The war on women’s bodies.

The war on our bodies has been an ongoing struggle for decades, dating back to the 1970’s. People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) was formed in 1979 by a group of women volunteers in order to provide referral services and shelter to women experiencing domestic violence.
The word “jack-roll” or ‘jack rolling”, started during the 1980s by a gang called ‘the jackrollers’, it was the abduction of women in townships who would then subjected to lengthly periods of gang rape.

It was only after The Bill Of Rights was signed, did women receive formal recognition as equal citizens. For many years South African women were under the legal control of their fathers and husbands, this is still the same in many African countries.
The domestic violence act 116 of 1998 was signed: To provide for the issuing of protection orders with regard to domestic violence; and for matters connected therewith.

About ten years ago, somebody asked me when I will stop marching and pushing the anti-abuse campaign, my answer was when the abuse stops.

I have written many blogs on the state of affairs regarding rape and abuse in 2014 I wrote about a women who called out for help after she had been raped, she called on the police for assistance, her response came from the Hillbrow police station where six policemen( Men) were called to a rape case, they found the perpetrator and let him go. The survivor was present and requested medical attention, they denied that and told her to sleep it off as she had been drinking. I have highlighted on many cases where survivors have received ill treatment from police personnel when trying to report a case. Like many activists and organisations, this outcry and call has been the forefront of many campaigns, yet there has been very little change.
Over the past years we have seen the disrespect of women’s lives from the very publicised murder cases such as Oscar Pistorius, who killed his girlfriend Reeve Steenkamp and received a reduced jail sentence to Shrien Devani who was acquitted for murdering his wife Anna Dewani and Thato Kutumela who was sentenced to 20 years behind bars for the murder of his girlfriend, Zanele Khumalo. Former Soweto community radio presenter Donald “Donald Duck” Sebolai was sentenced to 20 years in prison for murdering his girlfriend, Rachel “Dolly” Tshabalala.
Unfortunately they have been hundreds if not thousands who have gone unnoticed.

Women in our present day still face many obstacles and challenges which can be related to poverty, violence and abuse in the home, unemployment, access to quality health care and legal representation.
Financial dependance of their male partners or husbands has increased vulnerability to domestic violence and rape.
The girl child has been greatly affected by the personal home front as well as discrimination at school, from the subject choices which have seen to be suitable fro male learners, girls have been sexually harassed, raped and abuse, some forced to drop out due to teenage pregnancy, possibly caused by rape. Many young girls miss school during their menstrual cycles as they cannot afford sanitary towels and tampons.

Over the past few weeks there has been in increase in reported crimes against women. These barbaric acts have been publicised and there has been a huge outcry from all sectors, that we need an intervention. This is true but we need to understand and own up to the fact that this has been on ongoing problem for years. The change that has occurred is that more incidents are being reported and now we hear a strong outcry from men.
The rate of crimes and murders that have escalated within the LGBT community. Due to the stigma attached many cases are not even heard and still remain unresolved.

Where to from now?
To start with, our men need to hold each other accountable. Many years ago I dated a man who’s business partner continuously made jokes about beating up women and this frustrated me, causing many arguments in our home. My then partners undermining attitude was that it was just a joke and I should get over it by response was and still is the same, if you joke about it, you condone the action. We need to create a shift in our conversations and attitudes towards women.

Gender equality starts in the home. There should not be gender specific roles for boys and girls, parents should be seen as equal. Children are taught and emulate what their parents do. Fighting in the home has proven to have lifelong effects on children. Many people decide to remain in abusive relationships as they feel that separation will affect the children, the violence and hatred is what affects the children.
If incidents happen at schools and remain unresolved, notify the department of eduction. No child should be scared to go to school or face any form df discrimination whilst trying to get an education.

