Most people start crafting their bucket lists when they are older (or after Jack Nicholson’s horrible performance with Morgan Freeman), and the lists are usually a quick, myopic grasp at a life they should have started living years go, with punch-list items like: sky diving, forgive Dad, eat tequila worm. But what if you started working on your BL when you were young enough to accomplish it, and what if those things were selfless items that would help people? Well, two Lower Merion natives are doing just that with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro that will benefit orphaned teens in Tanzania. (Yea, we’re starting to feel pretty bad about ourselves, too.)
The climb is an extreme fundraising effort made possible by Kujali International, a non-profit organization that helps orphaned or vulnerable youth to retain tools, resources and opportunities to overcome poverty in their communities. The climb is the final fundraising event that the organization needs to reach their ultimate goal of $120,000 needed for the completion of the HOCET Secondary School in Tanzania for orphaned teens.
Jennifer Vigdor and Sarah Lowe each had to raise $10,000 to participate in the climb and are now (as you read this) getting ready for their weeklong journey to the summit. Both Vigdor and Lowe went to high school together and participated in most of the same activities. After graduation, they still remained friends and supported each other in their careers, so when Lowe co-founded Kujali in 2006, Vigdor was definitely interested in supporting the dream. “I was very supportive of Sarah from the beginning,” says Vigdro. “So when she approached me about participating in the climb, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to see all the good work she’s been doing and give back in a big way.”
Before Vigdor, Lowe, 10 other Americans and five Tanzanians start their incredible journey up the mountain, a welcome party will greet them at the school they are helping to build. 
“Everyone is coming from different areas, diverse backgrounds and varying experiences to climb Kilimanjaro and support Kujali,” adds Vigdor. “We will not only be celebrating our fundraising efforts, but our dedication to the cause.” After their welcome celebration, they will begin their six-day, five-night journey to several different summits along the mountain. (For full detail of their journey visit http://kujali.givezooks.com/ ) “I am really excited about the trip, but a bit nervous for the climb,” says Vigdor. “One thing I can’t really prepare for is the altitude, but I’ll be climbing with a great group of people and we will all motivate and push each other.”
Vigdor says she would love to make this an annual event to Kilimanjaro. “I hope this is the first of many Kujali fundraising events.” If you want to be a part of some of the Kujali International’s fundraising efforts, all you need to do is contact the organization, make a pledge and follow through on that pledge. For the climb, everyone involved pledged to raise $10,000 to help complete the school in Tanzania.
Kujali International is open to the public to donate or participate in their fundraising efforts. They have several other fundraising projects that can use your donations and support. For more information about Kujali International, the climb or any other fundraising projects visit http://kujali.givezooks.com or http://www.kujali.org.
AroundPhilly Staff
