Elevating for Education

Join Us for an Adventure of a Lifetime!

The See Them Grow Foundation (STGF) and H20 for Life has partnered with 1,000 Shades of Green Tour & Safari Co. as they have graciously organised a 14-day trip for 40 adventurous individuals to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro at no-profit. Their generosity has allowed us to turn this excursion into a fundraising opportunity.

We will provide 40 individuals with the opportunity of a lifetime to summit Africa’s tallest mountain – Mt. Kilimanjaro. In return, we’re asking each person to raise between $5K-$10K for the experience. From that amount, we will be able to put $7,500 from each climber directly toward construction cost, while the remaining $2,500 will cover all in-country expenses excluding airfare. With the $300,000 raised from individual climbers, along with corporate sponsorship, we will be able to break ground for the Education Centre by July 2020.

Important Dates:

February 16th – Feb 29th, 2020 – Days of Travel for the entire adventure

December 15th, 2019 – Each climber MUST raise and submit all funds by this date

August 1st, 2019 – Each climber MUST raise $5,000 by this date to guarantee his or her spot on the Elevate Education climbing team.

Interested in living out this adventure?

Contact the STGF’s Founding Director Charles Morgan Kisitu at info@seethemgrow.org.org or call +256711788272 for more information

In USA, call

Coordinator,
Ms. Sarah Felhofer

Email: sfelhofer3@gmail.com

OR

Kate Booth
Email: kmbooth13@gmail.com

About Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters), but it isn’t a mountain in a traditional sense. It is a giant stratovolcano that began forming about a million years ago and is composed of many layers of hardened volcanic ash, lava, pumice and tephra — fragmental material that is the fallout from a volcanic eruption.

One of the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on the seven continents), Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania in east Africa. Kilimanjaro lies within the 292-square-mile (756 square kilometers) Kilimanjaro National Park. Kilimanjaro rises from its base approximately 16,732 feet (5,100 meters) from the plains near the Tanzanian municipality of Moshi, making it the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

Route Description:

The Machame (Whiskey) Route is the most popular camping route on Kilimanjaro. It is a rugged combination of routes that begin through the rainforest at Machame Village on the southwest side of the mountain. Over seven days the route rises onto the edge of the Shira Plateau, down into the beautiful Great Barranco Valley, then circumvents the Kibo massif counter-clockwise through alpine desert until reaching Barafu Camp. The trek to the summit is done overnight to the crater rim on the steep scree slopes of the east-south-east facing Mweka Route. The trek winds through beautiful scenery, which changes quite dramatically every day.

The -Pre Climb Days 1-3

Day 1 (Feb. 16th ): Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. From there we will take a bus to the Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel where we will be staying for two nights. Each individual will have his or her own bed but will share a room with other climbers. Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel website –http://www.kilimanjarocranehotel.com

Day 2 (Feb. 17th): Explore the Chagga underground caves, which, centuries ago, protected the Chagga from the marauding Maasai; visit a coffee farm to find out about how coffee is grown, harvested and roasted – and you’ll have the opportunity to prepare your own! Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel website –http://www.kilimanjarocranehotel.com

Day 3 (Feb 18th)

An hour’s easy drive from Moshi after breakfast, Lake Chala is serenity itself. A crater lake on the Kenyan border, it’s a quiet, romantic spot for a long, hand-in-hand walk around the lake or a short stroll directly to its peaceful shores for a swim in the calm waters. The Chemka Hot Springs are geothermally warmed waters that rise up, clear and turquoise, into limpid pools that are a little piece of heaven. Return to the hotel for lunch, relax and in the vending, you will be briefed about Kilimanjaro hike. Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel website –http://www.kilimanjarocranehotel.com

Day 4 (Feb. 19th):Machame Gate to Machame Camp

•Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
•Distance: 11 km
•Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 5 (Feb. 20th):Machame Camp to Shira Camp

•Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
•Distance: 5 km
•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
•Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Day 6 (Feb. 21st): Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

•Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
•Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 7 (Feb. 22nd): Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
•Distance: 5 km
•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Day 8 (Feb. 23rd): •Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

•Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
•Distance: 4 km
•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 9 (Feb. 24th): Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

•Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to
10,000ft)
•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

•Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portionof the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 10 (Feb. 25th): Mweka Camp to Moshi

•Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi. Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel website –http://www.kilimanjarocranehotel.com

Post Climb / Trek

Days 11,12.13,14 (Feb. 26th-Feb 29th): Travel back to Serengeti National Park

Day 1: Transfer from Arusha to Serengeti National Park

Day 2: Have Full day game viewing in the park

Day 3: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater

Day 4: Transfer back to Arusha and Departure

Each climber can choose to schedule their flight home from February 29th onward. If individuals are interested in continuing to travel or explore more safari options in Tanzania, please feel free to make separate reservations with 1000 Shades of Green Tour & Safari Co. by contacting Morgan at cmkisitu@gogreensafari.com

End of adventure!

