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experience that would later form the creation of the Foundation. In February 2016, Dennis packed his bags once again and travelled to Kenya to rejoin KI for the 2016 climb. Dennis took the opportunity to explore the potential for future mentees among the participating youth, which resulted in recent commitments to accept more mentees into the programme. With the support of the Kilimanjaro Initiative and the New York based non-profit organization UNFCU Foundation, sponsorships are now in place for the enrollment of five new mentees by 2017.MENTOR PROGRAMME UNDERGOES FACELIFTThe Foundation continues to develop the support programme based on financial help, mentorship and education. During the Foundation’s first year, economic support, education and personal guidance have been focal points. Meantime, the Foundation team has worked behind the scenes on giving the mentor programme a sweeping facelift. Dennis Nielsen is excited about the design of the mentor programme, tailored to accommodate talented young peoples’ need for self-belief and a better future. He explains: ‘I am overly excited that we are able to provide our increasing group of talented young people with a mentor programme of such a unique design. I have not yet come across anything comparable to what we have been able to accomplish, and I cannot wait to experience it in action.’ Dennis is hopeful that the mentor programme will receive a programme certification within the near future. MENTOR TRAININGThe design of the mentor programme is the result of a collaboration with the Danish non-profit organization Talent Scouts®, specialized in mentoring and training of mentors. As such, the programme presents a training programme equipping mentors with the necessary tools to support mentees in establishing the self-confidence necessary for them to thrive in life. Upon completion of training, all mentors receive a certificate. MENTORING AND GUIDANCEWith the guidance of the Talent Scouts, the programme comprises of 12 meetings conducted over a six-month period. They are delivered in six phases: commitment, clarification, trust, learning, maturing and termination.Through the application of online tests, mentors establish their mentees’ learning styles, intelligences and strength of character. Bringing mentees’ practical and personal abilities out in the open is key to improving their self-image, self-knowledge and self-belief. Once the mentees realize that in fact, they do possess valuable, personal abilities and talents, a mentor steps in to help prepare them for educational readiness. Mentors will thus encourage and support their mentees in engaging in educational and community activities, discovering and cultivating their talents and ultimately choosing the ideal direction for their future. As a natural conclusion to the process, mentees receive a certificate as proof of completing the programme and as a reminder of everything they have learnt about themselves and their abilities to take charge of their own future. ■ABOUT THE AUTHORMelissa McCann Thomsen is Communication Manager at PDAid Foundation. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Business Communication and European Studies from Aarhus University, Denmark. Further informationPDAid Foundation www.pdaidfoundation.orgPDAid Foundation Film www.pdaidfoundation.org/about-us/filmKilimanjaro Initiative www.kiworld.orgUNFCU Foundation www.unfcufoundation.orgAbove: Dennis Nielsen, Founder of the PDAid FoundationLeft: The team of young participants in the 2016 Kilimanjaro Climb, organized by the NGO, Kilimanjaro InitiativeBelow: The table illustrates the distribution of activities during the 12 meetings outlined in the mentor programmeSUSTAINABLE BUSINESS 109