With government describing it as a most effective initiative, the annual Kili Challenge climb kicked off yesterday in Arusha geared at raising funds to support HIV/AIDS awareness initiatives across the country. Supported by the Geita Gold Mine (GGM) in collaboration with Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) the kick off of this year’s climb was graced by Tourism and Natural Resources Minister, Lazaro Nyalandu as well as the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Leonidas Gama and Moshi District Commissioner Dr Ibrahim Msengi among other dignitaries.
“The government would like to applaud this initiative by GGM and TACAIDS …the Kili challenge has made very significant contributions towards raising awareness on the HIV/AIDS pandemic,” a press statement released at the start of the week said.
“The initiative supports government’s national efforts that seek to achieve zero new infections, zero stigma incidences and zero mother to child infections as part of the Millennium Development Goals,” the statement reads.
Speaking to reporters, Executive Director of TACAIDS Dr Fatma Mrisho said: “What our climbers will achieve in the next 7 days will be a monumental task in our national struggle to tame the deadly scourge.”
“The biggest message we take from this climb is determination, zeal and hope…these three can take us to a higher elevation in this fight,” she said.
“GGM is proud to be part of this noble course that mobilizes key likeminded partners to raise funds to sponsor the climb,” he noted.
This is the 13th historic climb of the noble course and this year it has attracted more than 500 participants from across the world.
The climb raises an average of over US$500,000 every year.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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