John Cairns, a 50-year-old Canadian who lost his right arm and leg in a workplace accident in 1992, is an extraordinary example of perseverance and determination. Accompanied by Lucas Wiseman, Cairns embarked on a seven-day Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Expedition through the challenging Rongai Route. Their mission? To raise awareness about the abilities of people with physical disabilities and to generate support for the Wheelchair of Hope Foundation, which Cairns founded to provide mobility solutions to those in need.
Reaching New Heights Against All Odds
On the morning of August 7, 2016, Cairns achieved an incredible milestone: he reached Gilman’s Point at 5,681 meters above sea level after a grueling 2.5-hour climb from Hans Meyer Cave. Despite his physical challenges, he pushed forward with the support of ZARA Tanzania Adventures’ professional mountain guides. His friend and fellow climber, Lucas Wiseman, continued onward to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro at 5,895 meters, completing the journey together in spirit.
“Reaching Gilman’s Point was a dream come true,” Cairns recalled with tears of joy. “The climb was physically and emotionally challenging, but I was determined to prove that anything is possible.”
Climbing for a Cause
Cairns’ climb wasn’t just a personal achievement—it was a platform to promote the dignity and independence of individuals with disabilities. Through the Wheelchair of Hope Foundation, Cairns aims to provide mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters to those who otherwise lack access. “Mobility is at the center of everything we do. It brings freedom, independence, and a better quality of life,” Cairns explained.
The expedition also included acts of kindness along the way. In Rombo District, Kilimanjaro Region, Cairns distributed toothbrushes and toothpaste to marginalized children, courtesy of donations from Family Dental Centre in Canada.
The Journey to Inspire Others
For Cairns, the climb symbolized hope and determination. “I want the world to know that people with disabilities can achieve incredible things when given support and opportunity,” he said. Cairns also expressed immense gratitude to the ZARA Tanzania Adventures team for their guidance, patience, and kindness throughout the journey.
Lucas Wiseman, a photojournalist from Canada and Cairns’ climbing partner, also had a long-standing dream of summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro. “Climbing Kilimanjaro is not just about reaching the top; it’s about helping others through charity,” Wiseman shared. He now plans to climb other peaks in the Seven Summits challenge to raise awareness for global causes.
Transforming Lives Through Mobility
Since its founding, the Wheelchair of Hope Foundation has delivered mobility devices to children, teens, and adults in Canada and Tanzania. “Our mission is to bring hope and opportunity through freedom of movement,” said Cairns. With the support of local and international sponsors, the foundation continues to empower lives and communities.
Cairns plans to return to Mt. Kilimanjaro for another climb, aiming to reach Uhuru Peak and further champion the cause for mobility and inclusion.
Join the Movement
John Cairns’ story is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit. To support his mission or learn more about the Wheelchair of Hope Foundation, visit Climb for Mobility or follow the foundation on Facebook. Together, we can prove that disability is not inability—it’s a gateway to inspiring others to dream big and achieve more.
In a remarkable milestone for education and community development, the Zara Charity , led by founder Zainab Ansel, proudly announce the official opening of the Ngorongoro Pre-School in Enduleni Village. Nestled within the breathtaking Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this initiative underscores the power of sustainable tourism in transforming lives.
This project aims to address the significant educational challenges faced by the Maasai community and create opportunities for its youngest members to thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
The Educational Challenges in the Maasai Community
The Maasai, a pastoralist community renowned for their vibrant culture and traditions, face systemic barriers to education. Despite Tanzania’s national efforts, the Maasai community continues to experience some of the lowest school enrollment rates in East Africa.
Key Challenges:
Accessibility: Most Maasai children walk barefoot for up to 20 kilometers to reach primary schools, often through wildlife-inhabited areas, exposing them to dangerous animal encounters.
Poverty: With families living on less than $0.80 a day and an average household comprising eight children, education is often unaffordable.
Gender Disparity: Maasai girls are disproportionately affected, as cultural expectations often confine them to domestic responsibilities.
Malnutrition: Nearly 60% of Maasai children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition, leading to stunted growth and diminished learning capacity.
