(I know we went over this in class but I decided to talk about it a little more and learn some more about them)
I’m sure everyone reading this remembers Tegu from the class when we watched some of their videos. They do incredible things with an incredible product. They truly have mastered the perfect toy block, magnets inside wood, simple yet innovative enough to have a market. Their products go beyond just making blocks that stick together. The way Tegu blocks are designed, in a sense they actually grow with the child. It doesn’t sound redemptive at first, but I would argue that the focus of creating a toy that lasts the child is redemptive by providing children with the best they can. From ages 2 – 8 and up, Tegu explains that their blocks challenge and grow a child’s skills.
At 2 years old, Tegu blocks stars by stimulating fine motor skills, however at 8 and older it morphs into problem solving and story telling. This approach to toy design moves away from the approach of creating a need for more toys. That way they aren’t saying “Hey look, you outgrew our toys, buy some more!” but rather “Hey look, there’s so much more you can do with our toys, go see for yourself”. It’s incredible how simply by the way they design their product, they are redemptive. Especially when it’s simply as providing the best product possible instead of making crappy toys that need constant replacement in order to create their own economy.
Tegu adds as much longevity as possible to save parents money and give the children fun. Tegu’s presence in the Honduras (where they are based) brings dozens of jobs to the community while at the same time giving themselves a platform to share the Gospel. As far as I can tell, Tegu doesn’t make direct donations to anyone. However their presence in the Honduras already does wonders for their economy alone. Factoring in the jobs they provide too and they can do wonders for the poverty in the Honduras. The more Tegu grows, the more they can do for the community, and I’m excited to see where they go.
Hello! I really enjoyed the in class videos about Tegu. Your post was a great reminder of the company and I learned that Tegu makes awesome magnetic wooden blocks that grow with children and challenge their skills as they get older. Their toys are designed to last and provide the best play experience possible, without creating a need for constant replacement. By creating jobs in Honduras, Tegu is helping to fight poverty and also uses their platform to share the Gospel. Tegu’s focus on creating a quality product that lasts is redemptive, making them more than just a toy company. I believe this is a very redemptive mindset and provides a lot of good for their communities. Thanks for the post!