Kilimanjaro climb targets $200,000 to cover tuition for 150 Kenyan graduates

Megan Bloemker-Mondoka will join four other climbers on an eight-day ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro in January 2027. The group aims to raise $200,000 for the Cornerstone Endowment Trust, a fund that pays for higher education for students graduating from Naomi’s Village in Kenya. The organization currently holds $1 million in the trust and requires $20 million to reach full capacity.

The non-profit covers 90% of post-secondary costs for its academy graduates. This financial support allows students to attend university or vocational programs. Currently, 35 graduates are enrolled in college or trade schools in Africa, and four are studying in the United States. The organization plans to have 150 graduates in higher education by 2030.

Bloemker-Mondoka, director of development for Naomi’s Village, has spent more than two decades working with families in Africa. She lived in Zambia for 18 years, where she worked for two organizations and met her husband. The couple now resides in Iowa. She previously climbed Kilimanjaro in 2009 to raise funds for schools in Africa.

Naomi’s Village operates six programs in Kenya, including a children’s home, preschool, and the K-12 Cornerstone Preparatory Academy. The students served often come from fully orphaned backgrounds or families earning $2 a day or less. The group’s mission includes breaking cycles of poverty and developing local leadership.

“Africa kind of gets in your soul,” Bloemker-Mondoka said. “It’s about the collective community that I was able to serve..and everybody has to play their part in order to help others.” She noted that many talented students face barriers solely due to their birth circumstances and lack of opportunity.

The climb’s fundraiser has collected approximately $21,680 as of Friday. Donations are available online at the campaign page on my.onecause.com. The organization’s website, naomisvillage.org, provides additional details about the programs and the endowment fund.

Bloemker-Mondoka stated that the group is working incrementally to reach the $20 million target. The climb serves as a specific initiative to increase contributions to the endowment, which remains central to the long-term financial plan for student support.