The Right To Climb

The Right To Climb 2010
In September of 2010, a team of 26 committed individuals successfully reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (100% success rate) raising over LE900,000 through their own personal efforts and that of sponsors. The event was a great success and received nationwide recognition. Through The Right To Climb 2011 we aim to further the great work that has already been done and raise more funds and awareness for the cause and the Right To Live Association (RTLA).

Why ‘The Right To Climb’?
Mental disability is still largely misunderstood and those different yet talented people are constantly disregarded and denied simple human rights. The two main problems are a lack of funding for organizations working in this field, and equally important, a much needed awareness about the cause and role that these talented individuals can play in society.

The Right To Climb 2011
Omar Samra will be leading the expedition again. He is the first Egyptian and youngest Arab to climb Mount Everest as well as 4 time Mount Kilimanjaro summiteer. Omar’s two elder sisters are intellectually challenged so he is a great believer in the cause. As was the case in 2010, the proceeds will go to the RTLA [see below] where the money will be used in directly improving the lives of people with mental disability in Egypt. The PR and media exposure generated by this unique and record-breaking feat will raise great awareness to the challenges faced by the intellectually disabled, today. Send us an email on righttoclimb [at] wildguanabana.com if you would like to take part or find out more!

The Right To Live Association (RTLA)
Motto: “we are not disabled, we are differently-abled”
The RTLA is a pioneering non-profit organization established in 1981 by parents and families dreaming of a better life for their children. The Association's main objectives are to provide persons with special needs with the necessary skills and training needed to help them smoothly integrate into society and become active members of the community. Among its various activities and projects are:

• Providing mentally disabled children with necessary vocational trainings, which shall secure them employment opportunities in the future
• Preventing discrimination against Special Needs children, through providing different workshops to local members of the community
• Raising community awareness on the importance of providing mentally disabled youth with the opportunity to participate in the community
• Providing special needs youth with a stable source of income, and helping them raise the burden off their families, as all products produced by them is being sold

For more information visit the Association's website at www.righttolivecairo.org.

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A Big Thank You to our Sponsors!
Right to Climb 2010 was sponsored by Al Salam Hospital, Egyptian International Motors, PepsiCo, Vodafone, Egypt Air with Media sponsors Nile FM radio and Community Times and Turath magazines.  Egypt's pioneering NGO supporting people with special needs 

In particular, we would like to give a big shout out to Emission Reduction and Environmental Consulting (ERCC Carbon) for their fantastic sponsorship contribution towards the Right to Climb, and for their generous consultancy services offered free of charge to the Wild Guanabana team helping us reduce emissions and learn about better sustainability. For more information on the incredible work they do, check out their site at: http://www.ercc-carbon.com.

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Media Coverage:

Mountain hiking, how about doing it for a cause, The Daily News Egypt 26/08/2010

Right To Climb, Special needs charity aims for the summit, Al Masry Al Youm 16/08/2010

26 Egyptians successfully climb the highest mountain in Africa, Al Masry Al Youm 17/09/2010

Reach the summit in your heart, Evetalk 1/10/2010

The Right To Climb Initiative takes off, Masrawy 30/08/2010

The Right To Climb and Wild Guanabana climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro again in 2011, Examiner 02/12/2010

Egyptian Youth climb to the top for a good cause, Middle East Online 02/12/2010