I departed Boxing Day 2007 for Mount Kilimanjaro.The Axis Pharmacy Kilimanjaro Challenge was a project initiated 18 months before, culminating in 37 participants (21 males and 16 females) from all across Canada who gathered sponsorship donations to make the climb and fundraise for Save the Children’s HIV/AIDS programs in Kenya. Our group consisted of 12 pharmacists, and other friends and relatives, ranging in age from 16 to 58 (Read the story: Axis Pharmacist Zahir Bhanji Fulfills His Dream to Climb)

Once we landed in Kilimanjaro, we met up with the rest of the group and visited a centre for orphaned children in the town of Moshi. Naturally, the air was filled with anticipation of our next day’s journey…the commencement of our big adventure.

On December 29th, the climb began.  Day one was incredible.  The rainforest vegetation was stunning.  The climb itself was more difficult than I had expected, but certainly “doable”.  When we arrived at Mandara Huts where we were to sleep, most of us felt good, although two participants were already experiencing some symptoms of altitude sickness.

Day two began, and all went well for me until about mid-day when I started to feel sick.  No matter how slow I walked, or how much water I drank, I could not overcome it.  By the time I reached Horombo Huts, our destination for the day, I was in pretty rough shape. 

I did, however, manage to keep walking! In fact, I walked for two more days, and made it to 15,500 feet (Kibo Huts.  At Kibo, our head guide (James) took me aside and delivered the news:  My oxygen level was too low.  I was not going to be able to continue on the last leg of the journey to the summit.

I immediately screamed, “THANK GOODNESS!” at which point, we both burst out laughing.  I guess he’s used to people breaking down at this sort of news, as they have their hearts set on making it to the top. I, on the other hand, needed the “out” in order to allow myself to rest and recover.

The rest of the group got up at 11:30 pm to begin their ascent - 29 out of 37 made it all the way!  A terrific percentage, we were told.

As soon as we started to descend, I began to feel slightly better.  On the last day down, I felt the best I’d felt in 5 days, and it was a huge relief.

Together as a group we raised over $150,000 through this initiative.  The money raised truly will make a difference in the lives of Kenyan children and their families.

Here are my top three highlights of the climb:

o The view.  It’s incredible.  Impossible to describe. 
o James, the head guide, and one of the medics (Raymond) walked with me the two days I was the sickest.  James carried my backpack, and the two of them comforted me and helped me continue the journey.  They rubbed my back, held my hand, sat with me….and perhaps most soothingly, they sang me songs.  Most in Swahili, some in English.  It was peaceful and beautiful.
o The porters – there were 78 porters that looked after our group of 37 people.  At the beginning of our last descent day, they all got together and sang songs to us, and danced with us, and celebrated our success.  It was a moment to remember.

Sarah Matte
Co-ordinator, Community Affairs
Save the Children Canada