For Tanzania With Love

I am about to embark on my biggest charity mission yet.  Just when I thought climbing Kilimanjaro wasn't enough...

In two weeks time, I am flying from Auckland New Zealand to Vancouver Canada.  My mission is to drive across Canada to collect unwanted winter clothing to take to the Porters of Mount Kilimanjaro as I team up with Zara Charity.

Handing out nuts to the porters walking past.

I was inspired last year when I climbed Kilimanjaro.  The porters worked so hard, carrying triple or quadruple what we had to carry, the "essentials" us Western people need to be as comfortable as possible.  They carried very little for themselves.  I got to sleep in my own tent while they all slept together in one tent.  I noticed that many of them had shoes that were too big, had holes and I even saw one guy in Crocs!   Their jackets were thin and worn.  Many of them didn't wear gloves or mittens, hats or scarves.  And it gets really COLD on that mountain!

At Kibo Camp - it was sleeting and very cold!  I really felt for the guys who didn't have gloves.

They are expected to walk ahead of us, ensuring that our tents are set up and we have a hot meal upon our arrival.  Our meals are prepared by a qualified cook and are delicious, considering the limited facilities.  We eat like kings and they get the leftovers - if there are any.  They mainly exist on Ugali made from millet which is very filling, yet bland.  It's a favourite amongst Tanzanians.  They are also the last to leave, tearing down and cleaning up our "shit" (literally).  They work so hard and for very little reward.  They earn a meager wage - approximately $5/day depending on the company they work for (in some cases it's less than that) so they rely on tips they get from their group.

I went to Africa prepared.  I took along three extra winter ski jackets, merino long underwear and plastic eating utensils (spoon/knife, donated by Zespri for one of my fundraising events) to hand out.  On the last day, I gave away anything else I wouldn't need to a young porter aged 17 who was just starting his career.  He carried my pack down from Uhuru to Kibo Camp.  I ran down, sliding in the deep scree feeling almost weightless after carrying a 15kg pack for 5 days. He chased after me saying "Mama!  You're so fit!  How old are you again?"  He was shocked when I told him I was 39.  

I didn't have much money to give everyone a tip on top of the $300 we were all asked to give, which was evenly distributed to all the guides and porters.  Instead, I gave him all of my warm merino, a very warm and almost new ski jacket with removable lining and my All Blacks beanie which I knew he admired.  He got tears when I gave him the package.  He was so overwhelmed he didn't know what to say.

That left me thinking, "Such a simple gesture and made such a difference to one young man.... there has to be a way to do more".   Who has more winter clothing than anyone I know?  CANADIANS!

So began the process of this year's mission:

ONE MOUNTAIN AT A TIME  

From Vancouver to Toronto – In Support of Zara Charity  

Tracy Pepper was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the tender age of 10 and was not expected to survive.  Miraculously she did and she has devoted her life to charitable work in support of others.    

Inspired  

Whilst climbing Kilimanjaro, Pepper connected with the local African people who were under equipped and in need of warm clothing in order to support and help the thousands of Western people reach the summit of that treacherous mountain which hits lows in minus 20 degrees Celsius.   She donated her own personal items to a few of the porters who had very little.  That small gesture was all it took to spark the inspiration to appeal to her friends in Canada – to donate unwanted winter clothing for the Porters of Kilimanjaro.    

For Tanzania with LOVE The Objective   

To drive across Canada with an appeal to collect unwanted winter clothing – jackets, hats, gloves, boots, socks, thermal undergarments – as well as school supplies and children’s clothing for the orphanage and children of Tanzania.    

On September 4th, 2014 her journey will continue as she flies from Toronto to Kilimanjaro to work with Zara Charity on their numerous projects across Tanzania as well as helping to distribute the items collected to the people.  

Collecting:   

Lightweight warm winter jackets · Warm boots suitable for hiking · Dry wicking long underwear · Wool or fleece hats, gloves, scarves, etc. · School supplies – pens, pencils, notebooks · Digital cameras, electronic equipment (in working condition)  

Last year Tracy Pepper climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness of Ovarian Cancer. She was given the African name “Pendo” by her new friends.  The name means “Love”.  Tracy teamed with Zara Charity from Tanzania who supports the porters as well as orphans and the community.         

I have been working tirelessly planning this, working with Zara Charity in Tanzania.  I climbed Kili through Zara Tours and got to know the owner, Zainab Ansell who is an inspiring and generous woman.  Her family give a lot to the community and they run a very successful multiple charity program from proceeds they earn.  I told Mama Zara that I wanted to help.

I will spend 2 months driving across Canada. I'm very blessed to know so many people who live along the route, which will cut costs tremendously, as my friends have opened their hearts and homes.

I am still working out the "HOW".  I've approached car rental and relocation companies and I'm still waiting for confirmation from anyone who would be willing to help.  Worst case scenerio, I pay for the cost of the trip entirely and hope for donations and a major sponsor to come forward.

I am not going to let money stop me.  It's just money after all, I've had no money before and I'm not afraid of having no money again. I refuse to let money stop me from achieving anything.

I have absolutely no idea how much I will collect along the way. It could be a car load, a truck load, a trailer load... or a semi load!  So the challenge will be to figure out how to transport the goods from Toronto to Tanzania.  If it's a few suitcases, an appeal for sponsorship to pay for the extra luggage will be in order.  If it's a container, then I'll be contacting shipping companies.  But I need to make a start.  This is the exciting part.  I'm not letting fear of the unknown stop me from trying, something I learned from climbing the world's highest free standing mountain last year.  I'm unstoppable.

I constantly tell myself:  One Mountain At A Time Tracy Pepper.  

I will then spend 3 months working with Zara Charity on projects with the Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society, developing workshops for the porters and guides on financial management, sustainability, entrepreneurial skills, disease control, alcoholism.  I will spend a month at Highview Hotel where I will teach the staff massage and yoga.  It will be a great experience and life changing stuff.

Monica and Me

I am so excited to get back to Moshi, the small town close to Kilimanjaro.  I can't wait to see the kids at the Orphanage.  There was a special girl named Monica who remains in my heart.  She was so quiet and kept to herself but we connected.  She is 15 years old but is quite small for her age.  She suffered from a heart condition as a little girl and is very lucky to be alive.  I think her parents are both dead. HIV, AIDS and alcoholism are the main reasons the children end up in the orphanage. 

Monica and her school supplies

Before I left, I brought her a package of her very own school supplies.  She was so humble and shy and very very grateful.  I promised her I would come back.  I wonder how often those children hear those words uttered.  I am so glad I can keep my word.  I can't wait to see her face when I'm there as she comes back from school one afternoon and I'm waiting.

I won't return to New Zealand until December.  I will be taking almost 6 months off to pursue this dream.  All of my belongings are packed and stored until my return.  I will miss my cat Mac but I've found him a foster home in the interim.

Here I go... I'm about to climb my next "mountain".

If you'd like to help out with a donation, just click on the charity links above or below.  Give-a-little to help a lot.  I personally guarantee it.