William Joseph, student
from Indus International School Hyderabad Scales the Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro,
the Highest Peak in the African Continent.
William Joseph, student from grade 9 of Indus International
School, Hyderabad displayed a major feat - summiting the highest peak in the
African Continent, Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro is also the tallest
free standing mountain in the world and stands at an imperious height of 19,336
feet. Says William Joseph “The instant I set foot on the summit, my joy knew no
bounds…the dream that I had nurtured for several months and all the sweat and
tears, I had put forth into this project were worth it.” The young team
comprised of 13 members – 2 from Indus Hyderabad and 11 from Indus Bangalore.
William who aspires to be a marine biologist feels that this experience has
taught him that the right mindset can enable any human being to overcome
challenges in life.
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“Leaders emerge in times of challenges, chaos and confusion,
they shine in times of tests and tribulations” says Captain Mohit, the
expedition-in-charge. Captain Mohit is also a trainer at the Indus School of
Leadership, an in-house training institute of Indus International School. The
main objective of this institute is to impart experiential leadership training
to students. Through outward-bound sessions competencies such as risk-taking,
problem solving, resilience and self-reliance is developed in students.
Organization of the trip to Mount Kilimanjaro was one such endeavor under this
umbrella.
Jayant Buddole, another student from Indus Hyderabad who was
part of this expedition and reached the summit camp at a height of 16,141 feet
just 3,200 feet short of the summit says “I am very happy with his achievement,
yet I felt a sense of regret that I could not summit the peak. I had come so
near…. And yet was so far.” His aspiration is to try to summit the peak again
next year. He feels lucky that he was part of this expedition and is grateful
to his school for having given him such a wonderful opportunity. This
experience also helped him to gain exposure to South African Culture.
It is indeed an amazing achievement, for the climb is made in
about five days and one has to endure great temperature fluctuations, sub-zero
temperatures, and altitude sickness because of the reduced oxygen levels at
that altitude – which is why the success rate is over 50% only.
In such an environment students become more self-reliant and
independent in the process, because in the wilderness, you don’t have any
gadgets or any tools, the environment pushes you to help yourself. Students
were also exposed to the culture of another continent.
Says Mr. Carol, Principal, Indus International School,
Hyderabad “Indus believes in Preparing students for life. By providing them
with such opportunities, we seek to inspire and motivate them to face
challenging situations in life. By facing these challenging situations students
develop leadership competencies which equips them to address life’s challenges
in the 21st century.”
The ten days expedition, ‘Peak to Lead’, was conducted from
24 Sep to 03 Oct 2016 when a team of seven students summited the peak on 29 Sep
after a long and exhausting trek of 36 km through Marangu route. During the
trek students were exposed to different types of terrain and the flora and
fauna of Kilimanjaro National Park. The first night halt was at Mandara Hut
(2,725m) amid rich rainforest followed by two-night rest and acclimatization at
Horombu hut (3,780m) nestled in grasslands.
On 28 Sep the team moved to Kibo Hut (4,730m) through alpine deserts and
after a rest for few hours left towards the final lap of their journey, the
summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The last lap of 6 kilometres was a steep climb which
challenged the climbers both physically and psychologically. After a spirited
struggle for 6-7 hours, the young team finally conquered the peak. The peak is
located on the rim of a dormant volcano with breath-taking views of the crater
in the center and huge glaciers on the periphery.
