Olivia Seery’s project in Landmark Education’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program was titled ‘Back to Africa for Ireland’s Children’, and involved her attempting to climb Kenya’s Mt. Kilimanjaro as part of a fundraising effort for an Irish Children’s charity. In the end, with a theme of community and contribution, Seery raised over €5,000 for Barnados as a result of her efforts.
Seery, who leads Landmark’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program in Ireland, began by working in her local community in a variety of ways to support Barnados. She had her supermarket put out contribution pails and, with the enthusiastic support of her friends, she raised money through various events at her church, her tennis club, and a village pub. All the while she trained for the climb through running and work in her gym.
When she flew into Tanzania, it was the first time she had been in Africa since a 1982 safari to Kenya, when she had barely glimpsed Mt. Kilimanjaro through the clouds. Earlier, in 1971 to 1974 Seery had taught at a secondary school in Zambia.
18 trekkers supporting Barnados in Seery set up from their hotel after getting briefed by the tour organiser and tour doctor about the difficulties they would face. For three days Seery climbed with the group and their support team of porters. At a camp approximately 4,330 m. high Seery experienced symptoms of severe dehydration and altitude sickness – she needed to put on an immediate IV drip, and soon had to be carried back down.
Seery was incredibly moved by the support of the porters and the official mountain rescue team, which took her down on a metal trolley. Seery reports no regrets at all at not having reached the summit – at 66 years old, she gave it everything she had, both in the climb and in her fundraising for the children.
All the trekkers combined raised approximately €50,000 for Barnardos – visit their website to see more details of their journey:
http://www.barnardos.ie/getting-involved/fundraising/mount-kilimanjaro-2011-the-rongai-route.html
To contribute in Seery’s name to Barnados, visit the fundraising page here:
http://www.barnardos.ie/getting-involved/fundraising/sponsorship/sponsor-a-participant/event/participant.html?participant=2270
