Eight Months of Purpose Reflections on the Road to Kilimanjaro
"It always seems impossible until it’s done." – Nelson Mandela
Eight months ago, Kilimanjaro was just an idea. A challenge mentioned in a conversation. A dream of doing something bold, something hard, something meaningful not just for ourselves, but for others. Tomorrow, that idea becomes reality.
Our team, the 5Manjaro climbers, will leave for Tanzania to begin the ascent to Africa’s highest point 5,895 meters into the sky. But this journey isn’t just about reaching a summit. It’s about raising awareness, raising funds, and raising hope for a future where every woman can give birth in safety and dignity. As we pack our bags and lace up our boots, I want to take a moment to look back to reflect on what this journey has taught me, how it has shaped me, and where we go from here.
From Conversation to Commitment
This journey began in January with a desire to do something Challenging for our friend Nigel's Birthday but that turned into vision: climb Mount Kilimanjaro and use the experience to rally support for maternal healthcare in rural Zimbabwe. The idea was simple: mothers in our communities are still giving birth on the floor. Clinics are overcrowded. Nurses are overwhelmed. Resources are inadequate. And yet, these women show a strength and courage that humbles me.
We couldn’t ignore that reality. We couldn’t keep postponing action.
We committed to something bigger than ourselves to climbing with purpose. The maternity wing we’re raising funds for at Concession District Hospital isn’t a side project. It’s a necessity. A lifeline. A chance to restore dignity, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and strengthen a system that is under tremendous pressure.
The Climb Before the Climb: Training, Discipline, and Discovery
The mountain may be in Tanzania, but the real climb began months ago We’ve hiked in the cold. We’ve trained at altitude. We’ve pushed our bodies when they wanted to quit and our minds when they wandered. Preparing for Kilimanjaro has demanded discipline, grit, and consistency the kind that quietly rewires how you show up in every part of your life.
And let me be honest for a moment:
I’ve tried to shed my belly for years. I’ve signed up for gyms. Tried the diets. Dabbled in detoxes. Nothing stuck.
But Kilimanjaro? Kilimanjaro got results. 😅
There’s something about training for something bigger than yourself, something with a cause behind it , that motivates you in a completely different way. Through this process, I’ve learned how transformative sustained focus can be. I’ve learned to be patient with progress, to trust the routine, and to celebrate the small wins because those are the steps that carry you up big mountains.
What I Know for Sure: Change Happens When We Organize
If I had to name the single most powerful lesson from this journey, it would be this:
Change doesn’t happen by chance. It happens when people organize.
When a group of ordinary people rally around a shared vision and say, “Let’s do something,” the results can be extraordinary. We’ve witnessed it firsthand. What started as a group of five friends is now a movement that has reached hundreds of donors, thousands of people across social media, and countless others who’ve been inspired to act. From community events to corporate sponsors to quiet DMs from people saying, “I’ve been moved by this,” we’ve seen the ripple effect of organized hope.
This is what gives me confidence not just for this maternity wing, but for the kind of country and continent we’re building together.
Gratitude for the People Who Made This Possible
To every donor, friend, follower, and partner: thank you ! You believed in this before there were photos. Before we started training. Before the mountain felt real. Your faith, your support, and your generosity have made this possible. Some of you gave sacrificially. Some of you shared the campaign with your networks. Some of you told us, “I believe in what you’re doing. Keep going.” That encouragement has fueled us on the hard days. We may be the ones physically climbing the mountain, but this is your journey, too.
I'm reminded of what Helen Keller once said "Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much."
What Happens After the Summit
As we head out to climb this week, our focus remains fixed: the project is not over when we reach the summit. The climb is symbolic. But the real work building, funding, equipping the maternity wing continues until it’s finished. We’ll continue fundraising until that wing is built and ready to receive the mothers it was created for. When we return from the climb, we’ll share a full reflection:
- The emotional moments
- The hardest day
- The summit experience
- What it taught us about ourselves and each other
Join Us: The Climb Continues
If you haven’t yet donated, there’s still time. And if you’ve already contributed, thank you please consider sharing this with someone who might care.
Click here to donate on GoFundMe. or Visit the Grace Life foundation Page Follow our journey: #5Manjaro
Together, we’re not just climbing a mountain. We’re changing the story for mothers, babies, and families in Zimbabwe. Let’s keep climbing in faith, in unity, and in purpose.
