Alexander Jalland (EW14) Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro
This year, Old Amplefordian Alexander Jalland (EW14), will be taking on the ultimate challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to support the work of Dig Deep. Alexander writes:
"Adventure and accomplishment call to me as I sit in engineering lectures thinking of plans for the summer after the dreaded but necessary exams; training in the tunnels of Gibraltar, jetting off abroad, Polo at Sandhurst and reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
At school, I imagined all the wonderful trips and achievements I could complete once I had left. It only really struck me in my second year that so much was out there to do. After a year in the CCF the contingent went to Brunei for a once-in-a-life-time trip, this trip solidified my decision to make a career in the army. This year I leave the Birmingham University Officer Training Corps to join a reserve regiment. After two years, two ski trips, public order training, Platoon Sergeant, JUO, numerous adventure training trips and making brilliant, lifelong friends it will be sad to leave the marvellous society that is BUOTC but they said all the alumni may come back for the socials! If you are reading this and are off to University, I highly recommend giving it a go.
The climb up to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is to support the work done by Dig Deep. Dig Deep is a small charity which works with communities in Kenya to improve their access to clean water and sanitation. The charity is run almost entirely by volunteers, and since it was founded in 2007 they have created clean water supplies for over 25,000 people, and renewable energy supplies for the schools and orphanages in many counties. The education of future generations is so important for communities to thrive.
Dig Deep works alongside these communities, local government and local charities to invest in hygiene training and use of appropriate technologies. They have a focused approach to their projects and are therefore able to build long-term partnerships with communities and monitor their impact for at least five years to make sure they continue the intended impact. Any support would be most welcome and greatly appreciated by the communities."