Raising a mountain from a mountain
Angela Yeung, the visionary founder of the Impilo Collection Foundation and ambassador of Brand South Africa, is preparing to climb the daunting steep Ama Dablam Mountain in Nepal, at 6,812 metres, in her personal quest to raise awareness on GBVF.
The driving force behind Angela’s ascent is a compelling mission, to spotlight and combat the harrowing issue of gender-based violence femicide (GBVF); a struggle Angela believes is its own undefeated mountain, of which a minority of women continue to climb in fear and silence. Yeung’s daring expedition aims to break down the walls of shame surrounding the GBVF conversation and channel funds toward an educational program that will empower and uplift young women, who have faced the gruelling consequences of such social damage.
This challenge surpasses Yeung’s previous triumph on the Manaslu, Nepal, at 8,163 metres, in 2023, with a number of more advanced technical crossings and climbing skills expected on the rides, navigating ice, rocks and snow.
“I am ready to face the mountain we are all climbing; one that symbolises the path to a young woman's voice, and her ultimate empowerment through education. This journey is only but a small stepping stone to the same independence and self-reliance we are all fighting for,” Yeung said.
Impilo Collection Foundation has already demonstrated its prowess in addressing GBVF through its #EmpowerHer campaign, a testament to its social-economic dedication. The collection of 8 848 bras was a representation of the height of Mount Everest - a novel pursuit of social warriors who stand resolute against GBVF. The campaign's impactful display of 6,200 bras at Johannesburg's Constitution Hill, and subsequent distribution to GBV shelters during International Women’s Month in 2022, has since left a lasting impact - and Ama Dablam will be no exception.
“Ama Dablam means mother's necklace and has been very much part of my inspiration to climb for my cause; the long ridges on each side are like the arms of a mother (ama) protecting her child, and the hanging glacier is thought of as the Dablam, which is the traditional double-pendant containing pictures of the gods, worn by Sherpa women,” she said.
In her drive for funding, generous benefactors will be commemorated with a keepsake symbolising the metaphorical mountains scaled together. The ascent is scheduled from October 9th to November 3rd in collaboration with esteemed international brands such as Cathay Pacific, GoPro, and Zara Wellness. A thrilling revelation is Angela's plan to carry these brand logos and the South African flag to the summit of Ama Dablam, paying homage to her country and to the brands that stand for so much more than their global footprint.
"Our quest for anti-GBVF demands the collective efforts of supporters, followers, climbers, and allies. My gratitude goes out to all those that are helping us raise mountains together. Collectively, we will make this vision for good an impactful reality, I know it,” Yeung concluded.
Stay connected and join Yeung’s journey on Facebook and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impilo.
Donations can be made at: https://www.givengain.com/project/impilo-raising-funds-for-impilo-collection-foundation-83638
Saturday Star
norman.cloete@inl.co.za