25th June, 2008
AMREF Ambassador Robert Green has battled with the African elements to make it to the top of Africa’s highest peak. No sunbathing on the beach for Robert; instead freezing conditions atop Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s fourth highest peak at 5,895m, and the largest free standing mountain on earth.
The 'Mountain of Greatness'
Robert and his fellow climbers reached the summit on Saturday 28th June, after battling with altitude sickness to make it to the top. The climb was the finale of Robert's three week trip to Kenya and Tanzania, visiting AMREF projects and meeting project staff who work tirelessly to save lives in some of Africa's most disadvantaged communities . Robert has now returned to the UK and has started pre-season training with West Ham. He has writtne about his experiences for the Independent.
Seeing AMREF in action
Robert has been using his time in Africa to visit a number of AMREF projects on the ground in both Kenya and Tanzania.
His first visit was to Nairobi’s biggest slums, Kibera and Dagoretti, where AMREF has a number of projects offering hope to those living in these vulnerable communities. At the Dagoretti Child in Need project Robert met street children dropping into the day centre in order to have a wash and receive much needed food, and support.
Robert was invited to the Personal Hygiene and Sanitation Education (PHASE) Football Tournament finals, in which girls and boys from schools in Kibera participated in an exciting match. Football is used in this project to bring young people together so that they can be educated on good hygiene and sanitation practices.
Football for Peace
The main focus of Robert’s time in Kenya was the AMREF Football Tournament for Peace, set up following the post-election violence. This is part of a campaign aimed at bringing together member of different communities who clashed violently after the December 27th Presidential Election. In total, more than 1,000 people died and 350,000 were displaced across Kenya following the election result.
Robert watched on as young people from different communities played football matches together, cheering them on and urging them to use the sport as a vehicle for peace, saying “I encourage you to continue playing football, to stay healthy and go on working together for the good of all.” Robert’s fame as a Premier League player certainly brought credibility to his words for many young people.
He also visited the MEMA Kwa Vijana project in southern Tanzania, a project working to educate young people about their sexual health. Again football is used as a medium to bring young people together, so Robert was able to use his skills to improve the children’s understanding of health issues.
So far Robert has raised over £8,0000: you can help him raise even more money to support AMREF's work by donating here.