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From 29th November-6th December I, together with 12 others, will be climbing Kilimanjaro. Our purpose is not only to raise funds to develop AIS Hope Academies in South Africa, but also to raise awarenes of the many mountains that Africa currently faces. We believe that there is tremendous hope for Africa and that through our combined efforts we can make a huge difference.

Please see our special web site: www.aisclimbskili.com for more information.

AIS Hope Academies in South Africa use football to bring a message of hope to the most disadvantaged in our society. Our goal is to launch 10 academies across the country. We currently have three academies operating and have a further three to be developed in 2009. Two of our existing academies are for juvenile offenders in South African prisons. For more information please see www.ais-africa.co.za.

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Why am I climbing Kilimanjaro??

From 30^th November - 6th December I will climb the highest mountain in Africa – Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The team climbing with me aims to raise funds and awareness of the “mountains” facing Africa. But I thought it important in this newsletter to explain why I personally have taken on this challenge....
I guess it’s one of those things that has always seemed a good idea... but the idea became a passion in 2006 when we started planning in earnest. Having now lived in Africa for 10 years, I feel a real connection with the continent and a strong desire to serve her people. Climbing Kilimanjaro seemed to be a means to “stake a claim” for God and for good! This year, soccer ministry has taken me to Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Mozambique. As I travel Africa, I continue to be struck by two things: a) the great need there is for development in light of the huge mountains Africa faces; and b) the incredible hope I have for this Continent because, despite their circumstances, the  people of Africa I meet on a daily basis have an irrepressible spirit that enables them to continue persevering.
Climbing the mountain is therefore a personal statement of commitment that I will do everything that God enables me to do in order to bring His message of hope to this Continent. Finding another 12 people (see picture above) to come on this journey with me is a huge bonus. If we can raise awareness, a sense of hope, and some significant funding... then we have achieved our goals.
Tony Blair said it well; “The state of Africa is a scar on the conscience of the world... But if the world focused on it, we could still heal it. And if we don't, the scar will become angrier still." Jesus said; “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Will you join with me in helping us conquer Africa’s mountains?