Well, we did it! We took the challenge to climb the highest point in Africa to raise awareness and funds for children who will age out of care without a high school.
Every 3 seconds, a child ages out of an orphanage, group home, or foster care. Often, they find themselves without any viable support.
In the days just before we started our ascent to Mount Kilimanjaro, I began to reflect on the young men and women that I was climbing to represent. They are the 14–17-year-olds nearing the point of aging out of orphanages, group homes, and the foster care system without a high school diploma or a job skill.
This is catastrophic when you realize a child ages out of care every three seconds. I reflected on how my decision to climb, preparation, planning, and execution of the climb would illustrate a model for achieving their dreams. I often hear the youth represented above share their dreams, lofty dreams. But, these dreams will require them to decide and, develop and execute a plan; but just as important, they will need the help of mentors and supporters.