My parents never went to school. Now I am studying for a degree, and my little sister wants to follow me.
Anisha Akter · University student, Dhaka
Every summit keeps a promise to a child in Dhaka.
Watch Maria's story (10 min)Maria on the summit of K2 with her climbing team, 28 July 2024. The first Portuguese woman to stand on top of the world's two highest mountains.
Why education?
Because one school year changes everything.
Fees, books, uniforms and meals keep children from Dhaka's slums in the classroom instead of at work.
How we support students
Our graduates' paths now lead to universities in Scotland, Portugal, Malaysia and Australia.
Where they study
Internships with partner companies help graduates into work, so they can support the families who supported them.
Partner with us
When one child finishes school, younger brothers and sisters follow. Education breaks the cycle of poverty for the whole family.
Read the promiseSince 2005, one promise has kept 120 students in school.
Maria made it to families in Dhaka's poorest neighbourhoods. When the 2008 crisis took away her sponsors, she became an endurance athlete to keep her word. Your support keeps it now.
Give today
100%
Thanks to private donors who fund our running costs, 100% of your donation goes directly to students' education. How it works
Cristina's rule, which Maria still lives by
“If you begin something, you finish it properly.”Dhaka, 2005
On a layover as cabin crew, Maria met families living in extreme poverty and promised to help their children escape it through school. She named the foundation after the woman who taught her to keep a promise.
How it works
The mountains are the bridge, not the goal.
One expedition led to one talk at a GEMS Education graduation, and five of Maria's students received full scholarships. Every climb, talk and book is now tied to something specific: a school year, a university place.
See the summitsSource: Gulf News, 26 June 2026.
Summit Campaign
Sponsor a metre
The next climb: 40 students, one year of school.
A title sponsor covers the expedition, so every gift goes to students. Follow Maria's position and altitude live, and sponsor a metre of the climb.
Every May
Everyone has an Everest of their own.
Climb 8,849 metres in a month, on stairs, hills, bikes or treadmills, and fundraise as you go. Schools and companies enter teams.
Take the challengeKnow that your gift reaches a student.
We stay with each student from their first classroom to graduation and work. Every year we publish how many students you fund, where they study and what it costs.
Maria Cristina FoundationLast updated: October 2026
120students supported
25university graduates
4study countries
From Dhaka to universities abroad
- BDBangladesh: school & college—
- SCOScotland—
- PTPortugal—
- MYMalaysia—
- AUAustralia—
Student names and photos are shared only with consent.
Ready to take action?
There are lots of ways to stand behind Maria's students. Start today.
Student story
As featured in
Hear from base camp
Dispatches from Maria's climbs, students' milestones and the occasional invitation. No more than once a month.