In August 2021, a team of volunteers attempted to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and raised the flag of our Heri me Heri (hand in hand) Charity Foundation on the roof of Africa. The aim of this action was to increase public awareness about the remarkable work performed by the Medical team of Makarios III Children’s Hospital in Nicosia, Cyprus and to raise funds for the necessary equipment for its surgery room.
Our volunteers trekked on the highest free standing mountain in the world with their backpacks full of equipment and supplies for the journey & their hearts full of smiles and prayers to give a fighting chance to children battling diseases and illnesses. The patients and staff of Makarios III Children’s Hospital are in need of critical lifesaving equipment and every step was a promise that they will receive it.
DAY 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp. Trekking distance: 10.5 Km > Altitude: 3020m > Hiking Time: 7 hours > Habitat: Rain Forest.
Step 1, 128,262 more to go, our volunteers depart Moshi for Machame Gate to begin their 7 hour ascend through the beautiful tropical forest towards Machame Camp for the night. Current altitude 3,020 meters, the oxygen levels in the air begin to drop and the weather is unpredictable.
DAY 2: Machame Camp to Shira Hut. Trekking distance: 5.5 Km > Altitude: 3840m > Hiking Time: 8 hours > Habitat: Heath.
As the sun rose, our volunteers were up on their feet to start trekking towards Shira Hut at 3,840 meters. The trek, although short in distance, took them 8 hours to complete. The view of the peak from the Shira Camp is staggering!
DAY 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower & Lava Tower to Barranco Camp. Trekking distance: 10.5 Km > Altitude: 4,627m & 3,990m > Hiking Time: 7 hours > Habitat: Alpine Desert.
The team trekked towards the famous Lava Tower at 4,627 meters, a formation that is made up by solidified lava from when Mt Kilimanjaro was still an active volcano. They will spend the night at Barranco Camp, which is located at 3,990 meters. This part is 7 hours long.
DAY 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp. Trekking distance: 5 Km > Altitude: 4,030m > Hiking Time: 5 hours > Habitat: Alpine Desert.
The most beautiful part of the trek, scrambling the steep Barranco Wall then descending towards Karanga Valley and the Camp. The views in this part are mesmerizing, a feast with the view of the peak was awaiting our Volunteers. Their current altitude is at 4,030 meters, the peak is getting closer, the temperatures drop dramatically.
DAY 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Hut & Camp. Trekking distance: 5 Km > Altitude: 4,660m > Hiking Time: 5 hours > Habitat: Alpine Desert.
The beginning of the last part, our team treks to Barafu Hut at 4,660 meters. There they will rest and prepare for the final push tonight. The oxygen levels are lower, and the temperature is just above 5 degrees Celsius.
DAY 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak. Trekking distance: 15 Km > Altitude: 5,895m > Hiking Time: 10 hours > Habitat: Arctic.
Just before midnight, our volunteers commenced their final push towards Uhuru peak, at 5,895 meters. Before summiting the peak, our volunteers enjoyed the majestic sunrise, at Stella point just beneath the peak. It took them 10 hours to conquer the roof of Africa!
A big thank you to our volunteers and their trained porters for making this possible! A big thank you to our donors which with their donations children will receive crucial treatments.
Communications Partner: Phileleftheros (Ό Φιλελεύθερος) & Active Radio Cyprus
Main donors: Fameline Holding Group, Inmarsat Global Ltd, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Cyprus Ltd, NSB Group GmbH & Co KG and Bunkernet.
Contributed with donations: ASBIS Kypros Ltd, NIPD Genetics Public Co Ltd, MIE Group, MarinePool, F.P. eSafe Solutions Ltd, Exelia Technologies Ltd, Alphatron Marine BV-JRC, DP World Limassol, Comtech SRL, Swift Marine EASTMED, TP Servglobal - XM, Primetel and Scordis Papapetrou & Co LLC.