ABOUT US >
HOW WE OPERATE
How We Operate
Each participating Trekker pays for his or her own travel and trip expenses and commits to raising a minimum of $1000. 100% of the money raised by the Trekkers are combined to fund high-impact infrastructure and sustainability projects at the orphanages located in the area where the expedition takes place. In addition, the funds aid in the acquisition of supplies such as clothing, medicine, educational materials, sports equipment, toys, and other specific items.
Each year, the Management Team of Trekking for Kids meets to select both the expedition locations and orphanages for the coming year based on strict selection criteria.
Funding Hope
Trekking For Kids utilizes two primary fundraising strategies:
(1) Grassroots Fundraising: The individual Trekkers of each expedition are responsible for raising the entirety of funds used to complete projects and purchase supplies for the orphanage sponsored during the expedition. Frequently, our Trekkers surpass our fundraising goals for a Trek. In these cases, the excess is placed into the General Orphanage Fund to be used for projects at another TFK sponsored orphanage at some point in the future.
(2) Corporate Fundraising and Donations: Since 100% of the funds raised by the Trekkers goes to the selected orphanages, the Trekking for Kids Management Team relies on corporate and private donations to fund. the lean internal infrastructure and operations of the organization.
Mt. Cotopaxi, Ecuador - 19,347 ft. In November of 2009, Trekking for Kids Trekkers reached new heights, as they trekked across Cotopaxi National Park for 6 days and to the top of the glaciated summit of Mt. Cotopaxi. The mountain’s icy summit presented a whole different set of new and exciting challenges. Not only was the climb fairly steep, but we also had to learn to work with new gear, including harnesses, ice axes and crampons – not to mention being tied to one another in rope teams. The climb was challenging and the weather was harsh, but knowing every step we took was for the benefit of 23 special orphans in Quito, kept us all pushing for the summit.
-Learn more about past expeditions-
Casa Hogar Ventimilla, Quito, Ecuador In spite of a persistently challenging economic climate, our Trekkers managed to surpass our goal of $35,000 and raised over $38,000 to benefit the 23 girls living at the Casa Hogar Madre Rafaela de la Pasion Ventimilla. The funds were used to make several of our signature high impact capital improvements to the orphanage. Besides remodeling the kitchen and installing new appliances, we built an entire new building consisting of 3 units: an infirmary, laundry room and a storage room. Our time with the girls was truly a celebration and a testament to the heart of our organization: the desire to help create a place that the children can proudly call ‘home’.
