Jordanian teens to climb Tanzania peak for underprivileged cancer patients

AMMAN — A team of 19 Jordanian teenagers will climb Tanzania’s Mount Meruto to raise funds for supporting the treatment of underprivileged cancer patients at King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC).

Led by Jordanian mountaineer Mostafa Salameh, the team is training for the climb in July, in the hopes of raising $100,000.

The team ranges between 14 and 16 years old.

According to an official centre statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times, 70 per cent of these funds will go directly to supporting underprivileged patients at the centre.

The remaining 30 per cent will go to a Jordanian non-profit.

Last year, the Seven Mountains Initiative, founded by Louay Shomaly, principal of the International School of Choueifat in Amman, sent another team to summit Morocco’s Toubkal peak.

They ended up raising up more than double the funds, Shomaly stated.

Seven Mountains aims to encourage youths to participate in impactful humanitarian experiences and help those who face their own mental and physical challenges every day, the statement said.

“The notable success of last year’s initiative, raising $210,000… encouraged us to continue [with] this initiative,” Shomaly said.

Director General of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation Nisreen Qatamish thanked the founder and participants of the initiative for their commitment and efforts.

“We are proud of our Seven Mountains Initiative heroes… spirit of benevolence and determination. Their tireless efforts in fundraising and climbing Mount Meru [will] help us give our patients the support they need in order to overcome cancer,” Qatamish said.