The Soila Maasai Girls Rescue Centre situated in Kenya’s Rift Valley, provides support and education to 100 Maasai girls between the ages of 8 to16 years old. With the co-operation of the local Chiefs, the Centre provides them with an alternative childhood, free from arranged marriages and female mutilation.
But the cost of providing water for the Centre has soared because of the prolonged drought in Kenya and so Walk for Water has been organised on Sunday 1st August 2010.
The challenge is to climb Glas Tualaichean one of Scotland’s 283 Munros, which is 1051m high and raise a minimum of £21 – the cost of water for one girl for half a year. Owners of the Dalmunzie Estate where the Munro is situated, Alex and Simon Winton, have kindly given their permission and help for the organised trek.
The aim is to raise enough money to provide water for all the girls and staff for the next 12 months, with any additional donations going towards finding a long-term solution for the provision of water at the Centre.
The options are;
To walk 2¼ miles to Glenlochsie Lodge via the old railway line, on the relative flat, and then return.
To climb to the summit via Glenlochsie Lodge (as marked on the map), 4 ½ miles.
To race to the top, via Glenlochsie Lodge, the winner will receive a bottle of Famous Grouse kindly donated by the company.
The race will start at 11:30; you will need to carry a waterproof jacket and trousers in a bum bag. Please make sure you arrive by 11am with a bag of warm clothes that will be taken by vehicle to the top for your arrival.
The entry fees are £21 per adult and £10 per child, this being the minimum amount required. If possible everyone should try to raise £42 to cover the cost of water for each girl for a year.
There is parking available, 200 metres past the Dalmunzie Hotel on the left – follow signs. For anyone coming from Perth, a free coach will leave Broxden Park and Ride at 08.30 returning at 16.30. There are only 50 places available on the bus and booking is required. The walk will start at 10.30am, so please arrive by 10.00am in time to register.
The walk will be lead by a competent mountaineer and a doctor will be present. Please bring walking boots or sturdy shoes plus waterproofs and warm clothing as it can be very cold, even in summer at the top of a mountain. Those climbing Glas Tualaichean are advised to carry plenty of water, a flask with a warm drink and a picnic. Dogs are welcome provided they are kept under control or on leads, please note, dogs will not be allowed on the bus. All participants will receive a certificate signed by Ann Gloag, handed out on finishing.
Great support has been offered for the event and the sponsors include Highland Spring who are providing the bottled water, Famous Grouse for the winner’s whisky and Bookers cash and carry for the children’s sweets. Stratstone Garage and Mr Douglas Parks are also providing support.
The Dalmunzie Hotel, owned by Mr and Mrs Scott Poole, has very kindly agreed to donate ten per cent of takings for anyone staying at the Hotel or buying refreshments. They will be serving Afternoon Tea with sandwiches and cakes at the hotel on the day at a cost of £5.50 per head, booking advised.
This should be a fun and challenging day for all. Application forms from Judy Thomson
