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Food Insecurity on the Rise
Many of us have experienced increasing fuel and food costs over the past few months. We have now had to think about the financial costs of taking a short road trip to visit family and friends instead of just going when we want. We pay more attention to the deals in the grocery flyers and don't fill our carts up as much as before. And maybe, for the first time ever, experienced a shelf being empty for an item we went to the store for. This has been the effects of covid, climate change, the war in Ukraine and supply chain disruptions.
Unfortunately, these situations are hitting the marginalized and impoverished much harder. Every day more people around the world are living on one meal a day and are going to bed hungry. This year, millions of people will become severely hungry and malnourished.
"Record high food prices have triggered a global crisis that will drive millions more into extreme poverty, magnifying hunger and malnutrition."
This September I will virtually climb Mount Kilimanjaro by taking 154,720 steps during the week of 11-17. I am doing this to raise awareness of the food crisis our world is facing and to raise funds to help develop more Life Gardens in communities that don't have food.
You can show your support by:
- Donating to help me reach my goal, $15 helps an individual in need
- Joining my team to help virtually climb the mountain
- Sharing this fundraising campaign with your friends and family and on social media
Thank you for stepping up to help those that need it most right now!
An Unprecedented Global Food Crisis Calls for an Extraordinary Response.
Solving the BIG Food Crisis One Garden at a Time.
World hunger has dramatically increased due to COVID-19, supply chain issues, shipping challenges, and war in Ukraine. And the sharpest rise has been in developing countries, where the marginalized and impoverished are at the most risk.
Every day, more parents wonder how they’ll feed their children. And more of the vulnerable fall ill because they can’t afford life-giving, nutritious foods. But step by step — and with your help — we can save lives. The Thrive model for ending hidden hunger and poverty has been proven in over 900 communities like Kageyo, Rwanda. Now it’s time for Thrive to rapidly scale like never before and go global. Through the Kilimanjaro climb, Thrive is raising funds for families and communities living on one meal or less a day to grow their own nutritious food sustainably. Supporting this campaign and making a difference is Canada’s most decorated Olympian in history and World Champion Swimmer, Penny Oleksiak. |  |
Any amount you can give does help. And every dollar you donate is doubled, thanks to our generous platinum sponsor, Natural Calm Canada.
$30 donation matched is $60 = 4 people helped
$60 donation matched is $120 = 8 people helped
$250 donation matched is $500 = An entire community helped
With this climb, we want to prove that even the “impossible” is possible. Even the biggest mountains in our lives and the most enduring problems on our planet can be solved.
Will you join us by giving?
The easiest way to help is to simply donate — and you’ll receive an instant tax receipt for all gifts over $15. Thank you! Your donation makes an incredible difference.
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The Story of Kageyo
A Refugee Community Rescued from Food Crisis
Since March 2020, one of Thrive’s trainers, James Mushinzimana, has been leading change in a small village in Rwanda called Kageyo. A very remote village, about a 5-hour drive from any major city.
COVID-19 happened quickly, and it shut Rwanda down so unexpectedly that many support teams in Kageyo were sent home, and transportation across the country was halted. This meant that no food or supplies would be able to come into the village. Being so remote, Kageyo was unfortunately very low on the list for any support. Kageyo was in a very desperate situation.
Fortunately, Thrive’s trainer James Mushinzimana was able to stay in Kageyo. The time was crucial, as seeds needed to be planted before the rainy season ended. James decided the best approach was to build a huge community garden to support the community's needs. With the help of program partners, $1,000 worth of seeds were delivered to James, who planted them just in time.
“Before trainer James, nothing was
able to be grown in the soil of Kageyo. I was only able to plant
beans and maize for my family of 5 children. James taught us how to
build our soil so that we could grow greens and other healthy
vegetables. My family started harvesting and eating nutritious foods
which changed our lives. I have also learned how to save money
through table banking. I have bought 2 goats from my savings.
“
- Nzabonimpa Theoneste, Member of Kageyo
To date, James has started 73 Life Garden projects containing various crops. These gardens are providing 1,946 people in need with healthy, nutritious, and disease-fighting foods. James has only had 12 recorded cases (1%) of malaria in Kageyo (typically 15%) because of his natural medicinal teachings and the practice of drinking Artemisia tea. James has also shared his knowledge of table banking which is helping these communities and families to save more money in order to purchase needed household items.
“Thrive introduced table banking in
our community and I joined the group. I started
saving 100rwf per week. Our group is doing so well, we now receive
dividends on our investment in table banking. Now I can buy
everything I need to provide for my family. Thanks!”
-
Esperance Cyubahiro, Member of Kageyo
With so much need and poverty in the area, James hasn’t been able to keep up on his own. That is why he has trained 4 Growing Health Champions named Francais, Florance, Edison, and Francine.
By the end of this year, the goal for Kageyo is to build an additional 100 community gardens.
Now community members’ regular meals of corn and rice have been replaced with food that is high in nutrients and immune building, equipping them to combat diseases like COVID-19.
