MOUNT KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA -
UNFCU Member Service Representative Tim Challen, who works in the credit union's Geneva, Switzerland, branch, shared some of his diary entries with Credit Union Journal. "I first decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in May 2003. However, a week before I was due to start my ascent, I was shot during an armed robbery in Nairobi, Kenya," Challen related, explaining he had several operations and months of rehabilitation before he could walk again, but he never gave up on the idea of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Challen said the climb took five days, and the group had 42 porters and 14 guides. The plan, he said, is for the Kilimanjaro Initiative to be an annual expedition. The following are excerpts from Challen's journal.
18 February 2007-Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya
Today, I journeyed with three youths, who come from Geneva, to Kibera, a slum that is not only the largest one in Nairobi but arguably the whole of Africa. Approximately 800,000 people live in cramped conditions, surrounded by open sewers and garbage. Unemployment, disease and crime seem to overshadow any sense of hope and opportunity, sharpening in a lethal way the dividing edge between those that "have" and those that "have not."
We make our way along poverty-stricken muddy paths to an uneven field. This is Silanga sports field, where playing football on its surface can seriously damage your ligaments. Soon it will be renovated, with money that was raised through the first climb, and young people will get the opportunity to channel their frustrations in a positive way rather than being at risk of falling into criminal activities.
In coordination with UN-HABITAT, a UN specialized agency dedicated to building safer cities, local authorities and partners, the goal is to turn the field into a focal point for the community. Beyond the physical redevelopment of the area, we plan to set up a micro-credit tool that youth groups in the vicinity of the field can use to develop small businesses. The condition is that they participate in the upkeep of the field and organize social events that can bring together the wider community.
23 February 2007-Marangu, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Last night, we arrived at base camp, the Marangu Hotel, after a very long bus journey from Nairobi. We were greeted by 10 youths we are sponsoring from East Africa who would do the climb with us. They had arrived earlier in the day from Loitokitok, Kenya, where they took part in a 10-day training program, sponsored by UNFCU, at the Outward Bounds School.
Today is meant to be a "rest" day, giving the climbers a chance to relax and decompress from their home environments. It also gives everyone the time to know one another before the start of the ascent, on the following day.
27 February 2007-Kibo Hut (4750 meters)
It is midnight and all climbers are all lined up together, getting ready for the final ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. Before us lies a steep climb to the summit, where fatigue and mountain sickness will push most people to the most physical and emotional extremes. They just don't know that yet...
As leader of the expedition, I put myself right at the back. From there, I can encourage those that will have the greatest difficulties and, unfortunately, make decisions as to whether or not climbers may continue. In all, four people will have to turn back.
28 February 2007-base camp
Last night, everyone must have slept well. Straight after reaching the summit, you have to walk back down 13 miles to Horombo hut, where you can rest without feeling the effects of mountain sickness. Your body and mind are totally exhausted and even the confines of a sleeping bag can't prevent a very comfortable sleep.
After breakfast, we start walking back to base camp, another 13 miles away... [After the journey is over] a local chorus of 'Kilimanjaro' breaks out at full blast, bringing to a close a wonderful journey on an amazing mountain. The party goes on long into the night...
3 March 2007-Korogocho, Nairobi, Kenya
Last night the celebrations continued. Our group was welcomed back to Nairobi by the Kenyan Sports Stadia Management Board. They have become a driving force in the program to upgrade sport fields in Nairobi and they felt his was a good time to promote our collaboration.
At lunchtime, I went to pick up Michael Connery Jr., President/CEO of United Nations Federal Credit Union, and Jeff Healy, Marketing Manager at teachers Plus Credit Union in Canada, from their hotel. Both of them have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Along with one of the UN-HABITAT Safer Cities Coordinators, we drive off to visit Korogocho slum on the outskirts of Nairobi.
What makes Korogocho different from Kibera slum is that it is located right next to the city's main garbage dumpsite. As we step out of the car, we are straight away hit by stench and our throats are quickly stung by the acrid burning of disposal. A look beyond a wall, and across a river, offers a view of people scavenging through waste to make their daily lives. Fortunately, we only remain a couple of hours. Others live here on a permanent basis.
As we return to the hotel later that day, we sit quietly on the veranda, our minds filled with sad images. I can't help thinking about the differences that exist within our communities and how it can lead to so many problems. It feels like there is so much to do, such a long way to climb... However, deep down the smoke of Korogocho is eventually replaced by a burning determination, the same one I and my fellow climbers each found within us on Mount Kilimanjaro.
