My next challenge...

Trekking in Namibia

Last year I trekked through the Namib Desert, this year I climbed the highest free standing mountain in the world, what could be my challenge for 2013...?

I’m going to live in a jungle for three months with no wifi, no showers, no toilets, no drinking, no salt & vinegar crisps, the list goes on and on...I’ve been accepted as a Project Manager for a Raleigh International expedition in Borneo.

Having worked in the international development sector for over five years I am incredibly picky about which charities I will support. I chose Raleigh as I believe they make a lasting difference in the countries they work in. They work with local partners on sustainable projects such as securing clean water supplies for villages that had none or building kindergartens and providing teacher training so children have an access to early education. I don’t know the specific project I’ll be working on yet but I’m really looking forward to getting out to ‘the field’ and implementing some of the live saving and changing projects I’ve fundraised for over the years.

Raleigh volunteers in Borneo

Raleigh works with volunteers aged 17 to 24 to develop key life skills and confidence while making a difference to the world. Some of the volunteers will be from Borneo and some from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK who are on a bursary programme, others will be taking a gap year before or after university. Supporting the development of the young people taking part in the project will be my main responsibility in Borneo.

The main challenge I face before I leave is fundraising. Even in a management position I have to raise £1,950 to take part in the expedition. This is in addition to paying for my own flights, vaccines, equipment, first aid training and all of the other costs associated with moving to Borneo for three months.

Cake bake!

I have been overwhelmed at people’s generosity, kindness and support. Donations to my online fundraising page have come from far and wide including very generous donations from my cousins in Canada who I haven’t seen in 20 years (has it really been that long...?!) Thank you to everyone who has donated. I’ve fundraised for VSO and UNICEF recently so I’m really touched my wonderful friends, family and colleagues are still willing to put their hands in their pocket and donate to yet another good cause.

Cake bakes are one of my favourite fundraising mechanisms and with 110 free cupcakes from Hummingbird Bakery and baking support from some of my lovely colleagues I raised £169 selling delicious goodies in the office.

More office fundraising and a jumble sale last week has raised over £200 with a few IOUs still to come.

Auction flyer

As well as the generosity of friends I have also been really grateful for the support of a couple of caring businesses. Handpicked Hotels have donated a nights bed and breakfast with an evening meal and wine for two at one of their beautiful country hotels. The Knightsbridge branch of Venture Photography  has donated a family photography shoot with £400 to spend on the images. I’m auctioning these fantastic prizes to help me reach my target. There’s still time to bid – all you need to do is email me (alyrenerosser@hotmail.com) with your bid by 7pm on 16^th November. (If you are outbid before then I’ll email you straight away to let you know.)

If anyone would like to make a donation directly then please visit my fundraising page

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me in my next challenge.

School for Life

Greeted with big smiles at Katuuso Primary School

Arriving at the School for Life school at play time was perfect timing. We were greeted with big smiles from the children and joined in their games of catch and skipping and watched them play the African game of choice, rolling tyres up and down.

One of the 80 children benefiting from School for Life

School for Life is an incredible grass roots organisation set up by a good friend, Dave, and his business partner, Annabelle.

Visiting Katuuso Primary School to see firsthand the impact they are having on the lives of children and the local community was an incredible experience.

Opened in 2011 the school began with one class. The children attending are entitled to their schooling here for free although a 20,000 Shilling (about £5) donation is asked for as a gesture of their commitment and to assist with the running costs of the school. The children here receive outstanding education with the primary class of 40 children having two teachers dedicated to them (class sizes in Uganda are often 70+)

Getting a great education

The class rooms themselves are wonderful and bright; great learning environments for the children and a stark contrast to other African schools I have visited.

Both staff and children are full of smiles as the bell rings and they line up ready to go back to class after playtime.

Currently in the middle of expanding, construction is underway on new class rooms and a library. Every detail of the project is thoroughly thought through; the bricks are all handmade on site which is not only cheaper but also much better for the environment. The construction workers are employed from the local area to give income back into the rural community.

Queuing to go back to class

The borehole, one of the first things implemented at the school, is also for the use of the whole community. Providing safe drinking water for the children and their families.

Dave shows us the borehole 

As if this wasn’t enough Dave also showed us the new agricultural plots. Crops of maize, beans, cabbages, etc are peaking our through the red dirt – all planted to assist with the school feeding programme. The children receive breakfast, morning tea and lunch so growing the crops at the school is ideal to provide the food. Cash crops of chillies are growing well and coffee will soon be grown and sold as a further income stream.

Dave showing us the new crops

Great learning environment for the children

I’m so impressed with everything School for Life is doing to support the children in Katuuso Primary and am looking forward to hearing about their expansion plans.

School for Life is an Australian registered charity and relies on donations  to implement its amazing work. Lots of luck to them in their fundraising and in everything they are doing for children in Uganda.

Team UNICEF Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Team UNICEF ready to go...

I’ve just climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with a fantastic group of UNICEF Fundraisers! We are all exhausted but incredibly proud of challenging ourselves for children. 

And what a challenge it was; from the heat of the African sunshine to sub-zero temperatures the team conquered the mountain and have raised over £100,000 to support children throughout the world.

We made it to the Roof of Africa!

The past eight days have been some of the most challenging of my life, but definitely some of the most rewarding. Climbing 5,895 meters is an extreme challenge but the wonderful Team UNICEF took each day their stride in preparation for the summit. United by raising money for children we worked together to fulfil lifelong dreams of standing on the Roof of Africa. 

There were times when we didn’t think it would be possible as we meandered around the mountain, each day climbing higher to acclimatise ourselves to the altitude. Using every ounce of physical and mental strength the majority of the group made it to the top. For some the effects of the altitude were too severe to summit but everyone who attempted is a hero for the children we're supporting.

Summit of Kilimanjaro

We were lucky enough to meet some of the children UNICEF supports in Tanzania and see examples of how the funds raised can support children throughout the world.

Tippy taps at Olmorog Vety Primary School

At Olmorog Vety Primary School we saw how, with UNICEF’s support, the children now have access to clean water, hand washing facilities and decent toilets. Such a simple everyday activity like hand washing is taken for granted in the UK but 92 per cent of schools in Tanzania lack functional hand washing facilities. Ahimidiwe, pictured right, proudly showed off their new and simple tippy taps. These, combined with hygiene education, can be directly responsible for saving the lives of children who otherwise could die from such an easily preventable disease as diarrhoea.

The trekkers also enjoyed playing games with the children such as football, the sack race and the lesser known; ‘catch the chicken’ game – which was lots of fun!

UNICEF Tanzania has recently piloted a project to give young people a voice. We visited The Young ReportersNetwork where children from the Moshi region have the opportunity to learn and practice journalist skills, giving them the confidence to discuss difficult issues such as HIV and AIDS, teen pregnancy and disabilities. We were all incredibly impressed with the children’s knowledge and confidence as they interviewed some of the team for their next radio programme.

Joining in the fun at Olmorog Vety Primary School

Visiting these projects assisted in the team’s motivation to climb the mountain and to continue fundraising for the world’s children on their return home.

Thank you to everyone involved and to everyone who has supported us to fulfil our dreams and transform children’s lives.