A group of seven Saint Lucians completed a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro as part of a trip to Tanzania last month. The journey up the dormant stratovolcano –
the highest peak in Africa at 5 895 metres (19 341 feet) – took eight days of “intense pain” to complete, according to their leader, Marcus Mufasa Joseph.
According to Joseph, the expedition was inspired by the digging of a water well in Zambia last year.
“A Caribbean national friend began a school in Tanzania, and we decided to help extend the school with financial assistance and also climb Mount Kilimanjaro for many different causes – cancer, violence in Saint Lucia, orphans and widows and unity.”
The initiative also celebrated Joseph’s 30 years of ministry through his non-profit, non-denominational Christian humanitarian aid organisation, Kairos Konnection. The organisation conducts humanitarian work around the world, including digging wells and building schools. Joseph noted that despite his extensive travels, Tanzanian culture took some getting used to.
“This was my fifth expedition in Africa but the first time in Tanzania,” he told St Lucia Times.
“So I had lots of monthly meetings teaching and enlightening the terms of the do’s and don’ts in regard to the culture, dress code, eating customs, male and female interactions and respecting boundaries.”
Commenting on the hike up the mountain itself, Joseph said it was a challenge, despite the team’s efforts to prepare for the trek while in Saint Lucia.
“We did monthly long hikes to various waterfalls around Saint Lucia, lots of gym hours, and climbing Gros Piton. I also spent one night on Mount Gimmie to acclimatise to living with a daily positive mindset,” he said.
“The climb was extremely difficult, with very long hours of hiking and extremely cold temperatures and breathing difficulties. [It] felt like I was going to die twice, but I did not give up.
“The high altitude over 19 000 feet is very dangerous. Some of the team members had to be rescued with assistance from the guides and rushed down to lower altitudes, due to altitude sickness.”
Joseph noted that despite these challenges, a deeper purpose spurred the climbers on.
“Everyone had a cause for climbing. You just focus on the cause and give God thanks for every step. There were lots of moments when some of the team members were struggling and I had to encourage them to not give up.”
The trek, which ended on September 18, was part of the group’s wider campaign in Africa, featuring a school-building initiative supported by a US$4 050 donation. Due to a tight schedule, they were unable to see their funds put to use immediately; however, they expect updates on how the money is spent going forward.
Commenting on what the trip meant to him personally, Joseph said:
“Kilimanjaro taught me to take life one step at a time. ‘Pole Pole’ was the Swahili term used every day on the mountain. It means ‘slowly slowly’. We all have our internal mountains to conquer. The biggest lesson I’m taking back is: go through life’s challenges with God, one step at a time.”
