Help Needed, friends

Dear friends,

Voting starts at noon on August 1

One of the photos taken by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA) has been selected as a finalist in a contest hosted by Global Giving!

Here is the link where you will vote: http://www.globalgiving.org/poll/vote/?pollOptionId=21. I took this photo while in Zimbabwe during a goat distribution to grandmothers who are raising AIDS orphans.

The photo which receives the most votes by noon on August 15^thwill win $1000 for the organization, plus, $3000 from matching grants, AND it will be highlighted on the Global Giving home page, which opens us up to many more donations. Voting starts at noon on August 1, so we please be ready to vote and to ask others to vote as well.
Only one vote will be accepted per email address, so voting more than once from the same email address does not count.

We ask you to please vote and to ask your friends, family and colleagues to vote for our photo, too. Emails, facebook, twitter, list serves - all these are ways you can get the word out.

Think creatively, too. You can take your laptop to a café and you can ask people to vote for us right then and there. Or, take your smartphone to work and ask all of your colleagues to vote.

On behalf of the kids,

tanya

One from Team Uhuru Summits

Latest update from Team Uhuru.  This is written from Brad K, the only team member to summit:

"So yesterday evening we woke up at 10:10pm. We started the climb at midnight. It was very windy and sub zero temps. It was so cold. Everyone was ok but it was miserable. It was about a ten mile hike up the mountain. It was disorienting at around 17 or 18000 feet. I was so happy to get up there and then get a few pictures and come down. Then just now we hiked down to about 12000 feet one more day on the mountain."

"Everyone is good. Zack got really cold and came down. Maine made it to about 17000 feet before turning around. Steph and Maribel didn't get that far. Russ stopped as well. I think the weather was a major deterrant."

Everyone is healthy and doing well.

Team Uhuru to Summit

July 28, 2012

As I type this note, a group of hikers is drinking tea and eating cookies as they prepare to summit to Peak Uhuru, the highest point on the African continent.  I have no doubt that they are quiet, excited, cold, nervous, checking gear, making sure head lamps work well, laughing, patting each other on the back, and encouraging each other as they prepare for the trek of a lifetime.

They will pray for safety.  They will drink more tea.  They will wear triple socks and gloves, zip up their parkas over underarmor, long sleeved shirts and fleeces.  They will tie their boot laces and make sure that their gaiters are snug around their calves.  They will high five each other and they will head out in a single file, with the lead guide in front of them and a guide at the end of the line.

They will move quietly, one foot in front of the other in the darkness, thankful for good batteries and headlamps.  Their walking poles will make scraping noises as they step once, twice, three times and then...a hundred more times, a thousand more times.  They will get into their heads as they walk in the dark, looking up to see a line of other teams making their way up the mountain...no shapes or forms of the climbers visible, but the glow of the headlamps making the trails of humans visible. 

The balaklavas will make their breath warm and will keep their faces from the cold.  They will stop for 2-3 minute breaks to sip tea and to eat another cookie or a piece of candy.  No one will talk.  This is inside work and it is hard.  But...

The sun will rise and the world will change.

They will be hiking above the sun as it rises and they will warm up.  The balaklavas will not be as necessary and talking will start once again.  Yes, it will be a little more full of breath, but it will be talking.  High fives, once again, all around and they will all be thankful for the sun.

Stella Point comes first.  Photos for those who want them and a small tea break.  Can't stop for long or you'll get frostbite.  So...move on for just a little over an hour more and they will be soon be sipping juice and eating chocolate at Uhuru Point. 

Our brave group will have reached the Roof of Africa.  Why?  For some, to realize a life long dream of climbing and summiting Kilimanjaro.  But, most imporantly, they did it so that children affected/infected by AIDS can live lives of hope and opportunity.  As an organization, we can't thank them enough for what they are doing.  As someone who has seen these children grow up and who has the honor of playing, talking, and eating with them, I don't have words left to say.  Just know that each of the climbers is a hero to me and to those for whom they climb. 

As the team descends in the African morning, they will be exhausted, but won't know it.  By Monday noonish (African time), they will be at Mbahe Farm again, taking the best shower in their lives.  Guaranteed. 

