Click on the link below to read the Kilimanjaro Expedition article posted on the Al-Qalam website:
Al-Qalam article on Kilimanjaro Expedition for Gaza's children
"To the Children & Future of Palestine"
Monday, June 8, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION
Click on the graphic below to check out our introductory blog-post explaining all the details of our Kilimanjaro fund-raising expedition.
All other blog posts can be accessed by clicking on their respective titles under the "Blog Archive" located in the light green column to the right of this post.
All other blog posts can be accessed by clicking on their respective titles under the "Blog Archive" located in the light green column to the right of this post.
"To the Children & Future of Palestine"
Interview with Voice of the Cape - Climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of Gaza
Check out Kilimanjaro expedition Member Nadim Mahomed's interview with Voice of the Cape journalist Tasneem Mahomed on:
The Voice of the Cape - www.vocfm.co.za - Climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of Gaza
Shared via AddThis
The Voice of the Cape - www.vocfm.co.za - Climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of Gaza
Shared via AddThis
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Training for the Kilimanjaro Expedition
SUNDAY HIKE AT THE SUIKERBOSRAND NATURE RESERVE
The actual hiking trail is well-designed. It has an initial gentle gradient for a kilometer. It then becomes a reasonably steep climb for another kilometer. Once at the top of this koppie you get a great panoramic view of the outer-lying Johannesburg areas with the gold and brown farmlands looking like patch-work knitting 400m below you. You also get a spectacular yet hazy view of the Johannesburg skyline lying far out in the horizon (approx. 45 km away). The air is crisp, the sun bright, clouds stretched out high in the blue sky and the rustling of the winter grass simply sublime!
So after snapping up a few photos, we headed on with our hike. Another kilometer at the top of the plateau and then we had to begin a steep descend roughly for another 2 kms which also traversed the side slopes of the koppie. At this point we were approximately half-way through the 10 km hike. We came across a few more uphill climbs into rocky foothills accompanied by declines into grassy areas before heading up the final steep climb which stretched 3 kms! It dawned on our bodies at this point that we weren’t just doing a leisurely Sunday stroll! The peak of this uphill was met with yet another spectacular view of the rolling grasslands below in which we could see herd of impala, zebra and reedbuck grazing in the warm winter sun. Stopping for snacks, we passed a few other hikers, and then carried on on the top of the plateue for another 2 kilometers before we could see the endpoint in sight – far below lay the thatched roof and parking of the reception area from where we began. After a steep decline for a kilometer we reached the end of the hike.
We did the hike in fairly good time too – 2h50 minutes for a hike that has a recommended time of 4 hours. I suppose that’s a good thing in terms of fitness. This is a hike that I would recommend to anyone living in JHB to do – it’s amazing how many beautiful nature walks there are so close to home.
With exactly a month to go until the Kilimanjaro expedition, the excitement is increasing and so is our fund-raising initiatives. Alhamdulillah, we have reached the R50 000 mark recently and feel that bit by bit, the challenges, the training, the campaigning and awareness we are raising are all starting to pay off. Reminding ourselves of the goal to help children of Gaza makes all the effort just so much more rewarding.
Was-salam,
Muhammad Taher Khan
- Kilimanjaro Expedition Member
“To the Children & Future of Palestine”
So there we were, Nadim and I leaving Johannesburg at 7:30AM on a cold Sunday morning - the 31st of May. The plan was to drive 49 km south to the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve to get in some practical hiking training. The cold-front didn't help much - bringing in moderately chilling winds up onto the highveld interior. But that wasn't a problem once we started the 10 km "Bokmakierie" trek and began warming up those stiff muscles.