The police need to be held accountable. Correct protocol measures need to be adhered with taking down reports, recording crimes and treatment of survivors.
We need harsher laws for rapists and abusers. Women need to stop being blamed for what happened to them. Victim blaming is still a major concern. I have made many reports and complaints to IPD with no response but if we get large number of valid complaints, then action will take place. Their contact details are:  
Address in Gauteng City Forum Building
 114 Madiba Street
 Pretoria
Telephone number: 012 399 0000

Email address

Complaints@ipid.gov.za

Our minister of police Mr Fikile Mbalula is very active on twitter: @mbalulafikile
 
Social media, should be used for good and not just scandal. If an incident occurs, recording it is necessary but so is justice. Record the dialogue and images but also record relevant information such as car number plates, what the perpetrator looks like, the exact location of where the crime takes place, such as a road sign, building structure etc
One should notify the police immediately and seek help for the survivor. We should make more citizen complaints, hold our police accountable. There are too many reported cased where investigating officers receive bribes and then in questioning the survivors, telling them that they should drop the case and convince them that they would not survive long trails. Granted trials are long and tedious and the incident will have to be repeated many a times but by keeping quiet will not help as the incident will still be repeated in your mind.

If you need assistance here are a few organisations that I have worked with and strongly endorse:

1. FEW: Forum For The Empowerment of Women
Call: +27 11 403 1906/7

Social media:
@forumfortheempowermentofwomen

Email
project1@few.org.za

Website:
http://www.few.org.za

FEW was established by black lesbian women activists living in Johannesburg in 2001.In a post 1994 South Africa and with the new constitution of 1996 recognising sexual orientation within the equality clause, it was clear that we had to organize ourselves to ensure that we were able to claim and live the rights entrenched in the constitution. Already, with increasing numbers of LGBTI people coming out and being visible both in everyday life as well as within human rights defending work, the age-old issues of discrimination, stigmatisation and marginalization were becoming more blatant. The group which initially began the conversation about organizing black lesbian women were concerned that within the broader LGBTI and women’s human rights issues, black lesbian women were more vulnerable because of intersecting identities, contexts and realities.
We also recognised the power within our community – both black lesbian women, women in general and the LGBTI community – to confront the abuses that were being perpetrated against us in a democratic South Africa. Initially, the focus was on social space and service provision, including counseling and information, education and communication on key issues, health and related realities of lesbian lives. A key focus was on the issue of hate crimes, particularly rape and sexual assault, which were being reported in growing numbers. The hate crimes were being perpetrated based on assumptions about sexual orientation and gender identity which were seen as deviant and so worthy of responses by communities. This homophobia was directed at all LGBTI people, but the targeting of black lesbian women for this “fixing” was obvious and linked to the patriarchal nature of our society which in turn fed heteronormativity. Projects included a small scholarship fund for survivors of hate crime related violence, drama and soccer as processes to engage with black lesbian women.

2. POWA: people Opposing Women Abuse:
Telephone: -11 642 4345/6
infor@powa.co.za
Twitter: @powa_za

POWA is a “feminist, women’s rights organisation that provides both services, and engages in advocacy in order to ensure the realisation of women’s rights and thereby improve women’s quality of life”.
POWA’s uniqueness as an organisation is in providing both services to survivors and engaging in advocacy using a feminist and intersectional analysis. Our work is rooted in the belief that change can only be said to be effective when women’s lives are directly improved through our interventions. We also believe that there is no single route to change, and thus constantly seek new and creative approaches in our programming to achieve the change we seek.

Frontline Services – Shelters, counseling, and legal advice
As one of our core frontline services, POWA provides shelter services for clients (and their children where relevant) who have been the victims of GBV. These services are located in the East and West Rand, and a “second stage” house is located in Berea. POWA also provides several forms of counselling to clients (including shelter clients), such as face-to-face counselling, support groups (facilitated by a social worker) and telephone counselling and referrals. The Legal and Advocacy Department at POWA also assist women (approximately 50 per month) with telephonic and face-to-face-legal advice to women, court preparation and support, and referral to other professionals and practitioners (pro bono).

