THE KILIMANJARO CHALLENGE AGAINST HIV AND AIDS 2014 LAUNCH

The President of United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete with the two children from Moyo wa Huruma Orphanage Centre who will join other climbers locally and internationally for the Kilimanjaro Challenge which has been sponsored by Geita Gold Mine (GGM) in partnership with Tanzania Commissions for AIDS (TACAIDS) to raise funds to fight against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.The team from Tanzania Commision for AIDS (TACAIDS) at the Kilimanjaro Challenge Launch which has been sponsored by Geita Gold Mine (GGM) in partnership with Tanzania Commissions for AIDS (TACAIDS) to raise funds to fight against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.The President of United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete with Ms. Fatma Fernandes, Managing Director of Abel & Fernandes Communications who bought the auctioned painting to show support at the Kilimanjaro Challenge Launch which has been sponsored by Geita Gold Mine (GGM) in partnership with Tanzania Commissions for AIDS (TACAIDS) to raise funds to fight against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.

Geita Gold Mine (GGM) in partnership with Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) officiated yet another year of Kilimanjaro Challenge at Hyatt Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Kili Challenge was officiated by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania Hon. Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete. The launch involved the naming and disbursing of funds to local organizations.

The Kilimanjaro Challenge is an annual activity that aims to raise funds from different partners through sponsorship of climbers to Mount Kilimanjaro and to distribute the funds to relevant charities fighting HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. The annual climb was initiated in response to former President Benjamin Mkapa’s 1999 call to the entire nation, including the private sector, to commit itself to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.

During his opening speech at the launch of Kili Challenge 2014, the President Hon. Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete said, “I am honored to officiate the launch of Kilimanjaro Challenge which will raise charity funds that have already continued to benefit both national and local level development initiatives focusing on HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention in Tanzania. The government would like to applaud this initiative by Geita Gold Mine (GGM) and Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) as the Kili HIV/AIDS Challenge has contributed towards raising awareness on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and is supporting the Tanzanian government’s national initiatives towards zero new infections, zero stigma incidences and zero mother to child infections so that as a country we meet our Millennium Development Goals.”

According to the Executive Director of TACAIDS Dr. Fatma Mrisho, “Approximately 1.6 million people in Tanzania are living with HIV and AIDS and about 86,000 new infections every year. This pandemic is mostly affecting the youth of Tanzania and the disease has orphaned 1.3 million children. We need to change this therefore TACAIDs in collaboration with GGM and other various stakeholders through Kilimanjaro Challenge, we will continue to provide financial support in order to fight against this pandemic.”  She continued to say, “We hope to build a national team spirit in the fight against this menace and I urge other stakeholders from local and international investors to come forward, join us and contribute to the Kilimanjaro Challenge fund so that we can meet our dream of having a zero free generation from HIV and AIDS.”

Speaking in regard to the event, the Managing director for GGM Mr. Michael Van Anen said “GGM is proud to be part of this initiative where various companies which are working locally, could join forces and participate in this noble course. GGM leads this initiative by establishing relationships and mobilizing key likeminded partners to raise funds, sponsor individual climbers, or donate through an auction for this cause. Currently in its 13th year, the difference in life changing in the communities is enormous and we are looking forward for an HIV/AIDS zero Tanzania in the near future.” He continued to say, “I would like to urge anyone who would like to join us to visit www.geitakilichallenge.com and see how they can be part of this great initiative.”

AngloGold Ashanti Sustainability Vice President Mr. Simon Shayo said “Since Kilimanjaro Challenge initiative started 12 years ago, more than 600 people from different parts of the world have participated to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for this noble cause which have raised in excess of US$500,000 per annum. The fund have benefited over 30 NGO countrywide in order to fight against HIV and AIDS in Tanzania. Institutions which had no funds to operate get relieved with these funds from Kili Challenge; Children, who had lost their parents due to HIV and AIDS, are now finding care and love and can smile again. We would like to acknowledge some of our participating partners, including but not limited to CAPITAL DRILL, AKO, Wambi Oil, Mantrac, Prime Fuel, African Barrick Gold, Airtel, Southern Sun, ZARA, MACS, AUSDRILL and other valued supporters. It is because of you that this noble fight against HIV and AIDS continues hence ensuring the success and continuity of this annual event,” He concluded.

Geita Gold Mine and TACAIDS using the umbrella of Kilimanjaro Challenge is playing a pioneering role in the awareness on the HIV and AIDS pandemic and look forward for the day when Tanzania will be declared Zero HIV and AIDS infection as it is reported that Tanzania’s prevalence rate has gone down from over 13% in 2000 to 7.8% by 2007 and as low as 5.1% today.