uOttawa graduate to climb mount Kilimanjaro in support of access to clean water in Eastern Africa

Brittany Moorcroft in Gatineau Park.

When she graduated from uOttawa, Brittany Moorcroft craved a challenge that would push her mentally and physically. WaterCan Challenge 2012 turned out to be the perfect opportunity to do just that. In less than a month, Moorcroft and the other team members of Kilimanjaro Climb for Life, which includes eTalk’s Ben Mulroney, will begin their ascent of the highest mountain in Africa to support WaterCan’s efforts to provide communities in Eastern Africa with access to clean drinking water, basic sanitation and hygiene education.

‘‘I’ve been thinking about it for a little while and when I heard about WaterCan’s fundraising, it kind of all fell into my lap,’’ says Brittany, who holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences with a communications minor from uOttawa.

The journey will be challenging in many ways. In order to reach their goal in six nights and seven days, the team will have to hike six to eight hours a day. In addition, exposure to high altitudes can lead to altitudes sickness. Besides hiking regularly in Gatineau Park, Moorcroft practises yoga and breathing exercises to improve her ability to adapt to high altitudes.

‘‘Altitudes sickness is very common, and doing yoga is one thing you can do to improve the strength of your lungs and your breathing capacity, ’’ she says.

Already focused on reaching the summit, she expects it will be a very satisfying and emotional moment. ‘‘If I’m not a zombie, I plan on crying!’’ she says. ‘‘The whole process will have taken almost a year of hard work and preparation.”

Since she joined the team in January, Moorcroft has organized numerous fundraising events, raising more than $5,000 to help alleviate the water crisis in one of the most affected regions of the world.

‘‘It’s very rewarding to see how generous people are,’’ she says.

To follow Brittany as she prepares for the expedition and her fundraising events, read Brittany’s blog.

For more information on WaterCan Challenge 2012, a Canadian initiative, visit the WaterCan Challenge 2012 site.