Main fundraiser photo

Partho Dreams of Mountains

Donation protected

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE!

My aim is to raise $5,500 for Mount Kilimanjaro Expedition.

Hello, my name is Partho Roy and I’m a grad student at UC Riverside (California). Thanks to an academic scholarship, I came to the U.S. from Bangladesh to pursue a Phd in Chemical Engineering.  As you can imagine, being in a foreign land with intense pressure to study and make the grade, I soon became homesick, lonely and depressed.  To cope I started overeating, chain-smoking and drinking alcohol. Before I realized what was happening, I had gained 35 pounds overweight and my lungs had gotten so weak I could barely walk around the block.  I knew instinctively that this is not how I wanted to live. Yet I didn’t know how to get out of the unhealthy cycle.

Then one day I decided to go to the nearby mountains and try to hike.  The mountains looked intimidating and insurmountable.  I almost turned back but something in me kept pushing me forward.  I only got so far up the trail that day but it changed my life completely. Even though I was huffing and puffing, I felt both an inner drive and inner peace that I hadn’t experienced in a long time.  I was hooked, but this time it was something positive!

Since that day on March 11, 2016, I have climbed an estimated 1000 miles, summited 33 peaks mostly in and around Southern California.  These have been easily accessible since I live near the mountains. I’ve also been fortunate to have climbed Mt. Whitney the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States which is only a 3.5-hour drive from Riverside. I have lost 46 pounds, quit smoking and drinking but importantly, I’ve made new friends and have inspired others to start living a healthier and happier life.  What has been the most significant gain for me is using my experience to lead hikes to help others challenge themselves and reach new heights.

I want to continue inspiring others to climb higher and continue their pursuit of happiness by getting outside to commune with nature and challenge themselves to scale new peaks. 

It’s important for me to lead by example by challenging myself to go further. My new goal and dream is climb Mt. Kilimanjaro known as the roof of Africa.  At 19,341 feet, it will be a big challenge but so was climbing 500 feet on that first hike I took as an overweight, chain-smoking, homesick individual just 18 months ago. 

My hope is that you will join me on this journey by making a donation, no matter how small, to help pay for trip expenses namely airfare, permits, guide, service, food and basic gear.

I will try my best to continue inspiring, motivating and helping others to lead a healthy, joyful life enjoying nature with minimal impact on our planet.

I will be really grateful for your support.

Donate

Donations 

  • Yen H
    • $25 
    • 6 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Partho Roy
Organizer
Riverside, CA

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.