Why TREK for Transformation exists, and what your leadership makes possible.
Thank you for stepping forward to lead a team for TREK for Transformation.
Leadership always begins with someone deciding to take the first step. By becoming a Team Leader, you are doing exactly that: creating the conditions for something meaningful to happen.
TREK for Transformation is more than a hike. It is a shared journey that brings together people who believe in the power of leadership development and the importance of investing in the next generation.
Through this event, we are mobilizing our community to raise scholarship funds for emerging young leaders connected to Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions. Every step on the trail represents something larger: the belief that leadership can be developed, that opportunities should be accessible, and that communities grow stronger when people invest in one another.
"As a Team Leader, you are the catalyst who makes this possible."
You are not just organizing a group for a hike — you are helping create a movement of generosity, challenge, and purpose.
TREK for Transformation was created to turn fundraising into something experiential. Traditional fundraising often asks people to give quietly and move on. This event does something different. It invites people into a shared challenge: a physical and symbolic journey that reflects the work of leadership itself.
Leadership is rarely easy. It requires effort, resilience, and a willingness to climb toward something greater than oneself. The hike mirrors that journey.
Participants commit to raising funds that support scholarships for young leaders, and then they come together to complete a hike that celebrates what they have accomplished together. The trail becomes a place of reflection, conversation, and community.
Shared challenge · Generosity in action · Leadership in community · Momentum toward something meaningful
When people walk the trail together on May 30, they will know that the effort they put in beforehand has already begun changing lives.
Across the world, there are young people with extraordinary potential who simply lack access to opportunity, mentorship, or support. Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions exists to help close that gap. Through leadership programs, mentorship, and community initiatives, Kurumbuka invests in emerging leaders who are committed to creating positive change in their communities.
But leadership development does not happen automatically. It requires intentional investment.
Scholarships funded through TREK for Transformation help remove financial barriers for young people who are ready to grow, lead, and make a difference.
Each scholarship represents more than financial assistance. It represents the belief that leadership can be cultivated and that investing in people can transform communities.
Leadership has a ripple effect. When one person receives the opportunity to develop their leadership capacity, the impact rarely stops with them. It spreads outward: into schools, workplaces, communities, and relationships. A single leader who is empowered and equipped can influence dozens, sometimes hundreds, of others over time.
The scholarships funded through TREK for Transformation help ignite those ripples.
Your role as a Team Leader contributes directly to that impact. Every conversation you start, every person you invite, and every dollar raised becomes part of a larger story of transformation. What may begin as a small team hike ultimately becomes an investment in leaders who will shape the future.
The hike itself is intentionally symbolic. The trail represents effort, perseverance, and shared journey — qualities that are central to leadership and growth.
When your team reaches the viewpoint together, they will know that the view was earned: not only through the physical climb, but through the effort they invested in supporting young leaders.
TREK for Transformation only happens because individuals like you decide to lead.
You are not expected to do everything yourself. Kurumbuka will provide tools, templates, and support throughout the process. Your role is simply to bring people together and help build momentum.
TREK for Transformation is ultimately about more than a single hike or fundraising campaign. It represents a collective investment in people who are committed to strengthening their communities and leading with purpose.
Through Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions, emerging and executive leaders across Eastern and Central Africa are equipped with practical tools, mentorship, and networks that help them grow as leaders within their own institutions and communities.
Kurumbuka's vision is rooted in the belief that the future of Africa will be shaped by leaders from within its own communities. When leaders are equipped with the right support, relationships, and opportunities for growth, their impact extends far beyond their own careers. They strengthen families, institutions, businesses, churches, and communities.
The long-term vision is to empower thousands of leaders who will carry this work forward and multiply its impact across the continent. When participants join TREK for Transformation, they become part of that larger story.
"Every step taken on the trail represents the collective effort of a community that believes leadership matters."
Thank you for stepping forward to lead. We are grateful that you are part of this journey, and we look forward to walking the trail together on May 30.
Your responsibilities, what success looks like, and the leadership mindset that makes it work.
Your responsibilities as a Team Leader fall into three main areas.
Recruit 4–6 team members to join you for the hike. The most important quality is simply a willingness to participate and support the cause.
Support each participant as they work toward their $250 goal. Check in, celebrate milestones, and remind the team of the impact they're creating.