Advocacy
The Legal and Advocacy Department at POWA works to “provide quality women-centred legal service and engage in national and regional advocacy for the protection and promotion of women’s rights.” POWA’s advocacy work includes advocating for legal reform, for example, parliamentary law reform submissions as well as strategic litigation. We actively participate in national advocacy. We are a member of the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR), a network of 26 Civil Society Organisations and Development Partners. In South Africa, POWA is the lead organisation spearheading the eight-nation Raising Her Voice Campaign, working to empower women to hold governments accountable to commitments on GBV and HIV.

Aluta Continua.

To continue the dialogue contact me via Facebook or twitter:
@RosieMotene.

Keeping our girls in school!

 I have been working within the activism space for over a decade now. I started with www.powa.co.za; I did an intensive three month training course, understanding what abuse is, the myths and misconceptions surrounding abuse, court preparation and what our rights are. On completion the course, I started working as training and public awareness volunteer, later I became a member of the board and soon I sat as vice-chairperson for a few years. I began my activist career with POWA as I came to the realisation that I had not truly healed from an abusive relationship. The relationship happened when I was at university and nine years after the incident, I still blamed myself. It was at the point of my life that I knew that although I had some of the best private school education, I was still uneducated. With my training at POWA, I used my public status to talk about my abusive partner, thus bringing healing to myself but I wanted to create awareness around the myths and misconceptions of abuse and let women know that they are not alone and more importantly, push the truth that if it is happening to you, then IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

Over the years I have worked with many women and children’s organisations and I have helped promote various campaigns, including working with the V-day foundation, founded by the award winning playwright Eve Ensler, who wrote the award winning book: The Vagina Monologues. I have worked in many disadvantaged communities across Africa, where the main focus has been on education, empowerment and knowing what your rights are. As those messages are incredibly important, there is an important factor that many of us have overlooked when it comes to women empowerment and girl power. That is acknowledging the stigmas that are attached to menstrual health and the reality of how it affects many lives. This includes the fact that due to various living conditions of living below the poverty line, many women and girls cannot afford the necessary tampons/pads nor do they have access to constant running water and washing materials.

 After researching through various websites and organisations, I soon discovered that approximately 50% of the female population is of reproductive age and most of them are menstruating every month. The majority of these ladies have no access to clean and safe sanitary products, or to a clean and private space in which to change menstrual cloths or pads and to wash. In many communities, menstruation is supposed to be invisible and silent, and sometimes, menstruating women and girls are supposed to be invisible and silent, too. Millions of girls and women are subject to restrictions in their daily lives simply because they are menstruating. Besides the health problems due to poor hygiene during menstruation, the lack or unaffordability of facilities and appropriate sanitary products may push menstruating girls temporarily or sometimes permanently out of school, having a negative impact on their right to education. This is a serious problem.

 I then began to research other alternatives to sanitary pads and tampons, as they are incredibly expensive.

 According to http://www.africa.com, Stuart Lewis wrote:

“In her lifetime, the average woman uses 11 000 tampons, or 22 sanitary products (pads or tampons per period). In South Africa with the average tampon costing about R1.50 each (yes, that means R33 a period, or R16 500 in her lifetime) and a pack of 10 sanitary pads costing R18 (which translates to about R36 a period, or R19 800 in her lifetime). This means that having a period is an expense that many cannot afford. Most South Africans still live below the poverty line, which means that they must use alternative means of stemming the flow. These include using towelling or material which is rewashed. However, in some cases this too is unaffordable.”

 As there are many communities across the continent where people live below the poverty line, the situation is the same if not worse, as many communities across Africa do not practice gender equality and the challenges for girls and women are much higher.

 According to Africacheck.org:

Since 2014, various people have claimed that 7 million girls in South Africa are missing school every month because they don’t have access to or money for sanitary products.

 A UNESCO report estimates that one in ten girls in Sub-Saharan Africa misses school during their menstrual cycle. By some estimates, this equals as much as twenty percent of a given school year.

