For Briyan Musumba, an educator based in Kilifi and Kwale counties, hiking is not just a passion—it’s a purposeful mission. He uses his climbs to raise awareness and provide primary schools with books to enhance students’ reading and writing skills.
Musumba’s mountaineering journey began in June 2022 with a climb of Mt. Longonot. “Climbing mountains helps me connect with nature and find peace,” he says. Since then, he has ascended 10 mountains and hills, including Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
“My work focuses on innovative teaching, including training teachers to integrate technology and interactive methods in their classrooms. I’ve collaborated with 309 schools across Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties. Alongside my teaching career, I am also a dedicated hiker and mountaineer,” Musumba explains.
On August 30 of last year, Musumba and a team of 26 mountaineers set out to summit Mt. Kenya. “The climb was more than just reaching a peak; it was a journey that showcased the strength of the human spirit, forged new friendships, and overcame significant challenges,” he reflects.
A month after climbing Mt. Kenya, Musumba began volunteering at St. Augustine Primary School in Mombasa. He and a colleague assessed the students’ skills in English and Mathematics and found them lacking. “We started tutoring Grade 3, 4, and 5 students, arriving early and using playful techniques to boost their literacy and numeracy skills,” he says.
“Without these foundational skills, students struggle in other areas. This motivated me to volunteer for an additional two months to support the most disadvantaged learners. The progress was truly inspiring,” Musumba adds.
Realizing the broader need for resources, Musumba extended his support to Grade 6 students as well. Observing the lack of books and materials in public schools, he was inspired by a community library in the Bangladesh informal settlement in Mombasa supported by the Pwani Youth Network.
Motivated by this experience, Musumba discussed his book donation mission with teachers at Mvita Primary School, who were eager to participate. Combining his passion for hiking with fundraising for books, Musumba aimed to address the shortage where five students share a single book.
He began by determining the specific book needs of each school, contacting publishers for costs, and setting a fundraising target. “I reached out to friends, family, and colleagues to raise funds for the books,” Musumba says.
His dedication led him to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. “Reaching the summit was about pushing my limits and achieving the highest point on our continent,” he says. Despite intense training and moments of exhaustion during the climb, Musumba persevered, driven by his mission for the children.
On January 1, Musumba reached the summit and launched a fundraising campaign through a website and M-changa account. The donations, totaling Sh60,300 via M-changa and around $500 (Sh64,500) via PayPal, were used to purchase books from Amazon and Longhorn Publishers.
Mvita Primary and St. Augustine each received 110 books, and the community library was given 179 books, exceeding his original goal. “The joy on the learners’ faces and the teachers’ happiness as they received the books was immensely gratifying,” Musumba notes.
Looking ahead, Musumba is preparing for his next challenge: climbing Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, on the Chile-Argentina border in early 2025. “I will undertake this climb to once again raise funds for children and education,” he concludes.
