At WHOA, we're all about sharing experiences, connecting, and supporting local women in every possible way throughout our adventures. One of the ways we do this in Tanzania is by inviting local women to join our Kilimanjaro climbs. Sharing the experience with them, and seeing the mountain they grew up with through their eyes gives our adventurers a richer understanding of the women from this region and this amazing part of the world. Embarking on this epic journey with such an international group is one of the many things that makes WHOA's Kilimanjaro climbs extra special! With no further ado, let us introduce you to the 2 amazing Tanzanian ladies who will be joining our Kilimanjaro June 2018 Full Moon Summit: Mama D and Jackie!
MEET MAMA D
Sara, aka Mama D, lives in Moshi with her husband, Philip, and 3 daughters: Debarah (9), Glory (8), and Dorkas (2). When you have a child in Tanzania, people often start calling you 'mama' or 'baba' and the name or first initial of your first born, hence the nickname Mama D!
She is from the Chaga tribe in Kibosho and grew up in the foothills of Kilimanjaro, where her parents still live. She finished primary school in Kibosho, but was not able to continue her education because her family couldn't afford it (there is no free school in Tanzania). After primary school, she left her village to work as a house girl and live-in maid and nanny for a family in Moshi. Now, she’s an entrupernuer, and owns a small clothing business selling clothes she buys wholesale from Dar es Saalam and Uganda. She also works as a secretary for WHOA's long standing partners KPAP, an organization whose mission is to improve the working conditions of the porters on Kilimanjaro. What an honor to have a KPAP representative hiking with us! She’s very excited and emotional about the chance to hike Kilimanjaro because it will help her better understand and relate to the porters that she helps on a daily basis. Not only that, but she’ll get to experience for herself what she's heard so much about from her husband, who is a guide on the mountain. Mama D is kind of shy and her English is limited, but you can quickly see how charming she is. She knows she’s going to enjoy getting to know our crew on the mountain!
MEET JACKIE
Jackie is from Singida, and has two younger brothers. She went to MCOPS in Moshi for university, and graduated with a degree in accounting and finance, with the goal of doing work that helps the community and leaves a positive impact. She currently works for the Starkey Hearing Foundation as hearing core coordinator. Jackie has been dreaming of climbing Kilimanjaro since she was in high school. Her fiancé was a mountain porter and her aunt has hiked Kilimanjaro, so she's excited for this opportunity to experience it for herself! Jackie's friends would describe her as a go getter. She's very smart, motivated, and outgoing and is excited to meet and talk to everyone in the group!
