Reaching for Africa's highest peak to build a library for Qhobosheane Primary School

Back left Climbers: Dan Basley, Emlyn Bul, Clair Swanepoel, Cassandra Pilossof, Warren Pilossof, Melanie Waljee and Abel Ridgard. Front left: Steven Lebere- AAS Executive Director, Front Climbers: Sam Kenning, Dr Sarah Glynn and Diane Clearly FCF Project Manager.

On 26 February 2019, the Adopt-a-School Foundation hosted the #Kili4Kids Climbers Press Launch. Twenty volunteers are set to begin their hike of Mount Kilimanjaro on 11 March 2019. These brave and adventurous volunteers are attempting to raise R1.4m to construct a library, inclusive of resources, library books and librarian training for Qhobosheane Primary School in Diepkloof, Soweto.

Adopt-a-School Foundation, a partner entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, and the Flight Centre Foundation (FCF) entered into a partnership three years ago. Through this partnership, FCF have supported the implementation of Whole School Development in Qhobosheane Primary School. The #Kili4Kids Climbers Press Launch provided the opportunity for the Executive Director for Adopt-a-School Foundation, Steven Lebere, to share the work and scope of Adopt-a-Schools work in over 498 schools across the country.

Diane Cleary, Project Manager of Flight Centre Foundation spoke of their footprint in communities across the country as well as sharing the impact of the partnership. Following this, the profile of Qhobosheane Primary School and the #Kili4Kids campaign were shared. The attending Killi4kids climbers were invited to a panel question and answer session with the audience; they shared the training preparations and fundraising initiatives undertaken; they shared their excitement and nerves at the adventure that awaits them and highlighted the greater purpose of undertaking this initiative for education development.

“We are very excited about this initiative. I remember when we started, I was very surprised by the number of people who actually wanted to sacrifice their time and go through so much as to climb a mountain. It really has been a great initiative to experience and seeing the individual commitment from the climbers has been priceless. We wish them all the best and a safe climb,” says Steven Lebere, Executive Director of the Adopt-a-School Foundation.

“We chose Kilimanjaro as it has always been a symbol of overcoming hurdles to reach a goal, and will test the inner strength of our climbers in the same way that the learners are challenged to reach their goals,” says Diane Cleary, Project Manager of Flight Centre Foundation.

The Flight Centre Foundation adopted Qhobosheane Primary School in Soweto through the Adopt-a-School Foundation in 2017. Through this partnership the school has received renovations of their Grade R facility and the construction of a school feeding scheme kitchen. Together the two Foundations have also hosted a number of volunteer days focusing on the betterment of the school's infrastructure.