#Mandela100: Andisa Liba treks Kilimanjaro in support of #girlchild initiative

The annual expedition to attempt the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on Mandela Day is to create awareness around the challenges faced by young girls during their monthly cycles and how it affects their education when they miss valuable school days as a result.

Andisa Liba

The climb is used to raise much-needed funds to purchase sanitary towels to help approximately 500,000 young girls from impoverished backgrounds to stay in school.

Originally from the Nelson Mandela Bay, Liba (34), a cultural engineer by trade, is an avid hiking enthusiast and nature lover, who is also a firm believer in the value of education and well-being of young boys and girls. "If my involvement can aid in keeping just one young girl in school then I’ve done my bit. I truly believe that if we can do small things with big love we can make a huge difference. This program is a beacon of hope for a brighter future for these young women." shared Liba.

The total cost to support one girl is R30 per month or R360 per year. The cost per year covers 12 packs of sanitary towels, Caring4Girls booklet, as well as packaging, transport and distribution to the schools and girls. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism will endeavour to support this long-term campaign and Liba with the initiatives to raise awareness and support to improve the lives of young girls in South Africa and Nelson Mandela Bay.

Donation drop off points

In addition, NMBT has availed various donation boxes at visitor information offices around NMB as drop off points for sanitary towels. Drop off points are at the airport, Donkin Reserve, The Boardwalk, in Uitenhage, and the NMBT Head Office.

Commenting on the importance of Mandela’s Centenary and the initiative, NMBT CEO: Mandlakazi Skefile said: "Madiba was a great supporter and admirer of the potential of our youth. As a city named after the great icon, we believe it is our duty to carry his legacy through action. We are proud to stand behind Andisa and the Trek4Mandela team as they embark on this exciting journey in support of keeping our girls in school."

NMBT will host a special flag raising ceremony at the Donkin Reserve on the morning of Mandela Day, also serving as a drop-off and donation drive.

An SMS donation line has been created for the public to donate to the initiative: SMS ANDISA to 42513 - all proceeds go to Caring for Girls an Imbumba Foundation initiative.

Follow Liba’s trek via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.