Every matter is important to someone

Hi

First of all, thank you for taking interest in my amazing challenge to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; this year and my mission of promoting wonderful work of Amnesty International.

The Amnesty International is an organization that works independently of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion; therefore it can act to defend human rights wherever they are violated. I've been passionate about social justice ever since my grandfather told me about outrageous atrocities he witnessed during his lifetime (Gulags -Soviet forced labour camps, Katyn massacre, etc.); as a little kid I couldn’t comprehend what he was saying then but I can remember well a disturbing feeling of unease. I have also recently discovered that my dad was one of the first in our region to join the first non-communist and anti-bureaucratic social movement- ‘Solidarnosc’. Thus when Amnesty International approached me some time ago to take on the unforgettable challange by raising $5,000 towards the astonishing work they achieve in campaigning for human rights for over 50 years- I signed up!

Then I realised that this is going to be a very challenging experience- physically and mentally. Climbing to the summit at night in negative 25C ….this won’t be an easy hike…  Yet, I believe it as a very unique opportunity to do something worthwhile for an organisation for which I have great respect and admiration along with the promotion of equality which is essential to building just and peaceful societies worldwide. In Australia we are very fortunate to live in a peaceful society- one where our lives are rarely challenged …but in other places in this world some many live in fear and extreme.

Did you know…

• Last year UN examined Australia’s Human Rights status for the first time – 50 countries put forward more than 150 recommendation for improvement
• One in five women will be a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime
• In New Zealand 20% of women reported being hit or physically abused by a male partner (UNICEF 2000).
• In Pakistan 42% of women accept violence as part of their fate; 33% feel too helpless to stand up to it; 19% protested and 4% took action against it (Government study in Punjab 2001).
• Just six countries supply a whopping 74 percent of the world’s weapons
• There are more international laws regulating the trade of bananas than weapons
• Child soldiers are still being used in armed conflict in 19 countries
• Under Iranian Law , a woman’s life is worth half that of a man
• Slums are home to more than 1 billion people worldwide constantly experiencing deprivation, insecurity, exclusion and powerlessness.

So let’s help the Amnesty International to defend every person's most basic right to live in dignity with their human rights respected.

If you are able to support me with a tax-deductible donation or raffle/auction prize, it would be greatly appreciated and your support would not only mean the world to me, but will also help make an enormous difference in the world. In return I shall carry your name in my heart to the summit of magnificent Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895m is a long way…) and if you like I shall write your name on my t-shirt too, so it will be photographed by the sign at Uhuru peak

Big thanks from the bottom of my heart … for all help, support, kind word and warm thoughts

Together we can make a difference!

Anna

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On behalf of the those helped through Amnesty's amazing work, thanks for your support!