CLIMBING MOUNTAINS AND PLACING CHILDREN’S ISSUES AT AN ALL-TIME PEAK

This Women’s Month, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) will participate in the Imbumba Foundation’s “Trek4Mandela”. It is a 10-day expedition summiting Mount Kilimanjaro - in Tanzania, to raise awareness about menstrual challenges facing the girl child.
 
“The Superwoman Club” comprises various women from different organisations who will climb Kilimanjaro from 03 August in the lead up to reach the peak on 09 of August, also known as Women’s Day in South Africa, to fight ‘period poverty’ which results in girls missing school due to a lack of sanitary towels.
 
Chief Business Engagement Officer at the Fund, Ms Nomthi Mnisi, who will represent the Fund, says that the organisation is adopting the slogan of, “Climbing Mountains so vulnerable children do not have to.”
 
This follows the organisation’s theme for its Annual Children’s Celebration, held in July 2022, which culminated in a fun walk at the Johannesburg Zoo under the theme of, “Walking the extra mile so vulnerable children do not have to.”
 
Mnisi says, “This is an ambitious and self-less task that we are undertaking. In summiting Kilimanjaro, we hope to raise the profile of children and place their needs on the highest peak in Africa as a statement on their behalf, to say that their needs can no longer be ignored.”
 
Interim CEO of the Fund, Dr Stanley Maphosa, says that this initiative serves as a continuation of the Fund’s 27th anniversary celebrations as well as its ongoing campaign known as #ServeLikeMandela. “This is a call to our supporters and the public to walk in Mandela’s footsteps and be of service to our society, particularly our children, whom he loved so much. We are extremely proud that Ms Mnisi is leading the way in this regard.”
 
Dr Maphosa also wished former CEO of Fund, Ms Konehali Gugushe, a speedy recovery after she broke her ankle in training. Ms Gugushe was set to join the Superwomen’s trek, as a patron of the Fund, before the injury which took place on a hiking trail on 23 July 2022. “We know that Ms Gugushe is still an ardent supporter of this cause, and we hope that she will recover soon and continue to help us spread awareness around this initiative.”
 
According to Mnisi, not everyone has to climb a mountain to show their support. “Nothing is more motivating than knowing that while you may be climbing alone in extreme conditions, you have supporters who are nudging you on back home. We hope that the rest of the country and globe will show their support from their various corners in the world by simply donating towards our cause, spreading the word, and helping us to reach that extra mile in the work that we do as the Fund.”
 
The Fund hopes to raise R300 000 through this initiative and the public are encouraged donate funds, of any amount, that will go towards preventing period poverty and supporting the work of the Fund across various facets of children’s lives. This includes healthcare, poverty alleviation, youth leadership, and child safety.
 
The organisation will keep the public posted on its progress as well as other initiatives aimed at highlighting women and girls’ issues during the course of August.
 
For more details visit https://www.nelsonmandelachildrensfund.com/trek4mandela.html