Art4Life has launched the first edition of Trek4Mandela International. Love for art and for the mountains, for Nelson Mandela’s moral legacy and for the defence of women’s rights. The event was organised by Art4Life Movement, a non-profit association created by Marina Pizziolo and Romano Ravasio, in collaboration with the Imbumba Foundation and under the patronage of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
6 July 2024, together to the summit. Around thirty climbers and participants climbed to the top of the Tofana di Rozes, one of the three peaks of the group that towers over the magnificent valley of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The goal was to raise funds for the girls and young women most in need, in Africa and Europe. Because each and every one of us has their own mountains to overcome, but together mountains hold no fear: they can become the magnificent backdrop of an adventure that brings us closer to ourselves and to others.
Setting out from the Rifugio Dibona at 2,080 metres, they reached the summit at 3,225 metres by the normal route: a demanding climb, but accessible to all. Those who did not feel up to reaching the top made their way to the Rifugio Giussani at 2,580 metres.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”, says an African proverb. This is the principle that guides Trek4Mandela International. Our goal is to raise funds to support a social and health education programme for the girls and young women most in need, in Africa and Europe. Because the more educated women are, the healthier they are, the better-paid jobs they find, the more they avoid early pregnancies, the fewer children they have and the better education and care they can offer them. According to UNICEF, the education and empowerment of girls can literally save millions of lives. Yet research has revealed that girls from disadvantaged backgrounds lose up to fifty days of school a year due to menstrual-related issues: still today one of the leading causes of school dropout.
Trek4Mandela is an annual expedition to Kilimanjaro in honour of Nelson Mandela. Through the Trek4Mandela project, the Imbumba Foundation, a South African non-profit organisation, has to date brought more than 400 climbers to the summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain on the African continent: to raise funds and build awareness around the Caring4Girls programme, in support of African girls and young women.
The expedition takes place every year on 18 July, on the occasion of Mandela Day: to honour and carry forward Nelson Mandela’s moral legacy. It was launched in 2012 by Richard Mabaso, CEO of the Imbumba Foundation, and is led by 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 alone: a better world. Trek4Mandela is driven by challenge, because reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5,895 metres is demanding and risky. Trek4Mandela International is driven by inclusivity. These are the two sides of Nelson Mandela’s civil battles: courage and tenacity, challenge and patience. Solidarity, gender equality, the fight against racism, care for the environment: the values Trek4Mandela carries up the mountain.
In Nelson Mandela we have a great example, one that belongs not only to South Africa but to all of humanity. Climbing the Tofana di Rozes, together, we recalled his words: “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up”. And for us, dreaming of a better world is no longer enough. We want to build it, with you.
Mario Vielmo carried Trek4Mandela International to his 14th eight-thousander. On 9 October 2024, our Trek4Mandela International flag flew alongside the flag of the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics on the summit of Shisha Pangma, at 8,027 metres. Mario Vielmo is renowned not only for his sporting achievements, but also for his solidarity. He took part in rebuilding schools in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake and has shown his courage in extreme situations during his expeditions, rescuing climbers whose lives were at risk. His story speaks to anyone who seeks to push beyond their own limits.
Limits are excuses. Massimo Coda, an extraordinary para-athlete and author of incredible mountaineering feats, also climbed with us to the Tofana di Rozes. His motto is: “The worst limit is the excuses we find to avoid overcoming it.”
Walking with us was also Giacomo Schenardi, mountain guide with the Cortina360 group, a team of Alpine Guides from Cortina d’Ampezzo who have chosen to turn their passion into a profession.
Alone we dream, together dreams become reality. A project this ambitious needs partners, institutions and public figures willing to walk with us.
We would like to thank: Maria Elena Levoni, President of LatoUmano; Alessandra Pellegrini, Fundraiser for cultural and artistic Italian heritage; Daniele Puzzilli, Giorgia and Alice Alese of the Fondazione Puzzilli, which defends and supports women victims of violence; Umberto Cattaneo, founding partner of B&C Studio di Consulenza Societaria Tributaria Legale; Ferrino, a mountain equipment and clothing company; the Skychildren Foundation, which works to help poor and abused children in Calcutta and other disadvantaged areas; Dino Lorimer, consultant for international relations at the Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence.
Special thanks go to the Fondazione Iris Ceramica Group, which created for us a limited terracotta edition of our “walking symbol”, made under their supervision by the disabled young people of the ANFFAS association. The symbol, which reproduces the Trek4Mandela logo, was given to the first 100 supporters of the project.
Art4Life is the place where we will declare our goals. This collaborative project between Art4Life Movement and the Imbumba Foundation represents a unique opportunity to commemorate the 30th anniversary of democracy in South Africa through humanitarian initiatives, as well as cultural and artistic exchanges. By involving young people, we want to inspire future generations to work towards a more inclusive and just society.
Art4Life Movement supports the Caring4Girls programme of the Imbumba Foundation.