The Cause

Or, why you should support my trek
Or, where the money goes

I have signed up for the daunting task of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in early September, but the much more important and possibly much more ambitious part of the challenge is the pledge to raise £2,500 (about $4,000 USD) in support of VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas).

This trek is a tremendous challenge and amazing adventure, but more importantly it's in support of a charity that is making a difference in the lives of those people living in the shadow of the mountain, where over half the population lives below the poverty line. VSO is a volunteer-based development charity, where people can volunteer in overseas skill-based opportunities, bringing their knowledge or skills to local organizations working to improve the lives of the people they serve. For example, VSO Tanzania aims to reduce poverty by focused and dedicated projects to improve access to, quality and relevance of education and HIV and AIDS services and to strengthen the ability of disadvantaged people to make a viable living. Your donation is not going into food or clothes, rather you support projects that help make a lasting difference to the people in Tanzania.

The money you donate can help volunteers fight global poverty and disadvantage.
£50: provides HIV and AIDS training for a VSO volunteer to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in local communities throughout Zambia.
£250: helps a VSO volunteer to train 20 local teachers in special teaching methods and in the management of Special Needs Units in Kenya in order to support children with disabilities.
£1000: helps to fund a community-initiated project in The Gambia that, with the support of a VSO volunteer, could help to set up small enterprises run by local communities.

I will be donating £2,500 regardless of whether it comes from donations or out of my own pocket, which should be some indication of my dedication and also of how much I appreciate any support you can give. In fact, while that is the minimum amount I will be either raising or donating, my actual goal is £4,000 (about $6,500 USD). The money I raise is all going to VSO, not toward the travel expenses of the trip to Africa and up the mountain.

I'm grateful for donations of any and all sizes so please know that any amount is welcome. If you are willing to donate, the easiest way to do so is at my justgiving page: http://original.justgiving.com/jessicablat