The shortage of educators compounds the crisis. With an average of 72 students per teacher, classrooms are overcrowded, and resources are stretched thin.
Zara Charity’s Vision for Educational Transformation
Recognizing the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, Zara Charity has taken bold steps to address these challenges. Through its sustainable tourism initiatives, the organization has constructed a modern pre-school in Enduleni Village to provide Maasai children with a foundation for lifelong learning.
Key Features of the Ngorongoro Pre-School Project:
Safe Learning Spaces: The school offers a secure and stimulating environment for children to explore their potential.
Quality Education: With trained teachers, the school ensures that the 43 currently enrolled children receive personalized attention and meaningful instruction.
Holistic Support: Students benefit from resources such as school materials, uniforms, and access to healthcare services.
This project is part of a broader mission to empower marginalized communities by fostering access to education, nurturing talent, and promoting gender equality.
The Impact of the Student Sponsorship Program
At the heart of Zara Charity’s educational mission is the Student Sponsorship Program, a transformative initiative designed to connect donors with children in need.
What Sponsorship Covers:
Enrollment Fees: Making education accessible to families who cannot afford it.
School Materials: Providing essential tools for learning, such as books, stationery, and uniforms.
Healthcare Services: Ensuring children’s health and well-being to support consistent school attendance.
Personalized Monitoring: Regular updates on each student’s academic progress and living conditions.
Why Sponsorship Matters:
Sponsorship does more than fund education—it builds a personal connection between the donor and the child. Sponsors receive letters, report cards, and the opportunity to meet the child and their family in Tanzania.
Making a Difference: Be Part of the Change
For as little as $850 per year (just $2.30 a day), you can sponsor a child’s education and help them build a brighter future. Flexible options, such as co-sponsorship and monthly payments, make it easy to contribute.
Your Contribution Can:
Empower children with education, breaking the cycle of poverty.
Improve the lives of families and communities in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Contribute to the preservation of Maasai culture while ensuring progress through education.
A Rewarding Journey: Combine Philanthropy with Adventure
Visiting Tanzania to meet your sponsored student? Zara Charity makes it even more memorable. Pair your trip with an incredible safari adventure or a trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro, experiencing Tanzania’s natural wonders while supporting a life-changing cause.
Explore Packages:
Ngorongoro Crater Safaris: Witness the awe-inspiring landscapes and wildlife of the conservation area.
Kilimanjaro Treks: Challenge yourself with a climb to Africa’s highest peak.
Join the Movement Today
Every child deserves the chance to dream, learn, and succeed. By supporting Zara Charity, you become part of a global effort to make education accessible for all.
TANZANIA, AFRICA–Zara Tours, one of the top tour operators in Tanzania and East Africa, is furthering its environmentally conscious mission statement with help from travelers from all around the world. Visitors can participate in the biannual Clean Up Mount Kilimanjaro trek and tour the breathtaking Serengeti National Park, all while contributing to a cleaner, healthier planet.
This May and November, adventurers from every continent will come to Tanzania to help Clean Up Mount Kilimanjaro while climbing one of the tallest mountains in the world. Trekkers will get to enjoy the majesty of the mountain for a discount off the usual guided trek price, in exchange for their help collecting trash from the trails and helping keep the mountain clear for future climbers.
For those who want to help–but don’t want to hike–Zara Tours extends an invitation to tour the incredible Serengeti National Park. The 12,000 square miles of the Serengeti is home to the largest animal migrations and is a protected ecosystem for countless species. Through the Kili Cleaning Package offered via Zara Tours, you can volunteer and help to make Kilimanjaro a cleaner, more beautiful place! Those who join us for this option can get a 15 percent discount from the regular rate, plus 20 percent of your money paid will go to the ZARA Charity, supporting charitable projects in Tanzania!
