Stanger teacher gears up for the big climb

Leading by example, a 25-year-old Harry Bodasing Primary school teacher aims to teach her pupils the value of hard work by conquering the great Mount Kilimanjaro.

In a less than a month, Reshmi Singh of Stanger Manor will jet off to Tanzania to begin her climb of the 5 895 metre mountain, the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

For Singh, this has been a lifelong dream.

“I am a part of the Smurf’s Hiking Club in Stanger and I have been climbing for as long as I can remember. I enjoy taking up a new challenge and so I have decided to take on a solo climb with a route that encompasses a six-day hike up Kilimanjaro.”

Being an animal lover, Singh attached a social cause to her climb, by which she will be raising funds and awareness for the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in Limpopo, an animal welfare NPO.

While the dedicated fitness enthusiast spends seven days a week at the gym with an intense two-hour routine, she said her biggest challenge in preparation for the climb has been training her mind.

“I have heard that the climb is 65 percent mental and 35 percent physical. When your legs cannot go anymore you have to push yourself to take the next step. The night where you climb to the summit is known to be the most grueling and I know of people who have even temporarily lost their memory.”

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“I will arrive in Tanzania on September 28 and start my six day climb on September 30 with just a guide and a porter. Luckily the guide will be cooking for me but the conditions are meant to be difficult. Things we take for granted like toilets and water will present a challenge on the mountain as they make use of the long drop system and water is only available until a certain point.

“My goal is to treat every point as a summit and if I make it to the top I would have accomplished my dream but if I do not, I will not see it as a failure.”

The former Stanger Manor Secondary pupil said she wanted to teach her pupils to go after what they were passionate about while still being compassionate about the environment.

“The social cause I am supporting is called Climbing for Lions and people can follow the journey on Facebook. I am selling items to raise money for the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary and those who donate can stand a chance of winning a two-night stay at Prince’s Grant.”

For more information or to donate, email Reshmi Singh at Reshmi reshmi93@gmail.com.

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