On a recent trip to Niger, we visited a hospital in the small town of Bilma. This hospital, with its one doctor, served as the only medical facility for the whole of the Northern half of the country. It had almost no facilities and its complete stock of medicine could be stored on a single shelf. In Niger, one in three children dies before reaching the age of five, one of the many reasons that this country is currently regarded as the poorest in the world.
I visited Niger with a company called Adventure Alternative, who have a sister company called Moving Mountains, a charity responsible for setting up projects in third world countries. On the last day of the trip, discussions took place with the Doctor responsible for the hospital and a list of drugs and medicines were identified that would be of most benefit to the hospital.
Moving Mountains have now agreed to finance the purchase of these drugs and arrange delivery to the hospital. This is costing them 1500 Euros for three months supplies. The first batch of medicines has now been delivered to the hospital and I'm told the reaction has been wonderful to see.
As a result, I am hoping to raise £2040 (the equivalent cost for the next six months worth of drugs) by climbing Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe. Any donation would be gratefully received as just a couple of pounds could save a life,
Jonathan
