Steps for Hope – Climbing for Cambodia 

The Heart of the Matter: KAKO & Cambodian Children 

More than 15 years ago, Henry was a student at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Together with fellow students, he founded Helping KAKO – a registered non-profit association with one purpose: to support KAKO (Khmer Akphiwat Khmer Organization), a grassroots NGO in Siem Reap, Cambodia, built on the principle of "Cambodians helping Cambodians."

KAKO works in non-formal education and community development – running preschools, supporting primary education, funding scholarships, and building basic sanitation infrastructure for rural communities. 

Henry didn't just support KAKO from a distance. He travelled to Siem Reap himself and visited the families and children whose lives depend on this work.

"What stayed with me was seeing children go to school – instead of spending their days working the rice fields alongside their parents, because that was the family's only source of income. And something as basic as a toilet, which many families simply didn't have. KAKO changes lives in the most concrete, human way." 

Henry is climbing beyond the height of Mount Everest – one staircase at a time – to give Cambodian children access to education.

The Challenge 

On 2 May 2026, Henry will take on a remarkable feat of endurance and mental strength: the Mt. Everest Ultra Staircase Marathon (METM) in Radebeul, Germany. Over 24 consecutive hours, he will run a loop of approximately 840 metres – including the iconic 397 steps of the Spitzhausteppe – again and again. Each loop climbs exactly 88.5 metres of elevation, so that 100 loops add up to the precise height of Mount Everest: 8,849 metres – up and back down again. Last year, Henry completed those 100 loops in 21 hours and 4 minutes. This year, he's pushing beyond that: his goal is 10,000 metres of elevation – more than 113 loops – in the full 24 hours.

The Man Behind the Mission 

Henry was a competitive athlete in his youth. Three years ago, he returned to his roots and discovered ultra running – pushing the boundaries of what the human body and mind can endure. The Mt. Everest Staircase Marathon is not just a physical test. It's a mental one. 100 loops of the same staircase. The same steps. The same view. Hour after hour.

"The hardest part wasn't the legs. It was the monotony. 100 times the same staircase. Somewhere around loop 60, the race stops being about the body. It becomes a conversation with yourself. When everything looks the same, the only thing left to explore is who you are." 

But this year, Henry doesn't just want to test his own limits. He wants every step to count for something bigger. 

Where Your Money Goes 

Every euro raised through this campaign goes 100% directly to KAKO's preschool programmes in Siem Reap – giving young children and their families access to early education and a foundation for a better future. 

Philanthropy Connections acts as the transparent partner organisation: monitoring how funds are used, reporting back to donors with full clarity, and publishing all documentation publicly. No hidden overhead. No vague promises. Just direct impact. 

Why Philanthropy Connections? 

Henry chose to partner with Philanthropy Connections because their values mirror his own skepticism about the aid sector – and his insistence on doing things right. 

"I know Sallo personally. He built Philanthropy Connections because he wanted a charity he would actually donate to himself. That's exactly the standard I want to hold this campaign to." 

How to Donate

Donate by QR or Bank Transfer.

To make a bank transfer / CHAPS payment please send your donation to:

The Netherlands

• IBAN: NL73ABNA0517643723
• BIC: ABNANL2A
• Account holder: Stichting Philanthropy Connections
• Bank: ABN AMRO - The Netherlands

Thailand

• Account number: 163-1-74474-1
• Account name: Philanthropy Connections Foundation
• Bank: Kasikorn Bank
• Swift Code: KASITHBK

USA

• Donation via Every.org



Thai QR code    &    Dutch QR code (Tikkie)

A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your kindness and generosity.

Join the Journey

Thai QR code    &    Dutch QR code (Tikkie)



Henry will run through the night of 2 to 3 May 2026 – and you can support him and the children of Cambodia with a donation of any size. 

Every step he climbs, he climbs for them. 

Donate now and be part of the climb.