The vision of our nonprofit organization in Tanzania is to create a future where every child in the communities that support and work on Kilimanjaro has equal access to education regardless of their financial circumstances.
We believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering sustainable development within Kilimanjaro communities. By providing school tuition assistance, we aim to lessen the financial burden of the parents – the guides and porters of Kilimanjaro, who work in harsh, dangerous, and relentless conditions to support their children’s education.
Jim and Kristi Sumpter are the founders of the Kids of Kilimanjaro, and the owners of Endeavor Expeditions. Endeavor Expeditions is a leading expedition company specializing in creating unforgettable adventures that showcase the beauty and wonder of Kilimanjaro and Africa, while prioritizing safety, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity. Jim and Kristi are driven by a passion for equity and opportunity, dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to quality education regardless of their socioeconomic background.
Their inspiration to launch the Kids of Kilimanjaro came after numerous years of working in Tanzania and leading teams of clients to the Roof of Africa. Jim and Kristi fell in love with the people of Kilimanjaro – their gratitude, generosity, and genuine joy. They also learned first-hand of their hardships during COVID when tourism was halted and there was no work on Kilimanjaro. The porters and guides suffered, their communities suffered, and most importantly their children were unable to attend school.
Their initial spontaneous gift was to lead African guide – Augustine, on behalf of his daughter Loreen. Jim and Kristi’s gift got her back in school, and their ongoing commitment now ensures her education through college. They launched the Kids of Kilimanjaro to provide the same financial support to as many children of Kilimanjaro as possible… forever… with love.
The communities of Kilimanjaro and its’ porters and guides play a crucial role in supporting the trekking industry around Africa’s tallest peak. These individuals often hail from local villages surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro and possess invaluable knowledge of the mountain’s terrain and ecosystem. As primary caretakers of trekkers during expeditions, they ensure the safety and comfort of visitors while sharing their rich cultural heritage. However, despite their integral role, many porters and guides face socio-economic challenges, making sustainable support and fair treatment essential for the preservation of their communities and the integrity of Kilimanjaro tourism.
To meet the tuition costs for their children’s schooling, they accept the demanding and dangerous work on the mountain. The harsh work conditions faced by porters and guides on Mount Kilimanjaro include carrying heavy loads at high altitudes, enduring extreme weather conditions, and the responsibility of ensuring the safety of their clients while navigating challenging terrain. Many porters are often underpaid and lack proper equipment, such as suitable clothing and footwear, putting their health and safety at risk. If they are unable to work due to illness, injury, poor weather, or lack of clientele, they suffer economic hardships and struggle to provide for their families.
Our mission is to break that cycle! We aim to provide that support with your help!
We aim to greatly lessen the burden of the hard-working and dedicated parents who serve the climbers of Kilimanjaro by paying the school tuition fees for their children. When they cannot work, they cannot provide for their families. Your donations are directly used to pay the school tuition fees of a child, whether in the name of a child you choose, or through our need-based recommendations.
The average cost of primary school for children in Tanzania is only $400 per semester.
100% of your donations are paid directly to the schools in the name of a student, meaning your contribution goes directly to help the children.
The inspiration for the KIDS OF KILIMANJARO and our first beneficiary. Loreen is a 13-year-old student in Arusha, Tanzania. Her father is the lead African guide for Endeavor Expeditions, and he has summitted Kilimanjaro over 500 times in the past 25 years working on the mountain. Loreen is a wonderful student who works hard.
As a sponsor, you provide the critical financial support by direct payment of school fees
100% of your donation goes directly to the schools and is paid by invoice for the outstanding tuition fees in the name of a child
