The Trek4Mandela initiative of the Imbumba Foundation has raised over 20,000 Australian dollars following its first international expedition across the rugged Larapint trail in Australia. These funds are designated to assist underprivileged girls and young women in South Africa.
A team of 13 participants from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, and the UK completed the first 43.7-kilometer expedition in the Red Centre of the Northern Territory between August 19 and 23, 2026.
The collected funds will be directed towards supporting the Caring4Girls foundation program, which focuses on hygiene and dignity to help schoolgirls remain in education, as well as launching the Imbumba Fellowship Programme. This program aims to provide young women from low-income areas with the skills and opportunities to build sustainable careers.
The expedition marks a new phase for Trek4Mandela, which draws inspiration from the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela and strives to address inequality through fundraising to improve the lives of vulnerable children and young women.
Vision Inspired by Kilimanjaro
The Larapint expedition was initiated by brothers Tom Roets and Adele Rogers, whose involvement stems from their previous experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Adele Rogers reported that the idea arose after the brothers, being older and younger in the family, attempted to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro in 2024.
Inspired by the foundation's work, they helped gather a group of trekkers to carry out this initiative outside of South Africa to raise funds for programs supporting girls and young women. Tom Roets noted that the Imbumba Foundation makes a significant positive contribution to gender equality through the Trek4Mandela fundraising initiatives and the Caring4Girls hygiene distribution program.
He stated: "This amazing cause inspired me, my sister, and 11 other trekkers here in Australia and from South Africa to go trekking on the first Trek4Mandela Larapint in the heart of the outback." Roets referenced Mandela's words, emphasizing the importance of continuing such treks to support girls and future women who need sponsorship and opportunities.
Resilience on the Trail
Despite the expedition uniting people under a common goal, physical challenges were present. Rogers recounted that the group arrived in Alice Springs expecting intense heat but instead encountered moderate weather and rain along the route.
The attempt to climb Mount Sonder began at 2 AM, and the trekkers hoped to see the sunrise. However, the group got soaked in the rain and missed the expected dawn. Despite this setback, the experience strengthened the group's spirit. Rogers noted that the three-day trek brought together an exceptional group of people, making the first expedition memorable despite the unpredictable conditions.
Turning Fundraising into Opportunity
Imbumba Foundation Founder and CEO Richard Mabaso thanked Adele Rogers and Tom Roets for helping bring the international expedition to life. Rogers previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with Trek4Mandela in 2023 and returned in 2024 with her brother Tom Roets. Inspired by this experience, the brothers helped mobilize support for the foundation's work and executed the Larapint expedition.
Mabaso expressed deep gratitude: "We are deeply grateful to Adele Rogers and Tom Roets for their tireless leadership in turning this ambitious international dream into a meaningful reality." He added that their efforts proved that the spirit of Ubuntu knows no geographical boundaries, transforming a vision born from the Kilimanjaro ascent into a global platform for systemic change.
The foundation announced that the collected funds will initially strengthen the Imbumba Fellowship Programme, which aims to bridge the gap between young women's potential and economic opportunities. Through mentorship, professional training, and access to corporate tools, the program helps young women from low-income backgrounds prepare for adult life, enter the workforce, and build sustainable careers. The Caring4Girls program, in turn, focuses on menstrual health, hygiene, and dignity, helping overcome obstacles that may prevent girls from attending school.
Prospects
The successful completion of the Larapint expedition marked the first international expansion for Trek4Mandela. The foundation plans to increase fundraising reach and support a larger number of youth. For Australian participant Denise Orr, the initiative served as a reminder that circumstances of birth determine human potential, yet those with access to resources can help others.
Or also recalled how children in her area collected old books for a charity drive to support this goal, demonstrating how community involvement can contribute to realizing a broader mission. The success of the expedition underscores how a shared commitment to education, dignity, and opportunity can unite people from different countries. For the Imbumba Foundation, the current task is to leverage the momentum created by the Larapint trek and continue raising the resources needed so that poverty does not dictate a girl's access to education or her prospects for a fulfilling career.