With each of our backpacks equipped with 2 litres of water, some fruit, camera, jacket and 2 kg gym weights (yes, you read right – to simulate fatigue one would experience at altitude on Kilimanjaro) we set out on our hike. We chose the Bokmakierie hike which is a good one to climb, even for the casual hiker who justs wants to get the blood pumping and enjoy the highveld scenery and rocky terrain. The Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve is home to numerous animals - those that we came across including impala, baboon, zebra, reedbuck, eland and many bird species. There’s also a few carnivores including wild-dog, hyenas and jackals. Apparently there’s cheetah as well, but obviously we weren’t going to come across any considering that we were climbing up the hilly area of the reserve. Even if we did, we wouldn’t have been in danger (I hope) since cheetah rarely attack humans.
Nadim taking in the scenery :)
The actual hiking trail is well-designed. It has an initial gentle gradient for a kilometer. It then becomes a reasonably steep climb for another kilometer. Once at the top of this koppie you get a great panoramic view of the outer-lying Johannesburg areas with the gold and brown farmlands looking like patch-work knitting 400m below you. You also get a spectacular yet hazy view of the Johannesburg skyline lying far out in the horizon (approx. 45 km away). The air is crisp, the sun bright, clouds stretched out high in the blue sky and the rustling of the winter grass simply sublime!
So after snapping up a few photos, we headed on with our hike. Another kilometer at the top of the plateau and then we had to begin a steep descend roughly for another 2 kms which also traversed the side slopes of the koppie. At this point we were approximately half-way through the 10 km hike. We came across a few more uphill climbs into rocky foothills accompanied by declines into grassy areas before heading up the final steep climb which stretched 3 kms! It dawned on our bodies at this point that we weren’t just doing a leisurely Sunday stroll! The peak of this uphill was met with yet another spectacular view of the rolling grasslands below in which we could see herd of impala, zebra and reedbuck grazing in the warm winter sun. Stopping for snacks, we passed a few other hikers, and then carried on on the top of the plateue for another 2 kilometers before we could see the endpoint in sight – far below lay the thatched roof and parking of the reception area from where we began. After a steep decline for a kilometer we reached the end of the hike.
Myself taking in some rest and some water on the way down
We did the hike in fairly good time too – 2h50 minutes for a hike that has a recommended time of 4 hours. I suppose that’s a good thing in terms of fitness. This is a hike that I would recommend to anyone living in JHB to do – it’s amazing how many beautiful nature walks there are so close to home.
With exactly a month to go until the Kilimanjaro expedition, the excitement is increasing and so is our fund-raising initiatives. Alhamdulillah, we have reached the R50 000 mark recently and feel that bit by bit, the challenges, the training, the campaigning and awareness we are raising are all starting to pay off. Reminding ourselves of the goal to help children of Gaza makes all the effort just so much more rewarding.
Was-salam,
Muhammad Taher Khan
- Kilimanjaro Expedition Member
“To the Children & Future of Palestine”
Monday, June 1, 2009
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION
Click on the graphic below to check out our introductory blog explaining all the details of our Kilimanjaro fund-raising expedition.
All other blog posts can be accessed by clicking on their respective titles under the "Blog Archive" located in the light green column to the right of this post.
All other blog posts can be accessed by clicking on their respective titles under the "Blog Archive" located in the light green column to the right of this post.
"To the Children & Future of Palestine"
No Headlines doesn't mean No War Crimes
By Amira Hass (Haaretz)
Israel allows only food, medicine and detergent into the Gaza Strip.Thousands of items, including vital products for everyday activity,are forbidden.Altogether only 30 to 40 select commercial items are now allowed intothe Gaza Strip, compared to 4,000 that had been approved before theclosure Israel imposed on Gaza following the abduction of GiladShalit, according to merchants and human rights activists.The number of items changes according to what is determined by TheCoordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. COGAT hasrefused the PA representative's request for an updated list of theitems permitted into Gaza in writing, and passes the information onlyvia the telephone.Gaza merchants are forbidden to import canned goods, plastic sheeting,toys and books, although the United Nations Relief and Works Agencyand other aid organizations are permitted to bring them into thestrip.
