About the project

Samuel Rodrigue

At 22, Samuel's life was turned upside down. Emergency hospital stays, extreme pain, moments when his life was seriously at risk. After many tests, the diagnosis came: abdominal lymphangiomatosis, the 144^th documented case in the world.

When his doctor told him "if you go off to discover Machu Picchu, you'll come back feet first," his dreams were put out for a time. But he quickly understood that a diagnosis does not determine the end of a story; what determines what comes next is the way we choose to respond to it.

Role & expertise

Founder-President of La Montée de l'Espoir and climber on the expedition. An entrepreneur and survivor of a rare disease, he carries the project from A to Z, from its strategic conception all the way to every metre climbed toward the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Why he's here

Because he knows what it means to have your dreams threatened. Because he refuses to let other children have to wonder whether they'll have the time to make theirs come true. And because he believes that turning pain into a mission is the most powerful form of hope one can offer.

"In the darkness of illness, hope becomes a light. La Montée de l'Espoir wants to carry that light higher than the mountain."

Samuel Martel-Denault

Samuel Martel-Denault is passionate about challenges, the outdoors and content creation. A carpenter by trade and a photo and video entrepreneur, he now devotes his energy to a project bigger than himself: the climb up Kilimanjaro.

Role & expertise

Vice-President of La Montée de l'Espoir and climber on the expedition. Through this challenge, Samuel wants to use his skills and determination to make a real difference. His goal is clear: to climb the highest mountain in Africa to support children living with illness and help offer them hope and support.

Why he's here

Driven by daily discipline, a go-beyond mindset and a deep desire to help, he turns this adventure into a mission. Every step toward the summit becomes a concrete gesture for a cause greater than himself.

Céline Martel

A public relations and communications strategist, Céline combines instinct, organizational rigour, planning and action. Her path, first in television and radio, led her to run her own communications firm, which she headed for 18 years.

Role & expertise

Accustomed to demanding, complex and decision-driven environments, she works mainly in the health, education and environmental sectors. Among others, she has supported the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ), the Association des orthopédagogues du Québec (L'ADOQ) and an intermunicipal board. In 2023, she chose to close her business to take on a new challenge by joining the communications team of a client in the municipal sector.

Why she's here

Because she believes in the power of causes that mean something. Within La Montée de l'Espoir, she puts her expertise at the service of the mission: structuring communications, carrying the voice of the project to the media and partners, and shining a light on the children who benefit from it.

Sylvie Bouffard

A nurse passionate about people, health and travel, Sylvie Bouffard has built solid experience over the years, particularly in travel health, teaching and supporting people living with a variety of medical realities. Her approach is at once rigorous, caring and deeply attentive to the needs of others.

Role & expertise

Responsible for the health and safety of the expedition. A nurse by profession with particular expertise in travel health, she keeps a close watch on Samuel's health and, when needed, acts as the link with the medical resources on site, so that the climb unfolds in complete safety.

Why she's here

A committed woman, a mom and a grandma, she is driven by the desire to make a difference, especially in causes that touch children. She loves taking on challenges and getting involved in meaningful projects. It is with heart, professionalism and commitment that she takes part in this adventure.

Marie-Claude Bérubé, CPA

Born and raised in Sherbrooke, Marie-Claude discovered accounting while working at a local business. That professional love at first sight led her to go back to school at 26 at the Université de Sherbrooke, where she earned her CPA auditor designation in December 2015.

Background & expertise

She first worked five years at a large accounting firm, then continued her career at a small firm in downtown Sherbrooke, where she prepared financial statements and tax returns for businesses and individuals. Today, she is a partner at Cabinet Bérubé CPA Inc., where she oversees her clients' files and ensures they meet their tax and accounting obligations.

Why she's here

Beyond her work, Marie-Claude is deeply moved by the distress of the most vulnerable, especially that of children. So it was only natural that she chose to offer her bookkeeping services to the foundation free of charge. For her, lending a hand as a volunteer is a concrete way to put her skills at the service of the cause and to support the team on the ground.