Climbers tackle Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for underprivileged girls
BRYANSTON – The expedition will help raise money for sanitary pads to ensure that young girls do not miss school because they cannot afford them.
A brave group of climbers will tackle Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise funds for sanitary pads for underprivileged girls.
The Trek for Mandela expedition will have two summit dates this year, taking place on important dates in the South African calendar – 18 July to celebrate Mandela Day and 9 August to commemorate National Woman’s Day. There will be 67 participants who are all ensuring their effort makes a difference in a girl’s life.
The Caring 4 Girls initiative, which was started by the Imbumba Foundation, works to ensure that young girls do not miss school because they cannot afford to buy sanitary pads. Richard Mabaso, CEO of the foundation said that the idea was inspired by his niece and the stigma attached to talking about periods.
“For me, the most exciting thing is that we have reached more than 300 000 girls,” said Mabaso.
He also highlighted that partnerships with companies are what ensures that the initiative is a success. On 9 August, Sung Yoon, the CEO and president of Samsung Electronics Africa, will be joining the trek while Dis-Chem pharmacies will be collecting sanitary pads to donate to the initiative.
Yoon said, “It is an honour to be able to participate in this highly important charitable campaign. The young women that are positively impacted by Caring 4 Girls are an integral part of South Africa’s future.”
The trek will be led by experienced climber Sibusiso Vilane, who has summited Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times. Vilane highlighted that mental strength is just as important as the physical strength.
“Your biggest ally to push you to keep going is the profound reason why you decided to climb this mountain, because once you know the why the challenges along the way just fall to the side, not easily, but you persevere through it because you’re driven by the reason why.”
Also taking part in the hike is a brave 10-year-old boy, Tshego Hatang.
Tshego said at the launch that he is excited to be a part of the climb and hopes that this will help young girls stay in school. Two young girls who will be benefiting from the expedition, Koketso Mashele and Manthepa Setena, expressed how grateful they are that the expedition will help young girls stay in school.
Details: Imbumba Foundation 011 883 0379.
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Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/186697/kilimanjaro-4-the-kids/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/185110/taking-on-kilimanjaro-for-sandton-spca/
