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Bulgarian climber conquers Kilimanjaro in support of children in Kenya

Photo: courtesy of Martin Petrov

Martin Petrov from Vidin conquered the Roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro for charitable purposes, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reports. At 9.30 AM local time on 17 February, the Bulgarian climber hoisted the Bulgarian flag on Uhuru peak (Kilimanjaro) 5,895 m., alongside the Lions Club flag. His expedition is for a charitable cause - “Kilimanjaro for kids” or “Kili For Kids” - and is part of the international initiative of the Lions Club International Foundation initiative “Kili For Kids”. The aim is to raise money to build an education centre for orphaned children and children in single-parent families in Kenya. The motto of  Bulgaria’s participation in the campaign is “We cannot all climb a mountain but we can all make a difference!”

Martin Petrov is expected to come down from the mountain and reach the starting point by tonight.

Kilimanjaro is the only place in Africa where there is snow. Around 40% of the people who have tried to conquer the peak have succeeded. According to statistics, an average of 10-15 climbers lose their lives on the way up. As climbers scale the peak they pass through five different ecosystems – from savanna to alpine desert. At the top, there is a wooden box with a book inside in which anyone who has conquered Uhuru can record their thoughts. In this book Martin Petrov wrote: Ubuntu – I am because we are! Ubuntu is a word expressing humanity towards others in Africa. 

This is not the first time Martin Petrov has made an ascent for a charitable cause – in 2020 he conquered Mont Blanc and dedicated the climb to the fight against diabetes. 



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