MEDA supporters to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) supporters have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this summer to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, along with president Allan Sauder. The trek will aid MEDA's work in creating business solutions to poverty around the world.

"I'm excited to be part of this fundraising climb, which gives our supporters the chance to contribute to our work in a unique way," says Sauder. "We have set an ambitious goal of raising $250,000."

Hikers from across North America will travel the Lemosho Route through five eco-systems – including rainforest, alpine desert and glaciers – giving them the feeling of hiking from the equator to the North Pole in just 10 days. Unlike Everest, Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb requiring ropes and ladders, so any person in reasonable physical shape with a dose of perseverance can make it. The group, led by expedition company Tusker Trail, includes participants in their 20s to those in their 70s.

Ten of the 16 climbers are from Canada and the others are from the US.  From Canada are Sauder, Joanne and Trevor Beattie from Waterloo, Ont., Glenn Martin from Elmira, Ont., Richard Steinmann from Baden, Ont., Duane Eby from Conestoga, Ont., Peter Dueck from Arborg, MB, Jirah Dueck, from Winnipeg, Kevin Neufeldt from Coaldale, AB and Bobby Teichroeb from Grande Prairie, AB.  From the US are Thomas and Trinda Bishop from Denver, CO, Bethany Fosdyck from Tremont, IL, Joyce Bontrager Lehman from Keene, NH and Clair Sauder from Lancaster, Pa.

The climbers also will visit MEDA project sites in the country. One of these facilitates the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets to protect against malaria in pregnant women and young children. "Over the past decade this project has created sustainable commercial distribution channels for nets," says Sauder. He says that more than 35 million nets have been put in the hands of Tanzanian families, saving an estimated 200,000 lives.

"A few of us will also have a chance to visit a new project that is helping farmers develop disease-resistant and disease-free varieties of cassava – a staple crop for poor families," Sauder added.

While they come from different locations and will bring unique perspectives to the upcoming journey, trek participants all share one common motivation – to support the work of MEDA.

Participant Kevin Neufeldt of Coaldale, Alta. said, "I had never put Kilimanjaro on a ‘bucket list,’ but when the fundraiser was announced I could not resist the combination of hiking on a mountain, supporting MEDA and returning to Tanzania for the event of a lifetime." 

"MEDA is a relatively new experience for me,” said Nicole Pohl, of Waterloo, Ont.

“I have now attended two conventions and was impressed and inspired by what the organization is doing to help people. This has grown a passion in me to help others as well, and open my eyes to new things."

The trek will run from July 4 to 17, 2014. So far, 16 trekkers have committed to make this journey and they have raised $149,209. To learn more about the MEDA Kilimanjaro Climb or to sponsor a climber, visit www.meda.org/meda-kilimanjaro-climb

—Posted May 27, 2014