Thanks for helping me reach almost 40% of my goal!

Dear Friends, Family, and Colleagues-

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!  This summer, I will be participating in a 7-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) in East Africa.  VSO is an organization that sends skilled volunteers to the poorest nations in the world, assisting in areas of HIV and AIDS, disability, participation and governance, secure livelihoods, education, health and well-being.  Please read on to learn more about VSO and my reasons for doing the Challenge, and why you should sponsor me! 

As part of the challenge I will ascend on a trek to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro, the world's highest freestanding, snow-covered equatorial mountain and the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet (5,895 meters)! I will be trekking through 5 major eco-zones; including rainforest, alpine desert and glacier. 

Money raised on this challenge will provide volunteer assistance to people in the nations of East Africa. For example, VSO Tanzania aims to reduce poverty by working with government and non state agencies to develop their capacity to improve access to, quality and relevance of education and HIV and AIDS services and to strengthen the ability of disadvantaged people to make a viable living.  As part of the challenge, I will have the experience, first-hand to witness the beneficial effects of VSO's work in East Africa. 

 Am I crazy?  Well, maybe. But here is a list of my top reasons for participating...

1. Opportunity to have a global impact by raising money to provide assistance to people who need it most.

 2. I'm always down for an adventure, and as you may have noticed I'm set on seeing and experiencing the world.

 3. Having recently recovered from knee surgery, I'm especially excited (and a little scared!) about the physical challenge of climbing the tallest peak in Africa.

More About VSO: VSO is the largest independent charity in the world, working through volunteers in over 30 countries in the poorest regions of the world. VSO was voted top international development charity in the International Aid and Development category at the Charity Awards 2004 for its work in promoting innovative approaches to globalising volunteering.  Volunteers work in the most disadvantaged countries in the world, sharing their professional skills and experience with local people.  VSO responds to demands through partnership with local government agencies, non-governmental organisations and local community organisations. 

If you are interested in learning more about VSO or the Challenge please email me at msoyka@gmail.com, or visit this site: http://www.vso.org.uk/accenturekilimanjarochallenge/2008/challenge.htm

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me. Please note that donations are measured in British Pounds.  (The exchange rate is approximately $1.98 USD = 1 GBP). All donations are secure and sent electronically to the VSO charity. 

Please consider that any amount of money you can give will help reach my goal and will make a difference to VSO.   Please sponsor me now! 

Many thanks for your support.

 Melissa