Sarah Kangas ’12 Hikes Kilimanjaro for Kids with Special Needs

Phys Ed major Sarah Kangas ’12 teaches K–5 PE at a public elementary school in Warrenton, Oregon, and she coaches the middle school cross-country and track and field teams. But her commitment to kids goes far beyond even that. This winter, she’ll be climbing Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, with three young East African adults with special needs. Several other inspired climbers will also take part in this 11-day adventure from Dec. 26– Jan. 6. They plan to reach the summit on Jan. 4.

“As part of the adventure, I am also taking on the challenge of raising $10,000 for Kupenda for the Children—a charity group that supports children with disabilities in Africa,” Kangas explained. “In many African communities, children with disabilities are viewed as ‘cursed,’ which leads to their abandonment and neglect. Only about 10% of children with disabilities in Kenya attend school of any form. Kupenda for the Children strives to change these perceptions and give opportunities to children with disabilities so that they have confidence in their abilities, dignity in their lives, and know they are valued members of society.”