Michigan woman climbs Mount Kilimanjaro to help Farmers become Food Secure

Courtney Lanting Plans “Mt Kilimanjaro with a Purpose” climb

Courtney Lanting, a member of the Byron Center MI Growing Hope Project, will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania from August 4–9, 2019. Your pledge of support per meter (4,152 total) or a fixed amount of your choice, will support Growing Hope Globally’s ongoing agricultural training work in Kenya

“I’m going to Africa (Tanzania) to climb Mount Kilimanjaro…to help subsistence farmers in Kenya grow more food to feed their families,” said Lanting.

“I’ve climbed mountains and hiked trails in the past but this will definitely be the most difficult one that I have done and I am looking forward to the challenge! In addition to the physical and spiritual challenge, I am doing this climb to support our church’s Growing Project with Growing Hope Globally, as it’s their 20th Anniversary this summer!

I was able to be a part of this two years ago when I went to Guatemala. We helped communities build two greenhouses that each supported 6 families! It was a wonderful and eye-opening experience.”

If you’d like to support Courtney in this effort, you can make a pledge per meter (4,152 total) or a fixed amount of your choice, and your pledge will support Growing Hope Globally communities in Kenya, Africa.

Growing Hope Globally is an organization that helps subsistence farmers in developing countries break the cycle of hunger and poverty. Growing Hope funds training and tools they need to grow sufficient food year-around for their families and sell the extra so they can send their kids to school and afford basic medical care.

Growing Hope’s community Growing Projects have raised more than $35 million since 1999 to support agricultural development programs in some of the most remote regions of the world.

“Our programs are focused on providing agriculture training rather than material things,” says Rachel Conley, an associate regional director for Growing Hope Globally based out of Holland, Mich. “Things eventually break or get used up, but helping people gain the knowledge to help themselves and provide for their families brings about lasting change. We are able to provide the gifts of dignity, hope and a legacy to pass down to future generations.”

LaRaine Salmon, a Growing Project leader from Moline, Mich., says, “It hasn’t been possible for me to be a missionary overseas, but this allows me to serve right where I am and help others.”

To learn more about Growing Hope Globally, visit growinghopeglobally.org, or contact Rachel Conley at 616-283-0694 or [email protected].

Mt. Kilimanjaro With a Purpose Route Map Image

Growing Hope Globally Fast Facts

• Growing Hope has 163 rural community Growing Projects across the U.S. that are run by more than 2,000 volunteers. For more information go to: growinghopeglobally.org/growingprojects
• These Growing Projects bring together farmers, churches, businesses and civic groups to grow crops, raise animals or raise funds, giving everyone the chance to contribute.
• Growing Projects have raised more than $38 million since the organization was founded in 1999 to support agricultural development programs in some of the most remote and poorest regions of the world. For more information go to: growinghopeglobally.org/programs
• More than 2 million people living in developing countries have benefitted from participation in Growing Hope’s sustainable food security programs.
• Growing Hope works through a network of member organizations and local partner organizations to support 44 programs in 26 countries around the world.
• Growing Hope works through these members: Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Christian Church (DOC) WOC, Church of the Brethren – GFI, Church World Service (CWS), Dorcas Aid International Foundation, Evangelical Covenant Church – CWR, Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM), Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ – OGHS, United Methodist Committee on Relief, World Hope International (WHI), and World Renew.

MORE ABOUT Growing Hope Globally

Headquartered in Western Springs, Ill., Growing Hope Globally was founded in 1999 as a Christian response to ending world hunger through sustainable agriculture and community involvement. Growing Hope partners with 14 organizations to help subsistence farmers in developing countries grow their own food. Across the U.S., Growing Hope engages people to help raise funding and awareness for these food security projects. Thousands of volunteers are involved, including churches, community groups and U.S. farmers. Last year, Growing Hope raised $2.8 million to support 44 programs in 26 countries. These programs helped improve the nutrition, food security and livelihood of more than 250,000 people living in the poorest regions of the world.

For more information go to: growinghopeglobally.org