I see Kilimanjaro everyday through my window as I make coffee, outside as I watch students play football, and on evening strolls through the village. It is a constant through all the ups and downs in Maasailand. In my work here, I have faced some incredibly challenging goals, and I cannot think of a better way to culminate my 2.5+ amazing years at O'Brien School than by pushing myself to the summit this July.

 

When I move on to a new journey this August, I want to ensure funding for a comprehensive child protection program for the O'Brien School community. Too many of our bright young students fight for their education in spite of incredible obstacles, such as child abuse and sexual assault. This by no means defines their culture, but I have spent enough time with students at local social welfare and police offices to recognize a serious need. No child should ever lose her right to education because she was sexually attacked. No child should carry the weight of an arranged child marriage on her shoulders. No child should be forced to miss school day after day because someone with more power is forcing him to watch cattle. This community wants to see its children go far, and will greatly benefit from training in standing for the rights of the child, implementing effective reporting and accounting mechanisms for abuse, and offering children any assistance needed to overcome obstacles outside the classroom. Children must be free to fully apply themselves at school, and to enjoy being kids!!!

 

A twist of fate directed me to Sanya Station in 2014 and now it's hard to think about life without the incredible students, staff, and villagers who fill my life with purpose and joy. I am doing this charity climb so I can stand atop that mountain as I wrap up my service in Tanzania, knowing that children in this community will have the support they need to follow their own goals, and to summit their wildest dreams.