Someone who came to visit Kibera, would smell it before they could see it. It is the largest urban slum in Africa, and with no running water, little electricity, and open sewers running through the streets, Kibera is an incredibly tough place to grow up. The risk of being attacked by gangs who control the area and the fear of rape and assault for girls from their own family, make it even tougher still.

Open sewers with human feces and a distinct absence of any real medical care means disease and illness is too common for those that must live here. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 children will die before their 5^th birthday and life expectancy is just half that of Kenya’s average.

To raise money for the Atlas Foundation, a group of 12 of us are committing to the challenge of hiking Mount Satima, the highest peak in the Aberdare Mountains. Needing a day to acclimatise before the trek, and another day to complete the trek itself, we will need to endure the difficulties of a 4000m altitude, possible hailstorms, and an arduous trek in moments of deep fog in order to reach the top. It will be a tough physical and mental challenge but it will be worth it knowing that funds are going to support vulnerable children.

Money raised from the Atlas Kenya Trek will go directly supporting Atlas’ programmes. Atlas partner’s Kings Rugby Development Academy (KRDA), uses rugby to engage with the children in Kibera, offering fresh drinking water, hot showers, and regular health checkups. While we may take access to education and health for granted, for these children it is simply an unaffordable luxury. Together, we can support these children to have better opportunities growing up and one day leave the slums.