DARE TO DREAM
A Motswana woman Ouma Sekokole is on a quest to make history as the first Black African woman to conquer Mount Everest, the highest mountainin the world.The Botswana ambassador and explorer joins 375 trekkers (which takes the number to about 500 including the Sherpas) from Argentina, India, Spain, Germany, Brazil, France, Canada, Belgium, Austria, Chile, and many more who are on a similar quest or are trekking Mt Everest for different causes. From a post that she recently shared on Facebook it appears that besides Botswana, African countries that are represented include South Africa and Egypt. Over 40 countries have representatives this season. Sekokole is not the only African woman who is attempting to make history. South Africa’s Saray Khumalo is also on this expedition. Under the stewardship of Pemba Chiring Sherpa, Sekokole who is raising awareness about Cervical and Prostate Cancer is doing very well. Over the past couple of days, and in the coming days, she will be busy acclimatising. The acclimatising part of the journey is very crucial, as she needs it in order to get to the elusive peak. Her supporters back home and across the world have been kept abreast about her latest developments through her Facebook page. A press release explains that Sekokole has prepared well for this adventure, and that she is ready to overcome Mt Everest. Her journey started on April 5th, and will end on June 8th. “I have prepared well and I am ready to overcome Mt Everest, and make history by becoming the First Black African woman to summit Mt Everest,” she says in the release. Her real Everest expedition began on April 26th. In her post she shared that alongside her team, she will climb to Camps 1, 2, and 3 and then return to Everest Base Camp for the crucial acclimatising. “This will take several days which means I will no longer have any personal contact with anyone until I don’t know. Communication will be between our camps, Headquarters and Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development through radio. “I ask that you kindly put me in your prayers. Otherwise I am looking forward to the mountain ahead,” she shared. In a previous post on April 23rd, she had shared the great news that she had acclimatised to Mt Everest base Camp. In that post, she spoke excitedly about how she has acclimatised and how everything feels normal like she is walking in one of the streets of Gabs City, except that the cold is still ruthless. “We are waiting for the Trekking Management Team to give the green light anytime from now then we start trekking towards the summit. “I also attended the Puja Ceremony over the weekend where we got prayers and blessings from the Lama,” she said. Mt. Everest is located in Nepal.She is sponsored and supported by Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Brand Botswana, XL Skyways Travel, Ethiopian Airlines, Torch Studio, Cell City BW, Superfit Gym (Molapo Crossing). Sekokole is very passionate about Cancer awareness after losing her mother to cancer at a young age. Last year, she successfully summitted Mount Kilimanjaro. Her journey to raise awareness against cancer, and its treatment has seen her forming the Ouma Foundation, which cycles annually across the country imparting knowledge about cancer, and treatment. Besides her love for adventure, she is the only Motswana who is Habitat for Humanity International Fellow.