BEYOND EVEREST

BEYOND EVEREST

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Our Mission

We are a not-for-profit initiative inspiring a generation in Kenya to follow their dreams, explore the outdoors, and protect the local environment.

Led by Kenyan hiker and sustainability advocate Gitonga Wandai, our mission is to build a lasting legacy: one that follows in the footsteps of Wangari Maathai and inspires positive change in Kenya and around the world.

Our Goals

In 2022, Kenyan hiker and sustainability advocate Gitonga Wandai will attempt to make the world’s first net-zero carbon summit of Mount Everest. In doing so, his dream is to create a legacy that promotes environmentalism, sustainability and inspires children to ‘do what makes their heart dance’.

Over the next 5 years, the Beyond Everest Project will fund and organise multiple initiatives that work towards these aims – all of them in partnership with Kenyan or African-related enterprises doing incredible work. These initiatives include:

1) Funding the plantation of over 10,000 trees in areas impacted by deforestation in Kenya.

In partnership with the Miti Alliance and local communities, we will plant over 10,000 trees to increase tree coverage in Kenya. In addition to this, we will plant over 100 trees to offset the carbon impact of the Everest expedition & associated travel.

 

2) Funding a mentorship programme for deaf children in partnership with sign language school Lugha Ishara.

Lugha Ishara is a not-for-profit sign language school in Nairobi that supports around 25 deaf children and their parents with educational programmes and parental counselling. Our funds will support a mentorship programme that will allow the children to explore their talents and find the confidence to ‘do what makes their heart dance’.

 

3) Building a young hikers/climbing community with the Mountain Club of Kenya.

We will work with the Mountain Club of Kenya to fund and organise a series of young climbers and hiking programmes in outdoor locations across Kenya and at indoor climbing centres such as Blue Sky Gym.

Gitonga’s Story

 

The first part of Gitonga’s inspirational story was captured in the award-winning documentary Gitonga (2020). 

The film was watched by 1.4 million Kenyans on national television, won Best Documentary at the Pan-African Kisima Film Awards (2020) and made official selection at Banff Film Festival (2020) and Kendal Mountain FilmFestival (2020).

Gitonga’s story has inspired millions worldwide with its message of hope and optimism – and we intend to capture his journey to Everest and the work of our initiatives in a new feature film to be broadcast in Kenya and around the world at the end of 2022. All profits from the film will be reinvested directly into our initiatives. 

 

 
“A life-enhancing documentary.
A story of warmth, generosity & human spirit”
Neil Norman, Independent (UK)

“A great film, full of optimism”
Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail (UK)
“Every second in the film oozes inspiration and pride
of a father to a son and a whole generation of courageous Kenyans.”
Kenya Film Commission

Support us.

We passionately believe that the Beyond Everest project is an opportunity to inspire change for good.
As is the case with all not-for-profit causes though, we are fully reliant on the kindness of others.

Please watch the video below and consider becoming an official supporter of the Beyond Everest Project. Asante sana!

Gitonga Wandai, Joe Bunyan, and the Beyond Everest 2022 Team. 

For every £20 ($30) raised, we will:
– Plant 1 fruit or indigenous tree that will support a school or community for a lifetime.
– Teach those communities how to plant & sustain that tree.
–  Enable children to explore & learn about the outdoors with an outdoor mentorship class. 
–  Give 20 schoolchildren their first hike into the wild…
Thank you.