 

1000 Shades of Green

1000 Shades of Green (www.gogreensafari.com) is a community conscious tour operating company that operates in East Africa with offices in Entebbe, Uganda. We offer tours and safari packages, reality excursions and a variety of other activities to give tourists an adventurous, enjoyable and a fulfilling time in East Africa. Although we are a private company, we partner with numerous NGOs & communities & strive towards a more developed East Africa. We understand that tourism can bring both positive and negative impacts to the destinations in which we operate.

We also understand that it is our responsibility, as a local tour operator, to minimize any negative impacts and work towards making places better for people to live in and for people to visit. We are keen to minimize negative economic,environmental, and social impacts while generating greater economic benefits for local people that enhances the well being of host communities. Our clients and partners have helped us improve working conditions and access to the tourism industry by involving the local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances. Your responsible attitude as well as love for adventure are some positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.

Our Guides
Our staff and guides have completed many training courses on subjects such as natural history, environmental conservation, wildlife, and safety and emergency medical procedures. All guides speak Swahili and English fluently. Each guide also speaks a native tribal language that has been passed on to them, depending on which of the 120 tribes they were born into. 1000 Shades of Green’s guides have a passion for Ruwenzori guiding, gorilla trekking and as well as of Uganda. Our team is with you every step of the way, working hard behind the scenes to ensure you have everything you need in preparation to climb Ruwenzori.

About the Owner
Charles Morgan Kisitu has worked in the tourism industry since he was a teenager in Uganda and has arranged safari packages & tours for organizations and media outlets including: The New York Times, The Associated Press, and The Guardian. Charles graduated from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota with a B.A. in Business Administration and majoring in entrepreneurship.

Change their Environment. Change their Performance. Change their Lives.

The Problem
The effectiveness of UPE program has generally been slow. The percentage of the population that has never studied beyond Primary school is 74%, the percentage of population who never studied beyond secondary school 96.2%, the percentage of population that doesn’t own any kind is 36%. The sustainability of the established education system leaves a lot of gaps in terms of enhancement of knowledge and skills for the learners and community as learners are wasted by importing English language which may be relevant at a later stage as it’s not practiced in the children family settings.

Theory of Change:
The primary school & community learning Centre will assist children especially orphans, girls, disabled and other vulnerable children in the communities that are finding hardship in attaining quality education. Emphasis is on enabling them to have immediate access to free, high quality education by financing quality education, financing school costs such as fees, uniforms, scholastic materials and meals in order relieve economic burdens on impoverished children and families. From here, students will be able to improve their academic performance and meet their physical, mental, and emotional needs. Ultimately, primary school will give them the space to excel academically, graduate, enroll in college or establish a business of their own, and create an independent, healthy life.

Amenities

Safe classrooms:
Many children in Uganda lack access to basic necessities such as education, health care, good shelter and nutrition. The situation is worse in many remote communities because families are completely not aware of the rights of every human being and much worse, ignorant on issues related to children’s rights and well-being. Sponsoring a child not only avails resources to these children to be able to attain quality education and other basic necessities but also provide an umbrella-shade in which they are able to be empowered, survive through the harsh conditions surrounding them and in the end, raising the standards of living of not only these children but also their families and the communities at large. First and foremost, this primary school will provide a safe, stable living environment for these students to learn, grow, and excel.

Academic Opportunities:
Within the 1st with start-of-the-art computers, high-speed Internet, and E-Readers providing them with the access to information that they need. Both the 2nd and 3rd every student has a space to him/herself.

Community Programming & Counseling:
More space means more community programming. Our microfinance and financial literacy courses for families and STGF graduates will now have a permanent place to meet, along with new vocational training and social entrepreneurship skill building classes. In addition, we intend to work with the School of Social Work at the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota to create an on-site counselor position to facilitate individual and group sessions for our students and their families along with individual life planning sessions focusing ourselves on individual independences.

Eco-Friendly:
Resources may really be scarce in Luuka, but with intentional and smart eco-design, we can utilize everything Luuka has to offer! The building will incorporate a variety of environmentally sound methods including a bio-digester, passive building strategies, and a rainwater catchment system. The bio-digester technology separates solids and liquids allowing waste to decompose anaerobically. This process releases methane that can be captured and used for cooking. The building also incorporates a rain harvesting and water purification system that will capture, clean, and store rainwater during the rainy seasons to use during water shortages. The design includes an open space in the courtyard for a community garden where we will floor there will be a large library and study hall equipped floor will also contain smaller study halls ensuring be able to grow our own fruits and vegetables. This courtyard utilizes natural light while preventing overheating and creates a passive ventilation system to evacuate heat from interior spaces.

Building Local:
By utilizing both local labor and local materials for the construction of the project, this building seeks to build upon local capacity in skilled labor and create jobs for the Luuka community. By empowering craftspeople or fundis, community ownership is created and another layer of resiliency is brought to the table.

