© Across the Divide/2010
With only three weeks to go until we embark on UNICEF’s latest trekking challenge in Jordan, our 23 intrepid trekkers are busy making last minute preparations and collecting as many donations as they can before we set off together on this adventure.
The terrain will be challenging, and it will be hot, which means the trek will be both a physical and sometimes mental challenge. However it will be an enormous achievement, which they have all been training and preparing for.
Celebrating a big birthday, taking on a personal challenge or being a member of one of UNICEFs regional groups; are just some of the reasons the trekkers have chosen to take part; however everyone has a shared goal - to help raise as much money as possible for UNICEF’s work with the children of Jordan. This will make the visit to a number of UNICEF projects at the end of the trek even more special.
The group will be visiting projects in and around the ancient city of Petra where they will have the opportunity to gain the unique insight into how UNICEF is working with children in Jordan. While there have been slight improvements in neonatal mortality, it still accounts for nearly three quarters of total infant deaths. UNICEF is working hard to address this to ensure all children get the best start in life. In addition, gender equality remains a challenge; women have lower literacy rates than men and their participation in society remains very low.
Since signing up to take part our trekkers have been busy fundraising to reach their sponsorship target, some having surpassed it already, which is a huge achievement. The group have devised some wonderful and very varied ways to reach their sponsorship targets, from céilidhs and pudding clubs, to collections at train stations and quiz nights. So far the group has raised an incredible £42,000 and with donations rolling in, they are on track to raise much much more for the children of Jordan.
Keep an eye out for more blogs, Facebook posts and Tweets from us and the trek participants in the run up to the Trek, whilst we are away and when we get back.
If you would like to take on a similar challenge we still have places left in our Namibia trek this September. Visit www.unicef.org.uk/Namibia for more information.