OUR STORY
How Orchard: Africa started ...
Our founders, Mike and Michelle Tessendorf, pastored a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic church in the north west province of South Africa for over 20 years. Through this church, the ministry of Orchard: Africa was birthed.
The AIDS pandemic created a humanitarian crisis of overwhelming proportions. Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, hospitals, unable to cope and with no treatment available, sent people home to die. Millions of children were left orphaned, fending for themselves.
What started as a church-led response of compassion to the sick, the dying and their children, turned into a fully fledged ministry of its own.
Over the past three decades, Orchard: Africa has served tens of thousands of adults and children through relief, reconstruction, and development programs.
OUR TIMELINE
WHAT WE VALUE
Learn about who we are and what we value by reading and listening to our thoughts:
OUR BOARD
Michael Tessendorf | Chairman & Co-Founder, Orchard: Africa
Michelle Tessendorf | Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder Orchard: Africa
Brian LaMew | Executive Pastor of Orchard: Africa
Palesa Etsane | Entrepreneur/Coach, SA Board
Herb Fluharty | Business Owner US Board
Scott Gates | Business Owner US Board
Lindiwe Gura | Additional Magistrate, Cape Town SA Board
Kelvin Mwaba | Professor, Department of Psychology, University SA Board
Tumelo Rasebitse | Business owner and Managing Member SA Board
Diane Wagner | Business Owner, US Board