by Barbara Joye | Jan 31, 2009 | January, Kilimanjaro 2009
GREETINGS to all! It is a day of gratitude and celebration, with all of our climbers safe and back down from the mountain! We had quite an evening last night… with the mountain guides and porters joining us at Mama Florentina’s… for feasting, prayers of gratitude… and many stories of the challenges they faced and overcame. There was laughter… and tales of how everyone had to let go of “fear and personal dignities” in favor of survival! I must correct my previous blog entry- the climbers did NOT have a 24 hour rest before the final ascent… our information was incorrect. In fact, they remained on their feet for 22 of the last 24 hours! Torrential rains complicated their pacing and slowed their movements over very slippery rock faces. At some points, they were literally clinging to rock faces! Poppy has suffered from extreme lung congestion throughout her climb, with Ron coming down with it midway, too. She believes she had the beginnings of bronchitis when she left the U.S. The climbers carried antibiotics with them, so she began taking them during her climb. With the thinning altitude… 50% less oxygen… she was compelled to remain at their last camp, rejoining the group at their descent. She literally could not exert and get a breath, too. Poppy describes watching the group begin their night time ascent, “all wearing headlamps, a winding trail of tiny lights making their way upward.” As she watched the lights of the climbers, she saw “a beautiful falling star arc over them”, and “believed them to be safe and protected” in their final journey skyward....
by Barbara Joye | Jan 30, 2009 | January, Kilimanjaro 2009
We have word that we should pick up the climbers later today! We have not heard if all made it to the top, but I know that all intended to make a final push… after their day of rest. We’re all anxious and excited for their safe return… and will be celebrating with a big dinner…cooked by Matrona… later tonight! While the group made their way skyward, I have been moving things along on the ground! I am focusing right now on making way for the planned shipment of all our equipment, this summer. Everything needs to be in perfect order for receipt, transport and the waiver of VAT… or taxes… because we are a non profit with a charitable mission. Evarist Momburi, Councelor of Uru North ward, has been especially helpful to me with all the meetings and necessary conversations. The village officials, Tanzanian government and volunteers alike… have made truly great efforts to organize and cooperate. In any country, this is a remarkable feat unto itself! I have visited some of the villages and schools again, where we plan to place some of the wells. The situation is even more difficult that when we came last year. This region did not receive what they call the “small rains” in November and December, so even the open furrows, or dug trenches, that funnel rain water down the mountain to those below, are completely dry. I cannot tell you how difficult it was to hold back tears, as I stood by school children in their uniforms, scooping brown water from barely wet, muddy ditches, their drinking water from a...
by Barbara Joye | Jan 29, 2009 | January, Kilimanjaro 2009
Jambo! Word from the mountain seems positive. The group rested for 24 hours at a base camp, 17,000 feet, before they will make their final ascent, beginning this morning. This helps them to acclimatize to the thin air, as well as gives their bodies some relief from climbing. They remain in good spirits… for this final push to the top! They have had their challenges… weather… altitude sickness… muscle strain and soreness. Just being outside in the elements presents its own challenges, with a constant exposure to rain, sleet and snow. The porters and guides are very experienced, though, and have provided our group with good support, food and well set up camps, for rest and regrouping. The guides and porters are amazing themselves. Their livelihoods are dependent on people who come to climb Kilimanjaro. The porters carry everything for the camps in baskets on their heads and use short cuts to stay ahead of the climbing groups. These short cuts are steep and very rugged and the porters are always at risk, themselves. A few of the porters were quite young… 16 years old. It is a rough way to earn a living, but there is so little opportunity here, that this work is considered to be good work. The guides are extremely experienced in weather conditions and people’s responses to the altitude. They assume this responsibility with courage, grace and great caring. It takes them years to develop the necessary skills and proven strength for this work. When Sam became ill, it was one of the guides, Daniel, who brought him safely …and very quickly!… down the...
by Barbara Joye | Jan 28, 2009 | January, Kilimanjaro 2009
The Kilimanjaro climbers are now above 16,500 feet and all are feeling some effect from the altitude. Sam Fell, one of the film crew, has descended after reaching 16,000 feet. It is never predictable as to who might feel the effects of the altitude, to the point of debilitating illness, and consequently forcing a descent. Sam suffered a lot, almost from the beginning with the altitude aspects, but he made a truly enduring effort to continue climbing. I cannot believe he made it to 16,000 feet, given his very negative response to the thin air and altitude… along with weather challenges of rain and snow! He made it back down the mountain last night, in a hard rain and over some very slippery inclines. Honestly… he’s my current hero in this very real test of courage. Sam is now feeling very well and happy with his effort… after a hot shower and a warm dinner last night! The group perseveres, towards the 19,500 foot peak… the tallest free standing mountain on earth … and symbol of commitment and courage to all who attempt an ascent to her top. God bless them all. Barbara...
by Barbara Joye | Jan 26, 2009 | January, Kilimanjaro 2009
We have received a message this morning from the Kilimanjaro climbers and all are doing well! They are in the 3rd day of a 6 day ascent, so almost halfway to the top now. Everyone remains positive and hopeful of reaching the top. Florentina Masawe has indicated she is tiring, but still determined. At 62 years old, she is the oldest climber, but this Kili climb has very special meaning to her. In addition to the symbolism of climbing as a partner with ICBD and providing African representation, Florentina was born on this mountain. She has climbed twice before… albeit younger! She grew up in the villages of Kilimanjaro, leaving when she received scholarship to Oxford. She continued her education in Sweden, where she married and had her children. Several years ago, she felt a strong call to return to her birthplace. Her husband has passed on and her children grown, so she has worked tirelessly to provide assistance in these villages. She served as a field social worker in Sweden for 25 years, so her assistance with this water project has been absolutely invaluable. In truth, it could not have happened without her. Her children are asking her to return to Sweden, but she is torn between family in Sweden and the roots of her lineage speaking to her through this mountain. So climbing Kilimanjaro is a personal act of love for her, believing it may be the last time she makes this ascent. I find excuses to ask her about life on her mountain, just so I can see the light in her eyes as she speaks...
by Barbara Joye | Jan 23, 2009 | January, Kilimanjaro 2009
Phones, Flights, Florentina and Faces It is almost 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, here in Tanzania. As I am ground support for our Kilimanjaro climbers, I’m up late figuring out a few bugs in our international calling system. We Americans are very funny in our expectations, believing we can set up systems in a third world country… like cell phones… and they will work just like back home! Our flights were great and all luggage arrived intact, so for this we are very grateful! We take this as a good sign, of continued good journey to come. From Florentina’s home …our partner, coordinator and host… we saw our first view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The weather is exceptionally clear, which is GREAT for the upcoming climb, and our first view of the mountain this trip, was both breath taking and aweing.. The faces of those who are here in Africa for the first time, were priceless, reflecting more than words can convey. First and foremost, I’m sure, were thoughts of the pending climb and what lies ahead to reach the top. All of the climbers are determined and excited and have already shown great support of one another in the early preparations. The climb will begin around 12 noon on Saturday …which is 3am Saturday, Chicago time. Their guides, Honest and Daniel, came by this afternoon, to review preparations with the climbers. Everyone feels good about the arrangements and confident in their guides… and themselves. Your prayers and good wishes for these wonderful people *Margie, Mary, Florentina, Poppy, Ron, Catherine, Jeremy and Sam* are much appreciated! Water, Wells, and A...