As soon as I receive photos and/or updates, I'll post again. 

Kilimanjaro Day 4

Day 4 - from Brad Kresge

Day 3 was tough we hiked up to 15600 feet. I climbed up lava tower that is we're we camped. I woke up feeling a little sick today. Yesterday we had Heather go down as she was really sick but is doing better now. She was not up for climbing. Russ is doing much better and his spirits are good.

So far today we are hiking down to let our bodies rest and get more oxygen. My sats have been in the upper 80's and low 90's. Others are a little lower like 70's and 80's. Above 60 is ok. So they say. Our youngest climber Zachary is doing. Very well. He likes to lead.

I think we have all started feeling better since we came down a little. Tonight we are at 13000. Then tomorrow back up.

Day 3 - Kilimanjaro

From Brad Kresge - Day 3


I tried to send this update earlier but we didn't have reception at camp. It is 430 am right now in day 3. We will be getting up in an hour and a half. Day 3 was through the Moreland Forrest. The highest point of today was 12600 feet. This was supposed to be the short day at about 3.5 miles mostly uphill. It was like climbing up large steps all day much steeper than yesterday.

Russ was feeling sick in the morning with stomach issues. I gave him some of my nausea medicine and it seemed to help. By dinner he was able to eat ok. One of the women in our group, Heather, was also sick with stomach issues and she threw up twice on the hike. She made it to camp but barely. She has not been able to eat anything today. This is why the hike took so long. On a day when one should be resting in bed she was hiking up this mountain. When we got to camp around 5 pm. A few others started to feel nauseated. Steph Warlow wasn't able to eat any dinner. I gave her some medicine as well. We are not sure if it is the altitude or a stomach bug as 4 of the 7 have had some issues in that dept since getting here. So far, everyone's sats are in the upper 80's or low 90's which is supposed to be good. I felt good today and the climbing was more fun today a little more challenging. I have a little headache which is common at this elevation.

The views are unreal! At camp we saw the sunset on the clouds as we are above most of them and to the right is the peak looking very large. We are starting to enter areas were you get the sense your body should not be. Tomorrow we hike to 15000 feet and it is about 4.5 miles. Our guide told us that it is the day that we will really start to feel the effects of the elevation. It should be interesting, I hope some of the women have quick recoveries from the stomach issues.

Team Uhuru starts their climb!

Here is a blurb from Steph W, from yesterday when they started their climb up Kilimanjaro:

"The day is here, as are we, at the foot Kilimanjaro, bursting with anticipation and delighting over our recent stay at Mbahe farm. Everyone is feeling well, although Brad and Russ are beginning to plan the memorial service for their lost luggage.  Zach has already saved the day numerous times, rescuing Steph's jacket and iPhone from the Amsterdam airport, providing Russ and Brad with base layers, and saving Heather from a poisonous Iizard in her sleeping quarters. The story continues..."

Keep posted for more updates!

2012 Chandler Mountain Challenge

I want to express my sincere appreciation for all the funds raised to help children affected and/or infected by AIDS in Africa through the 2012 Chandler Mountain Challenge.  We are so grateful to every single climber who climbed to raise funds for these kids.  Also, we’d like to thank Horsepens 40, the Howard Schutlz Family, Ascension Climbing and the Robertson Family and all the members of SRCFC for their commitment to the event, as well as for making the day special.

Thanks to everyone’s generosity, AFCA will provide:

1.       260 bunnies

2.       300 chicks

3.       100 packets of seeds

4.       200 HIV testing kits

5.       20 water filters for clinics

Without counting the water filters, 650 children will be affected by the generosity all all involved in the Challenge.  The bunnies, chicks and seeds will help children become self-reliant, as they receive training on how to grow their flocks, how to budget, how to care for animals, etc.  The seeds are for their gardens – between the seeds and the manure from their animals, the gardens grow nicely and the children end up with better meals.  The water filters will be placed in 16 small clinics in rural Congo, with an additional four being used at Tandala Hospital.  These will decrease the number of water-borne pathogens locals drink, thereby reducing the number of children and adults visiting the clinics for these illnesses.

We love what was accomplished and look forward to next year’s Challenge!