Frank John Fund

Following Frank John's sad passing away in March 2022, some former climbers have requested the opportunity to contribute towards helping Frank's surviving wife, Clara, cover the costs for the family.

The following are the costs she has identified and details of whether or not they have already been covered by kind donations from friends. Should you wish to assist in meeting any of the needs not yet covered, do please email us.

Additionally, we have been speaking to Clara about helping her to set up a small local business that will be able to help her work towards regaining her independence. If anyone would like to help with this, do please let us know.

Frank John Fund

Clara (Frank John's wife) Requested List of Needs



Description of need Period / detail Requested (TZS) Approx. USD Pledged? Paid?
Clothes for children Easter 2022 150,000 $64 βœ… βœ…
Outstanding school fees To end March 2022 303,000 $130 βœ… βœ…
Overdue house rent Nov 21 to Apr 2022 1,200,000 $516 βœ… βœ…
Clara's medical debts April 2022 150,000 $65 βœ… βœ…
Arrears on school fees 29 April 2022 85,000 $37 βœ… βœ…
Electricity credits Apr to Sep 2022 90,000 $38 βœ… βœ…
School fees John (11) To Dec 2022 1,043,000 $448 βœ… βœ…
School fees Elipida (7) To Dec 2022 1,043,000 $448 βœ… βœ…
Monthly groceries* April 2022 465,000 $200 βœ… βœ…
Monthly groceries* May 2022 465,000 $200 βœ… βœ…
Monthly groceries* June 2022 465,000 $200 βœ… βœ…
House rent May to July 2022 600,000 $258 βœ… βœ…
Medical bills (Elpida) 29 May 2022 23,500 $10 βœ… βœ…
House rent July to Oct 2022 600,000 $258 βœ… βœ…
Medical bills (Japhet) 23 June 2022 77,000 $33 ❌ ❌
Monthly groceries* July 2022 465,000 $200 ❌ ❌
Monthly groceries* August 2022 465,000 $200 ❌ ❌
Monthly groceries* September 2022 465,000 $200 ❌ ❌

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βœ… = yes   |   βŒ = no

*Details of Monthly Groceries - 6 months' estimate for family of 4

  • Baby Andrew's milk, 1 litre per day = 252,000
    • Cooking gas, 15kg x 3 = 162,000
      • Soap, boxes x 2 = 84,000
        • Rice, 100kg = 250,000
          • Cooking oil, 40 litres = 224,000
            • Petroleum jelly, tubs x 3 = 30,000
              • Body lotion, tubs x 2 = 20,000
                • Charcoal, bags x 3 = 150,000
                  • Baby Andrew's porridge (Cerelac), boxes x 6 = 90,000
                    • Oat meal = 30,000
                      • Margarine x 3 = 30,000
                        • Salt, carton x 1 = 20,000
                          • Spaghetti or pasta, carton x 1 = 30,000
                            • Wheat flower, 25kg x 2 = 70,000
                              • Maize flower, 50kg = 60,000
                                • Sugar, 50kg = 120,000
                                  • Beans, 20kg = 50,000
                                    • Powder soap, buckets x 3 = 45,000
                                      • Cooking ingredients and spices = 300,000
                                        • Meats / vegetables / fish = 540,000

                                          Making a Donation

                                          Should you kindly wish to make a donation towards any of Frank John's family's costs, please make use of the following card payment facility:

                                          Clara's Micro-Business Fund

                                          Clara is trying to work towards obtaining financial independence. Towards this end climbers have very kindly pledged boarding school fees and childcare costs to help Clara to find time to launch and run a small local business.

                                          Donated funds will be kept in trust until a small committee of senior TK staff members have provided feedback to Clara on her business plan. Thereafter, capital assets will be purchased directly on Clara's behalf and guidance and support will be provided to her for her launch. Thereafter, the success of the dependence will depend on Clara's self-discipline and determination to succeed. However, guides and senior staff will continue to check-in on Clara and offer guidance and support where requested.

                                          Here are funds pledged or donated towards this micro-business so far:



                                          Date received Amount pledged (USD) TZS equivalent Received?
                                          31 May 2022 $161 TZS 375,000 βœ…
                                          05 June 2022 $101 TZS 235,000 βœ…
                                          Total pledged TZS 610,000 $262

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                                          To donate, please visit this link.

                                          If you want to make a significant, positive contribution towards cleaning up Kilimanjaro and help us return its ecology to a pristine wilderness environment, please make use of the following payment facility:

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                                          Frank John Fund
                                          Tuesday, April 26th 2022

                                          Following Frank John's sad passing away in March 2022, some former climbers have requested the opportunity to contribute towards helping Frank's surviving wife, Clara, cover the costs for the family.

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                                          Help Bring Clean Water to the Maasai
                                          Tuesday, December 21st 2021

                                          Several years ago, Team Kilimanjaro were approached by representatives of the Maasai community that live close to the Lake Natron region of northern Tanzania, with a request to assist villagers in obtaining clean water.

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                                          Help Us Fight Rhino Poaching
                                          Wednesday, October 20th 2021

                                          It is estimated that since the turn of the previous century, the world has lost more than 99% of its rhino population, and that today, only 29,000 of these majestic creatures survive.

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                                          Wilderness First Aid Basics
                                          Thursday, September 23rd 2021

                                          Wilderness first aid is the knowledge and ability to effectively address injuries, illnesses, or emergencies outside of modern facilities, out in the wild. Skills include knowing how to dress a wound, treat a burn or bite, or set an injured limb. These are important skills that can save your life or the lives of other outdoor enthusiasts. Learn more and be better prepared for your next hiking or backpacking adventure.

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                                          VIP Series Comparison
                                          Thursday, September 23rd 2021

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                                          Many people spend a lot of time and money training and equipping themselves for a Kilimanjaro climb, only to fail in their objective of reaching the summit. Failure is avoidable and we really want trekkers to understand how to prevent it.

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                                          As from March 2021, PCR testing (or rather, sample-taking) is now available at Seronera and Ndutu airstrips in the Serengeti. This facility has been implemented to prevent clients having to either curtail their safaris or dissect their safaris with a journey to Arusha or, more recently, Karatu (FAME Hospital), mid-safari - so as to satisfy the "less than 72 hours old" validity rule that most airlines are required to enforce. 

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                                          Arusha Cycling Club
                                          Wednesday, January 20th 2021

                                          Arusha Pedal Series club aims to organise a group ride three times a week - on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, and Saturdays. All keen cyclists are welcome to join.

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                                          Dangerous to climb Kilimanjaro?
                                          Friday, January 1st 2021

                                          We read widely divergent estimates of deaths on Kilimanjaro, but how dangerous is it really? In this post we share our own experience of the dangers.

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                                          Dealing with COVID in 2021
                                          Thursday, December 3rd 2020

                                          First of all - you can definitely still climb Kilimanjaro during COVID-19! There is absolutely no impediment within Tanzania. Issues only potentially arise with your own country's rules.

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                                          How to Get a PCR Test in Zanzibar
                                          Thursday, December 3rd 2020

                                          Although there is no requirement to have a PCR test for COVID in order to enter Tanzania, many climbers are nonetheless required by their airline to show evidence of a negative COVID test before boarding the flight home.

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