The In-Person ClimbThe Kilimanjaro climb is a virtual fundraiser to raise $300,000 that will transform more communities in need, just like Kageyo. One of the most exciting aspects of this fundraiser is that there will be an in-person climb of Kilimanjaro happening simultaneously as we climb virtually. A team of 13 determined individuals will embark on the incredible 6-day climb of the tallest peak in Africa, which sits proudly at 19,340 feet. Leading this team are Thrive's International Executive Director, James Woller and Thrive team members Katherine Boggs and Jacob Latodo. Scroll down to the "Meet the Climbers" section to learn more about our climbers.
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The Virtual ClimbWant to support the cause while challenging your own fitness? You can virtually summit the 19,340 feet to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro by climbing stairs, hiking, walking, or running between September 11-17, 2022. Join us from wherever you are! All it takes is a pair of running shoes and determination. Generous donors have offered to match up to $100,000 of every dollar donated, so every $100 you raise has $200 of impact! Sign up to climb! You can sign up on your own or register a team. Did you know that it takes 154,720 steps to climb to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and back down? |
Why Climb With Us?
Make a Difference and Get The Chance to Win!
Want to know what you could win?! Here are some of the prizes we have available:
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A one-week stay at a Penthouse at Walnut Beach Resort in Osoyoos, BC! ($3,500 value x 1 available) - The most money raised. Congratulations to the winner: Sophie K.
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A one-year supply of Natural Calm! ($300 value x 2 available) - Runner-ups for most money raised. Congratulations to the winners: Katherine B. and Neha N.
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A Bolton’s Naturals Gift Basket ($125 x 2 available). The basket includes balm, gel, lotion and a bottle of Heavenly Sleep Melatonin - The most elevation climbed. Congratulations to the winners:
- Tom L. with 162,317 steps/40,579.25ft elevation gained
- Karen H. with 141,476 steps/35,369ft elevation gained
- A $50CAD Amazon gift card for participation in the campaign (name randomly drawn from a list of fundraisers, team captains and virtual climbers). Congratulations to the winner: Rashmi K.
Be Inspired - Thrive on Kilimanjaro Documentary
In September 2021, a team of eight, including 68-year-old founder Dale Bolton, set out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. They did this to raise awareness for Thrive’s work, conquer obstacles and showcase that significant change starts with a single step.
Filmmaker Nate Slaco documented the story along the seven-day Machame route to create an impactful documentary.
If you ever wanted to see what it’s like to climb this iconic mountain, you won’t want to miss this incredible film!
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors
Platinum - $10,000
Our lead partnership level with the highest recognition has been sponsored by Natural Calm Canada.
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Gold - $5,000
Our second partnership level has been graciously sponsored by Brightmark and Inbox.
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Silver - $2,500
Nelson/Kraft and Associates have graciously sponsored one of the silver sponsorships.
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Email us at kilimanjaro@thriveforgood.org if you want to advertise, support and promote this unique and exciting peer-to-peer fundraiser.
Meet This Year's Climbers
Every year, people who go up Kilimanjaro don’t make it down.
The climb isn’t the hard part.
It’s how your body reacts to the elevation — and there’s no way to know for sure until the O2 gets thin.
Meet the inspiring individuals who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in person and took the risk to make a difference by helping those in need.
 | Katherine BoggsClimbing Kilimanjaro has been on my bucket list as I spent 10 years as a kid growing up in Kenya. When I was invited to join Thrive, I jumped at the chance! I currently live in Oakville, Ontario in Canada with my husband and 3 kids. I am a nutritionist, home cook and I volunteer for Thrive, helping with online education, writing cookbooks and engaging with donors.
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Jacob LotodoJacob Lotodo was first introduced to Thrive in 2012 when he started his journey as an intern, learning about growing health. In the past few years, Jacob has accepted the title of being a husband, a new father and the Partnership Coordinator for Thrive’s local partnerships. Jacob has started many community garden projects, most recently with a group of people that are deaf and another with a large Anglican church. Last year, Jacob's wife, Joyce Lotodo, joined the climbing team and successfully submitted Kilimanjaro. This year it's Jacob's turn to prove that even the “impossible” is possible. Even the biggest mountains in our lives and the most enduring problems on our planet can be solved. |  |
James WollerMy first encounter with Thrive was in 2017, when I received a call from one of my life's most respected business leaders. He had just returned from a trip to Kitale, Kenya, where he was introduced to Thrive, its leaders and its methodology. He pleaded with me that it was the most effective and scalable way to put a 'dent into ending global food insecurity.' Within 2 years, I was also convinced and began to leave the daily operations of my Vancouver-based businesses to come to lead the next season at Thrive. I haven't looked back since. The excitement at Thrive with our rapid growth, expansion and impact is invigorating. I now live in Vernon, BC, on a hobby farm with my incredible South African wife and 3 young children. |
Neha Narang
I was a news reporter with
Global Television in Toronto for 14 years before leaving the
daily grind of the industry. I made the decision to change the
direction of my life because I was looking for greater
personal fulfillment. |  |
New to Thrive for Good?
Want to understand why we're so inspired to end hunger (and hidden hunger) and what we mean when we talk about Life Gardens? Visit thriveforgood.org to learn about our sustainable approach to growing nutrition around the world.
