The Smile Foundation helps disadvantaged children live a life inspired by confidence and possibility, no matter their circumstances. They are passionately committed to transforming the lives of children affected by facial abnormalities and severe burns through the best possible surgical and psychological care.

Based in 13 of South Africa’s leading hospitals, the Smile Foundation exists through generous donations of funds, time and commitment from surgeons and medical staff, hospital facilities, and a passion to bringing a better life to children who need it.

Numerous fund-raising events are held throughout the year in order to hold Smile Weeks in various hospitals. Smile Week is a full working week during which surgeons, their surgical teams and other medical professionals come together to perform reconstructive surgery on children whose families would not otherwise be able to afford it.

One of those fund-raising events is the Kilimanjaro Challenge – a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro organised by Wits alumni and students every two to three years. With the main objective of raising funds, the Challenge also plays an important role in raising awareness about the Smile Foundation and the work it does.

Participants need to raise a minimum of R60 000 each, which comprises R50 000 to cover the costs of the actual trip and a minimum donation of R10 000 to the Smile Foundation. Donations are raised through personal connections, fundraising activities, and approaching corporations for contributions. Donations are either made directly to the Smile Foundation or to the individual to cover costs towards the trip.

It was heartwarming to see how many organisations were involved – Aspen Pharmaceuticals, Discovery, St Teresa’s School, MSC Cruises and PPS.

Container Conversions (Pty) Ltd contributed to the Challenge by helping sponsor Joshua Martyn and we’re delighted to have had our flag carried up to and flown proudly on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in December 2023.

Josh is currently a 5th year medical student at Wits University and the Kilimanjaro Challenge appealed to him as a cause he could believe in, and an adventure he could undertake before the frenetic day to day life of 5th year medical studies, which focus on working in the clinical space and leave no spare time for these student doctors.

Speaking to Josh about the experience, he was full of praise for the trekking company that organise these climbs. Adventure Dynamics International leads and guides expeditions around the world, one of which is the Kilimanjaro climb. Josh says the guides were exceptional – friendly, kindhearted, welcoming, willing to provide advice and assistance. They demonstrated genuine care and concern for the participants.

And it certainly sounds like the experience of a lifetime. You’re on the mountain for six days, of which four are spent climbing up to get to the peak and two are spent climbing down to get to the collection point.

But, while it’s tough going much of the time, the team at Adventure Dynamics do make it a lot easier. Sherpas carry the tents, toilets, food and cooking equipment meaning that the Kilimanjaro Challenge team only needed to carry their day packs of water, snacks, ponchos for the rain, sunblock and other basic requirements.

Care for the participants was also a priority. At the end of each day, vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate were taken. Screening questions were also a daily occurrence, and the hikers were queried on issues such as whether they were experiencing headaches, their bowel habits, dizziness and more.

The food was nothing to complain about either. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided and is all very tasty and hearty. Obviously as one climbs higher, the food gets simpler as it’s difficult to carry large amounts of supplies up the mountain. By the time you get to the top, the meals consist of breads and soups, all still delicious though.

The guides have a saying – Pole, Pole (pronounced ‘po-lay po-lay’). It basically means ‘Slowly, Slowly’. But the deeper message is that you will get there, some people quicker than others, some with more of a struggle than others, but in the end all people reach their destination.

And Josh says this was his biggest take away from this trip, that regardless of your destination or end point, you will reach it in the time you are meant to – both in life or when you’re climbing a mountain.

The Container Conversions team were honoured to play a part in this initiative as well as assist in adding to Josh’s life experiences and adventures.