Girls' rights campaigners climb Africa's highest mountain to raise funds

A group of girls’ rights campaigners have embarked on the 2017 Trek4Mandela expedition of climbing Africa’s highest mountain – Mount Kilimanjaro – to create awareness about the challenges facing impoverished girls in rural and poor schools during their monthly cycles.

This expedition, started since 2012, is an initiative for Nelson Mandela International Day to raise funds for the Imbumba Foundation’s Caring4Girls programme that distributes sanitary towels to make sure needy girls go to school during their menstrual period.

27 climbers – each representing a year that Mandela spent in prison – from around the world journeyed from South Africa to the base of the mountain in Tanzania and started climbing on July 13.

2017 Trek4Mandela climbers have completed their 1st day & are all safe this evening at Mandara Hut #Kilimanjaro #Caring4Girls #GirlChild pic.twitter.com/WMsr8Y2rbZ

— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) July 14, 2017

They reached the 5,895-meter summit on Nelson Mandela International Day July 18, which is also the anti-apartheid hero’s birthday.

The #Trek4Mandela climbers have successfully summited #Kilimanjaro & are currently on their way down the mountain #Caring4Girls #GirlChild pic.twitter.com/sCFi1KSD4c

— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) July 18, 2017

They returned on Thursday, July 20 to a rousing welcome by families and friends.

Congratulations & welcome back to the 2017 #Trek4Mandela climbers from their efforts to keep the #GirlChild in school #Caring4Girls pic.twitter.com/KzEbPNyRnh

— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) July 20, 2017

The climb has gained popularity with its iconic send-off and welcome events in Johannesburg.

Each climber aims to raise at least R1.5 million ($115,127) for Caring4Girls to support as many underprivileged girls as possible with sanitary pads.

The expedition attracts celebrities and government officials who help in the fundraising.

Last year, South African rally driver Gugu Zulu died after experiencing breathing problems during the expedition.

His wife, Letshego Zulu embarked on this year’s climb in honour of her late husband.

Ke nako!! The time is here. #Trek4Mandela2017 #Caring4Girls #Climb4Gugu

A post shared by Letshego Zulu (@letshegozulu) on Jul 13, 2017 at 11:28pm PDT

Joyous celebrations at ORTambo_Int as the climbers are met by family & friends #Trek4Mandela #MandelaDay #Caring4Girls #GirlChild pic.twitter.com/GMfwvrYxwS

— NelsonMandela (NelsonMandela) July 20, 2017

Photo Credit: Letshego Zulu/ Instagram