The few items merchants are allowed to trade in are divided into threecategories: food, medicine and detergent. Everything else is forbidden- including building materials (which are necessary to rehabilitateGaza's ruins and rebuild its infrastructure), electric appliances suchas refrigerators and washing machines, spare machine and car parts,fabrics, threads, needles, light bulbs, candles, matches, books,musical instruments, crayons, clothing, shoes, mattresses, sheets,blankets, cutlery, crockery, cups, glasses and animals. Many of thebanned products are imported through the tunnels and can be found inGaza's markets.Pasta, which had been forbidden in the past, is now allowed, afterU.S. Senator John Kerry expressed his astonishment at the ban during avisit to Gaza in February. But tea, coffee, sausages, semolina, milkproducts in large packages and most baking products are forbidden. Soare industrial commodities for manufacturing food products, chocolate,sesame seeds and nuts. I
srael does allow importing fruit, milkproducts in small packages and frozen food products as well as limitedamounts of industrial fuel.The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported thatduring the first week of May, 2.2 million liters of industrial fuel -some 70 percent of the weekly supply required to operate the powerstation - was allowed into Gaza. UNRWA receives petrol and dieselsupplies separately. A daily 270-300 tons of cooking gas - 54 percentof the required amount - is allowed.Petrol and diesel for private cars and public transportation have notbeen imported from Israel since November 2, 2008, except for a smallamount for UNRWA. The union of Gaza's gas station owners estimatesthat some 100,000 liters of diesel and 70,000 liters of petrol arebrought through the tunnels daily.Egypt, which in the past two months has been restricting the trademovement through the tunnels, does not limit the supply of gas andfuel. But since Egyptian fuel is heavier than Israeli fuel, it damagesthe newer cars in Gaza and causes malfunctions.In the past, Israel allowed wood for home furnishings to be broughtinto Gaza for some time, but not wood for windows and doors.
NowIsrael has resumed the ban on wood for furniture.The ban on toilet paper, diapers and sanitary napkins was lifted threemonths ago. A little more than a month ago, following a long ban,Israel permitted the import of detergents and soaps into Gaza. Evenshampoo was allowed. But one merchant discovered that the bottles ofshampoo he had ordered were sent back because they includedconditioner, which was not on the list.Five weeks ago Israel allowed margarine, salt and artificial sweetenerto be brought into Gaza. Legumes have been allowed for the past twomonths and yeast for the past two weeks. Contrary to rumors, Israelhas not banned sugar.COGAT commented that, "The policy of bringing commodities derives fromand is coordinated with Israel's policy toward the Gaza Strip, asdetermined by the cabinet decision on September 19, 2007."
A COGAT forum convenes with representatives of internationalorganizations weekly to address special requests of the internationalcommunity regarding humanitarian equipment and the changing needs ofthe Palestinian population, the statement says.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/objects/pages/PrintArticleEn.jhtml?itemNo=1086045
ePalestine Blog:http://www.epalestine.com/
"To the Children & Future of Palestine"
Israel allows only food, medicine and detergent into the Gaza Strip.Thousands of items, including vital products for everyday activity,are forbidden.Altogether only 30 to 40 select commercial items are now allowed intothe Gaza Strip, compared to 4,000 that had been approved before theclosure Israel imposed on Gaza following the abduction of GiladShalit, according to merchants and human rights activists.The number of items changes according to what is determined by TheCoordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. COGAT hasrefused the PA representative's request for an updated list of theitems permitted into Gaza in writing, and passes the information onlyvia the telephone.Gaza merchants are forbidden to import canned goods, plastic sheeting,toys and books, although the United Nations Relief and Works Agencyand other aid organizations are permitted to bring them into thestrip.