Awarded sustainable business awards and recognition for efforts in promoting environmentally conscious tourism, Zara Tours is excited to invite passionate adventurers to make a difference on their next trip to Tanzania. For more information about Zara Tours, contact: zara@zaratours.com
Mount Kilimanjaro, a towering icon of natural beauty and adventure, stands not only as a destination for explorers but also as a livelihood for thousands of porters, guides, and community members. The Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society (MKPS), supported by ZARA TOURS, is dedicated to improving the lives of these unsung heroes while preserving the environment and fostering sustainable tourism.
This blog explores the mission and vision of MKPS, the vital programs it has launched, and how you can contribute to making a meaningful difference in the lives of porters and the pristine beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro.
MKPS Mission and Vision
The Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society aims to empower porters and the local community by providing education, healthcare, financial literacy, and environmental awareness. MKPS envisions a sustainable future where porters can rise above poverty, achieve financial independence, and ensure a thriving ecosystem around Mount Kilimanjaro.
The organization actively works toward creating fair working conditions, improving livelihoods, and supporting community-driven environmental conservation efforts.
The Kilimanjaro Cleaning Project: Preserving the Mountain
Mount Kilimanjaro’s allure attracts thousands of climbers annually, but this also brings environmental challenges. Litter and waste left behind by hikers pose a serious threat to the mountain’s ecosystem. To combat this, MKPS collaborates with ZARA TOURS to organize bi-annual Kilimanjaro Cleaning Projects.
Volunteer-Based Cleanup Climbs: These six-day treks along the Machame Route combine adventure with purpose. Participants spend hours each day collecting waste while experiencing the thrill of climbing Africa’s highest peak.
Government Initiatives: The Tanzanian government’s “pack-in, pack-out” rule mandates that all climbers leave no waste behind, but MKPS and ZARA TOURS have taken this further by advocating for stricter waste management protocols.
Impact and Incentives: Volunteers enjoy a 15% discount on their trek and the satisfaction of knowing that 20% of proceeds go to Zara Charity, which supports orphan welfare, women’s rights, and porter services.
By joining this program, participants directly contribute to preserving Mount Kilimanjaro for future generations.
Environmental Conservation Projects
Mount Kilimanjaro is not just a climbing destination; it’s an ecological treasure. MKPS collaborates with local communities to combat deforestation and promote sustainability.
Reforesting Around Moshi
The area surrounding Moshi faces deforestation, with a scarcity of over 2,000 trees. MKPS has already planted 800 trees and plans to plant an additional 1,200.
Community Involvement
To ensure long-term success, MKPS trains local residents on the importance of environmental conservation. This initiative creates jobs during the low season, allowing porters to contribute actively to environmental sustainability while earning a living. These efforts are critical to maintaining the natural beauty and ecological balance of the region.
Education and Training for Porters
Porters, the backbone of Mount Kilimanjaro’s trekking industry, often come from low-income backgrounds with limited education. MKPS seeks to empower these hardworking individuals through a range of educational initiatives:
Health Education: Porters receive training on critical health topics, including malaria prevention, HIV/AIDS awareness, and mountain sickness.
Financial Literacy: Courses in money management help porters save, invest, and secure better futures for their families.
Language Skills: English classes enable porters to communicate effectively with climbers, improving their service quality and earning potential.
Environmental Awareness: Training in sustainable tourism practices ensures porters actively contribute to preserving the mountain.
These programs have yielded significant results. Today, many porters have opened bank accounts, started businesses, and even built homes for their families.
Healthcare and First Aid Support
Health risks are a constant concern for porters who face extreme weather, high altitudes, and physically demanding work. MKPS addresses these challenges by providing access to:
First Aid Training: Equipping porters with the skills to handle emergencies during treks.
Affordable Healthcare: Ensuring that porters can access medical treatment when needed.
Year-Round Employment: Offering steady income opportunities, even during the off-season, to ensure financial stability.
This holistic approach improves not only the working conditions of porters but also their overall quality of life.
Microfinance Empowerment
Financial independence is a cornerstone of MKPS’s mission. Through its microfinance initiatives, MKPS provides porters with the tools to break the cycle of poverty.
Vocational Training: Courses in accounting, business management, and entrepreneurship empower porters to manage their finances and start small businesses.
