Mount Kilimanjaro climb for safer cities

Armed robbery victim Tim Challen, 33, began on Saturday his bid to conquer Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, in northern-eastern Tanzania, to draw world attention to the need to prevent crime and create "Safer Cities". "I have been waiting for this day to come," he said, referring to the serious gunshot wounds he sustained from an armed robbery in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, in May 2003. "I strongly believe in turning my misfortune into raising awareness to the problems of crime." Since his shooting, he has been engaged in drawing attention to some problems in East Africa's cities through UN-HABITAT'S Safer Cities programme. Challen is among some 30 climbers trying to conquer the 5,896-metre snow-capped summit to raise funds for new community crime prevention projects, which are part of UN-HABITAT's programme. He expects to raise about $50,000 from the six-day expedition. The UN-HABITAT programme, launched in 1996, is aimed at creating a culture of safe urban environments in developing countries. The effort engages youths, community groups and local law enforcement officials, as well as the private business sector. The British-born Challen told reporters moments before he began his hike to the mountain top, "If this climb can inspire one person not to give up on their dreams and to believe that their life can improve, I feel our climb will have succeeded." Challen works for the United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) in Geneva, Switzerland, which has sponsored 10 youths on this expedition. The Arusha-based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has sponsored one. Funds generated from the climb, Challen said, would go towards grassroots projects. These include the renovation of a soccer field in the Nairobi slum dwelling of Kibera, a hotbed of crime in the city; start-up small businesses run by youths - ensuing profits go towards establishing nightly, neighbourhood patrols; and a water project in Kiluvya ward in the district of Kinondoni in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He said the sales from the water project will fund a security-watch group. UN-HABITAT will oversee distribution of the money. "This is the first effort of its kind on behalf of Safer Cities and we are proud to work with Tim and UNFCU to continue to strengthen civic responsibility within communities, engage youth and prevent crimes," said Anna Tibaijuka, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, when she flagged off the expedition with Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Mohammed Babu. The climb is led by a hiker renowned in Tanzania, former chief of defence forces Mirisho Sarakikya. The team also includes the chief executive officer of UNFCU, Michael Connery. "Tim conceived the idea to discourage young people from getting sucked into anti-social welfare activities. The climb represents a mission of hope and true lesson in overcoming adversity," Tibaijuka said.