 So what is the solution to this problem? How can we ensure that girls do not have to miss school due to their menstruation cycles?

 

1. We need to break the stigmas and misconceptions that surround menstrual cycles.

• According to University of Melbourne research fellow Dr Carla Pascoe is that money can still be made from promising women a more effective way to conceal their period.
• In some societies, menstruation is perceived as unclean or embarrassing, extending even to the mention of menstruation both in public (in the media and advertising) and in private (amongst the friends, in the household, and with men). Many traditional religions consider menstruation as ritually unclean. 

 

We need to create platforms and educate young ladies, that menstruation a part of womanhood.

 

2. Finding a cost effective, hygienic product, that will allow them continue with their lives as normal.

 

I came across the PrincessD Menstrual cup.

 

The PrincessD Menstrual cup is a reusable, eco-friendly, cost-effective menstrual cup made of the highest quality medical grade silicone. It is available in 2 sizes (small and large).

The menstrual cup is the ideal, sustainable solution for girls in disadvantaged areas in the world.

 

How does it work?

 

• It comes in two sizes.

– SMALL (20ml)

For girls and women under 30 years old.

Suitable for a light flow.

 

– LARGE (25ml)

For women over 30 years old.

Suitable for a heavy flow.

 Why is the PrincessD menstrual cup so amazing?

• It offers up to 12 hours of leak-free protection.
• The cup is ultra soft and made from hypo-allergenic, non-absorbent medical grade silicone.
• It is biocompatible and approved by the FDA.
• It contains no bleach, deodorant or absorbing gels.
• It is eco-friendly and does not contribute to deforestation.
• It is easy to insert and remove.
• It collects and does not absorb.
• Depending on the flow it can be used for up to 12 hours as a time.
• Suitable for use during any sports and sleep
• It is reusable for up to five years.
• Washing it requires hot water. This is ideal for communities who have limited access to water. After wearing the cup for a full day, it can be removed, rinsed under hot water and reinserted.
• It is the greener alternative to disposable tampons and pads.

 

I have decided to partner with this revolutionary product after using the cup for three of my periods. I found it incredibly cost-effective and comfortable.

I will be pushing the brand across the continent and I am looking for Pan African partners.

We need to keep our girls in school.

If you are a corporate company or government or simply an individual who wishes to buy this product or help promote it across Africa, please do contact us. 

rosie@princessdmenstrualcup.com

www.princessdmenstrualcup.com

 

 

Reaching my goal: Mt Kilimanjaro 2014.

REACHING THAT GOAL:

MY CLIMB UP MT KILIMANJARO 2014.

BUCKETLIST ADVENTURES!!

 

 

In 2012 I was appointed by UN Women as SA ambassador to climb Mt Kilimanjaro as part of the Africa Unite campaign. The Africa Unite Campaign, was launched by Ban Ki-moon, to stop violence against women and children on the African continent. I was elated and nervous and trained hard and set off with the idea that I would reach the summit without any hassle and be able to fly the SA flag high. To my dismay, illness got the better of me, on the day of the hike I had a stomach bug and spend the first two days of climbing vomiting and being ill, I made it half way up to Gilllmans point and was brought down. I was totally devastated and angry that I had not achieved my goal, little did I know that two years later I would be grateful for that day.

After returning to SA I made a pact with myself that I would attempt to climb again and make the summit. Mid 2013, I contacted Tim Challen, who had organized the UN climb to see when he had schedule the next climb as the Africa Unite campaign in SA collapsed. When he informed me that he had a climb planned for 2014, through the Kilimanjaro Initiative: www.kilimanjaroinitiative.or.ke. It would mark the 9^th annual Mount Kilimanjaro climb that would bring together 25 Urban youth and business executives to highlight the need for youth education and leadership.