On May 30, make sure your team knows when and where to meet, help them feel welcomed, and celebrate the effort and impact you've created together.
Each participant is encouraged to raise a minimum of $250 toward scholarships for emerging leaders. As a Team Leader, your role is not to pressure your team but to encourage and support them as they fundraise.
Most people want to help but simply need a little encouragement and structure. When Team Leaders create a positive and supportive environment, fundraising becomes much easier and more enjoyable.
Success as a Team Leader is not measured only by fundraising totals. While raising funds is important, there are several ways a team can be successful.
Fundraising goals are important, but the experience of the team is just as valuable.
Being a Team Leader does not require a large time commitment. Most leaders spend approximately 1–2 hours per week during the weeks leading up to the event.
The goal is not to add pressure to your schedule, but to create a manageable and meaningful leadership opportunity.
The most effective Team Leaders approach this role with a simple mindset:
Invite. Encourage. Celebrate.
You are not asking people to do something uncomfortable or burdensome. You are inviting them to be part of something meaningful. Fundraising works best when it feels like an invitation rather than an obligation.
When people see your genuine enthusiasm and belief in the mission, they are much more likely to join and participate.
The first team check-in sets the tone for the entire experience. Keep it simple, positive, and focused on connection. A short call, group chat kickoff, or quick meeting is enough.
Momentum usually comes from small, consistent reminders rather than big pushes. Check in every week or two with a quick message to the group. Share fundraising updates, remind people about the goal, and encourage them to send a few messages to potential supporters. Consistency keeps the team engaged without making it feel overwhelming.
Celebrate progress whenever it happens. Recognize the first donation, the first person to reach $100, or when someone reaches their goal. Small acknowledgements build energy and help the team feel like they are moving forward together.
If someone is struggling to reach their goal, encourage them with practical ideas rather than pressure. Suggest they start with close friends or family, send a few personal messages, or post a simple update online. Most people succeed once they take the first step.
How to find the right people, invite them in, and keep the momentum going week by week.
Recruit more people than you need at first. Invite 8–10 people to secure 4–6 team members.
Short, direct invitations work best. Text messages are usually the easiest starting point.
Hey! I'm putting together a team for TREK for Transformation on May 30. It's a hike that raises scholarships for emerging leaders in East Africa. Each person raises $250 and we hike together. Would you want to join my team?
Hey! I'm leading a small team for a hike called TREK for Transformation on May 30. It supports leadership scholarships through Kurumbuka. Everyone raises $250 and we hike together. Thought you might enjoy it. Interested?
Quick question: would you be open to joining a charity hike team I'm leading on May 30? It's called TREK for Transformation and it supports scholarships for emerging leaders in East Africa. Each person raises $250 and then we hike together.
Hi [Name], On May 30th, I'm participating in the Trek for Transformation to support Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions. I've committed to hiking 16 kilometres to raise funds for leadership development in Africa. I believe that when you empower a local leader, you empower an entire community. Would you consider sponsoring my trek with a gift of $50, $100, or even $25? 100% of what you give goes directly to training and mentoring visionaries who are changing lives from the ground up. You can donate to my page here: [Link] Thank you for being part of this journey with me! Best, [Your Name]
Hi [Name], This Saturday, May 30th, I'll be hitting the trail for the Trek for Transformation. I am only $[Amount] away from my personal fundraising goal, and I would love to cross that finish line before I even start the hike. Your support ensures that Kurumbuka can continue providing professional-grade mentorship to leaders who are currently working without any resources. Can you help me close the gap with a final donation? [Link to Donation Page] I'll be sure to share photos from the trail! Thank you for standing (and trekking) with me. Warmly, [Your Name]
I'm leading a team for TREK for Transformation on May 30. It's a hike that raises scholarships for emerging leaders through Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions. Each participant raises $250 and then we complete the hike together. If anyone is interested in joining my team, send me a message.
I'm trekking on May 30th so that leaders in Africa don't have to walk alone. Every dollar I raise for @Kurumbuka goes straight to empowering community visionaries. Help me reach my goal of $[Amount]! Link in bio. #TrekForTransformation #LeadTheWay
Some people hesitate because they are unsure about fundraising. Most concerns disappear once the goal is explained. The $250 goal is simply a collection of small contributions — for example:
Once someone says yes, send them the registration link and welcome them to the team.
Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions is a registered Canadian charity, meaning donations made through TREK for Transformation are eligible for official tax receipts in Canada. This may be beneficial to mention when inviting supporters.
The timeline below provides a simple week-by-week guide to help Team Leaders move from recruiting their team to building steady fundraising momentum. Small actions each week will help maintain energy and ensure everyone reaches their goal before the hike.
Identify 8–10 potential team members, send invitations, follow up, confirm participation, and create a team group chat. Goal: full team confirmed.
Encourage each team member to send 5–10 personal messages to close friends and family, share fundraising pages, and celebrate first donations. Goal: early momentum built.
Ensure all members have completed registration and created their pages. Send a welcome message and remind the team of the $250 goal. Goal: every participant has an active page.
Encourage public social media posts, reach out to coworkers and community contacts, and ask early donors to share their pages. Goal: broader community awareness.
Celebrate participants reaching $100 or halfway. Share overall team progress in the group chat. Goal: most participants approaching half their goal.
Share why you joined the hike, highlight Kurumbuka's work, post personal messages about leadership development, and thank donors publicly. Goal: reach new donors through stories.
Send a final round of personal messages, post progress updates, thank supporters, and build excitement for the hike. Goal: every participant at or near $250.
Celebrate total funds raised, confirm meeting details, encourage team members to prepare for the hike, and build excitement for the shared experience ahead.
The strategy, psychology, and practical tools for reaching your $250 goal and beyond.
Fundraising works best when people understand that they are not asking for money for themselves but inviting others to participate in meaningful impact. People respond most strongly when they feel that their contribution connects them to a larger story.
Kurumbuka's work focuses on developing and empowering emerging and executive leaders across Africa through leadership training, mentorship, and community networks, with the goal of empowering thousands of leaders to transform their communities.
Move the conversation away from "donation" and toward participation in transformation — an investment in leaders who multiply impact.
Most people give for relational and emotional reasons rather than purely logical ones. People donate because they know the person asking, because the mission resonates with them, or because they feel inspired by the vision.
When sharing about the fundraiser, highlight this idea clearly: that developing leaders multiplies solutions in communities and creates long-term transformation rather than temporary aid.
The $250 fundraising goal should always be presented as simple and achievable. The easiest way to frame it is to show that it is just a collection of small contributions from people who want to support the cause.
Five supporters giving $50 = goal reached
Ten supporters giving $25 = goal reached
Twenty-five supporters giving $10 = goal reached
When people see the goal broken into small contributions, it stops feeling intimidating and starts feeling realistic.
Start with the people who already know you — family, close friends, mentors, coworkers — and expand outward gradually. These early contacts are most likely to say yes because they already trust you, and their early donations build momentum that encourages others to give.
From your close circle, extend to coworkers, church members, classmates, or professional contacts. After that, post publicly on social media for broader support.
Most successful fundraisers reach their goal primarily through their warm circle because people give when there is a personal relationship involved. The purpose of this approach is not to pressure anyone but to invite the people who already care about you to support something you believe in.
Stories are one of the most powerful fundraising tools. Kurumbuka's work is filled with stories of leaders who grew up in difficult conditions but chose to invest their lives in transforming their communities.
When sharing about the fundraiser, emphasize this transformation: leaders being trained, communities being strengthened, and hope spreading outward through local leadership. Stories help donors understand that their gift is not just funding a program — it is empowering a real person who will influence many others.
Social media works best when used as a way to share progress and invite participation rather than simply asking for money once. Good fundraising posts often include three elements:
Posting updates during the campaign — such as reaching halfway to the goal or thanking supporters — also builds momentum and encourages others to join in.
The most effective fundraising method is still a direct personal message. When someone receives a personal text, email, or message explaining why the cause matters to you, they are much more likely to respond positively.
A short message that says you are raising funds for leadership scholarships through Kurumbuka, that you are participating in TREK for Transformation, and that any support would mean a lot is often enough. Many people reach their entire fundraising goal simply by sending thoughtful messages to a small group of people who know them well.
Messaging should reflect Kurumbuka's voice: confident but not proud, positive without patronizing, and motivating people toward action. Always emphasize empowering leaders rather than charity — developing leaders creates transformation within communities.
Begin with a short explanation of why you personally care about the cause, followed by a brief description of TREK and the $250 goal. A strong email includes three elements: your personal connection, a simple explanation of the event, and a clear invitation to support.
