Radnor Local to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Children in Zambia

Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Wayne-based African Education Program (AEP), will be taking on this incredible challenge and seeks to raise $1 for each foot she will climb for a total of $20,000. These funds will directly support digital learning and leadership development for the children and youth at AEP's Learning & Leadership Center in Kafue, Zambia and will provide essential digital resources, equipping Zambian students with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The African Education Program is also celebrating their 20-year milestone anniversary. Founded in the cafeteria of Radnor High School in Wayne, Pennsylvania, Julie-Anne and three sophomore friends decided they wanted to do a service project for students living in communities that were under-resourced and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia. Founders Hillary Bridges, Sarah Hayes, Christian Mark and Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza sought the advice of their native-Zambian soccer coach at the time, Dave Chalikulima, and connected with his brother, Amos, a community leader in Kafue. Last Fall, Julie-Anne was inducted into the Radnor High School Hall of Fame in recognition of her humanitarian efforts, and this year, she was invited to give the keynote speech at the Radnor High School commencement ceremony.

This fundraiser also marks the launch of AEP's new partnership with Summits with a Purpose, a nonprofit founded and led by record-breaking mountaineer and native Zambian, Saray N’Kusi Khumalo. Saray is the first black African woman to summit Mount Everest and, in 2025, she will become the first Black woman to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam. The organization is dedicated to encouraging African youth to engage in exploration, education, outdoor activities, and entrepreneurship. Summits with a Purpose has financed nine digital libraries through fundraising treks, reaching nearly 2,000 African children. For more information on joining one of our future treks, visit our website.

Julie-Anne, Saray and the Summits with a Purpose team will begin the trek on August 3rd. To follow along, check out the African Education Program's Facebook or Instagram page for updates.