“It was my grandson’s face that kept me going,” Mary Handen says, in a shaky voice, trying to control her sob.
It was in fact her grandson who put her on this path in the very beginning.
Mary had approached the Cecilia Ali Leukemia Foundation to climb Mt Wilhelm with 11 other women, to raise funds and awareness of the foundation and Leukaemia in PNG.
She was particularly passionate about this because she had lost her 12-year-old grandson Jedrick Moale to Leukaemia in April 30, 2014.
With CALF being the first and only foundation for Leukaemia, Mary and fellow members of Winged Mentorship and Empowerment Agency (MEA) decided to step in as their contribution to the community.
Mount Wilhelm stands at 4,509 metres (14,793 ft), being the highest mountain in PNG. It is part of the Bismarck Range and the peak is the point where three provinces, Chimbu, Western Highlands and Madang, meet.
So the group dedicated themselves to fitness sessions and raised funds.
Each member were to contribute K500 personally and raise at least K1000 being the set minimum.
However, when the time neared, Mary said only nine made the contributions and the group number further reduced to only ight, confirmed for the climb.
Mary describes it as a very tough walk.
They left Port Moresby on August 26, spent a day at the base camp and climbed on Saturday, August 28 at 1am.
“It was a very good experience but the walk was very tough. We all had the altitude sickness forcing the rest to turn back mid-way. Only three of us made it to the summit,” she said.
Altitude sickness is caused by ascent to high altitude, characterised by hyperventilation, nausea, and exhaustion resulting from shortage of oxygen.
It took Mary 9 hours to reach the summit.
“My determination to go on was seeing my grandson’s face every time I felt like giving up. So I reached the top at 10 o’clock and I just broke down when I did,” she continues.
Mary reached the base camp at 7pm and along with another fellow member, left for the local lodge at 11:20pm, where the other three, who turned mid-way through the climb and had gone earlier.
The two arrived at 3am on August 29, and returned to Port Moresby with part of the group on the special flight booked.
She says the country side was beautiful, the local people were very friendly and helpful and the weather was perfect.
The whole experience bonded the group and even taught them a lot.
“We were totally positive all the way, encouraging each other and looking out for each other. It would have been a great story if we had all reached the summit together but even still, the ladies were happy that at least they walked to wherever they could and did so for a good cause,” she says.
Mary has returned from the climb with a new perspective, outlook and mindset and ready for any difficult situation life throws her way.
Winged MEA, as part of their mentorship aims to make this climb an annual event, and better planned, learning from this years’ experience.
“People should be in the area at least one week or so to acclimatise before the climb. There is little awareness made by the previous climbers about the altitude sickness so we advise you go prepared.
“Otherwise, personally, the whole experience was challenging, enjoyable and emotional and I’m glad I went through with it,” she said.
The group will finalise their funds at the end of this month to confirm the total funds raised for CALF. Mary has raised over K10,000.