Support these incredible women by visiting their GoFundMe page and making a donation. Your contribution will help them achieve their dreams and make a lasting impact. Link to GoFundMe : https://www.gofundme.com/f/from-survival-to-success-support-kilimandjaro-female-porter
If you want to directly contact my fabulous guide Mariam, here is her WhatsApp number: +255 752 059 567 and e-mail: [email protected].
In this special episode of the Metta Life Podcast, Laura explores the intersection of physical and mental resilience, empowerment, and the extraordinary stories of women in the mountains. She takes you on a journey to Mount Kilimanjaro, a place of breathtaking beauty and immense challenges—both physical and societal.
For seven days, Laura climbed Kilimanjaro alongside a team of incredible women. In that time, Laura encountered countless tourists—solo climbers and small groups. But here’s what stood out: not once did she see a single female guide, porter, or chef outside of her crew.
Before embarking on this adventure, Laura thought about the challenges female mountain guides face in Switzerland, where she is from, and realized it must be even harder for women in Tanzania. Determined to make a difference, Laura specifically requested a female crew when booking her climb. Most responses were discouraging: “Sorry, not possible,” or “We can provide one or two women.” Out of the companies she approached, only two stood out. One could offer an all-female team, but it was beyond Laura’s budget. The other company offered a crew that was 90% female, with just one male chef—and that’s the team Laura climbed with.
Throughout the hike, Laura spent hours talking to her guide, Mariam, and the porters, trying to understand their unique challenges and incredible strength. These women aren’t just skilled professionals—they’re single mothers, raising children alone while defying stereotypes in a male-dominated industry. They are resilient, powerful, and truly inspiring.
In the first part of this episode, you’ll hear Laura’s conversation with Mariam, the guide who accompanied her to the top of Kilimanjaro. They discuss her journey, the barriers she’s faced, and why more climbers should consider hiring female crews. In the second part, Laura asked all the women about their dreams.
This episode isn’t just about climbing a mountain—it’s about lifting each other up, promoting mental and physical health, and supporting women who are breaking barriers, one step at a time.