Sonal Lakhani (34), from Pinner, successfully ticked off one of the challenges from her bucket list, as she victoriously climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to see the “exhilarating” sunrise. She climbed the tallest mountain of Africa to raise money for a good cause- to build a school in Mgnongeni, an urban slum region in Mombasa.
The 34-year-old was determined to embark on this challenged in order to make a difference to many lives. She decided to support the charity, The Mustard Seed Project.
She braved the excruciating cold temperature of -26 degrees, as she hiked the Lemosho Glades for six to seven hours a day, during her 8-day trek. Sonal Lakhani said, “It was really hard and freezing- I don't think I've ever been so cold. I expected it to be difficult and a lot of mind over matter, but nothing can quite prepare you for it... It was very hard to breathe due to the high altitude, lack of oxygen and altitude sickness.”
It was a constant struggle to reach to the top of the mountain, but once she reached, she realised it was all worth the effort. She said, “When we were ready to climb the summit, it was a real test. We climbed through the middle of the night and when we got to the top, it was exhilarating. I felt really emotional and absolutely ecstatic. I couldn’t quite believe I’d done it. it was quite overwhelming. I felt on top of the world – literally. Coming down the mountain I was overcome with exhaustion. At times it was a matter of putting one foot in front of another. I would think of all the support I've had to keep me going which I'm so grateful for.”
Her initial target was to raise £2,500, but she managed to beat that target by raising £5,500 in donations.
Sonal Lakhani's challenge helped build a new classroom in a school, as well as provided furnitures, books and stationeries for 25 boys and girls between the age of three and eleven.
She said, “The fact that I raised extra money which is now going towards setting up a health clinic in the school is just brilliant. Seeing the founders of the school and spending time with the children, giving out toys and sweets, was amazing too. It was really nice to see for myself exactly where the money I’d made is going to tell the people who sponsored me they’d helped make a difference. The experience has been life-changing. It was phenomenal, it put me on a high.”
