“I’m not sure what I find more surprising – how hard you’re training or that you’re prepared to sleep in a tent. Well done for taking on the challenge.”
That’s the comment from my sister and I think that pretty much sums up the response of those that know me best.
However, until now I’m not sure I have found anything for which I have wanted to give up my creature comforts.
I firmly believe that education is the key to lifting people out of poverty. On a personal level I believe that educating girls is especially important. If you educate the mothers you educate the next generation, leaving a sustained impact on the prospects of a community and a nation. When I first heard about CAREducation Trust it immediately appealed to me as a great cause, and the fact that it was a grassroots charity where all the money donated goes directly to the projects made it even better. It means all the effort we put in will make a tangible difference to the prospects of these children. Thus I have found a reason to give up my creature comforts!
Training has been a bit of a challenge as I try and fit it around work and other commitments. I am not someone who is particularly given to exercise (still don’t have a gym membership) but having a goal in mind and remembering why I am doing this been has been an incredible motivation. Doing this on behalf of CARE has also made all the training a positive experience and one which will hopefully get better. By training with others from the group, it has been more fun and I have made new friends and got to know existing friends better.
On a personal level, my hope is to make it to the top of Kilimanjaro without any major incidents and remembering the cause and all those that have supported me will help if things get tough when I’m cold and tired along the way. More widely, I hope that all 35 of us make it to the top and that we all make lasting friendships whilst doing it. Mostly I hope that all those reading this will take the time to appreciate the educational advantages we have in this country and take the opportunity to read about the work that CARE does and donate money for those less privileged than ourselves.
With less than a week to go now, it’s hitting home that I am really going to trek up a 19340 ft mountain! What was I thinking? I was thinking of all the children that are going to be helped by the money raised and what a difference we can make. Not everyone can trek up a mountain, put up with the cold and sleep in a tent to make a difference, but we can all make a difference to the lives of children less fortunate than ourselves by donating whatever you can to CARE.
To donate please go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BiniChandaria
