Don't get too excited but 200 activists are going to jump off Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
These aren't the usual pesky environmentalists, these are hang-gliding global activists, which really sounds like just an excuse to go hang-gliding but get permits to do it in cool places but it's still going to raise money for a worthy cause.
Wings of Kilimanjaro's request to launch two hundred paragliding and hang-gliding global activists off Mt. Kilimanjaro has been approved for February 5th, 2013. Getting down the mountain is much easier than going up. They have to ascend 19,341 feet, the highest point in Africa and then launch from the peak. They aim to raise a million dollars to provide financial funding for education, health and environmental aid in Tanzania.
Adrian McRae, the Australian founder behind Wings of Kilimanjaro, says, "Knowing that we have set out to achieve something that has never been done before will be a challenge for everyone involved, but the reward lies in knowing that together we will help raise global awareness and much needed funding for development in Africa." McRae successfully completed a climb in 2003.
Allan Kijazi, Director General of Tanzania National Parks, says, "We are proud to showcase the picturesque Tanzanian National Parks to the world, and hope to draw attention and awareness towards helping those who need it most." Permission for this much anticipated event has been granted by the Tanzanian National Parks, Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority and Tanzanian Military, who have all promised their support.
The event will also see Wings of Kilimanjaro collaborate with two local based charities, Plant with Purpose and the One Foundation. Kelly Thomas, Programme Officer with the One Foundation says, "We are especially thankful to all the pilots, who, through their hard work and determination, will be positively changing the lives of Tanzanian children with the funds they raise."
Plant with Purpose works with 38 different communities in the regions surrounding Mt Kilimanjaro to create alternatives to deforestation, share tools needed to empower local people to replenish the land and improve their lives. The One Foundation is a UK based charity, working with communities in Africa to address some of the most humanitarian issues of today - clean water, HIV, sanitation and nutrition.
If you want to help, and by help they mean 'send money' please visit www.wingsofkilimanjaro.com
