INTO AFRICA

Ryan Cameron

"I am really thrilled to be able to go climb Mount Kilimanjaro. My reason for going is because I want to support all the people who come to Semiahmoo House for the programs they provide. I am really getting excited about going. Jim and I have been counting the days before we go. I have been working out at Great West Gym. The manager at the gym has been very supportive supplying a personal trainer once a week. Then Jim and I go two more times a week and workout for free. We have been getting lots of support from the guys at Mountain Magic. They are out-fitting us for the climb and have been giving us things at cost or discounted. It sure has helped us having their knowledge and support.

I am ready for this, I know I can make it to the top! We will be going with 12 other people. Most of the climbers are students, parents and a couple of their teachers from South Ridge School. We have been meeting every Saturday for the past 5 weeks and climbing different mountains throughout the lower mainland. It has really helped me prepare for a lot of the physical and physiological expectations I will experience on the Kilimanjaro climb. I am pumped and ready to go - SHOW ME THE MOUNTAIN!!"

Jim White

Jim White is the Director of Operations for The Semiahmoo House Society and has been in the social service sector for over 20 years. When he heard about an opportunity to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with Ryan, he jumped at the chance. "I feel honoured to be a member of the Semiahmoo Kili team and to be supporting Ryan"

Happy climbing Ryan and Jim!

Ryan was born on July 7, 1982, at Surrey Memorial Hospital. He was raised and attended school in Surrey. Graduated from Guilford Park Secondary in 2000. Ryan is an avid hockey fan, he knows every goaltenders name in the NHL and which team they play for, and of course, he loves the Vancouver Canucks. He also loves going to Mission Raceway whenever the popular performers are in town, and he likes to spend weekends biking (quad 4x4) up-country with his dad, brother and friends.

Ryan was accepted into the day program at Lifequest with Semiahmoo House Society in March 2003. Since attending this program, he has become a mature, independent young man. He now rides transit independently, loves to cook and has been involved with the catering group at Semiahmoo House Society. He is now taking on a challenge of a lifetime, he will be attempting to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa starting on July 4. To prepare for this climb, he has spent many months getting into shape at the gym at the Newton Wave Pool. The past two months, Ryan has had a personal trainer, compliments of Great West Fitness Club. In addition, for the past seven saturdays, he has joined Jim White, teachers, parents and students from Southridge School in White Rock, as they've done some major climbs of the local mountains, Grouse, Cypress, Harvie, and Windsor.