The few items merchants are allowed to trade in are divided into threecategories: food, medicine and detergent. Everything else is forbidden- including building materials (which are necessary to rehabilitateGaza's ruins and rebuild its infrastructure), electric appliances suchas refrigerators and washing machines, spare machine and car parts,fabrics, threads, needles, light bulbs, candles, matches, books,musical instruments, crayons, clothing, shoes, mattresses, sheets,blankets, cutlery, crockery, cups, glasses and animals. Many of thebanned products are imported through the tunnels and can be found inGaza's markets.Pasta, which had been forbidden in the past, is now allowed, afterU.S. Senator John Kerry expressed his astonishment at the ban during avisit to Gaza in February. But tea, coffee, sausages, semolina, milkproducts in large packages and most baking products are forbidden. Soare industrial commodities for manufacturing food products, chocolate,sesame seeds and nuts. I
srael does allow importing fruit, milkproducts in small packages and frozen food products as well as limitedamounts of industrial fuel.The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported thatduring the first week of May, 2.2 million liters of industrial fuel -some 70 percent of the weekly supply required to operate the powerstation - was allowed into Gaza. UNRWA receives petrol and dieselsupplies separately. A daily 270-300 tons of cooking gas - 54 percentof the required amount - is allowed.Petrol and diesel for private cars and public transportation have notbeen imported from Israel since November 2, 2008, except for a smallamount for UNRWA. The union of Gaza's gas station owners estimatesthat some 100,000 liters of diesel and 70,000 liters of petrol arebrought through the tunnels daily.Egypt, which in the past two months has been restricting the trademovement through the tunnels, does not limit the supply of gas andfuel. But since Egyptian fuel is heavier than Israeli fuel, it damagesthe newer cars in Gaza and causes malfunctions.In the past, Israel allowed wood for home furnishings to be broughtinto Gaza for some time, but not wood for windows and doors.
NowIsrael has resumed the ban on wood for furniture.The ban on toilet paper, diapers and sanitary napkins was lifted threemonths ago. A little more than a month ago, following a long ban,Israel permitted the import of detergents and soaps into Gaza. Evenshampoo was allowed. But one merchant discovered that the bottles ofshampoo he had ordered were sent back because they includedconditioner, which was not on the list.Five weeks ago Israel allowed margarine, salt and artificial sweetenerto be brought into Gaza. Legumes have been allowed for the past twomonths and yeast for the past two weeks. Contrary to rumors, Israelhas not banned sugar.COGAT commented that, "The policy of bringing commodities derives fromand is coordinated with Israel's policy toward the Gaza Strip, asdetermined by the cabinet decision on September 19, 2007."
A COGAT forum convenes with representatives of internationalorganizations weekly to address special requests of the internationalcommunity regarding humanitarian equipment and the changing needs ofthe Palestinian population, the statement says.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/objects/pages/PrintArticleEn.jhtml?itemNo=1086045
ePalestine Blog:http://www.epalestine.com/
"To the Children & Future of Palestine"
Facts about Gaza and its Children
FACTS ABOUT GAZA:
Gaza is 365sq km, 45 km long and 5-12km wide, entirely sealed off from the outside world by an Israeli fence, guarded by watchtowers, snipers and tanks. Since the 19th century it has been occupied by the Ottomans until the First World War, then the British until 1948 and the Egyptians until 1967. Israel has held the Gaza Strip under military occupation for 38 years, since the Six Day War in 1967. Gaza's 8,000 settlers are 0.6 per cent of the Gaza Strip's population, alongside 1.3 million Palestinians. Gaza's population exploded in 1948-49 when thousands of Palestinian refugees fled into Gaza to escape fighting between Arab and Jewish forces. Most Palestinians in Gaza are the descendants of those refugees: 960,000 live in breeze-block refugee camps such as Jabalya, Beach Camp in Gaza City, Khan Younis and Nusseirat and Rafah.
The World Bank identifies Israeli closures, roadblocks and curfews as the main cause of economic disruption. Israel says they are necessary to stop suicide bomb and gun attacks on its population. Gaza City is the main Palestinian town, where the Palestinian Authority and security forces have their headquarters. It also has beachside hotels, a football stadium and tower blocks.
The refugee camps contribute to population densities of 3,954 people per sq km, compared with 463 people per sq km in the West Bank. According to October 2004 figures 38 per cent of Gazans were unemployed and 47 per cent of Palestinians live under the poverty line of $2.1 a day.
