Kupanda

"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."Kupanda. This means, "the climb" in Swahili, the language of the Tanzanian People. Literally and figuratively, sometimes people climb mountains because they can, and sometimes because they have to. Whether you get there or not, you need to remain courageous. This is the true story of twelve men and women who committed to a challenge much greater than themselves. The challenge? To raise awareness and much needed funds for the Special Olympics athletes, by conquering the tallest mountain in Africa. These athletes must climb mountains of their own every day and Kilimanjaro is the perfect representation of that. The peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, is 19,341 ft above the average sea level. It's peak is so high that there is only 50% oxygen compared to that of the beautiful African Savanna at its base. Follow this brave group as they work through the struggles of climbing through four different climate zones in just 5 days to reach the icy top of this massive volcano. You'll also learn about a few of our (even more brave) Special Olympics athletes and their struggles to navigate a world full of stigma. Some of life's greatest lessons are learned on bumpy roads, and sometimes that is the only route to experiencing true happiness. It starts with just a small shift in perspective.