SOS Africa child sponsor Tyrin De Gidts reflects on an unforgettable adventure after he and his partner Kelly climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for charities empowering children through education in Africa…
Why I Decided to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world and the tallest in Africa at 5,895 metres, has always held a quiet place in my heart. As someone who loves hiking and being outdoors, and who calls Africa home, it felt like something I needed to do. Not to conquer the mountain, but to connect with it. I don’t believe nature is something to be overcome.
This climb was a chance to deepen that connection with nature while pushing myself physically and mentally. My mantra became: my body is stronger than my mind. It got me through the darker moments.
We got the idea to raise funds for charity from our work, so my partner and I decided to use our hike as a platform to do that. We were blown away by the generosity of everyone who donated, thank you for helping us make a difference.
I chose to support SOS Africa, a cause close to my heart. I’ve followed their work for over six years and firmly believe that education is one of the most powerful tools we have to address poverty—something I’ve witnessed daily growing up in South Africa. If Nelson Mandela believed in it, that’s good enough for me.
Since the hike was in Tanzania, we wanted to give back to the community that allowed us to do the climb. My partner chose to support Tumaini Children’s Foundation, which provides care and education for orphaned and vulnerable children in Arusha, Tanzania.
A Journey in Gratitude: Lessons from the Mountain
Spending a week immersed in nature recalibrates your mind. Life on the mountain is stripped back to the essentials: eat, walk, sleep. No emails, no cars, no Netflix, just fresh air, frozen mornings, and the rhythm of putting one foot in front of the other.
On the first day, I felt a strange boredom settle in. My mind wasn’t being stimulated the way it’s used to back home, where distractions are constant and silence is rare. It felt uncomfortable at first, a reminder of how modern life makes us restless in stillness. But after a few days, I found my rhythm. I felt more connected to the land, more present in each moment. Waking up in a tent, sipping a hot cup of soup, lying down after a long hike, these simple things became sacred. There was joy in the basics.
I also became deeply grateful for what I usually take for granted: a warm bed, a hot shower, a roof over my head. It’s frustrating that we often need to lose things, even briefly, to truly appreciate them.
The unsung heroes of this climb were the porters and mountain guides. Our group of nine hikers was supported by over forty staff members. Every day, they packed down our campsite, carried our duffel bags, cooking gear, and food, then overtook us on the trail to set up the next camp before we arrived. It was astonishing to watch. They moved up that mountain with speed, strength, and grace, whilst carrying heavy packs on their backs.
As someone who works at sea, I understand the demands of physical work, but what these men and women do is on another level. I was humbled. They made the entire journey possible. And what struck me even more was their spirit: no matter how heavy their load or how long their day, they greeted us with laughter and warm smiles.
Summit night began at 11 p.m. It took nine hours of hiking through the freezing dark to reach the top. Altitude sickness had set in, and it became the toughest mental challenge I’ve ever faced. Throughout the night, our guides sang songs to keep our spirits high. Their energy, resilience, and care got me to the top. I’ll never forget that, and I’ll always be grateful.
As I returned home, it took me a while to make sense of what the climb really meant. Kilimanjaro stripped things back, no noise, no clutter, no distractions. Just breath, step, repeat. It reminded me how little we truly need, and how strong we actually are when we lean into discomfort with purpose. It brought a deep sense of appreciation for the things that I have in my life.
Thanks to your generosity, we raised money for two incredible charities—SOS Africa and Tumaini Children’s Foundation—both working to improve access to education and care for children in Africa. Real, lasting change doesn’t come from a single act, but from the steady support of people who believe in something better. I’m honoured we could contribute, even in a small way.
Standing on the roof of Africa is something that I will never forget, not because it was a beautiful view (which it was), but because of the journey that got me there.
Thank you for being part of it.
