Lulu Kili

Fundraiser

  • "Your own encouragement comes only from within...."

    – Linda B.

  • "Good luck Lulu! :)"

    – Rohan K.

  • "There are tears of happiness before the rainbow."

    – Brynn S.

  • "You have this one!"

    – Philip W.

  • "I believe in you and your mission Lulu! "

    – Amy B.

  • "You can do it Lulu! I believe in you."

    – George K.

  • "Keep on Climbing!"

    – Carolyn G.

  • "You can do it!!!"

    – Valentina M.

  • "Thank you for being such a bright light for us!"

    – Hekima Sisters

  • "Good Luck!"

    – Adam N.

  • "You go girl! If you can dream it you can do it! "

    – Ann Larson .

  • "I am so proud of you! Keep me informed about your adventure!"

    – Melia K.

  • "Good luck climbing Mount Kilimanjaro:)"

    – Joshua R.

  • "We are very proud of you. "

    – Jemma S.

  • "Good luck, Lulu!"

    – Milo K.

  • "What an inspiring endeavor!"

    – Nicole H.

  • "Go, Lulu! You can do it :D"

    – Joshua R.

  • "Hi Lulu, please keep up the stupendous work!"

    – Anthony B.

  • "Lulu, what you’re doing is amazing and so inspiring! You’re amazing!"

    – Lucy K.

  • "Have fun! See you next year!"

    – McKenna

  • "Go go Lulu!"

    – Alaina S.

  • "I love you Lulu! So proud of you..."

    – Andrea C.

  • "This is so inspiring and heartwarming! Great job!"

    – Jordan D.

  • "Užij si to, Liduško! Budeme na tebe myslet!"

    – Jan V.

  • "Lulu keep soaring."

    – Carrie Zaracotas K.

  • "是的你可以!"

    – Juan L.

  • "GOOD LUCK !! :)"

    – Anya M.

  • "Well done summit Kilimanjaro!!!!"

    – Exploradus - Jim W.

  • "Kol hakavod Lulu! I hope you have a safe journey!"

    – Talia P.

  • "Dearest Lu, what a brave and clever girl you are!"

    – Kate F.

  • "Go, go Lulu!"

    – Rai Sue S.

  • "Good Luck!"

    – The Orr Family

  • "Lulu - what an impressive endeavor! Best of luck!"

    – Jennifer P.

  • "We are SOOO very proud of you! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!"

    – Lisa R.

  • "You go girl! Love you & those Hekima girls!"

    – Michelle S.

  • "You go girl!"

    – Brian H.

  • "You are amazing! And inspiring! Keep it up, girl!"

    – Natasha & Brent W.

  • "You got this, Lulu!"

    – Sasha G.

  • "Sending positive thoughts and prayers. Good luck!"

    – Kathleen Z.

  • "Though you are but one, you have the strength of many, Lulu!"

    – Grace A.

  • "Hello Lulu!!!"

    – Michal S.

  • "Držíme palce, Liduško! Velká výzva a vznešený cíl!"

    – The Vraný Family

  • "You got this Lulu!"

    – Sam P.

  • "Sy says - good luck! Mom says - amazing work!"

    – Karina A.

  • "Your character and noble purpose will enable you."

    – Rabbi Yeshaia Charles F.

  • "Lulu - remember: reaching the summit is half-way!"

    – Geoff R.

  • "BIG hugs and BRAVO for this meaningful challenge."

    – Jaxon (and his parents) J.

  • "You--and your project--are amazing!"

    – Joanne D.

  • "Mazel Tov on your Bat Mitzvah and always reach!"

    – Ellen S.

  • "I believe in you! You have the strength & determination!"

    – Ivy K.

  • "Si sue pueda!"

    – Grady L.

  • "Cannot wait to take my first selfie ever of us at the summit!"

    – Dominika B.

  • "I would never have the courage to do that! Nice!"

    – Marcus H.

  • "You rock! I am so proud of you, and best wishes!"

    – Abby M.

  • "Adventure! Run the last few steps."

    – Dan H.

  • "Good cause! Good luck raising the money. It is possible!"

    – Madeline C.

  • "What an awesome act of love. Best of luck. "

    – Nancy F.

  • "Admire your courage!"

    – Alan B.

  • "May the force be with you!"

    – Sandie A.

  • "Lulu I am so proud of you! What an amazing person you have become!"

    – Laura T.

  • "You go Lulu! Love you tons!"

    – Laura T.

  • "Wonderful achievement! We are so proud of you!"

    – Edward N.

  • "Lulu, you can do it!"

    – Joe S.

  • "Good luck Lulu!"

    – The Levy Family

  • "Go Lulu!"

    – Shen H.

  • "All roads lead to Uhuru Peak."

    – Ronit T.

  • "Lidunenko moje, dávej na sebe pozor!"

