Climber Profiles
Lauren Wallace
Lauren Wallace is a first year student in the Arts and Sciences Program at the University of Guelph with minors in Anthropology and Biology who is spearheading the Mount Kilimanjaro Charity climb. Last summer, she spent a month on a volunteer and leadership trip in Kenya, Africa with the Free the Children Organization. After returning from her trip, and reading Steven Lewis’ book, “Race Against Time”, she became inspired to fund raise for the Masai Project. Lauren hopes to pursue medicine. She is active as a volunteer in her community, and is currently the Young Woman Co-Chair of the Beautiful Woman Project, a downtown Hamilton art display promoting positive body image amongst females. She hopes that through this experience, the climbing team will learn to aspire to climb as high as they can dream.
Cathy Wallace
After receiving her degree in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, Cathy Wallace became a Hamilton Police Officer. As an avid traveler, Cathy believes the best way to see Tanzania is from the highest mountain in Africa, and is excited to combine this incredible personal challenge with a fundraiser for a great cause. She isn’t sure what will be most rewarding-reaching the roof of Africa at 50 yrs of age, or knowing that a group of ordinary Canadians can come together to meet a common goal-helping to provide the women and children of Lesotho with much needed funding for HIV testing and treatment.
Normand Doan
Normand Doan is finishing his fourth semester in the Bachelor of Arts and Science Program at the University of Guelph, with minors in Neuroscience and Classical Studies. Normand is also a student of the martial arts studying Goju Ryu Karate-Do, and Ninjutsu; after graduation he plans on continuing his studies of the martial arts in a temple in either China or Japan. Normand is a man of many ambitions, including pediatric medicine. Currently Normand is a residence assistant at the University of Guelph, and has a seasonal position at The Hospital for Sick Children, in Toronto, where he works in the Haematology / Oncology wards as a patient information clerk. During the summer Normand also volunteers at a summer camp, Camp Oochigeas, for children who have been affected by cancer. Normand is very passionate about life and truly living in each moment. He climbs because not only does this climb give him an opportunity to push himself physically, mentally and spiritually; but also the opportunity to improve the quality of life for those in Lesotho for those affected by AIDS.
Taryn Guldborg
Taryn is a second year Arts and Science student at University of Guelph pursuing minors in Nutrition and Art History. She is excited to combine her passion for travel with her enthusiasm in humanitarian causes by embarking on this challenging and once in a life time experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. She became interested in the Masai project during her involvement on the social justice committee in high school and is eager to continue supporting this cause. This year, she is also participating in the U of G Project Serve volunteer trip to Mississippi to assist the relief work in the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. She is not certain of what career path she sees in her future, but she hopes that by the end of this adventure she will have the determination and confidence to conquer any mountain.
Richard Gilbert
Richard is a fourth year student in the Arts and Science program and is also pursuing a degree in Human Kinetics. He enjoys spending time in unique and evolving countries. This past summer he traveled to Iceland and worked at several hospitals in Toronto making instructional surgical videos. Richard is a physically active individual but is striving to become more active in the community locally and globally. He sees climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as the perfect opportunity to achieve this goal. He hopes that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will not only help solve the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Lesotho but will also inspire others to become more involved.
