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 WHOA 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, Hawa. She’s a doctor, single mama, and an all around inspiring women who’ll be joining our 2018 - 2019 Kilimanjaro New Year’s Eve Summit!
MEET HAWA
“My names are Hawa Suleiman Mustapha. I’m a 32 year old medical doctor, general practitioner, currently working in the emergency and outpatient department in the renal dialysis unit and intensive care units of a hospital called Benjamin Mkapa in Dodoma! I was born and raised in Mwanza. When my parents split up, I started my primary school in Dar es Salam then moved back to Mwanza for completion of my ordinary education. I did my Advanced education in Lushoto, Tanga, and my medical school in Mwanza. I am a single mother to handsome 3 year old baby boy named Thameen.
As a young girl I moved a lot between my father’s home and my mother's. I loved the journey in between the two homes, but not the destinations! My late dad loved travelling, so we went everywhere together when I was in his custody. My dad and I always wanted to see the highest mountain in Africa. Unfortunately he passed on before we could climb it together, but I had promised him 2 things: 1) That I would accomplish becoming a doctor no matter what 2) Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro!
As a single mother and a doctor, I do not have a luxury of saving enough to allow me to go to Mount Kilimanjaro, so I kept this in my wish list until last year when I reconnected with my old classmate Lengani. He told me how he is now a tour guide and I told him of my dream and wish to go to Mount Kilimanjaro, and BAAAM, he told me about these ladies who sponsor a Tanzanian every time they go to Kilimanjaro and I was so excited!”