About the Opportunity:
CLIMB KILIMANJARO
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most impressive sights in Africa and climbing it is one of the all-time great achievements. It’s the largest freestanding mountain in the world and the trek encompasses terrains from jungle to glacier. Reaching the summit and watching the sun rise over the vast African plains truly is the experience of a lifetime.
The sponsorship raised by the group completing this epic challenge will transform thousands of lives by providing clean water supplies to communities across East Africa.
Clean drinking water, proper toilets and good hygiene are essential, and yet in rural Kenya too many children and communities lack these services.
Women and children have to walk long distances to collect water; children are getting sick from unclean water and poor hygiene and girls are dropping out of school because of the difficulty of not having private toilets. Dig Deep seeks to change this, giving children clean and safe environments to learn and communities the basic resources they need to survive and thrive.
WHO WE ARE
WATER IS WHAT WE DO
We work in long term partnership with local government, schools and communities to build bespoke solutions to the challenges that they face, and ensure lasting change. We do this in three ways:
1. TAPS: We build infrastructure that will provide a school or community with reliable, clean water (normally by installing a rainwater harvesting system). We use locally available materials, training up local artisans and community groups to ensure that the equipment can be managed and maintained in the long term. The clean water improves health, saves time that was previously used on collecting water, and positively impacts school attendance and attainment.
2. TOILETS: We build latrines in schools, providing children with a safe, hygenic and private space in which to go to the toilet. While this sounds simple, it has a huge impact on children’s health and school attendance, particularly for teenage girls.
3. TRAINING: We also train teachers and community health workers in health and hygiene, ensuring that communities understand how diseases spread and what they need to do to keep themselves and their families healthy. We also run menstrual hygiene training, breaking down stigma, correcting misinformation and giving girls the tools and insight they need to continue their education and role in the community when menstruating.
You can read more about Dig Deep's work on our website: www.digdeep.org.uk
WHY OUR CHALLENGES ARE DIFFERENT
We run our challenges in the same way we run our projects, working with local charities to ensure the best conditions for the porters and staff who work so hard to make it one of the best experiences of your life.
By using our local knowledge and organizing your challenge ourselves we are able to cut out the middle man, ensuring that no profit is made in the UK by private companies. This means that we are able to raise more money for our projects and that the porters and staff who make your adventure so memorable benefit fairly from the challenge you undertake.
ITINERARY
The Climb for Clean Water is an 18 day adventure.*
You begin with a day to travel to Kilimanjaro, acclimatise and be briefed on the climb. There is then 6 days of trekking taking you to the Roof of Africa and back down again. After a well-earned celebration and rest, you have 8 days to discover the wonders of East Africa, be it going on Safari or relaxing on the stunning beaches of Zanzibar. You then transfer back to Nairobi for your flights back to the UK.
Your departure date will be announced in early December but will be between 18th - 28th August.
DAY 1 DEPARTURE
You’ll assemble with your group at London Heathrow before jumping on your flight to Nairobi International Airport, Kenya
DAY 2 HELLO EAST AFRICA
This is where the adventure begins. You will be met at the airport by your Head Guide who is going to be leading you up the mountain for the next six days. With them you will take a private bus transfer across the Tanzanian border to the town of Moshi which is at the foot of the mountain. Your home for the night will be the very comfortable Midlands Hotel which is run by Mama Moshi (a great friend of Dig Deep's_ and her family. Your Head Guide will then give you a short briefing on what to expect on the trek before you enjoy a delicious dinner and spend the night in twin shared rooms
DAY 3 TREK DAY ONE
After a good breakfast you will be transported up to the Kilimanjaro Cloud Forest and enter the National Park through the Machame Gate where you’ll take your first steps on the mountain. This day is about finding your feet with a beautiful 4-5 hour gradual ascent through the forest to your camp at Machame Hut (2,980m above sea level).
DAY 4 TREK DAY TWO
After breakfast you’ll begin a steep ascent that will take you above the tree line of the forest to reveal spectacular views towards Mt. Meru and the Maasai Highlands. After around 5-6 hours you will arrive at camp at Shira Hut (3,840m). In the early evening you’ll then have the option of doing a short acclimatisation trek.
DAY 5 TREK DAY THREE
After breakfast you will strike out across the Shira Plateau on a gradual incline. The environment changes dramatically as nearly all vegetation is left behind leaving only the bare plateau and a direct, spectacular view of the summit. You will ascend to 4,400m which will provide valuable acclimatisation before walking down to Baranco Campsite.
DAY 6 TREK DAY FOUR
After an early breakfast you’ll climb a very steep path up the 700ft Baranco Wall. For many people this is one of the most enjoyable parts of the trek and the feeling of accomplishment at the top is well deserved. However, the day is far from over as you set off across the Karanga Valley and ascent to Barafu Hut (4,600m) around 7-8 hours after setting off from camp. This day will be challenging due to both trekking time and altitude. Dinner will be served at around 18:00 and everyone will get to bed as early as possible as the next day you will be heading to the summit…
DAY 7 TREK DAY FIVE - SUMMIT DAY
Your summit day will begin at midnight after a light breakfast. It begins with a slow ascent across the scree slopes towards Stella Point. Most people find this the toughest part of the challenge due to the combination of gradient, altitude, cold and the dark. However, a serious morale boost arrives at around 05.30 as dawn strikes the mountain, revealing both the beauty around you and how close you are to the top. You will take a much needed short break when you reach the rim of the crater at Stellar Point. Then comes your final push to the summit at Uhuru Peak – 5.895m above sea level.
