Kili climbers summit Africa's highest peak to make a difference

At 7am June 27, 2010 all ten climber's successfully reached Africa's highest peak - Uhuru Peak stands 5,895 meters above sea level! More importantly, their efforts raised $80,000 to provide youth with opportunities to achieve their full potential through sports and education.

Ten friends decided to do their part to Make a Difference and cross one item off their 'bucket list' simultaneously by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. 

The team members converged in East Africa June 21st and made their way to Moshi, at the base of the mountain. In Moshi they were invited to be guests of Minjeni - a community empowerment group for the residents of the tiny village of Chimbwe, to provide a Sports Day for over 80 children in the village. It was a day to remember and the perfect motivation for the long journey ahead.  

The team hiked the Machame Route - climbing to a height of 6000m, over 100km in 6 days. The Machame Route has been described as the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro as well as the safest with respect to acclimatization – the team’s largest challenge. Following steep paths through magnificent rain forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau, it then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the south face of Kibo providing superb views of the Southern Icefields, through the Shira Plateau and up the final ascent to the summit.  

The climb to the summit proved to be particularly challenging with four of ten climbers experiencing altitude sickness including nausea, vomiting and dizzyness. 

But in the spirit of teamwork and Making a Difference, the group worked together to reach the summit as a team at 7am June 27, 2010. It was a unforgettable moment to cap off an intensely spiritual and fun journey for all involved. 

Most importantly, the collective effort of the Climbers and their families, friends and colleagues has raised a total of approximately $80,000 (and counting) from over 500 donors to go directly to youth who need it most. 

To the team that has committed itself to climbing Kilimanjaro, it means much more than a great adventure or an item to cross off the ‘bucket list’.  Each participant has committed to planning, training, funding and fundraising for the experience.  All because each member is committed to making a difference in the lives of youth and believes they can use this experience to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the cause.

For each hiker, summiting Kilimanjaro represented much more than a personal challenge, but an opportunity to make a difference for something they truly believe in. Each participant committed to planning, training, funding and fundraising for the experience and incurred their own costs of travel and fundraising individually to raise as much as possible for youth.

Special thank you to our sponsors Merck Frosst for making this event possible and Kraft Foods and Little Tikes. 

See blogs and photos here