The Kilimanjaro Blind Trust
"Enhancing the lives of blind children in East Africa"
Mission
The mission of the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust is to enhance the lives of blind children in East Africa, enabling them to become integral members of their society.
Blind children in Moshi, TanzaniaAlso on this page: Objectives | Structure | Governing Bodies | Finances | Information on Perkins
The goal of the KBT is to invest in programs and projects which improve the lives and opportunities of blind children in East Africa ( Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda), thereby helping them to lead more fulfilling lives.
The Trust, through its partnership with Perkins School for the Blind, is an organization through which individuals and corporations can make charitable contributions which will be used to enhance the quality of life for blind children in East Africa now and for generations to come. The focus is on programs operated by the Perkins School for the Blind, especially those in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. The partnership will reach children through projects such as, but not limited to, teaching Braille literacy, distributing and repairing Braille machines, and training teachers to work with blind students.
Established in December of 2006, the Trust is designed to be a tax-exempt supporting organization of Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts.
Structure of The Kilimanjaro Blind Trust
The Trust is goverened by the Board of Directors.
Initially, the KBT will operate through Perkins until further arrangements are made to allow the Trust to operate under other terms and conditions.
Governing Bodies of the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust, Inc.
Board of Directors
Paul Polman, Chief Executive Officer of Unilever
Steve Rothstein, Executive Director, Perkins School for the Blind, Boston, MassachusettsExecutive Officers
President: Eric Weihenmayer, Renowned blind climber, writer and speaker from Colorado
Vice-President: Jim Lafferty, Vice President Philippines, Procter & Gamble
Treasurer: Paul Polman
Secretary: Kim PolmanAdvisory Group
Joash Aswani
Sam Atwood (blind)
Craig Blaney
Peter Braun
Scott Fitzgerald
Jeanne Flannery
Andy Holzer (blind)
Jamie Ison
Craig Kiser (blind)
Koichiro Kobayashi (visually impaired)
Miki Kobayashi
Carl Kroonenberg (visually impaired)
Sherri Kroonenberg
Ron Kubit
Susan Lafferty
Eric Lloyd
Charley Mace
Charley Macfarlane
Christian Polman
Sebastian Polman
Bill Raeder (blind)
Douglas Sidialo (blind)
Joe WodinkFounding members of KBT contributed financially to establish the Trust.
Funds beyond the original investment by founding members will be collected on a continual basis through public fundraising efforts, direct donations from individuals or corporations, from bank interest or investment return, and other sources.
Accountability of Funds
All projects funded by KBT will be managed through the Perkins School for the Blind who will ensure accountability of the projects.
An Annual Report, including the annual Audit statement, will be published by the Executive Officers.
Supplemental Information about Perkins
Founded in 1829, Perkins School for the Blind (PSB) is the oldest school for the blind in the United States. The mission of Perkins is to help children and adults who are blind, visually impaired, deaf blind, and blind with multiple disabilities reach their greatest possible independence. Perkins offers a range of education and services to over 70,000 individuals in 55 countries worldwide. Perkins is currently working with 13 schools for the blind in East Africa and 113 students. All Perkins programs are grounded in a belief and respect that recognizes every person as a human being with potential to learn and grow.
For more information about the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust,
please email: info@kilimanjaro-blindtrust.org
