Hello Everyone! My name is Kyle and my family and I left our home in Sequim, WA USA to serve on mission in Mwanza, Tanzania for a multi-year commitment. Recently, some close friends invited me on a trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp (EBC) in Nepal. Through some generous circumstances and flyer miles, I was able to go for free, which truly made this a once in a lifetime opportunity.

It's not easy leaving my wife and three children in Africa for a few weeks, while I take off trekking in the Himalayas. However, this was something that I have wanted to do for many years and just couldn't pass up. I'm grateful for my wife's support as she will continue to serve at Huruma School and take care of our children while I'm away. This is challenging even when we are doing it together, so THANK YOU Anna!

My goal is to raise $8,848 for the kids at Huruma School where my wife, Anna volunteers. That is $1 for every meter of elevation for Mt Everest (29,031 feet). EBC is located at almost 18,000 feet and while its just Base Camp, its literally a ten-day trek through huge mountains and massive valleys to get there.

Huruma is a school for children with severe disabilities in a poverty stricken area in Mwanza, Tanzania. My wife mainly helps with medical needs, but sometimes she helps pay the bills, as the school is completely reliant on charity.

Your contribution will provide new and colorful paint and the planting of much needed shade trees on the South side of the school to protect against the hot African sun. I will coordinate the work myself when I return from Nepal.

Unfortunately, the walls on the inside of the school are dirty, drab, and need to be re-painted. The walls surrounding the school are concrete and have no color. The school grounds look more like a prison in many places than a school. These kids crave visual stimulus. Your contribution will help create it.

I will post updates and photos from our journey to EBC as well as provide updates on the Huruma project when I return. Huruma means Mercy in Kiswahili. Mercy is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. We could all use more of that these days. Thank you for your support and God Bless.