The Stone Family Fund

Dear all,

My good friend and hiking buddy Sam Stone from Nanyuki, Kenya, has fallen on hard times. Sam and his family live in a small village in the shadow of the beautiful Mt.Kenya, the second-highest mountain on the African continent. Here he works as a farmer to provide for his wife and three children.

While growing crops on a small farm, Sam has to guide tourists on the mountain to make ends meet. Every week he embarks on a 4-5 day hike, stretching almost 85km and reaching a height of 17,057 feet, carrying supplies as well as carrying the tourist´s luggage. Mt.Kenya is a remote and demanding hike, with few visitors compared to its sister Mt.Kilimanjaro. In turn, this means less income for Sam and his family. It is a demanding hike, and Sam relies on poor equipment with limited finances. Whether it is snowy or 100 degrees with a blazing sun, Sam hikes the mountain in gear that should have been left in the 50s.

As Sam has to be on the mountain to provide additional income, his wife and children are left to look out for the farm. The farm work is physically demanding, and the kids have little time to enjoy being kids. They are enrolled at a local school, where examinations are coming up shortly. However, the family´s financial situation limits their ability to attend high school and college.

Sam wishes to focus on his farming so that his children can put their effort into school work. He is hands down one of my greatest inspirations. He is not only a resilient and strong but also a kindhearted and loving father. While sharing great experiences on the mountain, he shared his endless wisdom and life lessons with me. Now, I want to give back to him and his family, which is why I am asking you for help.

All help is humbly appreciated.

Happy holidays!

Christian