Kilimanjaro Challenge 2011

 A journey to the top of Africa for a noble cause... An epic challenge inspired by the noble cause of charity to attempt something extraordinary!
 
We are 2 brothers representing South Africa and forming part of an international team on a 10-day trek to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. For the third year in a row, Muslim Hands plans to take 40 brave climbers for an unforgettable adventure. Rising about 20 000 feet above sea level, Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Set across the stunning Serengeti plains, this will be an experience of a lifetime.

The Cause:  Maternal Health Campaign

This 10-day trek will raise money towards worldwide maternal health — an annual initiative supporting lives of new and expectant mothers in developing countries.

“And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring.” (Al-Ahqaf, Chapter #46, Verse #15)

Here’s a startling fact: Over 1000 women die every day as a result of complications in pregnancy and childbirth. 80% of these maternal deaths could be prevented if women had access to quality healthcare throughout pregnancy and trained assistance during childbirth. That’s 8 out of 10 lives saved simply by providing women everywhere with the same access to healthcare that women in the developed world are given. Thousands of women in developing countries are unable to access hospitals, medication and birth support simply because these facilities are too few and far between, too expensive or simply unreachable due to bad roads and a lack of transport options.

Maternal health and newborn health are closely linked. More than three million newborn babies die every year, and an additional three million babies are stillborn. Money from this year’s trek will go towards maternity clinics, training of midwives, essential medicines and pre and post-natal care for expectant mothers.

The purpose of this is not to burden you with the statistics or disturb you with images of some of the experiences that mothers without basic maternal healthcare might go through. We always believed that talk must be accompanied by action, so this June we will be taking on Mount Kilimanjaro. The purpose?  To raise awareness about this important issue with the intention of raising over R66 000 which will go directly towards Maternal Health. So, that’s what we doing. What about you?

 
What Can You Do?   Glad you asked

Our faith inspires us to take action whenever we see injustice.
”If any of you see an evil, then change it with your hand, and if you cannot, then change it with your tongue, and if you cannot, then hate it in your heart, and that is the least of faith.” Prophet Muhammad
 
The perilous journey to the top of the highest free-standing mountain in the world, is said to be both a physically and mentally demanding journey and a challenge of a lifetime. We are determined to conquer this momentous challenge to raise awareness and financial support for struggling mothers around the world with your assistance. Your donations in the form of any charity will help us achieve this objective. Monies can be handed to us directly for which official receipts will be issued, donated through www.justgiving.com/rid1-raihaan (all amounts on this site are handled in pounds) or alternately, money can be deposited directly into the account of Muslim Hands South Africa:
 
Account Name: Muslim Hands
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 071 621 881
Branch: Parow -- 031110
Donor Reference (important): 940669
 
NB: The donor reference: 940669 must be included in the payment details. Please also indicate in the reference the type of donation (Zakaat/ Lillah/ Sadaqah/ Sponsorship) deposited so that the money can be processed accordingly and send an e-mail to either of us for confirmation. Receipts will be provided by Muslim Hands on request.

Please note that ALL funds raised will go towards this initiative. All donations are tax-deductible. Our targets have to be achieved before 10 June 2011 as this is a mandatory requirement to begin the expedition.

We have here a huge opportunity to help save lives – let’s not waste it!

Last word
Growing up, we all dream of changing of the world and making a difference. Instinctively knowing that by living a meaningful life, our time on Earth will not be spent in vain.

Somewhere along the way, life takes over and we struggle to remember our now-dormant world-changing intentions.

We reflect back to the time when we first heard about this Kilimanjaro Challenge and think about what compelled us to ensure that we would be part of this noble international cause. At that time, we didn’t care that we not completely fit enough to embark on such a gruelling expedition, nor did we think about how we were going to raise the minimum fund-raising amount.

Now, all we know is that before us lies the opportunity to make a tangible difference in this world. We hope that by personally challenging ourselves physically and mentally to reach the top of Africa, we can motivate and inspire you to join us in this challenge to raise as much money and awareness as possible for this noble cause.

We thank you for your selfless contributions, for making a difference and ultimately for making this world a better place. May God reward you abundantly for your generosity.

 

Stay blessed

Raihaan and Ridhwaan
 

Please feel free to contact us on raihaan11@yahoo.com or ridhwaan.suliman@gmail.com

* To view the work that Muslim Hands is involved in, log onto the website – www.muslimhands.org
 
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