A remarkable challenge is about to start at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania as the world wraps up the final moments of the Olympic Games. The Kilimanjaro BP Reader Challenge, led by Enda O’Coineen, Publisher of the Business Post, and Pat Falvey, a renowned Irish mountaineer, is gearing up to conquer Africa’s highest mountain while raising essential funds for the Shalom Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.
This challenge goes beyond just a physical climb; it is a journey through a range of climates, starting from hot tropical conditions and navigating through different weather zones before reaching the icy glaciers and snowfields at the summit. Standing tall at 19,341 feet, Kilimanjaro looms over Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil, which served as a training ground for this expedition.
With its three volcanic cones, Kilimanjaro is not only the highest free-standing mountain globally but also the fourth most prominent summit on Earth. The climb symbolizes life’s challenges, pushing boundaries, testing limits, and requiring resilience in the face of adversity.
Expected to span six days, this expedition is a testament to human determination and endurance. The primary goal of this climb is to support the Shalom Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, established in 2009 by Irish missionary Fr. Pat Devine. This multi-denominational organization aims to tackle the root causes of violence and poverty in the tribal lands of eastern Africa.
Fr. Devine sheds light on the mission, emphasizing the need to address the persistent inter-ethnic violence and dislocation in northern Kenya. Through innovative approaches, the Shalom Centre facilitates meetings between African tribe leaders to foster mutual respect and resolve conflicts that have lingered for centuries.
Pat Falvey, a seasoned mountaineer who has conquered the Seven Summits twice, including Mount Everest from both its north and south faces, plays a pivotal role in this challenge. His expertise, coupled with O’Coineen’s leadership, will navigate the group through the rigorous climb.
Enda O’Coineen stresses the importance of determination in reaching the summit, acknowledging that climbers may face sickness and exhaustion along the way. He emphasizes the significance of staying resolute and taking one step at a time, especially during the toughest moments.
For those interested in supporting the cause, the GoFundMe page for the BP Kilimanjaro Reader Challenge is open for donations. Join hands in this noble endeavor to conquer Kilimanjaro while promoting peace and reconciliation in eastern Africa.