Climb Mt Kilimanjaro (2010)

The Global Volunteer Network's Mount Kilimanjaro Trek offers participants the opportunity to help support children in Kenya, Africa, and to hike one of the most beautiful mountains and prestigious climbs in the world. Currently there are an overwhelming number of children in Kenya who are orphaned and in dire need of care and protection. 1.7 million children in Kenya are classified by their government as orphans. Conflict and AIDS have also taken their toll throughout the country and contributed to the disintegration of traditional community structures, which would have previously cared for these orphans. By 2003, the HIV prevalence in Kenya was estimated at an alarming 6.7%, 650,000 of which were children orphaned by AIDS.

Our partner organization in Kenya not only aims to provide orphaned children with their basic needs of food and accommodation, but works for a sustainable solution by improving the educational opportunities, skills, and self-reliance of the children. The money raised through the 2010 trek will be used to assist with the basic needs of a number of orphanage projects in and around Nairobi, including several in Kibera, the world's second largest slum. Money from this years trek will also be used to fund events for local youth and partner organizations. The focus of these events will be to teach leadership skills, instill confidence, and inspire change.

Committing your time and money to this fundraiser will help ensure that our goals of providing for the most basic needs of the children are speedily being met. Further, you will also be helping to give Kenyan youth, and the local partner organizations who work with them, the skills necessary to become change-agents in their own communities.

Program Location

Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, Africa. Participants of this fundraiser will travel in both Kenya and Tanzania.

Participants will be asked to locate their own flights to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenya, and should aim to arrive on or before the night of the 9th of January, as early on the morning of the 10th participants will be driven to Marangu, Tanzania where they will prepare for their hike. From Marangu participants will embark on an unforgettable journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

After hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, participants will return to Nairobi, Kenya, where as part of their project days they will tour local projects to meet the children their funds have assisted. After project days, participants will be returned to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where they may catch their connecting flights home anytime on the 20th of January.

Program Requirements

To participate in this trek you must:

• Be 18 years of age
• Be in good health
• Be very physically fit
• Have a positive attitude and teamwork mentality

Program Schedule

The Kilimanjaro trek will take place from 10 January to 20 January 2010. You can view the 2008 itinerary.

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee (fully refundable if you decide not to go) will secure your place on the program, with your Trek Fee and Children's Fund Fee due several months prior to your departure. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your Kilimanjaro Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for the trek is $4,797.00 USD. This price covers the following:

Trek Fee - $2,797.00 USD
The $2,797 USD Trek Fee will go to our travel partner who will plan all of the logistical aspects of this trip.

Kenyan Children's Fund Fee - $2,000 USD
In the months preceding your trek you will be asked to raise US $2,000 to support our partner organization in Kenya. 50% of the money donated will go directly to our Kenya partner as part of the GVN Foundations’ “Kenyan Children’s Fund” which provides basic needs and assistance to needy orphanages and schools throughout Nairobi and neighbouring villages. The other 50% of the donated funds will go toward sustainability projects in the surrounding Nairobi communities. Please note that WorldPay takes a 4.5% commission for credit card purchases before GVN receives the funds. Donations made to GVN by American donors are tax-deductible. Non-US donors cannot receive a tax-exemption.

The fees for this program include:

• All specified road transfers by private vehicle
• All accommodation in Tanzania on a full board basis (including lunch in Arusha on first day)
• Mountain trek briefing before ascent
• All services on the mountain including guide, cook and porters
• All accommodation & meals as specified
• All National Park entry fees for Kilimanjaro
• Government sales taxes

The fees for this program do not include:

• International flights to/from Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
• Additional transfers, meals & accommodation in Nairobi
• Extra accommodation & optional excursions in Kenya & Tanzania
• Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry etc.
• Gratuities
• Drinks
• Visas for Kenya, Tanzania
• Travel Insurance

Please note: GVN/GVNF/GVN Kenya reserves the right to determine the dissemination of funds.

Apply For The Program

Your application process is free and seamless and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organizations that offer a full money back guarantee on your application fee if you decide not to go. Click here to apply for the Kilimanjaro trek.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have. Click here

Application Process

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your US $350 application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will fully refund your application fee if you decide not to go.

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, we will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.

To apply for this program, click here