What do you think about when stuck in traffic? Learn how one woman’s bumper-to-bumper reflections have led to an adventure - and a way to make a difference in South Africa.

 

This month, from 6 – 10 October:

 

5 intrepid women (aged 40 – 52) will climb

 

5 incredible peaks of the Drakensberg in

 

5 inspirational days!

 

 

This is not simply to realise their personal goal, but also an attempt to raise funds to fight against   crime, and to promote and increase awareness of the beauty South Africa’s Drakensberg region.

 

The story begins with a woman stuck in a traffic jam in Jo’burg, wondering what she can do to make a difference, not only in her own life but in the country. She calls a friend and from that conversation the Climb Against Crime initiative is conceived.

 

While Kilimanjaro has become THE mountain to climb in Africa, Belinda van der Riet, Loraine Dalton, Michelle Holliday, Vivien Laverge and Lee Hollington decided to keep their project Proudly South African and draw attention to the beauty and majesty of the Drakensberg mountains in KwaZulu Natal, thus reminding people of the climbing opportunities right here in our own scenic backyard.

 

The proposed itinerary for these daring dames is as follows:

 

• Day 1 - Cathedral Peak – 3004m
• Day 2 – Outer Horn – 3005m
• Day 3 – The Mitre – 3023m
• Day 4 – The Cockade – 3086m
• Day 5 – Peak – 3281m

 

Training has been intensive, with the ladies needing to get from ‘not-particularly-super-fit’ to ‘ready to face the challenge’ in a few short months. They have achieved this through a fitness and health boot camp sponsored by Fitness From Africa.

 

It all sounds exciting and worthwhile but from a practical point of view how will this help to diminish the crime in the country?

 

Each individual climber has taken time out to draw attention to and raise funds for the project.

 

According to the Climb Against Crime website the beneficiaries are:

• The 2Simple Trust Fund which focuses on IT education in underdeveloped schools and proves bursaries towards post-matric qualifications.
• Fitness From Africa which creates sport facilities in underprivileged areas around the country.

 

Both of these ventures work towards “directing young energies in a positive and more productive direction than the notoriously easy route of crime.”

 

We are not all able to drop everything and take 2 months off from our lives to accomplish this kind of achievement, but we CAN support those who do what we can&rsquot;

 

To find out more and to pledge financial support to these inspirational women go to their website at www.climbagainstcrime.co.za

 

Perhaps this project will inspire you to make your own adventure happen and to make a difference in your world.

 

• See Greater Good SA  for other opportunities to make a difference in South Africa
• Go to the Crime Line website to report crimes you may know about