 

I sit on the board of an organisation called The Tomorrow trust and this would be a great opportunity to raise awareness for the South African NGO. www.tomorrow.org.za

I visualized the climb and put it into my future plans that In February 2014, I would climb and summit. To my dismay I has an unfortunate incident in Botswana where I was punched in the face and had emergency nose surgery. In December, I took the decision to allow myself to process and heal effectively. I closed my business, and rested, prayed and processed the pain both physically and emotionally. Literally, taking it one day at a time. In January my doctor gave me the good news that the nose had healed effectively and that I probably would not need plastic surgery, I then turned my attention to Kili and focused my attention on planning, training and believing that 2014 climb would be successful.

Before I knew it, I booked my ticket, bags packed and Amy Shirley, our psychologist for The Tomorrow Trust, set off on the journey of a life time.

 

We arrived At Marangu, Kilimanjaro on the morning of the 1^st February 2014. We were met with the climbers from USA and Canada. Later on the youth arrived after a 10-day excursion of self discovery and team building. Little did I know that it was these ten individuals who would provide us with a huge amount of  inspiration and support. At first we called them youth, but looking back I would call them Game changers, as I found their strength, tenacity and power incredibly overwhelming. Its great to know that no matter how the world turns out, we can definitely can be sure that these ten young adults will be changing the world in a positive manner.

They are:

Kevin Owino Adundo – 23 years old, from Korogocho in Nairobi, Kenya; involved in an alumni program set up by Fight For Peace, a Brazilian and UK-based NGO that uses boxing as a way to engage and mentor young women and men.

Cynthia Faith Aroko – 19 years old, from Orecha, western Kenya; working as an intern at the Sauti Kuu Foundation (SKF) founded by Auma Obama to enable young people and their families to set up income-generating activities so as to guarantee their economic security.

Ricky Chauncey-Edmonds – 23 years old, from Queens in New York, USA; activities specialist at the LIC YMCA teaching high school students about fitness.

Yahiela Eliakim – 21 years old, from Manhattan in New York, USA; volunteer at the Andrew Glover Foundation that helps kids in the US criminal justice system.

John Senteu Letite – 23 years old, from Enkutoto, Kenya; an unemployed youth living in the Maasai plains who asked to join this year’s climb when he saw the KI group training near his home in 2013.

Furaha Modesti Lymo – 25 years old, from Marangu, Tanzania; involved with the Sembeti Youth, a self-help youth group that provides tuition to primary school students.

Makgotle Johannes Malebana – 23 years old, from Johannesburg, South Africa; representing Tomorrow Trust that pioneered an education-focused strategy to help orphans and vulnerable children transform their lives.

Carmen Miranda – 18 years old; from Harlem in New York, USA; worked with Creative Arts Workshops for Kids (CAW) last summer and is now focused on applying to school. CAW improves the lives of underserved youth through the use of visual, performing, and technology arts.

Vincent Odhiambo Oduor – 23 years old, from Sinkul village in the Nyanza Province, Kenya; is a graduate of Undugu Society of Kenya (USK) non formal school in Kibera, Kenya. USK was founded to improve the lives of children living in the streets of Nairobi.

Tanishka Thomas – 23 years old, from Brooklyn in New York, USA; involved in Red Hook Initiative’s Young Adult Program that empowers youth to overcome systematic social inequities.

The first few days before the climb included meeting the rest of the climbers, crew and team.

They were Phil and Bruce, who are brothers from Canada. Brion, our leader, Dr Joe and Paul, Cindy, Brian and Mike from New York, Juddah from LA and Pia and Dennis from Denmark.

Our guide Mawe, is a force to be reckoned with, he automatically got the group to do a series of team building exercises, the importance of group dynamics are an integral part to climbing Kilimanjaro, apart for the world renowned: POLE POLE, translated from Swahili, meaning SLOWLY SLOWLY. We were introduced to a group applaud of clapping and shouting ‘Give em one’ and the group would then repeat and another one.

