Duo to trek for change
TWO local adventurers are taking their journeys to new heights as they plan to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, this year.
Kristy-Lee Jones and Jim Newton will trek to the mountain’s summit to raise funds for children’s education in developing countries. The pair will set off this July with hopes of raising enough money to send three children to school.
“I nursed in Africa last year on the outskirts of Tanzania and it was phenomenal. I cannot wait to go back,” Ms Jones said.
“The people there are incredibly beautiful and kind.”
This trek will mark the duo’s second adventure after the Korumburra uncle and niece team hiked with friends along the Kokoda trail three years ago.
Ms Jones and Mr Newton are raising money to send one child to Tanzania’s School of St Jude and another two to Kenya’s The Mirror of Hope School.
“When you go over there you want to change things for people but it is impossible,” Ms Jones said.
“If we can send some children to school though, we can keep them off the streets and educate them to help them and their children in the future.”
The pair will visit their three sponsor children and will donate the money in person to those whose lives will be dramatically changed by their challenge.
“I cannot even begin to imagine it at this point. I just cannot wait to get over there,” Mr Newton said.
The pair will tackle the Machame route over seven days, reaching the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro on the fifth day before quickly descending to avoid altitude sickness.
“Mount Kilimanjaro is a big challenge for us,” Mr Newton said.
“We have not done a great deal of training and it will probably be the altitude which will be the biggest challenge.”
The summit is the highest peak in Africa and reaches 5895m above sea level. The altitude reaches approximately half as high as a long haul international flight and poses a great challenge to trekkers.
“Challenge and service are both aspects that I look for in a trip,” Ms Jones said.
“That is one of the main reasons we chose to go with Adventure Out Loud. Not only do they offer unique adventures, but I personally know the founder and I know the company has a passion for making a difference in developing countries which really resonates well with me.”
The duo will hike with founder Nathan Taiaroa who said the trek is hardly for the faint hearted.
“At an altitude that is approximately 600m higher than Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro must be taken seriously. It is extremely important to have the right equipment, right training and a support team who are experienced,” Mr Taiaroa said.
Ms Lee and Mr Newton will embark on their journey in June, travelling first to Bangkok and the Burma Railway before visiting their sponsors in Tanzania.
Hiking high: from left, Jim Newton and Kristy-Lee Jones on their last adventure at the Kokoda Trail. The duo will hike Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa this year to raise money for children’s education in developing countries.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Apr 27 2016. Filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