Focus on inspiration and momentum. Highlight leadership development, community transformation, and the idea that empowering leaders creates lasting change. Keep the message hopeful, confident, and forward-looking.
Always be personal, warm, and appreciative. Acknowledge the donor directly and connect their support to leadership development and transformation — emphasize that their gift contributes to empowering leaders who will influence families, institutions, and communities.
Focus on momentum and celebration rather than urgency alone. Emphasize how close the campaign is to its goal and remind supporters that their contribution helps complete the journey. Keep the tone optimistic and encouraging.
All-In Teams are designed for Team Leaders and groups who want to go beyond the baseline fundraising goal and significantly expand their impact. While the standard goal is $250 per participant, All-In Teams choose to pursue larger collective targets such as $1,500, $2,500, $5,000, or more.
Think collectively rather than individually. Teams may decide to pursue a shared goal such as $2,500 or $5,000 and identify multiple pathways to reach it — a combination of individual donations, small events, community support, and workplace contributions.
Many workplaces offer donation matching programs that can significantly increase the impact of individual gifts. Participants are encouraged to check whether their employer offers charitable donation matching — in some cases, employers may match donations dollar-for-dollar, effectively doubling the impact of each gift.
Encourage them to focus on a small number of close contacts rather than trying to reach many people at once. Asking five friends for $50 each or ten friends for $25 each can easily reach the goal. Remind them that people are often willing to help when asked directly.
Focus on maintaining momentum rather than replacing them immediately. If the team still has time, the leader may invite another person. If replacement is not possible, simply continue with the current team and emphasize the collective effort already underway.
Restart activity with a simple action. Encourage team members to send a few personal messages, post a quick progress update, or share why they joined the event. Small actions help restore movement.
Reframe fundraising as an invitation rather than a request. Fundraising is not about taking money from someone — it is about offering them the opportunity to support something meaningful and create positive change. When participants focus on the cause and the impact it creates, asking for support becomes much easier.
Shift the focus from asking for money to sharing impact stories and updates. Storytelling helps donors reconnect emotionally with the cause and can renew interest in the campaign.
Most fundraising challenges are temporary and can be resolved through clear communication, consistent encouragement, and a focus on the purpose behind the campaign. The goal of TREK for Transformation is not perfection but steady progress toward empowering emerging leaders.
Everything you need to know about May 30 — trail info, schedule, and how to prepare your team.
TREK for Transformation is designed to be a shared outdoor experience that celebrates the fundraising work completed by participants. The event brings together teams who have raised scholarship funds for emerging leaders connected to Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions. The hike serves as the moment where participants gather, reflect, and celebrate the impact they have created together.
The trail experience is intended to be accessible to most people with a moderate level of fitness. Participants do not need extensive hiking experience.
TREK for Transformation 2026
Trailhead to Viewpoint 3 and back · ~3 to 3.5 hours hiking
White Pine Beach parking lot, Belcarra Regional Park
Participants should plan to arrive early to allow time for parking, gathering, and the opening welcome.
The Diez Vistas trail is located in Belcarra Regional Park and offers a moderately challenging hike with scenic viewpoints overlooking Burrard Inlet and the surrounding mountains.
White Pine Beach parking is paid parking and can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Participants are strongly encouraged to carpool with their team members when possible.
Team Leaders are encouraged to coordinate carpooling within their teams if possible.
Participants should come prepared for a moderate hike. The trail includes uneven terrain and elevation changes typical of forest hiking trails.
Participants should pace themselves during the hike. The event is not a race, and teams are encouraged to stay together and enjoy the experience.
The schedule below provides a general outline of the event. Final details may be confirmed closer to the event date.
The welcome circle will include a short introduction to the purpose of TREK for Transformation and a moment to acknowledge the fundraising efforts of all teams.
The viewpoint gathering will provide an opportunity for reflection, photos, and celebrating the collective impact created by participants.
Thank you for everything you have done to prepare for this journey. The effort you have invested in building your team, encouraging fundraising, and rallying your community has already made a difference.
On May 30, when your team reaches the viewpoint together, you will know that the view was earned — not only through the physical climb, but through the weeks of effort and generosity that came before it.
"Every step taken on the trail represents the collective effort of a community that believes leadership matters."
We look forward to walking the trail together.