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Facing Mt. Kilimanjaro to challenge HIV/AIDS
2005-07-03 09:45:10
By Imani Lwinga
Recently, Geita Gold Mine organized the so called Kilimanjaro Challenge against HIV/AIDS.
This was the fourth chapter GGM organized the event which is purposely for reviving hope to the hopeless and displaced people who are victimized by HIV/AIDS. Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Africa’s highest mountain is being used just as a symbol to challenge the disease that has claimed the lives of many people.
The fourth chapter of Geita Gold Mine’s (GGM) organized Kilimanjaro Challenge against HIV/AIDS started at Machame Gate, Hai District on June 10, 2005 and ended successfully on June 16, 2005 at Mweka Gate.
At a well-attended flag-off ceremony, the Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Minister Jakaya Kikwete distributed Aids ribbons that were given to and carried by Miss Tanzania 2004 Faraja Kotta from the deepest point in Africa (about 4,100 metre-deep) at Tao-Tona Gold Mine in South Africa to each and every one of 47 climbers making the 2005 Challenge.
Mr. Kikwete applauded and commended GGM for the Kilimanjaro Challenge 2005 initiative.
'Indeed our government recognizes and appreciates the mine’s contribution in this fight against the disease,' the minister said.
He also applauded the decision of involving government much further in the Kilimanjaro Challenge scheme by inclusion of the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr. Daniel ole Njoolay, Geita District Response, Ms. Rustica Tembele in this year’s climb.
The Minister commended GGM for recognizing potentials and the fact that beauty could be used to promote the well being of our people by inclusion of the reigning Miss Tanzania Faraja Kotta and Miss Geita 2005 Lucy David in the 2005 climb.
Minister Kikwete asked them to reach the top at Uhuru Peak and raise our torch of hope much higher to bring more hope to those suffering, compassionate and understanding to our people and more vigour to our fight’ against HIV/AIDS.
'Despite our joint efforts HIV/AIDS continue to run a devastating effect due to challenge created and nurtured by three negatives: poverty, ignorance and fear… Nothing spreads HIV faster than silence,' said Mr. Kikwete.
'Let Tanzanians understand available statistics. And let’s join hands and establish a multidisciplinary approach to challenge the virus to have the greatest impact.'
The minister also noted the biggest challenge of all in the fight against HIV/AIDS is to match good intentions with real resources.
He thanked GGM for showing the way to collect the needed resources.
The Geita Gold Mine Kilimanjaro Challenge against HIV/AIDS was introduced by the company in 2002 and todate it has managed to raise US $ 290,000 (about Tshs. 300 million).
The money has been distributed to organizations that spearhead the fight against the pandemic countrywide.
In 2002 the challenge collected US $ 40,000; the amount collected in 2003 increased to US $ 100,000 while last year the challenge fetched in US $ 150,000.
Mr. Daniel Ole Njoolay made history by becoming the first Regional Commissioner to conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro for a noble cause of raising fund to fight HIV/AIDS pandemic.
He was one of the successful stories that coloured the event.
'I have learnt a great deal by participating in this climb,' said Mr. Njoolay.
'I believe it’s only physical fitness, strong limbs, determination and team work that have enabled me to challenge the mountain and not my title as region commissioner. We were all equals when moving one step at a time up the mountain.'
Adds Mr. Njoolay: 'I realized this is the right way to fight the pandemic. Let’s put our efforts together as leaders and more companies should rally behind GGM to make this challenge more successfull,' he noted.
GGM used the tough seven-day Machame route.
The route is said to be more difficult path that must be followed to create more awareness against HIV/AIDS fight in Tanzania.
'The issue should not be to ask what is the Government doing to fight the deadly disease but rather what each of us, the private and public companies as well as individual citizens doing, for the nation in this noble and crucial war against the deadly disease,'says Mrs. Ndeshukurwa Sumari The Kilimanjaro Regional Administrative Secretary.
Mrs. Sumari congratulates the Kilimanjaro Climb against HIV/AIDS 2005 expedition Team, who made it to the top of the roof of Africa.
'You have not only, successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, but you have also glorified the noble cause of combating HIV/AIDS,' she said.
She expressed her gratitude to the Mwanza Regional Commissioner Mr. ole Njoolay, the Geita District Commissioner, Mr. Albert Mnali, Miss Tanzania 2004 Faraja Kotta, and Miss Geita 2005 Lucy David; for successfully climbing and making it to the roof of Africa.
'I believe to all of you this in an historical achievement,' she remarked.
She ended by calling upon all the leaders in the country to emulate the challenge by physically participating in the Kilimanjaro Challenge which has now become an annual event.
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