    – Ludmila A.

  • "All of Newbury is rooting for you!"

    – Janette W.

  • "Your advisory will be rooting for you! "

    – Veronica G.

  • "Great Job!!!"

    – Mirabelle H.

  • "Thank you for your inspiration to ALL!"

    – Courtney E.

  • "Well done L, nice job."

    – Milo L.

  • "Good Luck!!! :-) so happy for you."

    – Mark L.

  • "Go Lulu all the way!"

    – Diane R.

  • "Climb hard so they study hard!!!"

    – Slavo M.

  • "Good Luck Lulu! "

    – Jessica L.

  • "You can do it!"

    – Charlie B.

  • "祝你好运家希！"

    – Reese G.

  • "I am so impressed! Kol hakavod! Yesher koach!"

    – Janet B.

  • "Breathe easy. Much love to you and your mom. "

    – Nancy F.

  • "Good Luck"

    – Reese G.

  • "Ain`t no mountain high enough for you."

    – Patti L.

  • "Go Lulu, go!"

    – Sandy S.

  • "Good luck Lulu! And I hope U make it."

    – Aaron H.

  • "One step at a time..."

    – Rosa H.

  • "This is an awesome initiative. Good luck!"

    – Adora C.

  • "Good luck climbing Kili!!!"

    – The Rezneck Family

  • "Lulu, Good luck on your trip! I support your cause!"

    – A Nueva S.

  • "I love Hekima Place, Kate and all their works!"

    – Linda M.

  • "Go Lulu Go!"

    – Jacob N.

  • "What you’re doing is so amazing!! Keep it up you WILL get there!!!"

    – Kristen C.

  • "Yay Lulu! You can do it! :)"

    – Santi C.

  • "Best of luck Lulu from Enjoy team! Very inspiring!"

    – Enjoy Education Team

  • "Good luck, Lulu!!!"

    – Steven Chanan .

  • "Good luck with this amazing challenge, Lulu."

    – Charlotte C.

  • "Good luck Lulu!"

    – Adam K.

  • "Go, Lulu, go!!"

    – The Levanon Family

  • "It's really cool what you are doing!"

    – Ivy K.

  • "Ahoj statečná Lulu! Super nápad!!!!"

    – Ann K.

  • "Good luck, dear Lulu!"

    – The Elias-Merriman Family

  • "In honor of your Bat Mitzvah, reach for the summit"

    – Ellen S.

  • "Courage and positive mind with get you to the top!"

    – Eleanor M.

  • "Great job Lulu. I wish you success."

    – Kaushik I.

  • "Up and forward!"

    – Maxmilian R.

  • "Good luck!!! :)"

    – Owen Y.

  • "Happiest of birthdays on the summit, Lulu!"

    – The Amato-Maa Family

  • "You can do it, Lulu :D"

    – Joshua R.

  • "You really are an inspiration! Mazel Tov!"

    – Hart W.

$23971 raised

I'm getting to the summit so girls can go to school.

Hi, my name is Lulu. I live in California with my mom. I need your help. I want to inspire my 'sisters', who live in an all-girls orphanage in Kenya, to think beyond their limits.

To do this, I decided to challenge myself in their own backyard. This December I am getting to the Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro – 19,341 feet high, 50% less oxygen than at home! I see myself at the summit and my Hekima 'sisters' all the way at university!

I want love, confidence and education for my Hekima 'sisters'. I bring them love and my climb will inspire their confidence. But I need your partnership to educate more of my Hekima 'sisters'.

My Hekima 'sisters' were orphaned by HIV/AIDS, forced into servitude or came from the street. Yet, they wake up with a smile and open arms for love. I bring them love. I have spent time with them since I was 4 years old – we get up to a lot. We play together, braid each other’s hair, read books and work on the farm. Last year I helped to deliver a cow, which was named Lulu after me. I also organized sports games complete with a celebratory bonfire and s'mores…

I want to build my Hekima 'sisters' confidence. I want to show them that when we, girls, put our minds to something, we can do anything, even if our society doesn't believe it. To do this, I decided to challenge myself in their own backyard. This December I am getting to the Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro – 19,341 feet high, 50% less oxygen than at home! 18 months ago, I hated hiking! Ask my mom… Now I am training, I see myself at the summit and my Hekima 'sisters' all the way at university!

Besides inspiring confidence, I am also climbing Kilimanjaro to raise funds. Educating an orphan girl in Kenya costs money, which I do not yet earn. In California, girls are told that they can be whomever they want to be. Help me spread this beyond California. Alongside other volunteers I bring love and by summiting Kilimanjaro I will show them girls' power. But I want to do more. With your help I can send them to school and keep them in school.

