A Galway couple are preparing to take on one of the world’s most iconic mountains as they set their sights on raising almost €6,000 for an international children’s education charity.
Clark O’Brien and his girlfriend Ksenija, both aged 27 and based in Galway, have signed up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in August 2027 as part of the Choose a Challenge initiative, supporting the charity Street Child.
The couple will depart on August 19, 2027, and take on the six-day Machame route, with the ultimate goal of reaching the summit at 5,895 metres above sea level. Standing as the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro will present a significant physical and mental challenge for the pair.
While both are excited about the adventure ahead, they know reaching the summit will require plenty of preparation, determination and hard work. Over the coming months, they plan to build their fitness through regular training and hiking as they get ready for the demanding climb.
For Clark, the decision to take on the challenge brings together two things he is particularly passionate about: travelling and making a positive difference.
Having travelled to more than 26 countries, Clark has been fortunate enough to experience different cultures and visit some of the world’s more disadvantaged communities. During his travels, he has witnessed first-hand the difficult circumstances faced by many children and families, experiences which have given him a greater appreciation of the opportunities available to young people growing up in Ireland.
He said the Kilimanjaro challenge felt like the perfect opportunity to combine his love of exploring new places with supporting a cause that genuinely matters to him.
As someone who believes young people are the future, Clark feels every child should have the opportunity to receive an education and a fair chance in life, regardless of where they are born or the circumstances into which they are born.
That belief is at the heart of the couple’s decision to support Street Child.
Street Child is an international children’s education charity whose mission is to ensure all children are safe, in school and learning, particularly those living in disadvantaged communities and emergency situations.
Working alongside a growing network of more than 95 local organisations across 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, the charity focuses on creating sustainable, community-led solutions to the barriers preventing children from accessing education. These include poverty, displacement and conflict, all of which can have a devastating impact on a child’s future.
For Clark, the importance of education is something he also understands from his own experience. He works in environmental health and safety and is currently continuing his studies in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work at University College Cork (UCC ). Ksenija is also pursuing her education and is in her final year of Business Studies at Atlantic Technological University (ATU ) Galway.
Their fundraising efforts are now well underway, with Clark setting himself an ambitious target of €5,980 to support Street Child’s work.
He launched his JustGiving fundraising page earlier this month and has already raised €249 through the generosity of nine supporters. He has also begun reaching out to local Galway businesses, hoping to encourage individuals and companies to get behind the challenge through donations or by helping spread awareness.
Speaking about the fundraising effort, Clark said: “Every donation, big or small, will help me reach my target and support Street Child in continuing their vital work, helping children access education and build a brighter future.”
While reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro will undoubtedly be a huge personal achievement for Clark and Ksenija, their ultimate motivation goes far beyond the climb itself.
By taking on this challenge, they hope to raise vital funds and awareness for children who deserve the same opportunities in life that so many of us can sometimes take for granted.
With more than a year to go before they set off for Tanzania, the training and fundraising journey has only just begun, and the couple are hoping the Galway community will get behind their efforts.
Anyone wishing to support Clark’s Kilimanjaro challenge and contribute to Street Child can do so through his JustGiving page:
Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cachpage-clark-obroin
