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 travelling to Tanzania to climb the mountain and make 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.

To get involved directly (and push your fitness in the process) you can join the challenge and virtually climb Mount Kilimanjaro from September 11-17 to raise money.

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 prior to the rainy season-ending. 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 60 Life Garden projects that contain a variety of crops. These gardens are providing 1,334 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.

Why Climb With Us?

Make a Difference and Get The Chance to Win! 

Gather your friends and family to join you in raising money and awareness for this incredible opportunity to save lives during this time of crisis.

With the support of incredible sponsors, you could win some incredible prizes by helping us reach our targets!

Want to know what you could win?! Here are some of the prizes we have available:  

• An all-expense trip to Kenya! ($3,500 value x 1 available) - The most money raised. 
• A one-week stay at a Penthouse at Walnut Beach Resort in Osoyoos BC! ($3,500 value x 1 available) - The most elevation climbed.
• A one-year supply of Natural Calm! ($300 value x 6 available) - Runner ups for most money raised. 
• Vita Garden Gift Certificate ($250 value x 2 available) - Runner ups for most elevation climbed. 

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!

Our Generous Sponsors 

Platinum - $10,000

Our lead partnership level with the highest recognition has been sponsored by Natural Calm Canada.

Gold - $5,000 (1 left)

Our second partnership level has been graciously sponsored by Brightmark and Inbox. There is one gold spot left.

Silver - $2,500 (4 available)

Our third partnership level is yet to be sponsored.

Bronze - $1,000 

Our fourth partnership level is yet to be sponsored.

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 that will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in person and taking the risk to make a difference by helping those in need.

Penny Oleksiak Penny Oleksiak, Canada’s most decorated Olympian, was born on June 13th, 2000, in Toronto. In her short career, she has become known for her exciting come-from-behind victories and clutch performances. Penny gained international recognition after winning four medals – one gold, one silver, and two bronze – at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, which was her first Senior National Team Event. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, Penny won three medals (one silver and two bronze), officially making her the most decorated Canadian Olympian of all time. Penny currently resides in Toronto and is interested in fashion, interior design, animal welfare and food security.

Katherine Boggs Climbing 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. I was able to take my family back to Kenya a couple of years ago and we were lucky enough to visit the training centre in Kitale to see the projects and communities that Thrive engages with.

Jacob Lotodo  Jacob 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.

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.  I’m at a transitional phase of my life as my youngest daughter heads to high school giving me more time to dedicate to my own personal pursuits. I’ve always enjoyed hiking. My last trip was with the family to Patagonia just before the pandemic. To me trekking Mount Kilimanjaro will be like walking from the equator to the North Pole in less than a week! How crazy is that?! I think this journey is about inspiring transformation in myself. My curiosity as a journalist has always been my steady companion so I am optimistic this climb to Killi’s peak will be a place for vision, inspiration and conquering my fears. I have 2 daughters aged 21 and 14. My husband is a dental surgeon in private practice for the last 37 years in Mississauga where we live. My hobbies include hiking, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, photography and gardening.

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

Do you have questions? Please email us at kilimanjaro@thriveforgood.org