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Trekkers Raise Funds for School in Peru

DUBAI — A group of 13 adventurers from the Gulf travelled 3,500m above sea level to help build a much-needed school in a village in Peru, bracing high altitudes and freezing temperatures to reach the lost city of the Incas in July.

Abu Dhabi-based Bronwyn Adams said he was proud of his work. “What a great job,” he said. He was part of the Gulf for Good challenge, a not-for-profit organisation that helps raise money for impoverished areas of the world.

“Having seen the utter abject poverty in Quilla Huata, I’m very happy to have been able to contribute, in my small way, to uplifting the standard of living of these poor children, to some tiny extent,” he said.

The trekkers raised over Dh107,000, which will be extended for the refurbishment of the school.

The group followed the ancient route of the Incas to Machu Picchu, escaping the tourist crowds to enjoy the peace and beauty of the mountains. However, for residents like Dubai-based Girish Shivanand, meeting the kids, parents, school director, social workers and community leaders of the school was the highlight of the trip. “It was great to get away from the busy tourist route, all we met were local people and the trek was awesome,” he said.

In October, Gulf for Good is hosting the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal. This trek is amongst the highest mountains on the planet, traversing varied landscapes and natural wonders, past Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries and from temperate valleys to snowline regions. The fundraising aim for this challenge will be to help build an orphanage in the Budhanil Kant district of Nepal, which has many orphans and displaced children in need of homes, clothing, food, education and care.

Interested adventurists can find out more on www.gulf4good.org.

afshan@khaleejtimes.ae

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