 

Monday morning arrived, our bags were checked, we packed up were introduced to our team of porters, cooks, waiters and guides. I salute all of these mazing individuals, who carried our bags to each base camp, prepared our food and ensured our safety and well being. Our head guide Eliyah and his team did a sterling job and I salute them.

 

We headed to the gate of the mountain, where registration took place and we headed to first base camp, being Mandara.  I thoroughly enjoyed this day and the next one as compared to my 2012 climb it was these two days that I spend walking with a stomach bug, vomiting and not feeling great. We all set out in a slow pace set by Mawe and his team, taking in the beauty of the environment and the luscious green rain forrest.  

We enjoyed our packed lunch and warm tea which we soon discovered was a main component of all our meals. By now we had broken into groups and discovering each other, what we do, where we come from. Although we represented USA, Canada, Denmark, Kenya and South Africa, we all had similar goals in mind, to successfully climb and summit but more importantly to be part of the change in the world.

 

We arrived at Mandara camp in good time, our feet really sore, the moral high and ready for the next stage. We were booked into out huts, unpacked what we needed for the night and then made our way to dinner.

Day 2:

We headed to Horombo, through the rain forrest then through mountain terrain where we were introduced to the beautiful Tanzanian landscape and vegetation.

Today was longer than day 1 and a little challenging for me as I started to feel the altitude and made the near fatal mistake of wearing a cotton shirt. Just before we sat down for lunch I had difficulty in breathing and walking, only to discover I was wearing too many clothes and that cotton caused me to overheat. With support from Ricky, Tanishka and JM I unraveled, and felt normal again. The rest of the climb went well. We engaged in interesting conversation, laughs and future ideals.

On arrival at Horombo, we unpacked, went to dinner and then we were briefed for the following day.

 

Day3:

We headed to Kibu hut. The day started over rocky, across the saddle, which was dessert terrain then upwards towards Kibu. The effects of the high altitude began to take its toll and I felt that my pace had slowed down and breathing had become a lot more difficult.

The last stretch of climb just as we reached the camp was a real test for me.

I finally reached the hut, where we unpacked, had tea then a full plate of spaghetti and meat sauce. At this point I had severe heartburn which had reached an all time high. As much as I took antacid tablets, the burning sensation could only be described as a hot brick being lodged in my chest. Not only did it burn and create discomfort but also caused me to breathe slower and deeper. Our rest time was very limited for me as the hot sensation in my chest created all sorts of acid reflux sensations as I lay down. Before I knew it, it was 23h00 and we were woken up and had to round up outside for our summit climb. The air was chilled and calm and we headed to the foot of the mountain. Mawe, Eliyah and their team lead us up and we began walking at a slow pace. After about twenty minutes, I realised that the pace was too fast for me, the heartburn started to create a hot sensation. Brion, our leader, stayed with me, trying to console me, give me moral support but something was wrong, I realised that perhaps I was over dressed.

I stopped a little distance behind the group and felt really nauseous, then out of nowhere one of the guides, named Benvenuto said to me that I should be sick. He took my back-pack and I was sick. This was like a de ja vu for me, as my last climb in 2013, started this way out too. After vomiting for approximately 20 minutes, realizing that my dinner and possibly lunch were up, I needed to give myself some energy, I took out a power bar, took some water, took off some layers and said a prayer. After that Benvenuto, turned to me and said, what do you want to do?

My reply: I want to go to Uhuru. He smiled and said I should follow his lead and pace. Brion cam back to check on me and he was assured that we would meet at Gillmans, that was the last that I saw of the group. We started off on a really slow pace, breathing slowly and counting each step as we went. Afer every 100 steps, I would take a 1 minute break, sip of water and of need be a snack.

