Climbing Kilimanjaro for international women’s day: Sarah Baxter’s inspiring journey
On 8th March 2025, at sunrise, a team of five remarkable women from Mid-Devon stood at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, after an extraordinary six-day ascent. Among them was Sarah Baxter—an inspiring wife, mum, and owner of FISH Breakfast, After School, and Holiday Club.
This wasn’t just a personal challenge. Sarah and her team took on this gruelling expedition in support of International Women’s Day (IWD) and in aid of a cause that aligns perfectly with the day’s mission—the Malala Fund.
Sarah, based at the wraparound care site at Ladysmith School, has been sharing her journey with the children—from training sessions to discussions about African culture. The children were especially excited to track her plane live as it travelled from the UK to Tanzania.
A team of women, supporting women
Between 3rd and 9th March, this all-female expedition, including climbers, leaders, and support staff, trekked through dense rainforests, rocky terrains, and freezing high-altitude conditions to reach the summit. Their goal? To highlight the importance of education for girls worldwide and raise vital funds to help those who don’t have access to the same opportunities they did.
The Malala Fund works to ensure that every girl receives 12 years of free, safe, quality education, particularly focusing on secondary school (grades 7-12). Around the world, millions of girls are denied an education, limiting their ability to shape their own futures. Sarah and her team, who met through their children’s school, recognised their privilege and wanted to give back—to ensure more girls can access the education they once took for granted.
A challenge like no other
Climbing 5,895m (19,341ft) to Uhuru Peak is no small feat. The journey pushed Sarah and her teammates to their physical and mental limits. Altitude sickness, exhaustion, and harsh weather conditions made every step harder. On Wednesday, two of their team members had to turn back due to severe effects of altitude sickness—a stark reminder of the dangers of extreme altitude.
Sarah described the climb as the hardest thing she has ever done, battling the effects of low oxygen levels and freezing temperatures. Yet, with sheer determination and the cause driving her forward, she pushed through.
Summiting on international women’s day
At sunrise on 8th March, Sarah and the remaining members of the team stood on the summit, watching the sky light up over Africa. This moment wasn’t just about conquering a mountain—it was a symbol of strength, perseverance, and the power of women supporting women.
With limited contact throughout the trek, the team finally managed to send a message home:
We’ve done it! We reached the summit at sunrise on International Women’s Day. It was the hardest thing we’ve ever done, but knowing why we were doing it kept us going.
How you can support
Sarah and her team are fundraising through JustGiving, making it easy and secure for supporters to donate to the Malala Fund. Every donation goes directly to the charity, helping more girls access the education they deserve.
Donate here and be part of the change!
Sarah Baxter is already an inspiration in so many ways, and she can’t wait to get back to the after-school club to share her incredible experience with the children. Who knows? Maybe one day, one of them will climb a mountain—because they were inspired by her!
Her journey reminds us all that when women lift each other up, incredible things happen. Hopefully, her story will inspire others to take on their own challenges—whether in business, education, or personal goals—because, as Sarah has shown, anything is possible.