My Hekima Sisters

Ten years ago my mom and I arrived at midnight in Hekima Place for our winter break. I was 4 then. This was not my usual winter break of seeing family and opening presents. When I arrived in Nairobi that first time, I had no idea what to expect from the girls, the place or the founder Kate. We were 'welcomed' by two men holding enormous german shepherds. I was scared.

The next morning came around and I was very apprehensive about meeting the girls for the first time. I was walking from the guest house to the dining hall when at least five girls came running up to me and hugged me. I had no idea who they were, but they wanted to meet me, and were very happy to see me. Read more about Hekima Place…

My Team

Kate Fletcher

Founder of Hekima Place

My Hekima 'sisters' are blessed to have Kate. She makes sure that every girl goes to school, which also includes university. She encourages them to dream big. She encourages me to dream big. However the society in Africa, does not always mimic her view. Kate has inspired me to climb Kilimanjaro, something that my Hekima 'sisters' wouldn't think is for a girl.

Dear Friends of Lulu and Supporters of her Historic Climb,

Our Hekima family appreciates your good hearts in the donation funds to Lulu's brave climb. Over seven years, Lulu and her Mom have done lots to cheer up the girls. Kilimanjaro is a mighty endeavour she is undertaking and I salute her for the effort whether she summits or not. Thanks and blessings to all of you. I so appreciate the love and loyalty of Lulu and her Mom, in caring for my little ones.

Kate Fletcher

Jim Williams

Mountain Guide Pioneer

Jim is an expert mountaineer guide, who is most famous for climbing seven peaks of the world in seven months. He will guide me to the summit. Since we have met he has challenged me with a question: “If you could not tell anyone about this, would you still do it?” He has been reminding me that my goal should come from my heart not just from my mind.

People of Big Heart,

I have spent my professional career helping others make their dreams come true. As an expedition leader my dedication is to giving everyone the opportunity to do the best they can in the mountains.

I am honored to have met Lulu this winter. We decided to work together to help promote the Hekima Place and her efforts to support the girls she has made such a strong connection with over the years... We have chosen to traverse the south side of Kilimanjaro in order to better acclimatize to the altitude. I am committed to a safe climb with hopes of reaching the summit of the highest point in Africa Uruhu Peak (19,341ft/5,895m) on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Please join us on this climb by supporting Hekima Place and the young women, who have become such an integral part of Lulu's life.

Jim Williams & Exploradus

Dominika Blackappl

My Mom

My mom climbed Kilimanjaro twice. The first time she did not pace herself for success, but the second time she reached the summit. She understands that Kilimanjaro asks for both, physical and mental strength. My mom will accompany me and encourage me when I wake up into freezing darkness, when I slip on the steep gravel, when I loose steady pace with decreasing oxygen.

To all Parents and Grandparents!

I train with Lulu. We wake up at 4.30am and walk for 8-10 hours with significant weight on our backs, stopping only for awe of sunrise. We play word games, but mostly we walk in silence. I wish I could know her thoughts. Her commitment to her Hekima 'sisters' is humbling.

Lulu will be ready for Kili. And yet, she will doubt herself. Knowing that other people besides her mom believe in her will be mission critical. Please show your support through giving to her Hekima 'sisters'. I give you my word that every penny is carefully invested in their long term welfare. The unprecedented university graduation of once enslaved Hekima ‘sister’ Faith, speaks in support.

Thank you,
Dominika Blackappl.


As the meters go up on Kilimanjaro, so does the difficulty. Higher donation level you choose, more money you give, and more girls will go to school. I will be climbing through six climate zones. The highest Uhuru Peak zone donation will send one Hekima girl to a university for a year, and the lowest Rainforest zone donation will give one Hekima girl pen and paper for one year.

Once I have summited Kilimanjaro, I will personally deliver your donations to the hands of Kate Fletcher, the founder of Hekima Place. All the money you give will go to the education of my Hekima 'sisters', because my mom will match your donations up to the cost of the expedition.

Donate by PayPal or by major credit or debit cards. This include Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Donations are tax deductible, and you will receive donation receipt via email.

7 Donated

This donation will send one Hekima 'sister' to university for one year.


4 Donated

This donation will send one Hekima 'sister' to school for one year.


17 Donated

This donation will give one Hekima 'sister' a computer.


29 Donated

This donation will give one Hekima 'sister' textbooks for one year.


29 Donated

This donation will give Hekima 'sister' girl art supplies for one year.


20 Donated

This donation will give Hekima 'sister' girl pen and paper for one year.


Thank You!

Thank you for your support in this mission. When I am getting up into the freezing darkness to start the final ascent, when I am slipping on the steep gravel path, when I am loosing steady pace with decreasing oxygen, knowing that you are cheering me on will help me keep going. Your donation will help drive me to the summit and my Hekima 'sisters' to school.

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Original artwork by Ludmila Nell. Website designed by Michal Sloboda