Support for survivors of sexual & domestic abuse

Challenge The Volcanic Seven Summits

I am climbing the highest volcano in the world – Ojos del Salado at 6, 893 m to support the Women and Girls Network (WGN) charity which provides a safe space for women and girls and helps them to recover from the experiences of gendered violence and abuse.

Why Women and Girls Network?

I’m a bit sentimental; a few years ago, I approached the Women and Girls Network charity looking for help when I was going through a tough time. Even though I haven’t used their services in the end, I’ve learned how much good they do for women and girls. Since then, my life has changed dramatically, and I have worked hard to recover, heal and improve myself. It was tough to admit to myself and others that I needed help and couldn’t face what was happening in my life. Without a strong support network, it would never be possible for me to be where I am now. For this reason, I understand how important it is to have a safe, non-judgmental and non-directive space to regain strength and energy, a space to recover and heal.

Through my life, experiences and future plans, I would like to show that moving away from violence, abuse, and toxic relationships is possible. Maybe we won’t ever forget our experiences, but we can learn to live with them, and we can learn to overcome our traumas. It is not easy, and it takes time. My journey is not finished, but I am on a good path to create the life that I want to live. Most importantly, I’ve got my voice back, and my life is in my hands.

For me spending time outdoors, camping and climbing mountains was this alternative, safe space where I could connect better with my inner self, breathe, and feel free. So, yes, I found healing through outdoor activities.

Through this challenge of climbing the highest volcano in the world I would like to promote and raise awareness about the magical healing powers of nature and, at the same time, support this fantastic charity which works very hard to help women and girls in need. I believe that finding alternative ways to deal with our traumas and experiences of abuse can be very helpful in our healing process. Of course, it doesn’t have to be the same for everyone; someone else can find serenity in music, singing, writing, reading, painting, meditation, yoga, garden works … whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that it helps you to get back on the right track with your life and, regain your strength, independence, sense of empowerment, improve your self-worth, self-love, confidence and resilience.

The Charity

The Women and Girls Network (WGN) was established in 1987 and since then has been supporting women and girls across London affected by gendered violence. This includes childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, rape, prostitution (including trafficking and sexual exploitation), female genital mutilation (FGM), and so-called ‘honour’ based crimes such as forced marriage.

The organisation also works with young people affected by violence and abuse, and not many charities do that. They support Black and minoritised young people, including people from ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ and disabled young people.

WGN provides free, women-only and survivor-led service and offers a holistic response to women and girls who have experienced or are at risk of gendered violence. Their goal is to promote, preserve, and restore the mental health and well-being of women and girls, to empower them to make a total and sustainable recovery from the experiences of violence.

Every person can make a difference! (link)

Do you want to join me in supporting this cause?

I would love to collect £2,500 (sounds like a lot, but if 500 people give £5 each – we can reach this goal) in aid of the Women and Girls Network, and every donation will help! Thank You! All money raised will go directly to the Women and Girls Network Charity account. I won’t benefit from the funds collected, and I would like to highlight that my trip is solely financed by me.

Project The Volcanic Seven Summits

Let me introduce you to my project: The Volcanic Seven Summits are the highest volcanic peaks on the Earth’s seven continents. My dream is to climb all seven. There are now 30 climbers on the list who climbed all ‘7 Volcanic Summits’, of which six are women. It will be an unforgettable and exceptional adventure that will push my mental, physical and endurance limits to the extreme. I’ve already completed 3 out of 7 volcanic summits – Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Pico de Orizaba in Mexico and Damavand in Iran. The next one on my list is Ojos del Salado @ 6,893 m. I will also try to climb Aconcagua @ 6,959 m in Chile/ Argentina – which is the highest mountain in the Americas, the highest outside of Asia.

Read more: The Volcanic Seven Summits

Read more – My story

Part of the team – July

My girlfriend July who never experience high altitude treks, joined the project and will be going up to the Ojos del Salado base camp – Tejos Refuge at 5800m. It is her personal challenge. July is putting herself in a very difficult position, and definitely out of her comfort zone, since she has never done this type of adventure, and she hasn’t been exposed to such conditions. Which in my opinion proves that she is a very brave and strong woman! I totally admire her and respect her for joining me on this trip!

July was born and raised in a small town in Colombia. At the age of 8 she moved to Gran Canaria where she lived until the age of 26. In 2018 she move to England (and I’m glad she did).

We dedicate this climb to the @womenandgirlsnetwork charity, to every woman who has suffered sexual and/or domestic abuse. It is not only our personal challenge, but also an opportunity to raise awareness about alternative ways of dealing with our past traumas.

As July said: “Raising funds for the Women and Girls Network charity also touches me closely. I think I won’t be mistaken if I say that it touches all of us in some way. For many of us, it is difficult to admit it and even recognise all types of abuse that we experience on a daily basis; often hidden, widespread under social norms and generally supported by society and the patriarchal culture under which we grew up.

This charity helps women who struggle to find themselves again, it helps them once again feel that their words have value and meaning. It helps them to gain strength, so that there are never again silenced or made feel worthless. As a woman who suffered abuse, I know how difficult it is to accept it and talk about it. I have been silent for many years without the strength or courage to ask for help or even to admit it to people close to me. It is very difficult to know the true scope of people who experienced and who are experiencing domestic and sexual abuse, because often they do not speak about it, and they suffer alone and in silence.

Justyna dedicates her 4th volcanic summit – the highest one – to every woman who has suffered sexual and/or domestic abuse, and each of you can make a difference by sharing this fundraising, spreading awareness and donating a small amount if you can.

By joining this project and accompanying Justyna I will definitely test my physical and mental strength, but it will be a challenge where the effort and pain will be done on behalf of all of us. This fight does not end here, we have to face it together, because the power and strength come from joint efforts, let’s do it together and get our voices back.

Each of us can make a difference in our own way!