Bwindi Community Hospital is celebrating being 20 years old! It is situated in a beautiful, hilly area of South-West Uganda. But the reality of life for many local people involves hiking up and down these steep slopes every day, carrying water, food and firewood. It is remote, and often they live far from health services. To address this, Bwindi Community Hospital has daily village outreaches by their community team; they visit each of the 101 villages in their catchment area twice annually. They bring education, vaccinations, medications, antenatal care, mosquito nets and family planning; they screen for and treat malnutrition and other physical and mental ill health. It can be tough work over difficult terrain, which is often wet and muddy. Though the benefits may not be instantly seen - as opposed to completing a successful surgical operation for example - this primary care approach yields impressive results in the long term. In many villages, vaccination rates are now comparable with the UK and rates of severe malnutrition, malaria and infant mortality have plummeted 90%.

And now, Community Mental Health Volunteers like Robert, pictured above, help to bring mentally unwell people to the Hospital's services for treatment, too. Robert is inspiring, asking only for the basics to complete his work, like wellies and water.

So to celebrate these remarkable achievements, and be in solidarity with the amazing community team including volunteers and patients they serve, we invite you to take on the 20 peak challenge! Complete the hikes by May 2024 and aim to get sponsorship of £20 per peak, per person. You can choose to take on the challenge individually, or, to be in a team and complete the 20 peaks between you. One person reaching each peak counts, so a group of 5 friends need only to do 4 each, for example. And the height is up to you: it's your challenge! Share your photos from the top, share stories from the community team, have fun and build friendships along the way!

How to take part:

- start a fundraising page for yourself or your group, linked to this campaign

- from the comfort of your own home, sponsor a hiker through this page.

We will complete this challenge in the year Bwindi Community Hospital is celebrating being 20 years old, so, by their next 'birthday' in May 2024! All money raised will support the Community Health & Batwa Department at Bwindi Community Hospital.

Join us on Strava, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @reachbwindi, and send in your photos, stories or queries to reachbwindi@gmail.com.

Thanks for being part of this journey!