our story
Rudisha means “give back” in Swahili
With scholarships, need-based grants and gear drives, our vision is to empower guides and porters in East Africa while supporting their local economy. With greater access to advanced education, these guides and porters will be able to support their needs and those of their families, creating a ripple effect throughout the region.
Climbing higher
THE BIRTH OF PROJECT RUDISHA
In January 2024, our group, the Nguvu 11 ("The Strong 11"), summited Mount Kilimanjaro. While reaching the top was unforgettable, what impacted us most were the guides and porters who made it possible—carrying food, water, tents, and supplies every step of the way.
As we got to know them, we learned many dreamed of attending safari guide school, but the cost of tuition made it years out of reach. Realizing our ability to assist could change the trajectory of their lives, we launched Project Rudisha. In 2024, thanks to the generosity of friends and family, we funded scholarships for five guides, helping them enroll in school or support their families.
In July 2025, we returned to Tanzania and spoke to new porters and guides that we will support this year with educational grants. And we are excited to announce that we received our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, so donors can deduct the contributions they make.
Behind the journey
Porters typically carry approximately 25kg or nearly 60lbs of weight on each daily trek. 15kg is the weight limit for bags carried for clients
Most of the gear used by guides, porters and cooks on the mountain has either been donated, left behind, or purchased used
The average number of years a porter can work on the mountain due to the physical nature of the work is 8 to 10 years
Although the Tanzanian government has established a minimum wage, actual salaries can vary significantly—some workers earn as little as 10,000 TSH (approximately $3.73 USD) per day
Many porters receive only one or two meals a day during a climb
Data from primary sources: Mt Kilimanjaro Porters and Guides; Data from secondary sources: www.kiliporters.org
2025 Accomplishments
2025 was filled with new accomplishments for Project Rudisha.
We received our official 501(c)(3) status and filed our first official tax documents. It felt great and made everything we have accomplished feel all the more real.
We supported a whole new group of porters in 2025. We were able to send a guide to the Wildlife First Responder (WFR) training. Two porters attended Mountain Guide training at Mweka College in Tanzania and received their mountain guide certification. We supported the enrollment in safari guide school for another and provided English lessons to another porter who will attend mountain guide training in the fall.
The year ahead
Here is an update of the things to come for the rest of 2026:
In July 2026, we will make a trip to Tanzania to meet with the guides and porters that we will support with educational grants during the rainy season. These grants will enable each to attend mountain guide training or other classes to further their skills on the mountain.
Project Rudisha launch event - It has been a long time coming, but we are planning to have a small launch event in the summer of 2026 in West Linn, Oregon. We hope to celebrate a new climbing Mount Kilimanjaro presentation that will include a live QandA with guides from Tanzania.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Project Rudisha in 2024 and 2025 - we are so grateful.