Education is

the Way

The vision of our nonprofit organization in Tanzania is to create a future where every child in the communities that support and work on Mt. Kilimanjaro has equal access to education regardless of their financial circumstances.

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Our Vision

About Our Founders

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 – August Ngowi, 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. 

About Jim and Kristi

Who We Serve

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 ecosystems. 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.

The Challenge

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!

Every donation goes to this school year

Whether you give once or year after year, 100% of your gift goes directly to tuition for the current school year. But school fees don't stop. They come due again every year, and so does the need. Each new year, these children are counting on support to stay in the classroom.

Meet some of the Children we are Sponsoring

  • Close-up of a young girl with braided hair, smiling, wearing a light blue collared shirt, standing against a neutral background.

    Loreen

    Sponsored for 2026

    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.

  • Close-up of a smiling young girl with missing teeth outdoors.

    Cleven Fredrick Kileo

    Sponsored for 2026

    Cleven is the son of Akolade Betram Massawe, a porter on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions.Cleven is sponsored by Mandy Cooper. Mandy is a Mt Kilimanjaro summiteer from the 2024 Endeavor Expedition team.  

  • Close-up of a smiling young girl with short hair and dark skin, outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

    Laurin Fredrick Kileo

    Sponsored for 2026

    Laurin is the daughter of Akolade Betram Massawe, a female porter on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Laurin is sponsored by McKenzie Burleigh. Kenzie is a Mt. Kilimanjaro summiteer from the 2024 Endeavor Expedition team. 

  • Close-up portrait of smiling young African boy with short black hair, wearing a white collared shirt and a dark sweater, carrying a blue backpack, standing against a plain, blurred background.

    Brighton Alloys

    Sponsored for 2026

    Brighton is the son of Veronica Alloys, a female porter on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Brighton is sponsored by Chandler Williams a 2024 Endeavor Expeditions team member.

  • A young girl wearing a red wide-brimmed hat, glasses, and earrings, dressed in a long patterned dress, seated against a dark background, holding a colorful woven tray.

    Rebecca Chagula

    Sponsored for 2026

    Rebeca is the daughter of Tom Chagula, a manager at Legendary Lodge in Arusha, the “HQ” of all Endeavor Expeditions trips in Tanzania. Tom has personally supported all of our Endeavor Expedition clients and is an integral part of our Kids of Kilimanjaro family. Rebeca is supported by Jim & Kristi Sumpter.

  • A young boy with a shaved head, wearing a yellow shirt, brown sweater, and maroon pants, standing outdoors in front of a weathered concrete wall, with a red backpack.

    Alvin August Mtui

    Sponsored for 2026

    Alvin is the son of Diwani Mtui, one of the senior guides on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Alvin is sponsored by Jim & Kristi Sumpter

  • Silhouette of a young boy with short hair against a light blue background.

    Jordan John Assey

    Sponsored for 2026

    Jordan is the son of Johny Balthazar Assey, a senior steward on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Jordan is sponsored by Jim & Nancy Follett; Nancy is a 2024 and 2025 Endeavor Expeditions team member, who summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in January 2025.

  • Silhouette of a young boy with short hair, facing forward, in shades of blue.

    Regani John Assey

    Sponsored for 2026

    Regani is the son of Johny Balthazar Assey, a senior steward on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Jordan is sponsored by Jim & Kristi Sumpter

  • Close-up of a young boy with short hair and a serious expression, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

    Morgan Victor Kihunrwa

    Sponsored for 2026

    Morgan is the son of Lightness Jonas Lema, a female guide on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Morgan is sponsored by Kenzie Burleigh. Kenzie is a Mt. Kilimanjaro summiteer from the 2024 Endeavor Expeditions team.

  • A smiling young girl with short hair, wearing a light pink floral shirt, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Hellen Victor Kihunrwa

    Sponsored for 2026

    Helen is the daughter of Lightness Jonas Lema, a female guide on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Helen is sponsored by Jim & Kristi Sumpter.

  • Two males shaking hands outdoors in a lush green tropical setting.

    Dorcas Julius Palangyo

    Sponsored for 2026

    Dorcas is the daughter of Julius Palangyo, a chef or “stomach engineer” on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Dorcas is sponsored by Jim & Nancy Follett; Nancy is a 2024 and 2025 Endeavor Expeditions team member, who summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in January 2025.

  • A young girl with a shaved head smiling outdoors with greenery in the background.

    Galilay Gredrick Urio

    Sponsored for 2026

    Galilay is the daughter of Teresia Valerian Kessy, a female porter on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Galilay is sponsored by a wonderful friend of the Kids of Kilimanjaro – Melanie Shaver.

  • A blue silhouette of a young child's head and shoulders against a light blue background.

    Heavenlight Pamphil Mtui

    Sponsored for 2026

    Heavenlight is the daughter of Pamphil Mtui, a senior steward on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Heavenlight is sponsored by a wonderful friend of the Kids of Kilimanjaro – Cristina di Grazia

  • A young girl with a blue knit cap smiling at the camera, standing next to someone wearing a patterned orange and black shirt.

    Araj Amani Amiri

    Sponsored for 2026

    Araj is the daughter of Amani Amiri Seleman, a porter on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Araj is sponsored by Cole & Brooke Forsyth. Cole serves as a Board Member on the Kids of Kilimanjaro Board of Directors

  • A young girl with dark skin wearing a navy blue beanie hat, a navy blue sweater with white stripes, and a light pink backpack, standing outdoors in front of a gray wall.

    Ayman Amani Amiri

    Sponsored for 2026

    Ayman is the daughter of Amani Amiri Seleman, a porter on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Ayman is sponsored by Cole & Brooke Forsyth. Cole serves as a Board Member on the Kids of Kilimanjaro Board of Directors.

  • Silhouette of a young boy with curly hair against a light blue background.

    Brightness Lightgod Shayo

    Sponsored for 2026

    Brightness is the daughter of Lightgod Godfrey Shayo, a guide on Mt. Kilimanjaro for Endeavor Expeditions. Brightness is sponsored by a wonderful friend of the Kids of Kilimanjaro – Cristina di Grazia

How We Impact Change

A simple and effective solution

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.

Where Your Donation Goes

$800

Average cost of one semester of primary school in Tanzania

100%

Of your donation is paid directly to the school, in a student's name

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Sponsorship FAQs

  • 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.

  • We believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering sustainable development within Kilimanjaro communities.

  • Yes — every gift, regardless of size, goes toward tuition for the current school year. Nothing is held back for future years.

  • It can be. Any gift, large or small, goes toward the current school year's tuition, and there's no obligation to give again. But tuition comes due every year, so a sponsorship only covers the child for that year. We'll reach out before the next school year to see if you'd like to renew — children without a renewed sponsor go back on our need-based list.