The ‘Challenge for Life’ event is within the framework of the recently launched ‘Compassion’ initiative of QC for the benefit of children and orphans of the world and sponsored by Barwa Bank.

Fahad al-Buainain, Ahmed Salim Ibrahim and Talal Abdul Aziz al-Emadi will climb to the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, which at 6,962m is the highest peak in the western and southern hemispheres.

“This event is to draw attention to an important humanitarian issue; the suffering of Yemeni children with heart problems,” QC CEO Yousef bin Ahmed al-Kuwari told a press briefing. 

“It also sends a message to Qatari youth that humanitarian action is not limited to providing direct financial aid but can take other forms,” he added.

Al-Kuwari said that the success of such a campaign is a national achievement for Qatar and reminded people that this trip is the second phase of the ‘Challenge for Life’ campaign launched by QC over a year ago. Later events will include the summits of Denali, Alaska and Everest in Nepal.

Al-Emadi, a mountain climber, a free diver, pilot schooner, boxer and athlete, has already climbed to the summit of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and the summit of Gran Paradiso in Italy.

Al-Buainain, who also shares all the descriptions bestowed on al-Emadi, has previously climbed Kilimanjaro and Gran Paradiso.

Ibrahim, a mountain climber and a free diver, has previously climbed Gran Paradiso. He has also played for Qatar Athletics.

Al-Buainain and al-Emadi participated in the first phase of the ‘Challenge for Life’ campaign by climbing the summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest peak of Africa, in order to highlight the food crisis in West Africa, as well as making field trips to Niger to witness the condition of people suffering from hunger.

The team has carried out intensive training for their mission, including cycling in Italy and climbing in the Alps. They also made a field visit to Yemen to witness the suffering of the children they hope to help.

Al-Buainain said that he had experienced a variety of feelings after the field trip, but felt pride and enthusiasm about the opportunity to participate in such a challenge that aims to draw the world’s attention to the plight of these children.

During their visit to Yemen, the team was briefed on the QC open heart programme. The programme is part of a comprehensive strategy to fill gaps in humanitarian work and offer support to previously neglected groups.

This project provides heart surgery for children having either holes in the heart or other congenital deformities requiring surgery.  As many as 420 surgeries have been performed to date and a further 1,000 are planned.

More than 2,000 Yemeni children suffer from heart disease, according to the latest official statistics.

The 22-day ‘Challenge for Life’ journey will involve 15 to 17 days’ walking, at the rate of 6-12 hours daily in order to climb the summit of Aconcagua, which is located in the Andes mountain range in the province of Mendoza in western Argentina, near the Chilean border. It is the highest mountain located outside the continent of Asia, the second highest peak and one of the Seven Summits.

The ‘Compassion’ campaign focuses on the sponsorship and care of orphans and children across the world. The campaign was launched by QC under the supervision of the Islamic clergyman Sheikh Dr Aaydh al-Qarni in the presence of QC’s CEO, during a charity match between the Saudi League Stars and stars of the Muslim World at the stadium of King Abdul Aziz Sports City Sports in Makkah.