2022 10 Kilimanjaro

Climbing Kilimanjaro

Our Rotary club recently hosted a brilliant evening where two Rotarians and the daughter of our current President, Phoebe Goodale,  gave us a fantastic insight into their individual journeys up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania,  raising money for their chosen charities.

Andrew Mitchell undertook the expedition in 2006 and chose the Marangu route which is a shorter but steeper climb.  He described trekking through the rainforest, observing monkeys and strange plants indigenous to the region and then the arduous climb up to the rim.  It was clear that many climbers at that time suffered from altitude sickness and related illness and Andrew himself felt unwell during the climb.  He raised  £7,132.35 in support of VetAid , a charity working to improve the lives of African farmers and increase their productivity in a sustainable way and at the end of the climb he and his fellow climbers worked with the Masai tribes treating their livestock and supporting them in a variety of ways.

Phoebe and Rangesh both reached the summit in September’22 on the Machame route but had two different experiences.  Phoebe went with a group of 18 young people who she had never met before.  They who were accompanied by a superb entourage of guides and porters who carried everything including dining tables and chairs and ensured that the climbers were well cared for and as safe as possible. Rangesh ascended with his friend Mark who was an experienced climber and they chose a more five-star experience although it still sounded extremely hard and challenging. Their descriptions of their journey were amazing and were illustrated by photos that captured the reality of climbing this mountain.  We, the audience travelled with them, and almost felt the freezing temperatures and the potential danger of falling while hugging the aptly-named ‘Kissing Rock’. We also shared the immense sense of achievement when they reached the summit.

They both praised the exceptional support they received from the porters and guides and were delighted by the tremendous reception they received from the local community when they arrived back at Moshi.

Phoebe raised £4000, giving £2700 to the Meningitis Research Foundation (which included £900 donated by Rangesh), and the rest to Rotary charities. Rangesh raised £3600 and gave £2700 to our Rotary charities. An excellent result!

It was a truly entertaining and inspirational presentation.

Hazel Morley

Midhurst and Petworth Rotary Club

        DETAILS OF ANDREW'S CLIMB

In 2006 VETAID was a charity working in the developing world with small-scale farmers who depended on their livestock for survival.  Much of the work involved training in animal health , vaccination, worming programmes and general husbandry with some restocking.  Also working with local government veterinary and agricultural departments ensuring that the appropriate skills were in place to support the farmers with their new livestock.   Goats, cattle and chicken are the most common.  Away from agriculture,  the charity advised on HIV/Aids control and the training of women to survive independence as an increased proportion of young men had died.  This involved teaching beadwork skills and the setting up of a tannery to make leather goods.  Another aim was to help with Land Rights of Nomadic tribes losing more productive areas to settled people.

We were involved directly with the Maasai tribes people and visited them after our trip up Kilimanjaro.

 Global warming continues to be an issue for the future of these people and dare I say, maybe for all of us.

Andrew Mitchell