Managed by Save the Rhino International, the 3 Peaks 3 Weeks Challenge is an all-female climbing event in which a team of women from around the globe aim to summit three of Africa’s highest peaks in just three weeks to raise money and awareness for the three key issues currently facing the African continent: environment, education, and health. 

The inaugural 3 Peaks 3 Weeks Challenge took place in January 2007, with the second team undertaking the challenge in January 2009.  Through the climbs of Mount Kenya, Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, the 3 Peaks 3 Weeks team seeks to raise awareness for the peak issues facing Africa and support and encourage grassroots organizations in Kenya and Tanzania that are focused on Africa’s environment, education, and health concerns. It is a community-driven event with all funds raised going directly to organizations focused on these peak issues. 

Hailing from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, all 12 women of the 2010 team are passionate about these issues and supporting sustainable growth in Africa.  As someone who has traveled to the African continent numerous times over the past 3 years as a tourist, student, and volunteer, I was immediately drawn to the 3 Peaks 3 Weeks mission and organization.  The 2010 team will be undertaking the challenge in January 2010 and looks to continue the efforts of the two previous teams, which have raised over AU$500,000 for the 3 Peaks 3 Weeks Challenge.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure.  It is also the most efficient way to sponsor the 3 Peaks 3 Weeks Challenge in the US. (If you would like to donate via my UK fundraising site, please visit www.justgiving.com/tracieneuhaus.)  A unique aspect of 3 Peaks 3 Weeks is that all of the women pay their own way, so all funds raised through this site go directly to the 3 charities, the Laikipia Wildlife Forum (environment), School of St. Jude (education), and Support for International Change (health).  For further information regarding the challenge, please visit www.3peaks3weeks.org.

Additionally, in January, you will have three different options for tracking our progress and keeping in touch with us on the mountains: 

(1) Blog updates will be posted to http://3peaks3weeks.wordpress.com/.  You will be able to see where we are on the mountains and leave words of encouragement to help keep us going! 

(2) Sign up for FREE live updates sent straight to your mobile phone through FrontlineSMS!  If you are interested in receiving these messages, send a text message to +255 688 905 872.  In the body of the text, simply write "climb".  You should then receive a message saying that you've been added as a subscriber. 

(3) Text the team!  Our number on the mountain will be +255 681 986 806.  Send us text messages to help keep our momentum going!

Please note that all donations are tax-deductible.  Also, if your company has a corporate matching program, please let me know!  Many thanks in advance for your support!