Conquer Mt. Kili to Challenge Menstrual Taboos

I did my first Mt. Kilimanjaro trek on the 2018 New Year's Eve. When I mentioned to my family and friends that I was planning to climb  Mt. Kilimanjaro again the overwhelming majority laughed. Not in a malicious way but " that's insanity type of way" to do it for the second time! I had people challenge me 'What are you gaining out of doing that?  If the answer is you would want to support the community you work with" then some said; you have some other multiple best ways to do it such as; fundraising through organizing events etc.. like any normal human being!

I will admit for someone like me, this made people around me think I was not fit enough to make it but others thought if I made it successful to the top for the first, I would make it even this time. It was an honest discussion with my closest people and family which also made me think outside the box as to what this particular climb means to ME as an individual as opposed to what will mean for the organization and the community I work with.  Honestly, I did not care what it would mean to me or whether I had climbed before or not, all I wanted was to challenge myself and make it to the roof of Africa while holding my banner advocating for the work we do in the community by addressing the menstrual injustice. Just having that thought in my mind of how I would be carrying that message to the summit made me strong and confident enough to push through on the climb.

I honestly did not care whether I would not make it but my original goal was to challenge me as an individual physically and mentally. This was my intention for ME and the COMMUNITY I work with. I do not write anything most of the time when I do a hike but this time I felt there is lot of transformation happened while on that mountaintop 

Working in the Humanitarian sphere has been something that interested me since I was in college however I did not see myself working with NGOs. This has questioned me individually and my values and to what extent I can stretch myself and do better in humanitarian work. The reason I took this challenge on was to stretch myself and together with the Femme International fundraise for the 100 girls in one school based in the underresourced community. I must say the climb was successfully done and here are my four reflections I have after the climb and what has taught me so far: 

I learned a tough lesson about being patient and persistent; Climbing the mountain slowly might feel annoying, but it's really important. Going at a deliberate and steady pace helps save energy and lets your body get used to the high altitudes. Some people rushed up the mountain and had a harder time. They tired themselves out because they didn't understand it wasn't a race. Kilimanjaro teaches us something valuable: to reach your goal, you have to take one step at a time, steadily and with determination, all the way to the top. I think this idea is the same in life.

I discovered that I am more resilient and powerful than I initially believed; To all who warned me about thinking too much of my abilities, I admit the climb was tough. On the night before reaching the top, you only sleep for 3 hours and then wake up at midnight to start the final climb. It's super cold, you're exhausted, and you're following a line of lights that looks like it's going straight up into the sky. The high altitude made me feel sick, and the air was so thin that breathing was hard. Plus, you're walking on steep sand and pebbles, making it tricky to stay upright.

But if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you can make it to the top. Despite doubts about my physical fitness, it was my determination and willpower that got me to the summit. I had to conquer the mountain in my mind, which was even harder. On this journey, I discovered I was stronger than I thought. I learned about the incredible power of the human spirit. If you can push past self-doubt and mental tiredness, there's no limit to how strong and capable you can be. 

I learned to be present; When ascending Kilimanjaro, your awareness is anchored in the present moment. There's no dwelling on the past or fantasizing about the future; your focus is entirely on the immediate surroundings. A heightened sense of clarity and calm envelops you, gradually distancing the rest of the world.

In this ascent, every moment of the day becomes profoundly appreciated. You absorb the experience in its entirety—embracing the sights, sounds, smells, emotions, triumphs, and struggles. In a world often preoccupied with past regrets or future dreams, the mountain imparts a valuable lesson on being present. It teaches you to let go of concerns about tomorrow and, instead, relish the richness of the moment today. 

It humbled me to my core/It made me incredibly humble:  Climbing Kilimanjaro breaks you down and makes you humble. When you stand at the top of this enormous mountain, you understand how small you are in the world, realizing it's not just about you. If you think too highly of yourself, Kilimanjaro will teach you a lesson. There are no easy paths on the mountain, no tricks to avoid the hard work. Everyone is equal, and everyone works equally hard to reach the top. No one is better than anyone else on the climb.

Indeed, Kilimanjaro proves to be a force of power and awe, offering an experience that sparks transformation. Standing atop the roof of Africa provides a perspective that reshapes how you perceive the world.

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