Climb 7 Summits is a quest by Kilimanjaro mountain guide, Respicius Baitwa, to climb the highest mountains on each continent (the Seven Summits) in order to raise awareness and bring attention to the thousands of orphans victimized by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa and raise funds for the Orphans Foundation Fund.
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My name is Respicius Baitwa I am a mountain guide on Mount Kilimanjaro. I live in Moshi, Tanzania with my wife, three daughters, two nephew and one niece. I was first introduced to mountaineering by my brother who worked as a Park Ranger at Mt. Kilimanjaro, and I first reached the summit of Kilimanjaro in 1998.
Tragically, my family has experienced first hand the ravages of AIDS/HIV. We lost a sister-in-law to the disease in 2001; and the brother who introduced me to Mt. Kilimanjaro fell victim to AIDS/HIV in 2005. My family and I took over raising my brother’s three children. While my family has been badly affected by AIDS, I have tried to overcome this adversity to learn many skills, learn to be a mountain guide and seek to be one of the first black Africans to attain the Seven Summits.
I want this effort to bring attention to the struggles faced by orphans and vulnerable children across Tanzania and Africa. Please join with me in this effort.
amani na upendo,
Respicius
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| Respicius Baitwa |
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| Respicius on Mt. Elbrus (Russia) |
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The Orphans Foundation Fund is a registered non-profit organization whose mission is to raise community awareness and provide reliable health services, shelter and education to orphans victimized by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other diseases in Tanzania.
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