3Peaks3WeeksHeather
Heather Barkley Joined: February 20th 2009
Logged in: August 10th 2010
Logged in: August 10th 2010
Travel Blog Posts
From the beginning, our time with Project Africa was an adventure. The idea of spending two weeks volunteering with this Kenyan women’s empowerment organization actually originated in China. One of my favourite youth from Free The Children, Lisa, was super active in Beijing and in her work with street children in her neighborhood. She would call me all the time, have these elaborate ideas on how to change the world, and an unparalleled compassion for other young people. Truly inspiring! Well, she emailed me forever ago (well, ok, maybe 2 years ago) to connect FTC with Project Africa and its Director, Lindy. While the work of the two organizations didn’t quite mesh... I was impressed by the website and the idea of Kenyan women working with Kenyan women’s empowerment. So, when Sarah and I were ... read more
This might have been the toughest week yet... I actually had to make decisions about what to eat, when to sun bathe, and when I had to roll out of bed in the morning. It was awesome! After meeting Sarah in Nariobi - after a pretty awesome bus-ride from Arusha - I was so glad to see her face. Not only did our bus get pulled over for a presidential entourage to pass us, get swarmed by Maasai women and men at the border, and witness an 8 year old girl drive a truck pass us... it was hot, and I missed all of my friends (new and old). Staying at the German School of Kenya was fun - met some interesting characters. FTC is everywhere! Got a pedicure - my toes are cute again ... read more
Mt. Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. It's also a dormant volcano and one of the 7 summits. I can now say proudly that I stood on its summit. :) Kili was tough and unlike the other 2 peaks - it was a traffic jam! Tons of people from all over the world equally (well, maybe not quite equally) determined to reach the top. It was at this point we talked as a team and decided that we wanted to stand together on this our third summit. Laura, Paul, and Ema warned us. Kili is different. You are going 1000 m higher. Heather, the team won't be able to wait for you if you fall behind. Come to terms with the fact that you may not all make it to the top. And ... read more
Mt Meru - or to be forever know (forgive my French!) as "Eff You Meru!" - was another epic battle of mental strength over never-ending mountainous rock face. Day 1 started out pretty well - we walked with a group of 11 girls from the School of St. Jude - the school for extremely poor students in Arusha, TZ. These girls were awesome, mostly chatty, and far more fit that I wish to rehash today. Cecelia was my little buddy. She asked lots of questions, loved Beyonce and Celine Dion... yuck! :) So glad Canada can contribute to the cultural fabric of TZ with "My Heart Will Go On!" The weather was insane. Probably the hottest I have ever been - I was liquefying with each step. However, we wanted to make it to this really ... read more
As per the request of my family back home, I wanted to jot down some initial thoughts on each of the 3 mountains. Yes, I won't be able to add pictures for awhile... but don't be upset. I am still in Kenya - today in Diani, about 30 km south of Mombasa, on the beach for a few days - celebrating my birthday! Horrah! 25! Mt Kenya. As we drove from Nairobi to Nanyuki... I was freaking out. We kept passing mountains, and I was sitting there praying that they would casually mention... "Oh yes, this is the one. This is Mt. kenya. You climb this tomorrow..." But that wasn't the case. And the mountains kept getting BIGGER AND BIGGER. I knew I was in trouble. And regretted every sleep in when I should have been ... read more
Greetings from Kenya!!! Firstly, let me apologize for the complete lack of updates throughout the official time of 3 Peaks 3 Weeks. Less down time and dodgy internet at best. But all of that was irrelevant compared to the incredible experience of a lifetime walking with 10 inspiring women + some super fun guides up 3 of Africa's highest mountains. Please visit our Live 2010 Updates posted daily by Laura, a co-founder of 3 Peaks, and one of our fearless leaders. Enjoy the read and pictures - my thoughts on each mountain to follow. Love, Heather... read more
This is goign to be a quick one- because it isn't that galmorous...but I made it through 2 9 hour flights (without getting up once either time... my camel-like tendencies are impressive, right?). Got some good sleep in my hostel room - very friendly place. Happy and hungry - off to find breakfast. Big hugs from Kenya!... read more
Thanks Steph for your awesome support! We will do Grouse Grind - PROMISE!
One Last Post Before I Hit the Road... I Mean Air...?!?! Today is an exciting, scary, and wonderful day. By this time tomorrow I will be 40,000 above the Atlantic Ocean. Crikey! :) Warm wishes and good lucks keep coming in on facebook. They've been super motivating and a sweet reminder of all of the people behind me on this journey. I said goodbye to my mom and sister yesterday before going to my dad's who will take me to airport Sunday afternoon. My mom was overprotective as always, but I secretly (or not so much now since she may read this!!!) think she is just as excited for me to be on this journey. If anyone asks, she tells people I am staying at the Holiday Inn in Toronto, not on the side of ... read more
The 2009 Team @ St. Jude's
Peak Issue in East Africa - EDUCATION To support education in East Africa, 3 Peaks 3 Weeks 2010 will support The School of St. Jude in Arusha, Tanzania. The School of St. Jude is a sponsorship-supported English Medium School in Tanzania that primarily serves orphaned and vulnerable children from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds. The school blends the best of Western and Tanzanian instructional methods to instill critical thinking and high moral Christian values in students who will later become the leaders and builders of Tanzania. In 2002 a young lady, Gemma Rice (now Gemma Sisia), from a sheep farm in Australia, opened a small school in Northern Tanzania with the help of her family, friends and local Rotary Club. What started with only a handful of children and one teacher is now in 2009 a ... read more
Students at SIC
Peak Issue in East Africa - HIV/AIDS Support for International Change Tanzania A few short weeks ago, the 3 Peaks Team receievd an email from Erica Mackey, Executive Director of Support for International Change (SIC) asking the team which of their 3 current funding priorities our team would like to support. This was a very interesting opportunity. But man, was making the decision tough. From my time in development, I really have learned that projects need to be sustainable, holistic, and focus on long-term solutions. But everyone needs our help! SIC believes that the HIV/AIDS crisis creates both an imperative to act and an opportunity to learn. We envision a world where HIV/AIDS no longer limits length or quality of life or reduces the social or economic development of communities, and where young people learn the ... read more