 

As we reached the half way mark, the point where I was forced to turn back on my last climb, I sat down in a small enclosure called the cave. I called on Hashem ( My creator) and asked him what we should do, I sat down, had a power bar, sip of water and then got up and we continued up the windy mountain. The next few hours consisted of us walking along a narrow path, winding to the top of the mountain. By now I could hardly see the rest of the pack and our darling Mawe’s voice and disappeared into the night. A few people had walked down past us and a two or three groups had passed me climbing up. I looked behind and it was darkness, I looked ahead and it was darkness, It was me, Be Venuto and my creator. What I admire and loved about him was then he knew that when I needed to take a break every few times would be a little discussion with Hashem, which he would then graciously allow me the space. One of the most phenomenal moments was as we were winding up the slope, he turned to me and said, you are a strong women but now we watch the sun rise. I turned around, put on my sunglasses and watched one of the most breath taking sunrises of my life.

 I realised at that point that I had been climbing for over six hours, that I has created a rhythm and my determination was in full swing. We continued up the mountain and then I saw a glimpse of a green board and I knew that Gillmans was close. We continued for a few hours and then suddenly I heard the familiar voice: Lets go, I looked up and saw Mawe leading Brian, Pia and Dennis down the mountain. The look of happiness and surprise on their face was astounding. They had been worried about me and were generally happy to see me make that point. We passed and a few minutes later I reached the top and took a turn and then I saw it, the Gillmans point sign. I had made it, Ben Venuto turned to me and gave me the biggest hug and looked at me and said again wow you are a strong woman. We then took our picture, I had a cry and took a large sessions of short breathes. Benvebuto then asked if he could convince me to go back, I asked him if I had to or if it was a suggestion. I sat down said a prayer and asked for guidance, I then stood up took a snack and decided that I has reached that far, but Uhuru was my goal. We then decided that that is what we would do. The next two hour walk was not as strenuous as the climb as I had a feeling of jubilation and excitement. We slipped around the mountain and reached the second last point, Stella, then in approximately 45 minutes I could see the final mark of the mountain. As I was staggering along I saw Dr Joe, and his huge smile and deep New York accent warmed my heart: Rosie is that you, you are a rock star. We hugged and I moved on, the next person I saw was Tanishka and we had a beautiful moment, where we cried and hugged and she had to be taken down the mountain. Then I saw two huge grins and I knew that one was from Kevin and the other was from Johannes from Tomorrow Trust We hugged and had an emotional cry.It was like a long lost family reuniting again.

 

I then saw the rest of the group and the feeling of surprise and pride that came from them was astounding. It was like a domino echo, Rosie has made it, the feeling of camaraderie and love was totally overwhelming and emotional. Amy did the unthinkable and even turned back with me to walk together to the Uhuru sign. I will never forget that, a true sister in deed. I had achieved my goal against all odds and it felt great.

Before I knew it Benvenuto too off my beanie from m head, I whipped out my Tomorrow Trust T-shirt and South African flag and stood proud in front of the sign. We took a few pictures and cried, tried to process the feeling then we made our way down the mountain. That day was one of the proudest days of my life. It took approximately 10 hours to get to that point and the realization that anything is possible, but as long as you do it at your own pace. Anything is possible with preparation, determination, belief and endurance. Like my healing took time, this climb took time and that level of consciousness is what I will take me further in the future challenges that life will throw me.

 

Thank you to the Kenya and USA teams who work hard on the Kilimanjaro Initiative. Thank you to our hard working team at The Tomorrow Trust. Both organisations work to change the lives of individuals from all walks of life.

 

As Mahatma Ghandi once wrote: Be the change you want to see in the world.

I urge you to be part of that change and support us.

For more information on:

 

Kilimanjaro Initiative:

P.O. Box 104160-00101
Nairobi, Kenya

Telephone:+254 072 237 8542

E-mail: info@kilimanjaroinitiative.org

 

The Tomorrow Trust:

Tel: +27 (11) 447 7707
Fax: +27 (11) 447 8130

Address:
132 Jan Smuts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Rosebank

Postal:
PO Box 1812, Saxonwold, 2132
JHB, South Africa