We are excited to announce that Kimberly Bradley, our Director of Training and Logistics was successful in reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and claiming "Uhuru" (Freedom) for victims around the world who are caught in human trafficking. The event was organized through a sister organiztion, OM (Operation Mobilization), entitled THE FREEDOM CLIMB!
What is THE FREEDOM CLIMB? Women from across the globe began their ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on January 11, 2012, the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the U.S. Climbers were committed to raising awareness, prayers, and finances for women and children being oppressed, enslaved, exploited and trafficked. The Freedom Climb goal for 2012 is to affect the lives of 10,000 women through projects that break the cycles of poverty, shame, slavery, and despair. These projects include micro-loans, education, skills training, and protection from exploitation.
Why Mt. Kilimanjaro? The highest mountain in Africa, its summit is known as Uhuru Peak. Uhuru is the Swahili word for freedom. Climbing Kilimanjaro is symbolic of the huge climb to freedom faced daily by millions of enslaved women and children worldwide.
Why a climb? The story of women from different cultures, climbing Kilimanjaro on behalf of other women, is already drawing interest. As the story continues to be told, many will hear the cry for freedom of women and children being oppressed. The climb will be documented each day, escalating the voice of advocacy on behalf of women’s freedom issues. And this is what the Lord compels His children to do, to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” and “see that they get justice.” (Proverbs 31:8-9 NLT) (Above was taken from the Freedom Climb's website)
Visit Kimberly's personal blog (myfreedomclimbjourney.wordpress.com) where she shared her thoughts and experiences as she began her journey to raise awareness and complete her climb. Please keep Kimberly and the other climbers in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to bring awareness to this tragedy. Click on the picture below to see a photo gallery of the climb.
