38 Days and Counting...
As you know, I’ve joined a team of 16 (extra)ordinary people who are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in March to bring awareness to women who have experienced violence in the war zones of Syria/Iraq, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. In mapping out my training schedule, I realized this morning that we’re down to 38 days until we leave. I have 38 days to convince my head that my body is up for this challenge.
The reality is that I fluctuate between feeling like Wonder Woman and being just a teensy bit anxious, which generally looks like me lying awake staring at the ceiling, heart pumping and screaming inside my head in my best Norman Bates voice, “LEIA, OH GOD, LEIA!”
Because several people have asked, here are a few details about the trip you might find interesting:
We will be trekking the Rongai route, which is considered a medium difficulty route. The trip will take a total of five days and will include a total of approximately 29 miles of walking (including 8 miles of descent).
Our team will be spending several days on the front and back ends of the climb in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which are neighboring countries to Tanzania.
We will journey through 4 climate zones during the climb, taking over 38,000 steps, and climbing 19,341 feet. We WILL have oxygen tanks with us (everyone wants to know this).
I have a personal fundraising goal that I’m facilitating through the work of Somebody’s Mama. I am looking to raise $19,341—a dollar for every foot of mountain I climb. So far, through the generosity of friends and family, we have raised $703.
I’ve had more than a few people tell me they want to climb the mountain, and while there may be spots in the future for another climb, this climb team is definitely at capacity. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for you to “join” us.
DONATE First, you can obviously donate toward Somebody’s Mama’s “Campaign to End Violence Against Women.” This is the easiest way to help. If you have questions about this, fill out the form below, and I’ll answer all your queries.
TELL THE STORY Secondly, are you a blogger/writer/social media guru? We can use your voice to tell this story! If you are interested in writing about the trip and sharing it with your people, fill out the form below, and I’ll get back to you with a press packet of information. You can also follow and share all things One Million Thumbprints: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
WALK WITH US Next, do you run? Are you part of a walking group? Do you teach Zumba or yoga or Pilates or another fitness class? We would love for you to “walk with us” by running/walking/Zumbaing for the cause! If you’d like to do this as an individual or as a group, join the “Walk With Us” group on Facebook, where you can get all the info you need about partnering with us during the week of March 4-8.
COLLECT THUMBPRINTS Finally, if you are someone who sees me on a regular basis, don’t be surprised if I ask for your thumbprint. Part of this initiative includes collecting thumbprints that represent all of the people who are supporting our climb and who want to give voice to women who have experienced violence in war zones. Click here for instructions on how to make your own banners, or if you fill out the form below, I’ll mail you a banner.
That’s it for now! Thanks to all of you who have already supported this endeavor financially and through prayers. I’m so happy to be surrounded by people who turn ideas into action. (And speaking of action, I'm off to binge watch Nurse Jackie on my phone and climb stairs while my kids are at karate. Woohoo?)
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