Update and Being Back Home

Sorry that we weren't able to update you all for quite some time!  I lost my phone during a bit of a scare we had and that kept us from updating everyone.  so, here is a brief one:

Two groups left on Saturday night to summit: Lori, Pilar and Amber left at 11pm. Tanya, Steph H., Steph W, Michelle, Shelly, Betsy, Rachel, and Colleen left at midnight.  The goal was for us all to meet at the summit. 

What happened to the others, you ask?  Donna had decided to quit the climb after the first day of climbing, so she was hanging out in Moshi.  Maureen twisted her ankle on day three, so she was sent down the mountain to rest, as well.  Claudine had difficulty with altitude sickness and was turned back on day four and was not allowed to continue to the summit.  So, the rest of the group was divided and our goal was to meet at the top for photos and to celebrate.

The going was really difficult, as it was cold and dark but we really wanted to reach the summit, so we plowed on and on, placing one step in front of the other, focused on the tast ahead while also trying to combat nausea along the way.  Not everyone felt sick, but some of us did feel the effects of the altitude.  In fact, Steph W. (the Mountain Goat) had to turn around back once she reached Stella Point because she didn't have enough oxygen in her system.  Tanya and Shelly threw up along the way up but managed to get back in line to continue the climb.  Finally, after a looooong hike, Lori, Pilar and Steph W. made it to Stella Point.  Steph. H, Tanya, Shelly, Betsy, Rachel, Colleen, and Michelle summited at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

On our way down the mountain, we had to come down on scree, which is NASTY on the knees. We used our poles a lot and tried our best not to fall.  Sadly, Betsy did fall and managed to knock her shoulder out of its socket.  Michelle and Tanya spent a long 2 hours waiting with Betsy on the trail for help to come.  They tried unsuccessfully to put her shoulder back in the socket, which was incredibly painful for Betsy.  At last, a trauma surgeon came by and he also tried to relocate the shoulder, to no avail.  To make a long story short, Betsy was moved down the mountain by a bunch of porters who transported her on a guerney by foot all the way to the bottom.  Her shoulder was fixed at a hospital in Moshi and we all reunited on Monday afternoon. 

The rest of the team arrived at Mbahe Farm in time to shower and pack before eating a celebratory meal with the porters and guides who made our trip possible.  We had a blast together!  Our team had the opportunity to thank the porters and guides for an amazing experience and we took full advantage of it.  We ate together and shared songs and laughter.  Together, we celebrated into the night.

Yesterday, we all left Tanzania in order ot come back home.  We made it safely and now, sitting in the living room writing this, I am grateful to each of the amazing women who joined me on this adventure.  I am proud to call them friends and look forward to other adventures with them in the future as we help children affected by AIDS.

Climb Up the 50 Dates

The dates have been set for Climb Up The 50! What is Climb up the 50? Hikers and climbers from each of the 50 states will climb to their highest peak to show that we are united in fighting AIDS. These individuals and teams will also raise funds for the AFCA by having friends, family and co-workers sponsor them and their climb. All proceeds will go to American Foundation for Children with AIDS and help children in Africa who are suffering from this deadly disease by providing them with medication, food and supplies that they desperately need.

This year, the climb is from May 23-31. Memorial day finds itself within that time frame and we hope that the holiday will be to our advantage in acquiring participants.

If you would like to sign up for Climb Up the 50 and represent your state, please visit www.climbupsokidscangrowup.com and fill out the application. If you have questions, please contact Kendra at 717-798-8335.

Current Sponsors

Counting on companies for sponsorships and donations in times like these is no easy task. I find myself talking to more and more people about the economy and cut-backs, the dedication to environmental issues alone or the dedication to help people that need assistance in their home country. We are just one of many organizations calling on them for help and support. Times are hard right now and everyone has the right to set limitations on their giving. One company can't do it all. Of course, we too, care about the envoirnment and people that need help in our own backyards. Many of us give to other organizations out of our own pockets that do just that.

But this is the battle that we choose to fight. And we're going to continue our dedication to those that are counting on us. Those that need us to survive... to have a future. Because they may be across the ocean, but the way we look at it, we live in one world. And these are our children too.

However, companies like Adventure Medical Kits, Anhu Footwear, Larabar, and Merrell have been just some of the first to sign on, and we are looking forward to seeing more companies like them join the fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa. Because we are a small, grass-roots organization, we count on companies and organizations like them to feel the spirit of what we are doing and help out in any way that they can and we are grateful for their support. We are looking forward to seeing more companies like them come on board in 2009.

And because they share your concern and dedication to the AFCA, consider supporting these companies as well. If you need a product or serve that they offer, visit them first. Just something to think about...

We will have a full list of sponsors on the site soon, check back for more information on who is backing us up and giving us the opportunity to do more than we could do alone.

If you or your company would like to become a sponsor, please contact us. We would love to have you as part of our team.

Call today to find out more about donations and sponsorships - 717-798-8335

Welcome!

Welcome to the blog for Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up! We will be posting information on our events, sponsors, participants, news and more. We may even have some "guest bloggers" stop by and share their thoughts.

By starting this blog, we hope that more people will join us this year in our fight to save the lives of children suffering from HIV & AIDS in Africa. It's easy, just register on www.climbupsokidscangrowup.com and talk to your family, friends, co-workers about sponsoring you. We make it easy by setting you up with your own fundraising page and giving you pointers on how to raise money for the AFCA.

Prizes, you ask? Of course! Prizes will be given to those who raise the most in each event!

Did you know....
When you register for Climb Up the World (our staple event), you can participate wherever you are in the world? "Climb Up The World" happens the third weekend in September and you can climb, hike, run, walk, cycle from anywhere!

This year, we have included a new event - in Africa! Climb Up Kilimanjaro is a 10 day trip where you and 11 other team members will climb to Africa's highest point to help save the lives of children with HIV & AIDS. Interested? There are only 4 spots left on the team, so go to www.climbupsokidscangrowup.com to learn more and register!

Represent your state this summer in "Climb Up the 50"! One or more people from each state will climb to their highest peak this summer and show that we are united in fighting this deadly disease!

That's all for now. Thanks for stopping by, come back often (or why not subscribe to this blog to get more information as it comes?), share your thoughts and, of course, register for Climb Up 2009!