In March 2006, I decided that I would celebrate my 55th birthday by accomplishing one of my goals --- climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It was only a couple of years ago that I read Michael Crichton’s book “Travels” in which he describes his trek up Kilimanjaro. Through his words I was able to imagine myself someday doing the same thing.

This 9 day climb is a personal challenge that far exceeds any other I’ve ever undertaken. My tests in life have always been on the fortitude side, not physical. There is no doubt in my mind, or anyone who knows me, that I will see Africa from its Rooftop and that I will enjoy at least one of it’s sunrises in October 2007 from that lofty height.

READ ABOUT OUR TRIP ON MY BLOG! We're on our way!       See the pictures and read my thoughts, notes and comments from our trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro!     Click here to read all about it!

Your unwavering support, kind thoughts and words kept us going and saw us safely to the summit at 5:45 PM (9:45 AM EST) on October 12, 2007. We are convinced that it was your positive energy, not to mention our determination not to let any of you down, that we succeeded in our quest to see Africa from it's rooftop. As it turns out it was cloudy but we did manage to catch occasional glimpses of her through holes in the clouds. The experience was everything that we expected and then some. If you are interested in hearing and seeing more about our journey, please contact me to schedule a truly inspiring presentation for your group/association/congregation.

Since our return we have dedicated our time and energies to raising awareness by speaking at local functions in the community. These have ranged from 10 to 200 people and have all been well received. We would be delighted to come and speak at any of your events to share our climbing experiences and continue being the voices of our African sisters.

Thanks to your extremely generous contributions we are even more pleased to report that we have exceeded our financial goal as well by raising $78,336.50 for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.

The Kilimanjaro Grannies (our group's new name) have decided to continue our awareness and fund raising efforts and have decided to share our memories, thoughts and impressions of Kilimanjaro in a coffee table book that we hope to have ready for the Spring of 2009 with all sale proceeds going to the Stephen Lewis Foundation for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.

Our work is far from done and there's a constant need for our help - WE WILL NOT REST 'TIL THEY CAN REST!

So please continue supporting the campaign through the Stephen Lewis Foundation and as a special favour include our group ID# 88390 in the comments field when donating online or on the memo line of your cheque.

Why your help is so important!

Those who know me know that I will reach the summit.
Those who love me, share in this dream with me.
Those who give will join me on this journey to the top.

However, I just can’t picture myself going to Africa empty handed or as just another tourist. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is something that cannot be ignored or glossed over as just another fact of life. Having lost my brother to AIDS in 1995, I decided that I would dedicate my climb to his memory. This very special event in my life is a perfect opportunity to raise funds to fight this disease which not only affects the victim but tears entire families apart and in Africa an entire continent.

• More than 25 million people in Africa are infected with HIV/AIDS. [*1]
• In sub-Saharan Africa alone, approximately 14 million children have been orphaned by AIDS — a higher number than the total of every under-18-year-old girl and boy in Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland combined. That figure is expected to reach more than 18 million children by 2010. [*2]
• In Botswana and Malawi over 50 per cent of orphaned children live in grandparent-headed households and over 60 per cent in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. [*3]

As a grandmother myself, the Stephen Lewis Foundation through the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign has provided me with the perfect vehicle to achieve another goal --- to raise $19,335.60 ($1 per foot) to support these courageous Grandmothers in Africa who have lost their own children due to AIDS and are now raising their children's children, who in many cases themselves, are living with this horrible disease.. With your generous donations and my unwavering determination, my dreams will be realized but more importantly Grandmothers in Africa will get some of the much needed relief that they so desperately long for.

Zambia: Stephen Lewis visits grandmothers in Malala Village, Zambia. Photo by: Anurita Bains