Freedom Climb: 45 Women Tackle Everest Base Camp to Raise Awareness & Funds to Battle Oppression, Exploitation, and Human Trafficking

12 April 2013
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Katmandu, NEPAL – Today, 45 women from around the world leave their home countries to arrive in Nepal. Tomorrow, the Freedom Climb 2013 team begins their ascent to Everest Base Camp, trekking on behalf of women and children who have no voice. Freedom Climb 2013 Nepal was created to raise funds and awareness that address oppression, exploitation, and human trafficking. Last year, the team successfully climbed Kilimanjaro in East Africa.

Experienced outfitters, Adventure International prepped the group for their 17-day program, which includes trekking up to Everest Base Camp and then climbing up to Kalapathar (18,190ft). Adventure International is a global travel company who specializes in luxury, low-impact trekking. Over the years, Adventure International has raised millions of dollars though charity challenge events such as mountain climbing, biking and treks.

The climbers were encouraged to raise $10,000 each before they departed. If the goal is reached, a half a million dollars will be raised for projects of Organization Mobilization.

Modern day slavery is higher than any other time in recorded history. The number of slaves today remains as high as 12 million to 27 million. The largest concentration of slaves is in South Asia (which includes Nepal), under debt bondage. Still another population of slaves is subject to human trafficking primarily for prostituting women and children. The unfortunate fact is that this is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world – more so than drug trafficking.

Freedom Climb on why they are going on this trip:

“The purpose of hiking to Everest Base Camp is not just about climbing a mountain; itʼs about helping people. The climb is merely a symbolic gesture of what women and children around the world go through every single day. It symbolizes their arduous climb to freedom.”

See the climbersʼ profiles here:
http://thefreedomclimb.net/sponsor/climbers

The team is deciding what to do next year and talks about Mt Elbrus in Russia are in the works!!

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