Elders on the mountain: Epic climb up Kilimanjaro

Ahmed Jibril and his team on a recent practice climb in Ngong Hills.

At this moment, a group of people, most of them over 60, are climbing Mt Kilimanjaro to raise money for the elderly in a journey that began yesterday, August 3. The oldest is 74. We caught up with one of the organizers, Ahmed Jibril, 62, before they began the climb.

Ahmed Jibril’s journey to organise a charity climb up Mount Kilimanjaro began with a deeply personal inspiration: his late mother.

“My mother, when she passed away in her 80s, was very concerned with the plight of the elderly,” Jibril says.

“She said that the elderly had been forgotten. They have worked hard but have been forgotten. She used to donate food and clothes to her agemates.”

Her words resonated deeply with him. After her passing, he and his family encountered elderly people who were struggling and felt compelled to take action.

“We said maybe we can organise a charity in her name and try to help the elderly. When we did a bit of research, we found a lot of charities in Kenya – for women, for youth, for children – but none specifically for the elderly, which confirmed that there was a big gap.”

In 2011, Jibril and a group of like-minded individuals founded Mama Ibado Charity, in his late mother’s name.

The organisation now supports 1,000 elderly people with monthly food rations and healthcare assistance. This year, he is taking his commitment to the next level by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, to raise funds and awareness for this cause.

Climbing Kilimanjaro has been a long-time aspiration for him.

“I have friends who climb mountains, who climb Kilimanjaro. I joined them and we climbed in Ngong, we went to the Aberdares; I was climbing on and on. They have been to Kilimanjaro a few times, and I’ve always wanted to go but hadn’t made the decision. This year, they convinced me that I should go.”

He realised that his personal goal could serve a greater purpose.

“I felt I could do it for a cause that is very close to my heart. Both reasons are very important to me. The first is a personal goal, the second one is charity and support for the elderly.”

For Jibril, an elder himself, supporting the elderly is a matter of addressing a significant societal gap.

“Our elders in Kenya, our seniors, have really been neglected. We have a lot of charities and foundations that work with children, women, governments, and youth, but we don't have enough support for our elders, and our seniors. These are people over 60, over 70 who have contributed to our livelihood. At their old age, they are struggling.”

Mama Ibado Charity is aimed at bridging this gap. The organisation provides food and medical support to over 1,000 elderly people. His climb aims to raise $100,000 to further these efforts.

“We are asking well-wishers to look at the work Mama Ibado Charity has done. Every penny we contribute goes directly to the elders. It doesn't go to administration; it goes on feeding our elders,” he says.

As he climbs the mountain, he remains committed to ensuring that every step taken honours the seniors he aims to support. “Every step we climb on Kilimanjaro is to honour our seniors. Just like any goal, we want to succeed in reaching the summit and raising money for our seniors,” he says.

This is his first time climbing Kilimanjaro, though he has previously climbed the Ngong Hills and parts of the Aberdare Range as part of his training. He and his team have been preparing with regular climbs and physical activities.

In addition to his role with Mama Ibado Charity, Jibril is the chairman of 748 Air Services, a company that has been operating since 1973. 748 Air Services works predominantly in the humanitarian sector, supporting NGOs, the UN, WFP, and UN Peacekeeping missions.

Climbing Kilimanjaro presents a unique challenge, one that Jibril relates to his experience in aviation.

“Once you're over 10,000, 12,000, 14,000 feet, you need oxygen. The fight with Kilimanjaro is not really a physical fight; it's a fight for altitude. It is oxygen. As you go up, there's less and less oxygen. That's why you can only stay up there for 20-30 minutes. Our human bodies cannot stay without oxygen,” he says.

This understanding of the challenges ahead shows the determination and preparation they require for the climb. “We need to make sure that we are properly prepared, just like in aviation, where ensuring passengers have proper oxygen and air is crucial.”

Does age matter in climbing the mountain?

"Age really depends on each individual," he says. "Part of our team includes an elder who is 74 years old and has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro maybe four or five times. This might be his seventh time. So we are inspired by that kind of support."

He says most of their group comprises older climbers. “All of us are nearly over 60, with our oldest being about 74, 75. We are hoping to succeed in our mission and raise money for Mama Ibado Charity.”

When asked about the inspiration that can be drawn from this endeavour, he speaks passionately about the benefits of engaging with seniors.

“Anybody who is involved with seniors will benefit significantly. Since I started getting involved with Mama Ibado Charity in about 2011, the benefits have been immense. It’s like a mirror reflection. You meet people who have walked ahead of you, who can share their aspirations, goals, dreams, and visions,” he says.

Jibril recounts the wisdom and life stories shared by the elderly. "They give you an incredible story of their lives. You listen to their laughter, concerns, and tribulations. All of these are amazing journeys of learning and experience. It makes you wiser because you see your journey reflected in theirs."

The engagement with the elderly has profoundly impacted him. "While we are giving to the elderly, we receive a lot of wisdom and guidance. We appreciate life more. This journey of life is clearly epitomised by our elders. We meet them, get involved, lose some, and participate in burials and funerals. All of that shows us the meaning of life. It’s important that while we are around together, we help and support each other. That’s one of the reasons why this mission is so important to me."

Ahmed Jibril on a recent practice climb in Ngong Hills.

Preparation for the climb

Jibril explains the commitment and preparation required for the climb.

“First of all, it is a commitment. If you have a reason to do something, it fuels you. Everyone prepares differently and takes advice seriously. We are told altitude is something you have to prepare for. You need to be physically fit to climb.”

The preparation intensity ramped up recently. "We’ve been preparing bit by bit, but the intensity started this month (July). We climb mountains regularly and hope to climb a few more. The idea is to keep fit without getting hurt because if you get hurt, you won’t be able to do the climb."

Addressing the health and safety aspects, he mentions the importance of being aware of food, health, and altitude sickness. “There are a lot of people who experience issues like vomiting or other problems when they start. You have to be aware of these potential issues.” 

When it comes to inoculations, he says, “From what I’ve heard, not really. The challenges are mainly water, what you eat, and altitude. Oxygen and cold are the main problems up there.”

“We are expecting good weather, but anything can happen. It’s always cold up there, so you need gloves and proper dress for the cold winter period. You must have layers of clothing to adjust as it gets warm or cold throughout the day.”

Comparing mountain climbing to aviation, Jibril highlights the importance of safety precautions.

“In aviation, before you take off, you are made aware of safety procedures. It’s the same with mountain climbing. There are risks involved. People have climbed and passed away, become very sick, or needed to be evacuated. Listening to advice and your body is crucial.”

They have taken health and safety procedures seriously, ensuring evacuation plans are in place if necessary. “Just like in aviation, we hope we don’t need to use them, but it’s essential to be prepared.”

He concludes with a motivational message. “Let us have a goal. In life, think about the last time you did something for the first time. Once in a while, we should all try to do something new. If we haven’t, we miss out on the excitement of life.”