City boy Nagender V.J. is all set to embark on a unique journey — he will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise awareness and $10,000 for the relief of human trafficking victims in India.
Nagender, who works for an event management company in Dubai, says that he came to know about the deplorable condition of trafficking victims three years ago, while watching a TED talk video.
He adds, “Children as young as three and four are raped and sold into the flesh trade. I was shocked on learning that in India alone, over 200,000 women and children are forced into prostitution every year. With the money raised if we are able to save even a few girls, I will feel that the climb and efforts were worth it.”
Nagender has done a little bit of trekking while pursuing his Masters from Scotland but he admits he doesn’t have any technical experience in climbing.
“I’ve always felt challenges are what makes life interesting, where we push ourselves to the limit. Climbing Kilimanjaro might be an exciting adventure for many, but for me it is a personal challenge and a journey. I have been training with a South African coach, named Jarred, who has trained others who have climbed the Everest, Kilimanjaro and other peaks successfully,” he says.
The trip to Kilimanjaro including the climb, equipment, flights and other miscellaneous expenses will come to around '5 lakh and Nagender is self-funding it. He will also be contributing to reach the target of $10,000 (he has collected $960 so far).
Nagender, whose family has immensely supported him in his decision, says, “My coach and I have designed an eight-week training programme to build more resistance, endurance and strength so that I am mentally and physically ready by August.”
