The project

https://www.nimsdaifoundation.org/big-mountain-clean-up-kilimanjaro-2026

Why am I raising money?

Every year, tens of thousands of people, from all corners of the globe, flock to Tanzania with one goal in mind, to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This summer, August 2026, I will be another one of those people who will travel to Tanzania to pursue the same goal.

For those of you who may not know, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa. At a height of over 19,000 feet, it is considered one of the 7 summits (highest mountains on each of the seven continents). In recent years, due to the mountains popularity, it has unfortunately collected the remnants of those who have trekked to its summit. Things such as plastic, discarded gear, food waste, and human waste occupy the once untouched ecosystem. The existing pollution threatens the long-term welfare of the wildlife, contaminates water sources, and consequently, destroys the landscape. In order to combat these perils, the Nimsdai Foundation, with our help, aims to restore the mountains environment, employ and train local porters during the off-season to take care of the mountain, educate local communities on waste reduction and sustainable alternatives, and also, inspire change. The local economy and the porters face unemployment and hardships without the support of projects like this.

I believe in the sacredness of these mountains and to climb them is a privilege. Therefore when I heard about Nimsdai Foundation's project called " Big Mountain Clean up 2026 - Kilimanjaro", I wanted to get involved. I contacted the foundations Executive Director Glenn Mallen, and spoke with him at length about this specific project, future projects, and what I can do to help.

Fernanda's Story

As an amateur mountaineer, my husband and I have spent the past year training extensively in a variety of mountain environments. Throughout the winter, we carried 55-60 lb packs on long hikes, learned to ice climb, and developed the skills needed to operate safely and effectively in extreme cold weather conditions.

One of our toughest experiences was camping in a Lean-to with only a sleeping bag at the base of Mount Katahdin. Overnight, temperatures dropped to -22°F, with wind chills reaching -40°F. Our water bottles froze, our food froze, my husband's beard froze, and even our eyelashes iced over. It was a brutally cold night, but it taught us valuable lessons about resilience and preparation.

Our indoor training consist of strength, mobility, endurance, and high-altitude preparation with Hypoxico systems.

In the mountains, there is no room for ego- only truth, humility, and the quiet rhythm of survival. It is a place where you meet yourself exactly as you are. It demands discipline, resilience, commitment- and hours per day 7 days/week spent preparing both body and mind.

Kilimanjaro is a 8-day expedition covering 72 km to a summit elevation of 5,895 m (19,341 feet). Reaching the summit is only halfway there.

There are no showers. No comfort. No shortcuts.

Each day, we will carry packs weighing up to 35 pounds, trekking for hours through cold, wet, and unpredictable conditions. We will wake up tired, sleep colder, and do it all again the next day.

We are now in the final stretch of our fundraising campaign and need to raise the remaining £2,500 to reach our goal.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps make a tangible difference.

Every step I take up that mountain will carry this purpose with it.

Thank you for being part of the journey!