Celebrating 20 Years of Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa

In 2005, on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a remarkable journey began. Paul Polman, alongside eight courageous blind climbers, set out to conquer Africa’s highest peak. But this was no ordinary climb; it was a powerful symbol of courage, determination, and the boundless potential of the human spirit.

That climb became the spark that ignited the founding of Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), an organization driven by one simple yet profound belief: every learner with a visual impairment deserves equal access to education and opportunity.

Two Decades of Breaking Barriers

From its humble beginnings distributing and repairing Braille machines and providing Braille paper, KBTA has evolved into a regional movement of inclusion, empowerment, and innovation.

Over the past two decades, we have:

• Provided thousands of Braille devices to learners with visual impairments across East Africa.

• Introduced digital Braille assistive technology, opening up new worlds of knowledge and independence.

• Created employability pathways for young adults, ensuring that inclusion goes beyond the classroom and into the workplace.

• Supported research and development of assistive technology through Livelabs.

Every milestone has been fueled by the same spirit that began on Mt. Kilimanjaro, one of courage, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of equity.

Paul Polman, Founder, giving keynote remarks at the dinner.

A Night to Remember: 20 Years of Impact

On the 31st of October 2025, we had the honor of welcoming our founder, Paul Polman, back to Kenya to commemorate 20 years of KBTA’s impact. The evening of celebration brought together partners, donors, board members, and friends who have been part of this extraordinary journey.

The evening was filled with laughter, gratitude, and reflection, a heartfelt celebration of how far we have come and a reminder of the work that lies ahead. Stories were shared of young learners whose lives have been transformed through access to education and technology, and of communities strengthened by the belief that no one should be left behind.

As music and dance filled the room, so did a shared sense of pride and hope, proof that the climb that began on Mt. Kilimanjaro continues today in classrooms, inclusive workplaces, and communities we support.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

We extend our deepest appreciation to our board members, dedicated KBTA staff, and partners who made this celebration possible, and who continue to stand with us in our mission. Your commitment has been the heartbeat of our progress.

As we mark this milestone, we look to the future with renewed purpose, to keep climbing higher, reaching further, and ensuring that every learner with a visual impairment has the tools and opportunities to thrive.

Here’s to 20 years of breaking barriers and to many more of transforming education, technology, and lives across Africa. #KBTA20Years

Board members cutting a cake to celebrate

KBTA Board members and Staff

Dancing to celebrate 20 years