Climbing a mountain for a mountain of children’s books
Also coming back from the moutain is MountKili, a home brewed gin
A Bonaero Park resident and adventurist ticked off one goal on his bucket list on March 11 when he travelled to a dormant volcano in Tanzania to climb the highest mountain in Africa.
Business development manager Emlyn Bul (41) will not just start his ascent up Mount Kilimanjaro on March 16 to fulfil his own dream, but also the dream of learners in Soweto to have a library of their own.
Bul is one of 17 Flight Centre employees from across the world who has taken hands with the Adopt-a-School Foundation in the Kili4Kids project. With their climb, they hope to raise enough money to build a library for Qhobosheane Primary School. Currently, the school only has a few books at its disposal.
“Books on multiple subjects will help children to learn better,” Bul told Express. “It is important to make a difference in a child’s life early in their school careers.”
Bul was a student when he moved to South Africa from Holland in 2011.
“I hope living in Johannesburg for all these years will give me a head start for the high altitude of Kilimanjaro,” he laughed.
He spent weekends hiking in Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Klip Rivier and Magaliesburg in preparation.
On his climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, Bul will not only have his gear with him, but also juniper berries. Upon his descent down the mountain, he will return with glacier water.
Why? Together with a local gin maker, Bul plans to make a gin of which the ingredients have been to the highest point in Africa. MountKili, as it will be aptly named, will be available in a few exclusive hand-numbered bottles that gin lovers can pre-order. The proceeds will go towards the Flight Centre Foundation.
To raise more funds, a gin and food pairing evening was held on March 8 in Fourways.
“I hope to raise around R60 000 for the cause,” Bul said. For those who also aspire to climb Kilimanjaro one day, he advised to do it for the right reasons.
“Think why you are doing it. What is bigger than you that drives you?”
Those who would like to make a donation towards the cause can use the following details:
NPC Account no: 62532622364
Branch name: RMB Corporate Banking
Reference: KemptonKili
