Written by Beatrice Gachenge
Sunday February 18, 2008:
Oil marketer Shell has launched a Sh10 million programme to help Aids orphans access anti-retroviral drugs they need to lead normal lives.
Money for the programme has been raised through an initiative that involved climbing to the peak of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. The journey to the top covering 128 km started from Arusha in Northern of Tanzania with participants drawn from Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Botswana, Morocco, Egypt and Scotland.
Thirty-six Shell employees walked for six days to raise the money to be disbursed to orphanages, charities and other institutions that are helping HIV/Aids orphans lead normal lives.
Shell’s Africa Vice President Xavier le Mintier said the initiative, dubbed ‘Kilimanjaro Challenge,’ would also raise awareness among the traget groups.
Mr Mintier said the oil company has identified that the biggest problems facing people living with HIV/Aids were how the people living with the disease are reintegrated into society.
“We are going to see through the endeavour as far as possible,” he said. Explaining how they raised the money for the cause, Mr Mintier pointed out how the gallant participants got donations from well-wishers.
In the local scene, Kenya Shell is supporting the Beacon of Hope centre based in Ongata Rongai in the outskirts of Nairobi. It covers the wider Kajiado North district.
Patrick Obath, managing director Kenya Shell, termed the last 100 metres of the climb as more challenging, but also a lifetime accomplishment.
He said that the oil company would identify and go into different challenges every year.
He revealed in 2009, focus is on Mt Kenya.
http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5927&Itemid=5822
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