2026 Kili Climb - Our 5th group to attempt a summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro

One of the most exciting ways that we raise funds for projects in the Mara region is through an adventure fundraising program that allows people to climb Africa's tallest peak, experience the breathtaking scenery of the Serengeti, and enjoy the beautiful culture of Tanzania. Not only are these trips a once-in-a-lifetime experience for volunteers, they are also critical for raising funds and awareness about our mission. Our past five Kilimanjaro climbs have successfully raised more than $150,000 that has helped build a girls' dormitory, the Library and Community Resource Center, and purchase resources for schools in the Mara Region.

This year is the 5th group of volunteers to take on Africa's tallest mountain. The 11 climbers are counting down the days until they depart, but the fundraising total for the group is quickly adding up. To learn more about each of the climbers, and support one of them, you can visit the 2026 Kili Climb fundraising page. Each climber has a profile where they share their motivation for climbing and donations can be made towards a climber's fundraising goal (click donate inside a climber's profile to make sure they get credit for the donation).

If you don't personally know one the climbers but want to support the groups effort, you can support a special team of climbers. Each time that TDS goes on a climb, we make sure our partners in the Mara region have the unique opportunity to attempt a summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. In the past, the team has been made up of 1-2 teachers and 2 students from schools participating in one of our programs.

This year, John Kuboja, our 4H Career Pathways Coordinator will be representing the teachers. The first student representing Team Mara is Mareges Thobias Mberege, a 17 year old student at Etaro Secondary School. The second student is Veneranda Manyama, a 17 year old student at Nyegina Secondary School. Veneranda is also one of our Willmann Scholars who is excited to help raise money for TDS programs so other girls can benefit from programs like she has.

We are thankful for this year's climbers and their efforts to support our mission, and excited to share updates once they arrive in Moshi. Stay tuned for more info about climbers, epic pictures from Tanzania's stunning national parks, and heartwarming stories of the real connections that are made when our supporters get to visit the Mara region.

Good luck climbers!!

Curious what the journey and scenery looks like on one of our Kili climbs?

Check out a photo book from our 2019 Kili Climb.