Artforlife.it launches the first edition of Trek4Mandela International. The love for art and mountains as well as the admiration for Nelson Mandela’s moral legacy and dedication to defending women’s rights are the driving forces behind an exciting new initiative. In collaboration with the Imbumba Foundation and under the patronage of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the charity branch of Artconsulting.net, Artforlife.it, is proud to introduce Trek4Mandela International.

July 6, 2024 – together to the summit. This event will challenge participants to hike to the summit of Tofana di Rozes, one of the peaks in the Tofane group overlooking the stunning valley of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The goal is to raise funds to support the girls most in need on the African Continent. Just as we all face personal challenges, tackling them together can make them more manageable. The breathtaking scenery of the Dolomites will provide a backdrop for this meaningful endeavour, fostering connections among participants and within themselves.

Setting out from the Dibona Refuge at 2,080 metres, participants will follow the traditional route to the summit of Tofana di Rozes, at 3,225 metres. This is a strenuous but easy route offering a magnificent view of the Dolomites. Anyone not feeling ambitious enough to aim for the summit can walk to the Rifugio Giussani at 2,580 metres, a little over an hour away.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” - African proverb. Our mission is to raise funds for a social and health education programme for girls in need on the African Continent. Educated women are healthier, they can do more paid work, avoid early pregnancies and have fewer children, allowing them in turn to provide improved education and health care. According to UNICEF, educating and empowering girls can save millions of lives, yet research has revealed that girls from disadvantaged backgrounds can miss up to fifty days of school each year due to menstrual-related issues: still one of the biggest causes of school dropout rates amongst females.

Trek4Mandela is an annual expedition to summit Mount Kilimanjaro to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy. As part of the Trek4Mandela programme, the Imbumba Foundation - a South African non-profit organisation - has taken more than 300 individuals to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, and has 15 successful expeditions to date. The project assists in raising funds and creating awareness for the Caring4Girls programme. The expedition takes place on Mandela Day, 18 July. Started in 2012 by Richard Mabaso, CEO of the Imbumba Foundation, it is led by the South African explorer and motivational speaker Sibusiso Vilane, the first black African to conquer the three poles challenge: South Pole, North Pole and Mount Everest.

Two mountains, two philosophies, one hope: a better world. Trek4Mandela is all about challenging yourself for a greater cause because reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro, at 5,895 metres, is demanding and risky. Trek4Mandela International, however, is about inclusiveness. Courage and tenacity, challenges and patience are all aspects of Nelson Mandela’s civil battles as well as solidarity, gender equality and the fight against racism. The example of Nelson Mandela belongs not only to South Africa, but the whole of humanity. As we climb Tofana di Rozes together, his words will echo in our ears: “A Winner is a Dreamer who Never Gives Up”. But, dreaming of a better world is no longer enough: we want to create one, together with you.

Mario Vielmo will lead Trek4Mandela International on its 14th eight-thousand-meter summit. Thanks to Mario Vielmo The Trek4Mandela International flag will fly together with that of the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games on the 8,027-metre summit of Shisha Pangma. Mario Vielmo is renowned for his sporting achievements, but also for his big heart. He helped rebuild schools in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake and has demonstrated his courage in extreme situations, rescuing mountaineers in mortal danger. Mario Vielmo’s story is an inspiration to all those who seek to push themselves further, overcoming limits and barriers in sports and daily life.

Limits are excuses. The exceptional paraclimber Massimo Coda, performer of incredible mountaineering feats, will also be climbing the Tofana di Rozes with us. His motto is: “Our greatest limit is the excuses we find not to overcome it”.

Alone it’s just a dream, together the dream becomes reality. Such an ambitious project needs partners, institutions and public figures willing to walk with us. Soon the list of people joining us from over the world will be announced. A sneak preview includes Maria Elena Levoni - President of Latoumano, Alessandra Pellegrini - Fundraiser for the Italian cultural and artistic heritage, Daniele Puzzilli, Giorgia and Alice Alese - Fondazione Puzzilli which supports women victims of violence, and Dino Lorimer - consultant for international relations at the Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence.

Art for Life is the place where we will declare our goals. This collaborative project between Art Consulting and the Imbumba Foundation is a unique opportunity to commemorate South Africa’s 30th anniversary of democracy through humanitarian and cultural exchanges. By involving young people, we seek to inspire a more equitable and inclusive society for generations to come.