You will reach the Roof of Africa tired but elated. The views of everything from glaciers at the summit to the great plains spread out below you mixed with your sense of achievement at having made it is overwhelming – people tend to both celebrate and shed a few tears!
What goes up must come down and so after some time at the summit you will begin your descent. You will stop for a lunch break at Barafu Camp (where you last spent the night) before descending further to Millenium Camp, arriving in late afternoon for a well-earned hearty dinner and nights rest.
DAY 8 TREK DAY SIX
A four or five hour stroll remains from Millenium Camp down to Mweka Gate where you will be met by a Dig Deep staff member. You will have the opportunity to grab a cold coke or beer for the first time to celebrate the end of your adventure.
DAYS 9-16 INDEPENDENT TRAVEL
Independent travel is your chance to discover the wonders of East Africa. During this time there are no services provided so it’s your choice what incredible things you experience. Most of our challenge groups choose to go on Safari and travel to Zanzibar. Dig Deep will be able to help you arrange these trips directly with local travel companies who offer the best possible value.
Safari: East Africa offers some of the most spectacular Safaris in the world. The feeling of first seeing lions, giraffes, elephants and wildebeest in the wild is something that you will never forget.
Zanzibar: Nearly all of our challenge groups visit the paradise island of Zanzibar. Just 25 miles from the coast of Tanzania it is renowned as one of the most beautiful places in the world. There you can relax on the bright white beaches looking out on the Indian Ocean. You also have the chance to spend time in the island’s capital of Stone Town, where African and Arabian cultures explode in a bustle of narrow streets, colourful markets, beautiful architecture and tantalisingly delicious food.
DAY 17 TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT AND FLIGHT HOME
Your private bus will meet you in Moshi and take you back across the border to Nairobi International Airport.
DAY 18 ARRIVE BACK INTO LONDON HEATHROW
Arrive back into London Heathrow.
* Please note the actual length of your trip may vary in length by up to +/- 48 hours depending on flight bookings. This will change the number of days of independent travel time; it will not alter the itinerary for the trek days.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
International Flights
Three meals a day on the trek
All relevant transfers
One night accommodation either side of the trek
All national park fees, entrance fees, taxes and permits as applicable to the itinerary
Services of a professional English speaking guide at all times
Safe drinking water during the hike
24/7 support and emergency line available throughout the itinerary
Medical Evacuation Services
Equipment Hire Facilities
Tent and sleeping mat required for the trek
Porter Service (you will only need to carry your day pack whilst on the trek)
Highest ethical standards (all of our ground staff for the treks are paid the best salaries on the mountain meaning that the porters are rewarded for their hard work)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Evacuation (in event of serious medical injury, we will coordinate with your travel insurance company to arrange evacuation)
Meals and drinks other than those mentioned
Tips and gratuities
Optional excursions
Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs and telephone calls
Country visas (if applicable)
Travel insurance
Vaccinations
Personal camping equipment such as sleeping bag and mattress
SUPPORTING YOUR FUNDRAISING
Fundraising can be some of the best times you have at uni as it’s always
the enjoyable and interesting ideas that work the best.
Taking on the challenge means that you’ll meet new people and make
new friends, while at the same time developing useful skills like events
management and public speaking that will help you out in any walk of life.
Everyone on the Dig Deep team took on challenges while we were
students so we have years of challenge fundraising experience. We know
what works and will be supporting you every step of the way.
Throughout your fundraising you will be provided with the following:
- A Trained Group Leader Your Group Leader will organise socials and a number of group fundraising events so you can get to know your team mates.
- Personalised Professional Fundraising Advice Our fundraising staff will work with you personally to come up with your own fundraising plan, tailored to your strengths and interests.
- Fundraising Pack This is jammed full of tried and tested fundraising ideas that we know work.
- Pre Departure Meeting This presentation will give you all the information you need about your challenge before you board the plane - from kit lists to all the exciting travel opportunities after your trek!
- Online Support You will be able to access our online support network any time through our dedicated Facebook groups and chat to both Dig Deep and all the other challenge volunteers around the country.
- Direct Support from Dig Deep You will always have the dedicated Dig Deep team ready to help you – we’re just an email, text or call away.
YOUR IMPACT
Rekero is a typical Maasai community in the South-West of Kenya, with a rich cultural tradition which revolves around caring for their cattle.
Day to day life can be challenging because the community have no choice but to collect water from puddles when it rains or a contaminated river during the dry season. This causes serious health risks, especially for young children. Across the world a child dies every 21 seconds from a water related disease simply because communities like Rekero don’t have access to clean water and basic sanitation.
This is why Dig Deep works with schools like Rekero Primary to ensure that their students no longer have to be threatened by water borne diseases when studying for their exams. Over the last year we have been able to help Rekero’s school management to install rain water catchment and storage on the school’s main building. This system hygienically collects rain falling onto the school’s roof and stores it in nearby water tanks.
The rain water harvesting system has made a vast improvement to the
school’s water supply and crucially the school will be able to maintain it in
the long term. Over the next year Dig Deep will be working with the school
to help upgrade their toilet facilities and to develop a plan to supply clean
water to the wider community.
This project cost less than £1,500... What will your impact be?
**Please note, the above is not the departure date. This will be confirmed after the registration deadline on 13th November**
The entry fee for this event is £295, individuals who take part will have a fundraising target of £2990, you must meet certain fundraising targets to guarantee your place on this trip!
About the Charity:
Dig Deep works to transform lives in rural Kenya, providing schools and communities with access to water and sanitation.
Applications close 13th November 2016 at 11.59pm, by signing up to this event you're agreeing to allow us to pass your details along to the host charity.