Gulf for Good (G4G) is a Dubai-based charity that aims to bring people of all nationalities together, to push their own limits and help raise funds for worthwhile causes. G4G was set up in 2001 under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed ibn Saeed Al-Maktoum and is supervised by a multinational board of governors.
Thus far G4G has organized 17 “Challenges,” with 200 people of 30 nationalities taking part and almost two million dirhams raised for charities. To participate in any of G4G’s charity adventures, people have to raise a minimum sponsorship of 16,000 dirhams. One-third of the money covers the costs of the challenge and the remaining two-thirds is spent on a pre-selected charity project that is also visited en route.
G4G is now inviting anyone fit, healthy and prepared for some physical exertion to join them in their ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro in July this year. The expedition involves a challenging trek but no technical climbing. The snow-capped mountain lies three degrees south of the equator, in the northern reaches of Tanzania. Rising to an impressive 19,341 feet, Kilimanjaro boasts five distinct ecological zones.
On this challenge, the group will be funding the upgrade of a local village school that is little more than a bare, breeze block structure. According to G4G Director Brian Wilke, “Over 90 percent of primary school leavers in rural villages never have the chance of secondary education and so primary schooling is vital for their foundation in life.”
More information on this challenge and others is available from the G4G website at www.gulf4good.org.