Kilimanjaro charity trek starts at last
AFTER more than two years, a team of trekkers from ActionAid Guernsey is finally on its way to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
The ascent of the African mountain was meant to take place in June 2020, but after several postponements, the team has set off for Africa this week.
The trek up the world’s highest free-standing mountain takes seven days to complete and the team is due to reach the summit at 5,895m on 4 November.
Between them, and with support from Guernsey’s Overseas Aid & Development Commission, the team has raised more than £70,000 for a project in Tanzania, which has helped address violence against women and girls.
The project has been so successful that it has led to the government in Zanzibar introducing a law to protect victims of gender-based violence and ensure that they receive justice.
ActionAid Guernsey chairwoman Natalie Tucker is one of the people taking part in the climb.
‘We’re so grateful to our team for their fundraising efforts, and to everyone who has donated,’ she said.
‘Their efforts have already made a massive life-changing difference to the communities supported by our project.’
Violence against women and children is a serious problem in Zanzibar – a semi-autonomous province archipelago off Tanzania.
ActionAid Tanzania has established a shelter for survivors of violence in northern Zanzibar, which is now government funded.
Through the shelter, ActionAid Tanzania identified the need to address root causes of violence, particularly around societal norms and stakeholder engagement.
The project seeks to address violence against women and children in Zanzibar using workshops and training sessions, as well as start-up grants for women to provide economic independence.
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