Community Impact: These skills enable porters to support their families, contribute to their communities, and create a ripple effect of positive change. The long-term goal is to help porters achieve independence, improve their living standards, and play active roles in their communities.
How You Can Support MKPS
The success of MKPS’s mission relies on collective action. Here’s how you can contribute:
Volunteer for the Kilimanjaro Cleaning Project: Join a cleanup climb and make a tangible difference while enjoying the adventure of a lifetime.
Donate to Zara Charity: Support educational programs, healthcare initiatives, and environmental conservation efforts.
Spread Awareness: Share MKPS’s mission with your network to inspire others to contribute.
Support Reforestation:Donate to tree-planting projects to help combat deforestation and preserve the region’s natural beauty.
Your support can help MKPS empower porters, preserve the environment, and create sustainable opportunities for future generations.
Established in 1987, ZARA TOURS is Tanzania’s leading tour operator and the No. 1 Kilimanjaro outfitter. With decades of experience, ZARA TOURS offers unparalleled trekking and safari adventures.
Expert Team: With 88 multilingual guides and fully equipped vehicles, ZARA ensures a safe and memorable experience for every traveler.
Community Commitment: Through Zara Charity, the company supports vulnerable groups, including orphans and Maasai women, while promoting sustainable tourism.
ZARA TOURS is more than just a travel company—it’s a catalyst for positive change in the community.
Join the Movement
The Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society is more than an organization; it’s a lifeline for the hardworking porters and a guardian of Tanzania’s natural beauty. By supporting MKPS, you contribute to creating a better future for porters, preserving the environment, and fostering sustainable tourism in Tanzania.
Take the first step today and be a part of this transformative mission. Whether by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word, your efforts will leave an indelible mark on Mount Kilimanjaro and the lives it touches.
Climbing to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro can be a rewarding experience. Along with the thrills of climbing itself, mountain summits often offer sweeping views and uniquely solitary environments. However, it’s important to understand the health and physical challenges you may face when seeking adventure at high altitudes. This journey is especially demanding for porters. As the country’s leading Kilimanjaro Outfitter, Zara Tours health puts it’s porters health and well-being at the forefront of each mountain trekking adventure to ensure a successful summit for its clients. Last Month the company provided Mount Kilimanjaro porters Society – MKPS with high quality climbing gear in order to ensure the porters health and well-being on Mount Kilimanjaro.
TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE OUR OCEAN CLEAN
We are thrilled to announce the return of our Coastal Cleanup initiative, taking place along the beautiful Indian Ocean coastline in Tanga this November, under the Zara Foundation banner. This initiative is a powerful step in combating one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: ocean trash.
Ocean trash poses a severe threat to the health of marine life, ecosystems, and humans. It disrupts local economies reliant on tourism and fishing and significantly contributes to climate change by worsening warming oceans and rising sea levels. Plastic pollution, abandoned fishing gear, and other debris often find their way into our oceans, causing irreparable damage. Addressing this crisis requires collective action—and this is where you come in!
This November, join us for the second edition of our Coastal Cleanup activities, an inspiring volunteer effort dedicated to creating a cleaner, healthier ocean for all. This event will bring together individuals, families, and communities, working side by side to remove thousands of pounds of trash and debris from beaches, rivers, and coastlines. Volunteers will also participate in documenting every piece of waste collected, contributing to a global database that helps researchers and policymakers better understand the scale of the problem and implement sustainable solutions.
At Zara Charity, our mission is to fight climate change by preserving both land and marine ecosystems. We believe that small, impactful actions like beach cleanups can lead to long-term positive change. Beyond cleaning up, this initiative serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect our planet and inspire others to take action in their own communities.
Save the Date!
The countdown to November is on. Mark your calendars, spread the word, and come ready to make a difference. Together, we can ensure that the Indian Ocean coastline in Tanga remains not only a picturesque destination but also a thriving ecosystem for generations to come.
Join us in creating a cleaner, safer, and healthier ocean—because every piece of trash removed brings us one step closer to a sustainable future. Stay tuned for more updates and ways to get involved. Let’s make this November unforgettable!