Kitchen and Cafeteria:
The ground floor contains a large kitchen and storage area, along with two large open rooms that will be a dining area in the afternoon and evening, and additional program space in between dining hours.

Social Hall:
Because we all need a place to decompress, socialise, and have fun!

What IS included within the $10,000?

Safety Equipment:

• Hyperbaric Chamber
• Oxygen for emergency use (2 kits of 100 lt. medical oxygen bottle, regulator & masks are provided)
• Pulse oximeter
• Mobile phones – carried by the head guide and all assistant guides, for daily communications with base in Arusha.
• VHF 2-way handheld radios (with extra batteries) carried for quick communication between head and asst. guides
• Stretcher (and convertible litter)
• Comprehensive medical/first aid kits (as per WFR/NOLS USA guidelines)

Staff & Fees:

• Professional Mountain Guides, all head guides are currently certified by NOLS USA as Wilderness First Responders
• Ratio of at least one guide for every three guests, to ensure personalised attention.
• Cooks and Porters
• Park Fees / Campsite fees / Emergency Rescue Fees

Camping equipment and gear:

• Mountain Hardware sleeping tents, each tent with a custom-made ground sheet covering the both vestibules, to allow clean & dry storage of gear, and keeping water, mud or dust from entering the tent.
• 2 inch mattresses for each client
• Large weatherproof dining tent.
• Wash basins provided for each trekker.
• Large private toilet tents only for our guests, with portable flush toilets on a stable base.
• Hot water prepared for climber’s bottles at night

Mountain Cuisine:

• Three hearty meals a day + snacks upon arrival in camp. Our new menus have been developed by a professional cook who has trained staff in up-market safari bush camps where equipment and resources are minimal. We produce and prepare a majority of our food in our base kitchen, for delicious and energizing meals necessary for high altitude mountain trekking.
• Specialty food like chocolates and cheeses.
• Homemade cookies and breads, produced in our own kitchen.

Other assurances:

• Mountain operators license
• Active member of AUTO, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators, and UWA, Uganda Wildlife Authority
• Comprehensive climb briefing before the trek, upon arrival in Tanzania
• Transportation, lodging, and food during the entire 10-day adventure.

NOT included

• Round-trip flight to Kilimanjaro Airport, vaccinations, visa, tips, personal expenses, personal medical kit, travel insurance, bottled mineral water, sleeping bags, or other personal trekking gear.
• 4-day wildlife safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro national parks

**Equipment is available to rent in-country at a small fee

Reminders:

• The trip deposit of $2,500 is the cost for yourself to join the trip, excluding airfare.
• $5,000 is the minimum amount needed for each participant to fundraise for the See Them Grow Foundation and H20 for Life, but we hope each of you will shoot for $7,500.
• All money deposited goes towards both your trip deposit and fundraising efforts.
• Please join the public Facebook group: Elevating for Education Charity Climb where we will post updates for the team and share fundraising ideas.

Corporate Sponsorship
Can your company or organization sponsor your climb? Feel free to use this corporate sponsorship breakdown as a way to entice your employer to go above-and-beyond, while receiving a myriad of benefits in the process.

The See Them Grow Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible and each donor will receive proper receipts. EIN-47-3605617

$200,000+ Beyond the Clouds Sponsorship

• Naming rights to both boys & girls class buildings
• Donation recognition plague in the boarding dormitories and community center Company/Organisation name & logo on
• Personal flag at the summit of Uhuru Peak
• Each climber’s jersey
• Sponsor sheet in the media kit, STGF newsletter & on all donor thank you note
• Join our STGF I planted a tree for future shade Family & Board

$100,000- Uhuru Peak Sponsorship

• Naming Right to courtyard & Gardens
• Donation recognition plague in the dormitories & library Company/Organization name & logo on
• Personal flag at the summit of Uhuru Peak
• Each climber’s jersey
• Sponsor sheet in the media kit, STGF newsletter & on all donor thank you note
• Join our STGF I planted a tree for future shade Family & Board

$25,000+ – “Base Camp” Sponsorship

• Donation Recognition Plaque in the Learning Center

Company / Organization Name & Logo on:

• Each climber’s jersey
• Sponsor Sheet in Media Kit
• STGF Foundation newsletter and all donor thank you notes

$10,000+ – “Adventure” Sponsorship

• Donation Recognition Plaque in the Dormitory

Company / Organization Name & Logo on:

• Sponsor Sheet in Media Kit

Individual Sponsorship

In light of the fact that Paypal requires a 3-5% fee for using their online donation feature, we are asking all donors to consider a donation in the form of a check or wire transfer. If either of these options is not possible, please feel free to continue with an online donation.

Donation by Check

Make payable to See Them Grow Foundation and Send to:

See Them Grow Foundation

P.O.BOX 18352

West St. Paul, MN 55118

USA

Write the climber’s name in the memory OR honor of

Donation by Wire Transfer

If you would like to donate by wire transfer, please contact info@seethemgrow.org to receive our banking information