Kash and Cassie climb Mount Kilimanjaro!
Thursday 10th October 2024
Thursday 10th October 2024
On October 10th, 2024, we (Kash and Cassie) will embark on an incredible journey to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Standing at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet), Mount Kilimanjaro is not only Africa’s tallest peak but also the world’s largest free-standing mountain. We’ll be taking the 8-day Lemosho route, a challenging trek that takes us through diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests to arid deserts.
We’re excited to be fundraising for two deserving causes—Zambia Orphans Aid and UNRWA—splitting the donations equally between the two charities. Your support would mean the world to us as we aim to reach our fundraising goal of £2,500.
Any contribution, big or small, will make a huge difference.
---------------------------------------------
Why Kilimanjaro?
We were both in search of a challenge that would push us mentally and physically—a test that would (hopefully) bring that exhilarating sense of achievement once completed. Running a marathon didn’t quite appeal to either of us (!), so we set our sights on conquering Mount Kilimanjaro. And of course, we’re going to reward ourselves with a well-deserved holiday in Tanzania afterwards!
For those who don’t know, Cassie lives in the U.S. and Kash is in the UK, so while we haven’t been able to train together, we’ve been committed to keeping each other motivated and accountable. You can follow us as we track our training progress on Instagram (@summitsisters__). We’ll also be using this page to keep our family and friends updated as we embark on our trek.
With 24 years of friendship and adventures in over 8 countries under our belts, it’s time to take on our wildest challenge yet—and add another country to our list!
---------------------------------------------
Zambia Orphans Aid:
Hi there, it's Kash! As many of you know my mother is Zambian and although I am born and bred in the UK, my Zambian heritage is very dear to my heart and something I am incredibly proud of. My mother has always made sure I have been connected to my Zambian roots and family, and I have regularly visited Zambia right from when I was born. When Cassie and I were young primary school children, I always told her, “One day I'll bring you to Zambia.” In 2019, that childhood promise became a reality when Cassie joined me and my family in Zambia!
When we decided to embark on this adventure, I knew I wanted to take the opportunity to fundraise for a charity which supported my heritage - Zambia. I also was keen to find a charity that supported children and helped them to improve their future and life chances. Zambia Orphan Aid (ZOA) work with carefully selected grassroots, community-based groups in some of the most disadvantaged communities in Zambia.
• 1.2 million orphans and vulnerable children are living in Zambia and don’t have the support or family structure they need to thrive. Many live in households headed by grandparents/children, scraping by on less than £1.50 a day. Without access to school they face a lifetime of poverty.
• ZOA finds sustainable solutions to help orphans and other vulnerable children access education, giving them the potential to transform their lives. We know that just getting children into school isn’t enough, they need a full belly to concentrate in class, good mental health to fully participate in society and careers advice.
ZOA provides:
o Uniforms
o Books and tuition fees
o Funds nutritious school meals
o Helps school leavers gain vocational qualifications
o Offers mental health support to those that need it and provides girls with reusable sanitary pads to keep them in the classroom
You can find out more about this brilliant charity by clicking the ZOA logo above.
---------------------------------------------
UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East):
Hey there, it’s Cassie! Currently, Palestinians are facing catastrophic devastation due to the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza. As of August 7th, at least 39,677 people have been reported killed in the Gaza Strip since October 7th. Over 1.8 million Palestinians have been displaced. This displacement has been particularly severe in Gaza, where residents have been repeatedly forced to move, often with little to no notice, under extremely difficult conditions. Many have fled multiple times as the conflict has intensified, leading to overcrowded shelters and deadly living situations. I would feel remiss not to use this opportunity to contribute in some meaningful way to help aid Palestinian refugees right now.
I’ve chosen to fundraise for UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. This organization has been dedicated to providing essential services and support to Palestinian refugees since 1949.
Why UNRWA?
UNRWA plays a critical role in ensuring that Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria have access to vital services, including education, healthcare, and social services. Their efforts are particularly focused on Gaza currently, where families face constant fear and danger, and live in inhuman conditions with lack of water, food, medical supplies and basic needs. UNRWA is working on the ground to provide these basic human services.
Here’s how UNRWA makes a difference:
• Education: UNRWA runs over 700 schools, providing free basic education to more than half a million Palestinian children, giving them the tools to build a better future.
• Healthcare: Through a network of health centers, UNRWA offers primary healthcare services to millions of refugees, ensuring they have access to medical care regardless of their circumstances. They operate 143 primary health clinics, with 8.4 million annual patient visits.
• Social Services: UNRWA supports vulnerable refugees, including women, children, and the elderly, providing them with the resources and care they need to survive and thrive. They provide food assistance to more than 1 million food-insecure refugees. They also economically empower men, women, and youth through vocational training and have awarded more than 475,905 microfinance loans.
As the devastation in Gaza only increases each day, UNRWA’s work is more important than ever. I am proud to support their mission and would be incredibly grateful for any contributions to help us reach our fundraising goal of £2,500.
You can find out more about the incredible work UNRWA does by clicking the logo above.
---------------------------------------------
Thank you so much in advance -
Kash and Cassie xo