Objective Mont Blanc ! Climb 2022
The ascent
The Mont Blanc. A symbol for a multitude of conquests; for some a sporting feat, for others a goal to check off their "to do list"; for others still, a revenge on life, after having had to leave their country and go through the difficulties of exile and the asylum process.
For Adam, Rahimullah and Abdi Wali, climbing this peak was a dream. They knew that Sikou, Jomah Khan and Qambar had accomplished this feat the year prior by becoming, with the help of YAMBI, the first refugees in the world to reach the summit of the Mont Blanc. But this project was for them much more than a simple sports challenge. For Abdi Wali, Adam and Rahimullah, this ascent was an opportunity to regain control over their lives. Coming from Somalia, Sudan or Afghanistan, all 3 had to leave behind everything they were familiar with to find refuge in France. A new life not always easy to build. Long administrative procedures, the difficulty to learn a new language, to find a job, or even to make friends... This Mont Blanc was theirs. After having to go through so many difficulties in life, they chose this challenge. They have the drive, the desire to move forward, to integrate, to live, quite simply.
Accompanied by volunteers and certified mountain guides, Adam, Rahimullah and Abdi Wali had 6 months to train and become aware of its risks that come with mountaineering. If they were physically and mentally ready to take up the challenge, the capricious weather (-15*C in real temperature, -30*C in felt temperature, and wind gusts up to 90km/h) on the day of the ascent forced them to turn back a few hundred meters short of the summit for security reasons.
The group was inevitably a little disappointed but it didn't matter, Rahimullah, Abdi Wali and Adam told us. Everyone understood the need to turn back and the ascent they made already was a great achievement. They did not go to Mont Blanc to put themselves in danger. They have experienced enough danger in their lives already. They lived their Mont Blanc adventure to the end, even if not to the top. The objective for them was to challenge themselves, to prove to themselves that they were capable and that they had value. By confronting them with their limits, the Mont Blanc and its capricious weather made them dream. Because what counts, as they said, is the journey, not the finish line.
The participants
Rahimullah, the Fonceur, who has become aware of the importance of controlling his movements, of progressing through the effort and of respecting the instructions and advice of the supervisors and guides.
Distinctive feature: often utters his favorite phrase in the mountains: "It feels good, doesn't it?
Adam, the joy of life, who despite the difficulties always kept his smile, his humor and showed seriousness and concentration when needed.
Distinctive feature: never say that he didn't understand what you just explained to him
Abdi Wali, the Curious One, who knew how to master his blocks and fears by persevering and without ever complaining or even thinking of giving up.
Distinctive feature: doesn't sweat, doesn't drink, doesn't eat... how does he do it? What does he have that we don't?
The outcome
What do Adam, Rahimullah and Abdi Wali take away from this experience?
A great sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem.
When we met Rahimullah, Adam and Abdi Wali, all 3 had been in France for less than a year. Whether they come from Afghanistan, Sudan or Somalia, all 3 came to France on foot. We let you imagine the number of kilometers they walked... But if they were already used to walking (much more than us) before arriving in Haute-Savoie and meeting us, they were not used to walking "for fun". Where they come from, we walk to get somewhere, period.
Through our mountain outings and the Mont Blanc project, Adam, Abdi Wali and Rahimullah have discovered a passion for a sport that was previously unknown to them. They often tell us how much good these days of walking do them. It is not the destination that counts but the journey itself. And what a relief for them. These moments of escape allow them to forget themselves for a moment. To forget what they have lost. To forget what they have to rebuild. They walk for themselves, with no other objective than to do themselves good.
From this Mont Blanc, they have kept their training routine and their taste for mountain outings. Abdi Wali, in particular, keeps a very strong memory of this adventure and of the bonds forged with "his team". This project proved to them that they were not worth less than others, that they were people before being refugees and that they too could accomplish great things in life.
Strong relationships with the volunteers and mountain guides.
To climb the Mont Blanc safely, you must be roped up with other people. This rope is more than a simple accessory. It is a real lifeline between people who must be able to trust, support, assist, and protect each other. You can't break a rope. Either everyone gets to the top or everyone turns back.
The integration of exiled people in their host society is like a rope line. Both the newcomers and the local population must be able to trust, support, assist and protect each other. Adam, Rahimullah and Abdi Wali have come a long way. They left almost everything they knew and loved back home, whether in Sudan, Afghanistan, or Somalia. In France, in our beautiful mountains that have now also become theirs, they had to rebuild everything, starting with trusting relationships.
When we met them, Adam, Rahimullah and Abdi Wali were shy (well, not Rahim!). We had to tame each other to get to know each other and live together. We had to bond together, getting stronger and stronger, until we became a team.
When we met Abdi Wali in particular, he didn't speak a word of French and didn't know any of the locals. After a few trips to the mountains with us last winter, he expressed his frustration at not being able to communicate more with us. It was this desire to be socially connected with us that motivated him to enroll in French classes. Today, he participates very assiduously in the French classes given by our great teacher Nacima. Because in the end, integration is like a rope course. Either we all go together or it doesn't work.
A toolbox
An ascent like Mont Blanc requires preparation. You need physical and mental training but also the right equipment. Integration into a new society also requires preparation. A refugee who wants to integrate will only be able to do so if the host society allows him/her to do so, and the host society will only be able to integrate a refugee if he/she wants to do so and works towards it.
Like Mont Blanc, integration has its own toolbox. On the checklist we find the administrative procedures, the learning of the language, the search for a job, an apartment, the creation of social links... All these steps can only be achieved if we, the host society, help the refugees to find the right keys to open the right doors.
Adam, Abdi Wali and Rahimullah have their eyes constantly glued to their integration checklist. Their dream? To be able to live like everyone else, no more, no less. While waiting for them to complete their integration toolbox, our super mountain guides helped them complete the one they needed to climb Mont Blanc. But, finally, if we think about it, by filling this second toolbox, didn't they also help them fill the first one?
A great human and sporting adventure made possible thanks to the contribution of YAMBI's partners: Fusalp, Salomon, Concept Pro Chamonix, Julbo, TSL Outdoors, and the Hi La Clusaz hostel.
