On Thursday night at 11:30pm we set off to climb Mount Teide, the third largest active volcano in the world measuring 3718m. We reached the highest peak around 7.30am and watched the sun rise, before making our descent, reaching our base around 1pm. It was the most intense thing I have ever done, particularly because the sheer height made me quite sick, but the strength and motivation of our team ensured we all made it up together. All the money I make from this is going to the charity I am currently working with in Tenerife, the Atlantic Whale Foundation. I would be grateful for any donation of any size to contribute to the work the AWF is doing across the world.
Tenerife is a permanent home to the short finned pilot whales, an endangered species. We work on the commercial whale watching boats with the local people to help educate our passengers as well as identifying and collecting valuable data about the behaviour of these whales. Although originally the AWF was a charity set up to support whale species in the Canary Islands, it has now expanded to include projects in Africa, South America, Asia as well as other projects in Europe. We don't just work with whales but with communities, ecosystems and other species. The AWF work directly with local people in communities where our projects are based and try to make a difference by learning from eachother. Here is an example of some of the newest projects being developed across the world, which my money will help to fund:
The AWF Dragonfly Project: A Place for Women
We have a mother. We have sisters. We have aunts. We have cousins. We have grandmothers. They are all women who we love and care for. This is true of all women in Sierra Leone. We feel they deserve opportunities to make dreams come true.
A Place For Women in York Village, Sierra Leone creates space and opportunity to explore and discover talents. It is focused on sharing skills, education, social, cultural and business opportunities to create a world of their own. It is the first of many such women's resource centres that the AWF is opening in collaboration with local communities.
This first centre will open July 2012. As young women, we want to learn about and understand their culture and values, and bring this knowledge home. We believe that through women working together, we can create a new world.
The ReacTeam-
Rapid Response Marine Research Unit
The REACTEAM is a fully equipped research unit that responds rapidly to information on threatened marine species globally. It consists of young scientists working in collaboration with senior academics, local scientists and communities. It provides young people with the opportunity to obtain valuable field and research skills while experiencing unique and valuable habitats globally. It is all about empowering young people who are willing to do something and use their energy and enthusiasm for the wellbeing of global biodiversity.
The experience has been tough to say the least, but I really hope it will have been worth it to be able to make sure these projects can go ahead next year.
