Climbers tackle Everest for children

CHILD burn victims now have a better chance of getting the crucial treatment they need for their injuries, thanks to a R1.85 million donation by two local non-profit organisations.

In generating the donation, 16 climbers from the US, Mexico, El Salvador and South Africa, among others, represented the Avela Foundation and Smile Foundation and completed their mission to climb to Mount Everest Base Camp.

They aimed to raise a targeted R2m for refurbishing a hospital that treats children with serious burn injuries.

After the team’s recent triumphant return to South Africa, Avela founder Cami Palomo said: “Members of the team representing the Avela Foundation are back in South Africa after a challenging, yet extremely rewarding trek to Everest Base Camp.

“All our hard work and preparation have paid off. The efforts by this group of determined people, prior and during our trek, resulted in Avela raising nearly R1.85m that will be used to kick-start our U-Matter programme and help refurbish the Kimberley Hospital Burns Unit.”

Avela helps children with serious burn injuries on their emotional and physical road to recovery, while U-Matter is a psychological support network for burn survivors and their families, said Palomo.

“We have raised the funds and have come together as a team. We have collected memories that will last a lifetime and we have formed solid friendships. That is, however, only the beginning. The hard work will now truly start,” Palomo added.

One of six Capetonians in the nine-day hike to Everest Base Camp, writer Lanie van Reenen, said: “We had breathtaking views of the snowcovered peaks of the Himalayan mountains.”

Their bodies, however, reacted to the altitude when they reached the “above the trees” section of the mountains, said Van Reenen.

“We had to dig very deep to find that strength within ourselves in an effort to continue. Failure was not an option.”