January 23, 2009
In just seven hours the team will get a wake up call telling them it’s time to get up, grab some breakfast, and head to the base of Kilimanjaro. Their schedule has been jam-packed with SIC site visits and loading up with last minute snacks for Kili.
The majority of the past two days were spent with SIC, both visiting their office and seeing the work they do first hand in the village.
Today was exceptional and left many on the team speechless. They were greeted warmly by Ilk’Dinga village, one area SIC has been supporting. Members of an HIV positive support group came out to spend time with the team – and even welcomed them into their homes. Pairs of two went with a translator and visited the homes of various HIV+ patients.
They were able to share stories with the patients and experience Tanzanian hospitality first hand. The support group formed a choir as well, and spent time sharing songs and dance with the team. Perhaps even more impressive were their acting skills which they presented in a ten minute long skit performed in the morning. The skit showcased how much SIC’s support has helped the village and how SIC’s presence has changed stigma, attitudes, and the health of many village members.
The team, though saving their energy for Kili, agreed to play a short soccer (football) match against the locals. They hiked up their skirts, threw on their Salomon runners, and received many applauses from the crowd. Who would have known Katherine can get so competitive and Sam has no issue running in a skirt?!
Many thanks to SIC for their incredible work and more updates from the visits will be posted as the team heads up Kili.
Lastly, the team added on some extra carbs in celebration of Ali’s 22nd birthday! And the Summits crew presented her with a giant-size chocolate bar for the days ahead.
Tomorrow will mark the first day of the last climb. It is a difficult one ahead – and many thoughts are with the team as they set out to complete the second annual 3 Peaks 3 Weeks Challenge!
More pictures have been added on the Meru page. Please continue to send your thoughts out to the team!
The team will be sent a text message via mobile phone each time someone donates over the next week. So please keep those rolling in. Every dollar will help fuel them to the summit and help further the work 3 Peaks supports in East Africa.