became clear that there was a need to create and register as a non-profit organization.

Carolyn and Emma formed The Lemong’o Project in 2011, which is based in Anchorage, Alaska. This small, all-volunteer nonprofit organization grew to feed 500 students hot, nutritional lunches daily. Additionally, it pays salaries for three teachers, and meets vital medical needs. Multiple summer clinics provide free exams, medication, eyecare and glasses, lab work, and follow-up on referrals and care.

The organization also purchases handmade jewelry at fair-trade prices from the women of Lemong’o. The purchase of the beadwork directly benefits their families. It is then sold in the United States, mostly at community events. You can find some of the pieces at outdoor markets in Anchorage. Those proceeds are used to fund The Lemong’o Project’s mission.

Carolyn retired from the Anchorage School District in 2017. Her retirement from the State of Alaska has allowed her to dedicate more time to The Legmong’o Project. To learn more about this organization, please visit thelemongoproject.org.

If you would like to learn more about how your State of Alaska retirement can allow you to enjoy a comfortable retirement, please contact the Division toll-free at (800) 821-2251 or at (907) 465-4460 in Juneau.

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