*** UPDATE ***

So far I have raised £8,995 and am hoping to reach £10,000 so if anyone would like to donate and help me reach that target it would be amazing!

We will be selling calanders soon so if you would like to order one - its pictures of our climb - please let me know on heidisami@yahoo.co.uk cost £20.

The Kili4kids team is back bigger and stronger than before.

In some parts of Africa, kids with albinism are being hunted and their limbs sold in the belief the body parts bring wealth, happiness and good luck. Lions International, a renowned non-profit dedicated to humanitarian causes, announces its latest endeavour, Kili4Kids, a monumental trek up Mount Kenya aimed to raise awareness and funds to create a school and a safe place for kids with albinism in Kenya.

The climb will take place from August 28 to September 2, 2023, during which a team of brave and passionate women from all around the world will embark on the journey of a lifetime. Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak, is a symbol of strength, perseverance, and the power of collective action.

The Helen Keller Internet Lions Club is proud to support their founder member and Treasurer, Heidi Nathan in her journey conquering the mountain, representing the UK in this noble cause.

"The Kili4Kids initiative is not only about reaching the summit of Mount Kenya but also about reaching the hearts of the children with albinism who need our support the most," Heidi said. "Through this expedition, we aim to shed light on the sad reality of the hunted children with albinism and raise funds to create a safe space for them and protect them from traffickers."

Lions International tirelessly works towards improving the lives of children globally with support from its charitable arm, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). By focusing on education and healthcare, the organization strives to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for these young minds. The funds raised from the Kili4Kids campaign will go directly towards creating the school, providing educational resources, and ensuring access to proper healthcare for the children with albinism.

We have committed to raise a total of $100,000 for various projects not just the Albinos but schools like the Mwereni School for the visually impaired. Our aim is to raise monies for the school to assist with the urgent repairs that are needed - Toilet and lavatory repairs - Dormitory paintwork and repairs - Dining Area required. The Mwereni School is the only school in Tanzania taking children with the illness called 'Xerodema Pigmentosum' in short XP. It is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder of the DNA repair and therefore the ability to repair damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light is deficient. The school is both a day school and boarding school in one. 640 children are attending the school of which many have impairments, health issues and or handicaps such as blindness, albinism and XP. The boarding school is for disabled children and the day school for the non disabled. In the school grounds there is a health centre. A team of doctors from the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, especially dermatologists, visiting quarterly to treatment the children and a dentist comes twice a month, all on a voluntary basis to help care for these children.

We wish to help this school and the children within the school. We will attempt to climb Mount Kenya, which is s steeper climb than Kilimanjaro and the second highest peak in Africa. We shall endeavour to trek, camp and survive the toilet facilities to reach the peak and take the our flag to the Point Lenana which stands at 4,985 meters (16,355ft). This climb does not look at all easy !! But we will accept the challenge and step by step we can!!!

The work we do depends on the funds we raise. every penny raised enables us to do more to help these children.

Will you help us to help these children?

Each member of the team will personally pay for their own equipment, flights, hotels, trekking & insurances etc not one penny that you donate goes towards any of these costs it all goes towards the projects and will be held by LCIF until the total is raised.

All funds raised benefit LCIF and will be allocated to creating the school in Kenya.

Lions International invites members of the media, influencers, and supporters from all walks of life to join in this noble cause. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of countless children and offer them hope for a better tomorrow.