Mt Kilimanjaro Trek for Education

Dear Family and friends,

As you may or not know yet, I turned the big 65 this year! Very grateful we are all alive!

And

I’m climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest Summit on the African continent. It is also the highest free standing dormant volcano in the world.

With 5895 meters/ 19,342 ft above sea level. This will be one of the most challenging adventures I will endeavour.

I am ready physically, mentally and I’d love to say I want to do more on a spiritual side.

Last minute, I thought about making this adventure not just about reaching new heights for myself but also making it more meaningful by raising funds for a worthy cause.

I hope your heart will be open to this.

Here’s my idea: Friends & family can pledge a certain amount for every foot I climb, and all the proceeds will go directly towards our chosen beneficiary.

Growing up as an impoverished child from the Philippines, through this climb, I’m hoping to support underprivileged children by giving them access to education. Just like what happened to me. It changed my life.

Had it not been for the help and kindness of an outsider I would not be where I am today. My parents sometimes worried where our next meal would be coming from, let alone funds for my highschool education.

I am currently in touch with my cousins. They are sisters and both are teachers in the Philippines.

Grace (teacher on maternity leave) had a meeting with under privileged students from our Barrio. One in particular had to stop his studies because his parents could not afford to send him to school.

Public Secondary school is free in the Philippines but the family is still short on daily transportation & food allowance. The parents have no full time work.

Another one, lost both her parents and is living with the grandma. Grandma sells fruits and vegies in the market and can barely make a living.

These are just a couple of examples who could really use our help.

Hanna the other cousin teaches in a public high school. She is able to send me more information about other students that we can select from to be beneficiaries of the funds we are able to raise.

You donation and support will surely make an impact in the lives of these children.

I’m leaving this Friday, September 27, 2024. With the time change and the layovers, it’s a long journey of 3 days to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

The 8 days climb starts October 2, to 9th, 2024. There’s No wifi up there.

The trek itself is challenging and Ive been training for it. I’ll do my absolute best to climb as high as possible, will enjoy the journey, with a higher purpose in mind.

The highest altitude I’ve hiked in the past was the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, Peru at 13,828 feet / 4215 meters above sea level.

Mount Kilimanjaro is much higher at 19,341 feet/5895 meters above sea level.

I pray you will climb with me in spirit and loving thoughts.

Let’s make this climb a journey of hope and opportunity to help, support and change lives together!

I believe that we are capable of helping others make their dreams come true.

If this is something you, your friends and family would like to participate please free to pass this on.

I promise you every donation will go directly to help the under privileged children in my home barrio in the Philippines.

I sincerely thank you very much.

Cheers to happy, grateful and purposeful living.

Love & Big Hugs,

Juliet /Jhet Torcelino van Ruyven

Author, The Tale of Juliet

You Have The Power To Change Your Life

This is the first outreach to family and friends of this kind.

I welcome your questions. ideas and suggestions.

if you prefer, you may also pick a student to sponsor.

I was told a very minimum transportations and snack allowance is $40/month.

$40.00 for a month

$500 for a school year

Approximately, $500 will support 1 student for transportation, snack allowance and funds for some school supplies for one school year.

Trust I will be transparent about this. If you like you will see the photo of students and family you are able to help.

I am also requesting more information as we start raising the funds.

“Feeling like part of something greater than oneself, and seeing the power we have to touch lives can make us feel less alone in the universe and give us a higher meaning”.