The current situation in the Gaza Strip "is worse now than it has ever been since the start of the Israeli military occupation in 1967. The current situation in Gaza is man-made, completely avoidable and, with the necessary political will, can also be reversed," the report stated. According to the latest updates, educational services in Gaza have gone down in capacity by 50% because of the lack of the means to transport students to their schools and colleges. Because of cutting fuel of the Gaza strip, the Israeli government has caused 20% of the ambulances to go off service and 60% to be expected to park by the end of the week, forcing patients and doctors to reach hospitals on foot (Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights report).
• Most children in the Gaza Strip have experienced tear-gas, have had their homes searched and damaged, and witnessed shooting and explosions, with many being injured and traumatised as a result of the on-going genocide that has spanned generations.
• Children comprise 47 % of Gaza's population and are extremely vulnerable in what can now be described as the world’s largest open-air prison
• In Gaza, children are expected to grow up, play and go to school where bombs are dropped, tanks stationed, and guns aimed to kill
• Children are often the first casualties of war, with over 350 killed in the Israeli war on Gaza during Dec ’08 – Jan ’09 alone, and many other innocent children becoming orphans during this period
Gaza is 365sq km, 45 km long and 5-12km wide, entirely sealed off from the outside world by an Israeli fence, guarded by watchtowers, snipers and tanks. Since the 19th century it has been occupied by the Ottomans until the First World War, then the British until 1948 and the Egyptians until 1967. Israel has held the Gaza Strip under military occupation for 38 years, since the Six Day War in 1967. Gaza's 8,000 settlers are 0.6 per cent of the Gaza Strip's population, alongside 1.3 million Palestinians. Gaza's population exploded in 1948-49 when thousands of Palestinian refugees fled into Gaza to escape fighting between Arab and Jewish forces. Most Palestinians in Gaza are the descendants of those refugees: 960,000 live in breeze-block refugee camps such as Jabalya, Beach Camp in Gaza City, Khan Younis and Nusseirat and Rafah.
The World Bank identifies Israeli closures, roadblocks and curfews as the main cause of economic disruption. Israel says they are necessary to stop suicide bomb and gun attacks on its population. Gaza City is the main Palestinian town, where the Palestinian Authority and security forces have their headquarters. It also has beachside hotels, a football stadium and tower blocks.
The refugee camps contribute to population densities of 3,954 people per sq km, compared with 463 people per sq km in the West Bank. According to October 2004 figures 38 per cent of Gazans were unemployed and 47 per cent of Palestinians live under the poverty line of $2.1 a day.
Today (2009) more than 1.1 million people, about 80% of Gaza's residents, are now dependent on food aid, as opposed to 63% in 2006. Unemployment is close to 40% and almost 70% of the 110,000 workers employed in the private sector have lost their jobs, according to a report — entitled: "The Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion" — released in early March 2008 by a coalition of Human Rights organizations, Haaretz reported.
The current situation in the Gaza Strip "is worse now than it has ever been since the start of the Israeli military occupation in 1967. The current situation in Gaza is man-made, completely avoidable and, with the necessary political will, can also be reversed," the report stated. According to the latest updates, educational services in Gaza have gone down in capacity by 50% because of the lack of the means to transport students to their schools and colleges. Because of cutting fuel of the Gaza strip, the Israeli government has caused 20% of the ambulances to go off service and 60% to be expected to park by the end of the week, forcing patients and doctors to reach hospitals on foot (Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights report).
• Most children in the Gaza Strip have experienced tear-gas, have had their homes searched and damaged, and witnessed shooting and explosions, with many being injured and traumatised as a result of the on-going genocide that has spanned generations.
• Children comprise 47 % of Gaza's population and are extremely vulnerable in what can now be described as the world’s largest open-air prison
• In Gaza, children are expected to grow up, play and go to school where bombs are dropped, tanks stationed, and guns aimed to kill
• Children are often the first casualties of war, with over 350 killed in the Israeli war on Gaza during Dec ’08 – Jan ’09 alone, and many other innocent children becoming orphans during this period
"To the Children & Future of Palestine"
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