Summit 4 Hope 2011
Update
A group of big-hearted, high-energy Heart for Africa volunteers came up with a creative and exciting new way to raise funds for Project Canaan in Swaziland. It started with the idea of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa, and grew to include climbing Swaziland, Taiwan, Canada, and four states in the United States.
The inaugural Summit 4 HOPE event was a tremendous success! Not only did each of the eight teams reach their summit safely, but they also raised a tremendous amount of money, and were able to pray corporately and globally for the orphans and vulnerable children of Africa. It is wonderful to see individuals from around the world come together to support the people of Swaziland.
Collectively the teams raised $84,000.00! This will go a long way to support the building of phase 2 of the El Roi Baby Home, Kufundza Learning Center and the ISO Building, all located on Project Canaan. El Roi will be a home for babies who have been abandoned or “dumped” by desperate young mothers who cannot care for them. The Kufundza Learning Center will provide much needed training in carpentry and other skills to help increase knowledge and employment in the area. The ISO Building will allow us to properly package and export vegetables and maximize profit from the farm so that we can feed more children.
Thank you Robert Smucker for having the original idea and for leading Team Kilimajaro. Thank you team leaders James Liao, Anthony Mutua, Rick and Leigh Ann Bishop, Leanne Wilkinson, Laurie Wagner, Zack Swire, Wolfgang Buehler, and Howard Hodel, for doing such an amazing job recruiting, fundraising and inspiring so many to be involved. Thank you to our climbers, donors and prayer partners for your support in this tremendous endeavor. Your desire, passion and support are infectious, and have certainly brought HOPE to a nation in desperate need of it. Most importantly we give thanks to our Lord and Savior for safety, protection, provision, love and for choosing us to be a part of this great work.
If you would like to participate in Summit 4 Hope 2012 in your state or country, please email strib@heartforafrica.org and help us expand this initiative for 2012.
Team Taiwan
Team Swaziland
"We had an amazing day hiking up to the highest point on Canaan. It was a beautiful day and a spectacular hike. God was with us!" Ann Williams, Heart for Africa Board Member.
Team Georgia
"I loved being in the company of like minded people with big hearts for Africa. It was especially sweet knowing that others around the world were with us in spirit as they lifted their prayers to the Lord and lifted their feet to climb mountains." Holly
Team California
Team Kilimanjaro
Team Colorado
"Yesterday was a truly amazing day. Team CO is so happy and blessed to have been part of this global fundraising effort. Congratulations to ALL Summit for HOPE Teams for bringing such great glory to God! Way to go!!!" Laurie Wagner, team leader.
"The team Colorado climb couldn't have gone any smoother, been any prettier, or radiated God's love any better. This day went off without a hitch. Everyone was smiling and delighted to be there. The best part was that we raised more money than we expected and most of it on the day of! It was such an honor to be a part of the Summit For Hope climb, and to feel like I was actually helping those precious children in Africa. Even though I couldn't see their faces, I knew they were smiling because of all that Team Colorado did to show their Heart For Africa. Can't wait for next year!"
Team Canada
"What an incredible day! Not a dull moment. The excitement started when I pulled into the trailhead parking lot and was greeted by two black bears having their dandelion breakfast, and it ended with a great sense of accomplishment by all participants, big smiles, and no one injuries aside from some sore muscles and knees!
-Leanne Wilkinson, team leader.
"At the top of the mountain I thought, 'it's amazing that giving up this one day to do something fun means that many children who would otherwise die without a soul knowing them will now have the opportunity to have a future filled with love, care and compassion'"
-Brittney Livingstone, participant
Team Hawaii
"The hike, the environment, the companionship and chance to make new friends…..all that God created." Ty Aldinger.