We summited ⛰️ Kilimanjaro!
Hiking Kilimanjaro to raise $350,000 to Build Computer Labs for Nomadic Children
It was the culmination of a year of planning, training and fundraising. We conquered Kilimanjaro and raised $350,000 to build computer labs for Nomadic children who need access to the world at large and education.
Fundraising took many months of reaching out in the name of children in need. We received heartfelt donations, backed by our commitment to hike in the name of charity. We went through training, hiking countless trails for the first time, buying unfamiliar gear, and went on the journey to hike Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain on Earth.
“I witnessed some of my life’s most beautiful moments of courage and determination for these children, symbolic of my hike on Mt. Kili.”
Together with 14 other climbers and our excellent porter and guides, the journey began July 9, 2022. Besides the other 14 climbers, we were in the company of 8 guides and 45 other assistants to transport our gear, pitch our tents, and cook our meals.
We were determined to overcome difficulty to represent the commitment to help the children in East Africa who were facing adversity yet still had hope. For the first few days of the journey, the mountain was shrouded in a mixture of tall trees, clouds and fog; hence the destination remained a bit elusive to us. Days later, we were seeing the top of Kilimanjaro for the first time. We hiked above clouds, through difficult conditions, and for the commitment to our donors.
Some of my favourite memories of our climb were the moments we all walked single-file in total silence, our hearts beating strong in our chests as we absorbed the magnificence around us and the thought of conquering adverse conditions in the name of charity.
How to describe our seven-day journey on Kili?
Firstly on the surface, Kilimanjaro features several topographies, including savannah, rainforest, moorlands, arctic desert and the snow-covered summit itself.
Hiking Kilimanjaro is not just a physical challenge. It is also a test of overcoming adversity. The challenge is about resiliency, hope, and commitment. Conquering Kilimanjaro is about the inspiration to build computer labs and this determination meant there was no quitting for anyone on our team.
By no means an easy feat, the team encountered many challenges. There was no giving up, and like our fundraising efforts, one small step and one donor’s commitment at a time. We embraced 'pole, pole' (slowly, slowly). Short and simple: Kilimanjaro is not a sprint; it's a marathon. Your donations helped us to feel the support to engage in this feat!
The final test of my endurance.
The final day was our longest day and toughest‒ in the dark, each of us was wearing a headlamp and would attempt what we called 'summiting'. Once again, we all focused on the pair of boots in front of us. It was cold and windy, and at some point, we all were panting like a dog with every step. We were sleep-deprived, and some are experienced nausea, headaches and tingling fingers from the high altitude.
Our pace is glacial: one half-step at a time. We finally reached the first peak at dawn. This climb was the steepest we had encountered, and it's probably best that we climbed in the dark.
Kilimanjaro is not an ego trip; it's a community goal that requires taking care of each other. It is the same mission to build computer labs for children to access knowledge and the world at large. The nomadic children of East Africa deserve to be part of the bigger world, with access to community and the world at large.
“July 14 2022, was one of the most surreal days of my life. After six days of arduous hiking, hampered by occasional altitude sickness, rain and other times hot or cold weather, I reached the 5,892-metre summit of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. I had always fancied myself a hiker, but as I stood at the summit, gazing at the world below, it was difficult to grasp that this once impossible dream had finally come true for the children to have access to education and the world at large through this computer labs.”
The best advice we can give
Take your time when doing the climb. The mountain isn't going anywhere, which will help you avoid what is commonly known as altitude sickness. There's no rush to get to the peak, and your body will serve you better if it can adjust to the altitude differences. This will allow you to feel better and provide you with more energy.
“ I witnessed some of my life’s most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the few days I spent on Kili.”
