By Mona Shahab
Ghadah Nasser Alkaud, a Computer Programmer stepped out of her comfort zone to climb Kilimanjaro and it turned out to be the experience of a lifetime.
What made you decide to join this climb?
The idea of climbing a mountain was so far from my comfort zone that it took a great cause like Bait Mawaddah to give me the final push. I realized this was the perfect challenge since the two things that I knew for sure were that:
- I am crazy about nature and
- I am not a quitter.
Are you a beginner or advanced climber?
Beginner, this was my first mountain.
What was the experience like for you? What's the most memorable part of the climb? And likewise, what was the hardest?
It was an amazing life changing experience. The more time goes by, you realize this and appreciate it even more. I am honored and lucky to have shared this journey with a group of strong, disciplined and incredibly inspiring women. It was comforting to feel the comradery between us. That was the best part, becoming one big family along with the guides and porters that helped us reach the top. I found the experience to be extremely challenging to mind and body. The hardest part was the altitude symptoms we experienced and also for me personally, it was the dark. Enjoying the gorgeous views was a big motivator for me. Some days it got dark before I reached camp and that would affect my spirit.
Are there any lessons you learned on the mountain?
You realize your body can do so much more than you think it can and handle much more than you expect it to when you are in survival mode and have no choice but to keep going.
I also learned that I loved being disconnected from technology and loved just living the moment.
What advice would you give to people who are not super fit or haven't been active but would like to be?
Surround yourself with active people who enjoy socializing via physical activities. It’s contagious.
About the Empowerment HubAbout MawadahHow to donate
The Empowerment Hub’s mission is to revolutionize what women feed their minds and bodies. They aim to strengthen women’s health and fitness awareness in the Kingdom by creating active, social, and educational events. All proceeds goes to different non-profit organizations and charities in Saudi…Fitness4aCause!
Contact info
- Snapchat: @empowermenthub
- E-mail: info@theempowermenthub.com
Mawaddah Women Charity based in Saudi Arabia, work closely with children of divorcees, and have taken it upon them to create a safety haven for children of divorcees. Not too long ago, visiting hours took place at police stations. Today, Mawaddah is the legal hub for visits. “Beit Mawaddah” aka “Mawaddah Home” is a safety haven where visiting hours take place; drop offs, pick-ups and more. It’s every child’s right to feel safe with their parent/caregiver, and it’s every parent’s right to know that their child is safe during their absence.
IBAN: SA1905000068201075761000
Toll free: 920011432
Mobile: 0555023371
Landline: 0114542301 ext.31
Fax: 0114534662
Location:
Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdullatif Street, Al Mursalat, Riyadh , Saudi Arabia
Read about more Climbers with a Cause:
Fatima Batook | Lynne Fleifel | Heidi Alaskary & Yasmin Dabbagh | Aida Adnan | Wafa Alkhayal
